Some at the 18,000-member church that is hosting Christian Retailing's The Gathering 2010, April 21-23, have volunteered to take in house guests for the event to reduce costs for stores strapped for cash.

"We want to provide a lodging option that will help make the trip more affordable for retailers," said Sara Peters, manager of the bookstore at the church and one of the hosts of the event. "We don't want money to be the reason they are not able to participate. The Gathering is vital to their ministry and to their development-professionally and spiritually.

"We want and need them to be here, and Southeast loves serving and helping out however we can," she added.

The three-day event will include training and business, fellowship and inspiration, with attendees registered from as far away as Hawaii. More than 60 suppliers will be exhibiting.

The hospitality offer was welcomed by Dave Condiff, publisher of Christian Retailing magazine, which sponsors the event. "It's a wonderful gesture," he said. "I hope it will help some stores who really need to be there to find a way to join us."

In addition, Condiff said, a limited number of free registrations for the event--a $150 value--are available to assist stores in need. "We believe that The Gathering could make all the difference for them, so want to do whatever we can to ensure they don't miss the opportunity to be there."

For information on Southeast's hospitality offer, send details (when and how you will arrive, whether you need to be picked up at the airport as well as how many people are in your group and their gender) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For information on free registrations, contact Dave Condiff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Click here for more information on The Gathering 2010.

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