Hey Michelle,

Thanks for the info, my group and I are able to head out of East TN as early as we want on Friday, so that we can have a good drive in plenty of time! My sweet husband also got me a navigator for Christmas this year, so I am definitely bringin that Godsend of a piece of technology with us:)

Thanks again and have a blessed day,

Katie

OH yes Atlanta traffic - it stinks
I have grown up around Atlanta and have had my share of experiences there

It really is not too bad as long as you plan ahead

You need to know what exit you are getting off and prepare to merge over - do not wait until the last minute b/c you might not make it over

Also they drive really fast in Atlanta so prepare your nerves for that :)

They also have a carpool lane - this lane is the far left lane and it is only for cars with more than 2 people. It is to help the traffic flow faster - it is a good thing to know if you are in a car/van with a bunch of ladies
* Hop over to the carpool lane and get down the road :)

I hope these tips are helpful
Regardless of the traffic DS is going to be a blast!

I am looking forward to it
Blessings
Kim

Love those navigation systems! How did we live without them?!

And remember ladies if you want the box lunches on Saturday, to pay for them at the appropriate tables and get your lunch ticket on FRIDAY NIGHT! I have a feeling they will sell out!

I just found out someone in my group backed out, so..
I have one ticket for sale. I would like to get the $75 I paid for it. Email me.
Thanks!

I just found out that someone in my group backed out. So.. I have one ticket for sale. Please email me:ashleighwt@gmail.com
I would like to get what I paid for it if possible.

Thanks!

I, sadly, sadly, sadly, have 4 tickets to sell to Deeper Still Atlanta! I cannot attend now and as much as I hate to, need to sell my tickets. Would anyone be interested in purchasing them?

If so, please email me at deidre1070@charter.net

Thanks!

I'm still praying for the event. I know it will be awesome!

Please elaborate on the following information:

Posted by kim | Jun 19, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Michelle Hicks said..."And remember ladies if you want the box lunches on Saturday, to pay for them at the appropriate tables and get your lunch ticket on FRIDAY NIGHT! I have a feeling they will sell out!

Please send me the information regarding this statement about lunch tickets. Traffic in any major city does not compare to repeating the food problem from last year's Deeper Still. It was a nightmare because enough food was not planned or people hired to accommodate the demand.

The sad part was nobody in charge seemed to care. Managers in the center blamed the food service company. All the restaurants in the area were unprepared for the large crowd on a Saturday. I am not for sure if the Deeper Still team knew anything about the problem, because they came back on stage talking about how much they enjoyed their lunch. Yet, the majority of the ladies in the audience had not eaten, because they could not get food.

I was one of those ladies, so please post or send the information about lunch tickets to me. Ladies with medical conditions and senior adults really were distressed. Most ladies missed part of the conference trying to find food, waiting to be served food, or looking for a place to eat lunch.

Having 19,000 ladies hungry and all searching for food at the same time that is not available is not a pretty sight. Notifying eating establishments and vendors around Philips Arena of the number of ladies that will be seeking food would be helpful. This notification would allow managers to plan and have staff available to accommodate the crowd.

Providing as much information as possible about the lunch tickets and restaurants that are prepared to serve the numbers would be very helpful. Or could you ask Priscilla to bring extra pickles and ice cream? Thanks!

Yes Sharon--I will be happy to elaborate. In Nashville we did not offer boxed lunches--there are so many restaurants in the downtown area and they were aware of our conference. Even so, it took longer than expected for many of women. We did provide maps, a restaurant guide at the event, and information in advance on the blog.

We think the problem was related to the difference in our schedule when compared with a concert or sporting event. During a concert or sporting event people go to the concessions at a variety of times. However, for our event there was no way to stagger people going to the concessions. Hence, the "mad rush" on the arena concessions.

To help alleviate the problem we recognized with the Nashville event, we decided to add one other option in Atlanta--Boxed Lunches. If you check out the "Anyone Hungry?" post on June 11, we have links to over 100 restaurants in the Atlanta area and information on the Boxed Lunches.

We will have tables set up on Friday at Deeper Still where women can prepay for a box lunch. They will receive a lunch ticket. Then at Saturday lunch time they will turn in the ticket and pick up their lunch.

The arena concessions will also be open during the lunch time. You also still have the option of bringing a picnic lunch in an icebox in your car. The arena does not allow food to be brought in, but you can go to your car and eat there or find a spot outside near the arena or parking area. If your hotel is close to the arena you may have time to run to your room or prepare in advance to have lunch delivered there.

Hope this helps many with lunch on Saturday!