General Questions
Please read through the questions below first, but if you don't find an answer to your questions, feel free to email the PCOC team at pcoc-info [at] origamiusa.org.
Registration
Q: Do I need to be a member of OrigamiUSA in order to attend PCOC 2009?
A: Although OrigamiUSA is sponsoring the Pacific Coast Origami Conference, you do not need to be a member in order to participate in PCOC 2009. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Q: Can I register on site?
A: No. We are unable to process payments on site. Please be sure to register in advance!
Q: Can I attend the conference for free if I volunteer?
A: No. If you want to enter the Hospitality Area and attend classes, you must be a registered participant.
Q: How do I register for PCOC?
A: Registration will be available online; see the Registration Page for links to registration and information on when it opens. If you cannot register online, please contact the OrigamiUSA Home Office at admin [at] origamiusa.org to request paper registration forms.
Q: When will the registration open?
A: Online registration will open on or about August 31. Please check the Registration Page for the exact date.
Q: Can I register for specific classes when I register for the conference?
A: No, class offerings will only be finalized at the conference; you'll register for specific classes at the conference, based on your Priority Pnumber (see below).
Classes
Q: What are the classes being offered?
A: The Pacific Coast Origami Conference will offer a selection of classes for all skill levels and interests, and a tentative class schedule will be available around October. We know that the instructors will include many well-known authors, as well as some outstanding, experienced teachers. This is also a great opportunity for new teachers to get a chance to share their favorite model to an appreciative group. A final schedule will be handed out at the conference when you arrive.
Q: How do I register for specific classes at the conference?
A: Look over the Model Menu and decide on your first and second choices for each session. During the registration process each morning of the conference you will select the classes you wish to take. The tickets to classes are awarded based on Priority Numbers. Your Priority Number will be assigned to you when we receive your registration forms.
Q: What is the Model Menu?
A: Like a menu at a restaurant lists the choices you have, our menu of origami models is a display to help you see all the models being taught. It is organized by levels of difficulty and by time slot. The menu will be open for you to inspect beginning on Friday night and is available throughout the conference.
Q: When is the Priority Numbers lottery period?
A: Registrations received from August 31 to September 7 will be placed in the first lottery to determine Priority Numbers.
Q: What is the Early Bird deadline?
A: Registrations must be made online (or if paper forms are used, postmarked) by September 30th for the Early Bird package price. From October 1st to October 14 Early Bird package is still available but at a higher package price, and after October 14 all registrations will be the individual "a la carte" pricing.
Q: How do I get a good Priority Number?
A: Registration forms received by our office within the first two weeks that the forms are available will be grouped together and randomly assigned a Priority Number. After that, the numbers are assigned as registrations arrive. Early registration will guarantee better priority numbers. In addition, if you volunteer to teach for two or more hours, you will be allowed to have early opportunity to select classes.
Q: My priority number is very high – will I get the classes I want?
A: There are so many models that will be offered we feel that we suspect you will find it hard to even make a first and second choice. But even if you didn't get your favorite choices there are several options available. The open-folding sessions at lunch hour and the late-evening hours is your chance to learn from others that have may have taken the class or even from the instructors themselves. For many, this informal setting is the heart of our conference and some learn more here than they do at the formal classes.