Post-Convention FAQ's...

Below is a list of a few questions from the surveys YOU filled out with the questions you have regarding the convention. SHEM reads EVERY one of the surveys. Those with helpful criticism are especially valuable and are taken into consideration each year. We hope you had an amazing time at the convention. SHEM is already planning the 2011 convention with great excitement.

Q. Does SHEM profit from the convention?
A. In short, No! SHEM is a non-profit organization. The expenses that are incurred, such as the Expo Center, Speakers, Pipe & Drape, etc. are solely covered by your registration and attending exhibitors. Conventions who pay their staff have a much higher attendee entrance rate.

Q. Are the board members paid staff?
A. Both board members and convention helpers are completely volunteer. The convention is a labor of love for those on the board. It takes over 10 months of hard labor and planning to make the convention happen. They simply desire to make certain SWMO homeschoolers retain their rights to homeschool and have an opportunity to hear great speakers and purchase amazing curriculum.

Q. I have a certain speaker I would really like to hear. Can you invite him/her?
A. SHEM has an on-going list of speakers. They are all taken into consideration. They are chosen dependant on availability and fees. Some speakers book out 2 years in advance. However, the Expo Center will not allow us to plan that far ahead. If that option becomes available in the future, our speaker requests will open up. We attempt to not have the same speaker two years in a row. In doing this, each year feels new.

Q. Can you book out the Expo to avoid others from coming in?
A. We realize this is an uncomfortable part of the convention. The Expo has the right to book whomever they choose. The expense has forbidden us to take all of the space thus far. However, due to the interest in the Teen Track, we are looking at taking out another section of the Expo which should decrease the option for others to use the hall.

Q. I wanted to join the Teen Track but couldn't get in. Will this be different next year?
A. When SHEM decided to look at the option of the Teen Track, there was no way to know about the extent of the interest. Since there is an OBVIOUS interest and need, there will be MANY changes next year. We are currently looking at an additional room to house BOTH parents and teens. We are VERY excited that we will be able to make this portion of the convention even greater.

A special thank you to the volunteers for their COUNTLESS hours given up to help make the 2010 convention possible. You are truly amazing. A VERY special thank you to the pages as well. You are TOP NOTCH. We know this because the exhibitors have told us so. SHEM pages are the best in the region. Keep up the good work!

Is There a Charge for Nursing Babies at the Convention?

What about very young children?


Nursing babies – ages 1 and younger – are included at no charge as a part of either an Individual or Family registration, as long as the infant is NOT in a stroller. Nursing infants in strollers will be counted as an individual due to the space accommodations needed in the session rooms.

** Please note that SHEM REQUIRES that any fussy or crying babies or children be immediately removed from any SPEAKING SESSION or from the EXHIBIT HALL so as not to ruin the convention experience for those around you, or interfere with the session recordings. All children ages 12 and under are to be accompanied at all times by one of their own parents.

Are Nursing Babes Welcome at the Convention?

Of course your infant is able to attend with you. The only request SHEM has is that if your child begins to cry, that you politely step out of the session.

The sessions are being recorded by Rhino and sadly, any noise is picked up by their equipment making for poor sound quality for those desiring to purchase audio cds of the sessions.

IT's HERE! Convention Brochure...

Many of you have been patiently waiting for the 2010 SHEM Convention Brochure. It is now available for preview on the SHEM Website. You can click HERE to link to it. The brochure is set to mail out in the next week, so keep your eye on the mailbox.

Tell Me More About the Worldview Teen Track at the Convention...

Incredible Worldview Teen Track

As a first, SHEM Homeschool Convention (April 22-24, 2010) will host a special Teen Track for homeschooled students ages 13-18!!
The new Teen Track features Seminar and Workshop Sessions specifically developed to teach, encourage and motivate your teen. In addition to other fine speakers, we are proud and thankful to have Jeff Baldwin of Worldview Academy as the featured speaker. Jeff is an editor of the bestselling worldview primer Understanding the Times, as well as the author of The Deadliest Monster!!

These very special sessions begin on Friday morning and continue throughout the convention ending at 5PM on Saturday evening.

The cost for the 2010 Teen Convention is $12 per student age 13-18. The Teen Track is not part of the family pass price. Teens registered for the teen track will receive a separate colored wristband which will allow them into the teen sessions and full admission to the general convention. Teens not registered specifically for the teen track will have admission to the general convention, but not the teen sessions.

A complete schedule including descriptions will be in the mailed and posted brochure in March.

SHEM Convention Hotel Link...

Have you ever attended the convention and thought to yourself, "I wish that I could make the most out of my convention time by not having to make the journey home every night." Maybe you look at convention as a real vacation. Perhaps it is a chance to get away with your best girlfriends or your child. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa have offered to take the children while you an your husband have a nice get-away.

