My Day In Tampa, FL

Yesterday I spent the day traveling to and from Tampa, FL (390 miles round trip) to attend the United Methodist 2012 General Conference.  I rode to and from the event with three great ladies, Debbie, Debbie and Jean, and the four of us had a fun little road trip.  Nothing exciting but it was enjoyable.  Our one big dilemma along the way...getting lost in Tampa (which seems to be a problem for me) due to construction.  When I drove to Clearwater in February I got lost going to a stamping event due to construction.  Yesterday was no different.  We got to the last road that would lead us to the Tampa Convention Center and it was closed.  We had to follow detours in a town that none of us knew.  We got to the convention center but it was only by trial and error. 
The Tampa Convention Center is located on the riverfront in downtown Tampa.  It is  a 600,000 square foot center that offers a 200,000 square ft exhibit hall, 84,000 ft useful prefunction area, 36,000 ft ballroom and 36 breakout rooms.  It is a beautiful convention center and has some great views of the bay and downtown Tampa.  It is huge and the 200,000 ft exhibit hall was an amazing site set up to serve as a meeting area and worship area during the General conference. 
The United Methodist General Conference meets every four years and alternates sites for the international conference between the five U.S. jurisdictions.  This year it is in Tampa, FL from April 24 through May 4 and the theme of the conference is "Make Disciples of Jesus Christ to Transform the World".  The conference sets policies and direction for the church as well as handles other business.  This year 988 delegates from around the world will be in attendance.  It takes a lot to organize a conference this size.  A 25 member committee planned and organized this conference and the cost is estimated to be 8.8 million dollars.  Some 4000 people will serve in a variety of roles such as greeters, registration officials, marshals, pages, translators, hosts, guides, drivers, musicians, technicians, reporters and emergency responders.  The majority will be volunteers like me.  There were seven members of the Orange Park UMC Chancel choir along with our director that went to Tampa to sing and be a participating member of a 500 voice choir. 
It was a very good experience to participate in the Opening Worship and Holy Communion worship service for  the conference.  The music was interesting, the service was one of a kind and the experience was wonderful.  I would rate it as a once in a lifetime experience that I am happy I had an opportunity to do.  Thanks Doc, Debbie, Debbie, Jean, Gloria, Don and Mike for sharing it with me!