Friendship Force World Conference 2016
 

CONFERENCE DATES

September 16th (9:00am) -19th (12:00pm), 2016

CONFERENCE HOTEL

Kenzi Farah Hotel September 16-19, 2016
Avenue du Président Kennedy
Marrakesh 40000
Morocco
(MAP)

GETTING HERE

The conference venue/hotel is in the L'Hivernage district of Marrakesh, a 10 minute drive from Marrakesh Menara International Airport (RAK). When you arrive at the airport you will need to complete an arrival card before arriving at the front of the queue for passport control. Arrival cards are found near to the entrance door of passport control or may be passed out on your flight. 
Groups of 10 or more flying together from their home airport may contact Patti George at patti@groupsbydesign.com for quotes on discounted group airfare

BY TAXI/PRIVATE TRANSFER

Taxi stands are right outside the terminal doors, but it’s recommended you go beyond these to the grouping of taxis outside the gate for better fares and be sure to agree the fare before beginning your journey. Alternatively, you can book a transfer in advance with Menara Tours: send an email to reservation@menara-tours.com
with the subject "FFI Conference". In your message please include your name, arrival date and flight number, and number of people. They will respond to you quickly with a quote. The driver of your Menara Tours air-conditioned minibus (suitable from 2 to 13 people plus luggage) will meet you in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name.

PRICING

All fees quoted are in US Dollars.

The conference fee is $375 and includes: three plenary sessions with speakers, entertainment and coffee breaks; a belly-dancing class; two lunches at the hotel; our popular gala banquet; and a series of both traditional workshops and interactive "unconferenced" sessions offered during four workshop periods, covering FF-related topics and topics of local cultural significance such as Moroccan cooking and argan oil production.

Additional options include: accommodation at the Kenzi Farah Hotel with breakfast; seven different half-day tours; an evening in the Medina with dinner; an opportunity to see the sunrise by hot air balloon; pre- and post-conference tours around the country; and pre- and post-conference homestays in Morocco, Egypt, Ghana and South Africa. All options are available for an additional fee. See FEES tab above for more information, and our cancellation policy for details of deadlines and refunds.

HOW TO REGISTER

When ready, click the "New Registration" button on the top right of your screen. You will be able to register yourself as well as any additional members of your family and/or guests attending with you.

PRE & POST CONFERENCE HOMESTAYS

We invite you to extend your time in Morocco or visit Egypt, Ghana or South Africa by participating in an optional pre- or post-conference homestay. The dates, type of itinerary, host fees and the length of stay vary from one host club to another. Please contact the conference homestay manager, Pallie Savoie, at pallie@friendshipforce.org if you have specific questions or require information about the homestay. Pallie will email you the details of your homestay assignment within 30 days of registration. 

See the PRE & POST CONFERENCE OPTIONS tab above for more information about the homestays as well as tours.
 

On Marrakesh

“To visit Morocco is still like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines.”

– Edith Wharton, 1927

“… I wish I could tell you the wonder of the souks and marketplaces; the brilliant overflowing of spices, olives, fabrics; the witchcraft stalls; the fishmongers; the piles of mint and thyme scenting the air . . . and even more than this is the wonder of its becoming familiar, the sufficiency and contentment in knowing the names of things, the words to tell the taxi drivers, the sense and reason behind the lives of Moroccans …”

– Melissa Manlove, ‘Letter from Morocco’, Travelers’ Tales

“The … endless banquet at which course succeeded course – spiced chickens and pigeons, kous-kous, and whole roast sheep and kebab and almond pastries and sweet mint tea … lasted all through the night. Swaying lines of women danced to the music of their own wild chant; the traditional boy dancers with painted faces and white robes drawn tight at the waist by gold-embroidered bells, danced to the tambourines and the clicking of the copper castanets on their fingers; in the courtyard a huge fire of juniper logs lit the battlements of the castle; outside the Kasbah wall … the night was loud with feasting.”

– Gavin Maxwell, Lords of the Atlas



FFI's Learn Before We Go Series

Part I: Moroccan-themed books and films

Part II: Moroccan Arabic: Language for Conversing with Locals 



CONTACT INFORMATION
General Conference Inquiries Debbie Powell, Conference Director, debbie@friendshipforce.org
Pre- & Post Conference Homestays and Tours Pallie Savoie, pallie@friendshipforce.org
Visas Matthew Nidek, matthew@friendshipforce.org
*Before contacting Matthew, please check with the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country to determine (a) if you need a visa to enter Morocco and (b) what documents you need to to acquire one.
Marrakesh Airport Transfers Menara Tours, reservation@menara-tours.com
Hotel Inquiries Kenzi Farah Hotel
(see
ACCOMMODATIONS tab for details and room reservation link)
Morocco: +212-524-447-400