SHEM has partnered with the University Hotel which is directly across from the Springfield Expo Center. The University Hotel has given SHEM discount room rates to make your convention stay much more convenient. Staying at the hotel will allow you to park in their lot avoiding the parking garage fees. Not to mention that the hotel is a beautiful place to stay.

University Hotel SHEM Reservations

Maps & Directions

University Hotel Main Page

What are SHEM Bucks?

"SHEM Bucks" is an award program sponsored by SHEM for the annual SHEM Convention. Names are randomly drawn from early registrants, convention attendees and at other designated times at the convention. SHEM Bucks are in the denominations of $5, $10 and $20 and are redeemable at the SHEM Convention with ANY exhibitor. All SHEM Bucks must be redeemed within the confines of the convention. No change will be given from the SHEM Bucks.

Be sure to send in your registration EARLY for extra chances to win SHEM Bucks for the 2010 SHEM Convention!

Convention Planning...

The 2010 convention planning is in FULL swing for SHEM. It has been an exciting time watching all the preparations being made for another GREAT convention. One AMAZING speaker has already been contracted. We can't tell you who yet. But you will be excited and encouraged. Several others are in the works as well. This year promises to be one of the BEST yet!

SHEM is also looking forward to some helpful changes as well. We can't wait to unveil them for you as April draws near.

Curious? Keep checking back on the blog and the website to see how SHEM is growing and changing and preparing for the 2010 Convention in Springfield, MO.

Because You Asked...4

Question 4: Why aren't all homeschooling topics covered at the convention?

Answer: SHEM aims to give you a well-rounded convention covering many topics each year. Most speakers have an expertise in certain subjects/areas of interests. For instance, the 2009 convention offered the new Teen Tract as there are many homeschoolers that are arriving at that point in their lives where they need the extra information on how to prepare for college and careers. We also look to find speakers who are encouraging and work to excite the family for the upcoming year. Since there are a variety of homeschoolers and a vast array of curriculum, we attempt to offer the greatest balance of each. Finally, we make certain that we have speakers for the legal advice/council needed for the beginning homeschooler.

Suggestion: Be sure to fill out your convention survey each year. These are looked over with great attention and give SHEM an idea of what topics/speakers to search out for the new year.

Because You Asked...3

Question 3: What about those parking fees? The convention is affordable, but adding in the parking really stretches my budget.

Answer: Springfield, MO has a rapidly growing downtown area. In fact, it has grown at such a rate that it is not capable of housing all of the cars that are running through downtown during convention season. The ballgames at the Hammons Ball Park adds to the chaos. John Q. Hammons is working on building another parking garage next to the hotel and convention center. That will help ease some of the congestion. However, there will still be parking fees. We are trying to work on a convention pass, but we are not sure that will pan out.

Note - Ampco System Parking runs the garage adjacent to the Expo Center and is not affiliated with John Q. Hammons or the Expo Center.

Suggestion: If you have affiliations or suggestions for parking ideas, add them to the comment section following this article. Also - set aside an envelope labeled parking and start adding your extra quarters and dimes. By the time the 2010 convention rolls around, you should have that fee PAID OFF!

Because You Asked...2

Question 2: Food prices at the Expo Center often seem high. Are there any other choices available?

Answer: Food prices are set by the Expo Center. And SHEM is unable to bring food into the Expo Center to sell. However, we are currently working on making connections with some of the AMAZING local downtown eateries to provide coupons and/or discounts for those who can show proof of attendance to the SHEM Homeschool Convention. Our hope is that you will be able to find a delicious and cost effective alternative within walking distance of the Expo Center.

If you have a suggestion of YOUR favorite downtown hot spot, leave us a comment and we will check it out!

Because You Asked...1

Yes! We have read all of your responses from the convention. And now we will try to answer your questions to the best of our abilities.



Question 1: It's always so cold at the Expo Center. Can the temperature be regulated better?



Answer: Sadly, we have little no control over the temperature at the Expo Center. Yes, that's a simple answer. However, we truly do not have control over the cool air.



Suggestion: Be sure to bring a sweater with you to the convention next year. Just plan on it being part of your convention attire along with a VERY comfortable pair of shoes and a pull-along box or travel suitcase.

Convention 2009!

It takes almost 10 months, several hundreds of hours and MANY volunteers to put on the annual SHEM Homeschool Convention. Below are a few of the candids from this year's convention.

Stay tuned for answers to your questions STRAIGHT from the surveys YOU filled out!

Creating the Bott Radio Spot for Convention...

Aubrey begins recording the 60 second Bott Radio Spot.

Samantha looks on wile Hunter records the 30 second Bott Radio Spot.

Listening to the Bott Radio Spot playback.

Paul, from Bott Radio, takes a listen before final taping.