Renaissance Weekend

The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport and is close to theaters, museums, and all that Los Angeles has to offer.  Visit Universal Studios, Beverly Hills and the Getty Center.  Experience the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall; enjoy performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre.  Go to Disneyland.  They are all within easy range of Loews' palm-tree-lined atrium lobby.

The Program

PANELS

The Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed and family-oriented. Afternoons are set aside for recreation, and all participants are encouraged to come and go as they like.

Because panel assignments are not completed until just before the event, the Final Program is only available at Registration, which begins at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 11. (However, a Tentative Draft Program will be e-mailed to all registered lead participants in late January.)

Participants are assigned roles in the program based on the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES page of your on-line registration or, if requested, on the equivalent printed form. Thus, it is most important to complete your Profile online as early as possible.

"Camp Renaissance" / Teens / College Students

CHILDREN

Camp Renaissance is an action-packed program tailored for children ages 3-12. Typical children’s programs include hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling and arts & crafts projects. These activities are organized by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. The children’s program runs concurrently with the adult program, and thus does not provide full-time child care. Camp-related costs are included in the children’s Registration Fees for the Weekend.

Younger Children: There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. However, younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend .  (Lists are available from the hotel Concierge.) To maximize enjoyment of the full program for the entire family, families with young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or “au pair.” While there is no Registration Fee for such individuals, they are charged for one Child’s Meals Fee ($300). It is understood that they are attending solely for child care and that, if practical, they will assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters and “au pairs” are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

TEENS & COLLEGE STUDENTS

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the regularly-scheduled activities. In addition, they often have designated gathering places and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels reflective of their interests, according to the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES.

The final agenda (available at Registration) will note programs especially for teens, other panels designed with teens in mind, and details for additional teen gatherings.

College students have traditionally integrated themselves into the adult program while also creating a strong bond during a few programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their children’s and teens’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend staff can assume no liability regarding children or teens.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Time will be set aside for afternoon recreation.  This relaxed California town is a place where treadmills and roller coasters are considered forms of mobility, and surfing is a prime mode of transportation. Enjoy Santa Monica attractions in a sunny, laid-back atmosphere, where relaxation is the norm, and excitement is never far away. Famous tourist attractions located right outside our door include:

Route 66 (½ block)
Santa Monica Place Shopping Center (1 blocks)
Santa Monica Pier (2 blocks)
Main Street (3 blocks)
Third Street Promenade (3 blocks)
Muscle Beach (½ mile)
West Los Angeles (5 miles)
Beverly Hills (7 miles)
Century City (8 miles)
Downtown Los Angeles (13 miles)
Universal Studios (15 miles)
Hollywood (20 miles)
Rose Bowl (22 miles)
Disneyland (30 miles)
Knott's Berry Farm (35 miles)
Magic Mountain (45 miles)

Malibu Paragliding - Malibu Paragliding school and store. Tandem flights and lessons available year round. No experience necessary.
Pacific Resident Theatre - One of Los Angeles' Most Respected Theatre Companies - A Recipient of Multiple Los Angeles Times Critics Choice Awards. Call 310-822-8392.
Magicopolis - Witness one of the best magic shows in America. Delight and amaze your family with tricks that you can do!

Southern California boasts a rich cultural history, and museums and theaters always top the list of Los Angeles attractions. Enjoy the many cultural centers scattered throughout Los Angeles and the city of Santa Monica. Some of the most popular cultural attractions include:

Santa Monica Museum of Art
Museum of Television and Radio
Santa Monica Playhouse
West Coast Ensemble
Santa Monica Symphony
Getty Museum
Santa Monica Light Opera

The Fitness Facility at the Loews Santa Monica Resort is available to registered guests of the Resort for a one-time fee of $10.  Renaissance Weekend participants staying elsewhere may use the facility for a daily fee of $10.

The Ocean Spa at the Loews Santa Monica Resort offers a full range of services.  For additional information ans spa reservations, please call the spa directly at 310-899-4040 or visit the Ocean Spa's website at www.santamonicaloewshotel.com/fitnesscenter.cfm?src=ppc_google_LoewsBrand+LoewsSanta Monica

Transportation & Rental Cars

Discount airfares (sometimes better than internet fares) and information regarding travel to Santa Monica are available from Williamsburg Travel Management at 800-673-6311. For reservations, ask for Carole and refer to Renaissance Weekend.

Transportation from LAX to your hotel may be arranged through Airport Commuter & Limo Service (800-496-7945) for $56 (+15% mileage fees and 20% gratuity) in addition to the Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network (800-328-3526).  Fares and services range from $125 - $205.  Taxi's from LAX to the Loews Santa Monica Resort are approximately $45. 

A rental car is not necessary as all events will be held at the Loews Santa Monica Resort. Taxi service is available and pre-arranged tours include transportation.  However, if you choose to rent a car or will be driving to Santa Monica, the daily parking rate at the Loews Santa Monica Resort is $20 per day (+ tax) for valet parking for hotel guests; Day-time only parking for Renaissance Weekend participants not staying at the hotel is $14 per day (validation required).

It is essential that you advise BOTH the hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)

Starting and Ending Times

Registration opens on Thursday, February 11 at 4:00 P.M. (Help with Registration is most welcome from early arrivals, who are encouraged to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability.) The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday. Please note that some Committees, including Music, Fun & Sizzle and Proctors & Moderators, meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. In addition to obtaining materials at the Renaissance Weekend Registration Desk at the Loews Santa Monica Resort, participants will need to check in separately with their respective hotels.

The final program ends by noon on Monday, February 15. More specific advance information will be provided in the Tentative Program and other materials sent to all registered lead participants in February.

Weather and Dress

Average winter temperatures range from daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s F (18–22° C) and in the high 40s to high 50s F (10–18° C) at night, though you are urged to check weather reports shortly in advance of the Weekend  (www.weather.com).  Dress is informal, resort casual.  Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and it is assumed that all guests will participate in the Common Meals.  (Thus, only children under three are not charged for Common Meals.)  

Meals On-Your-Own:  One lunch and one dinner are “on-your own” to enable participants to enjoy Santa Monica.  Details will be provided in the Tentative Draft Program sent to all registered participants in late January.  For lunch and/or dinner recommendations, please consult various guidebooks, the web or the hotel concierge.

Cancellation Policies

Registration Fees will be refunded for cancellations received in writing (via fax, e-mail or mail) by Renaissance Weekend as noted below. Registrants who cancel in time to receive a full refund will nonetheless incur a $250 processing fee.

• Maximum Refund: Before December 29, 2009 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 50% Refund: December 29, 2009 – January 12, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 25% Refund: January 13 – January 29, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• No Refund: After January 29, 2010

Common Meals and Meeting Service Charges can only be refunded if written cancellation is received by Renaissance Weekend on or before January 29, 2010.  Because “head counts” are guaranteed in advance of the Weekend, there can be no such no refund after this date, nor can there be reductions of charges for early departures or absence from meals.

Lodging deposits, refunds and payments are handled in accordance with each Hotel’s confirmation and in the Lodging section of the Renaissance Weekend registration procedures.  Loews Santa moica Resort requires a deposit equal to one night’s stay. Deposits are refunded if cancellations are received in advance by the deadline noted below:

Transfer of Registration from the Presidents' Day Weekend to any of the next three Renaissance Weekends may be possible, without penalty, if notice is received in writing by December 14, 2010, and if space is available (with a transfer fee of $100).

It is essential that you advise BOTH the Hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)