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GAMC display tells stories, encourages interaction
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Photo from above of an exhibit area

The GAMC?s exhibit, ?Mission Experience, Experience Mission? ? highlights 16 
different stories ?By Danny Bolin

> Posted at
> July 2, 2010 10:25 p.m.

> by Bethany Furkin

> Presbyterian News Service

Attendees of the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church 
(U.S.A.) might have been to their share of conference exhibit halls.

But visitors to the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) section of this 
Assembly?s exhibit hall might feel as though they?ve been transported to a 
museum instead of a typical conference center hall.

?The concept was to do something more experiential,? said Dianna Ott, director 
of Creative Services, part of the GAMC.

The GAMC?s area ? ?Mission Experience, Experience Mission? ?  has taken on a 
storytelling approach, highlighting 16 different stories that show the breadth 
and depth of the agency?s ministries. The stories are told using a variety of 
media ? photos, text, video and props. For example, the
?story? on multiculturalism features a blinking neon ?OPEN? sign.

?It is very different for the GAMC to sort of pick and choose a few stories,? 
Ott said.

She acknowledged that there are far more than 16 stories that could have been 
highlighted, but the ones chosen were ones that organizers thought best lent 
themselves to visual representation. Three stories ? recovery efforts in Haiti, 
human trafficking and water issues ? were selected as lead displays.

Ott said she hopes the exhibits will help people remember what they saw once 
they get back home. Instead of leaving with lots of brochures and trinkets, she 
hopes they?ll take advantage of one comprehensive brochure that will summarize 
all 16 stories.

Also in the GAMC section will be a corridor with six areas ? one for each of 
the GAMC?s ministry areas ? where people can gather and talk more about what 
they?ve seen in the displays.

The corridor will also be equipped with WiFi, and each area will demonstrate 
the GAMC?s new Web site, which will premiere  July 3.

GA veterans will notice some changes elsewhere in the exhibit hall, said Kerry 
Rice, manager of the General Assembly Meeting Service. Aisles will be wider 
than in years past, allowing for more gathering space. In addition, attendees 
can take advantage of food options like sandwiches and a salad and baked potato 
bar.

> Exhibit hall hours:

> Friday, July 2: noon-6 p.m.

> Saturday, July 3: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

> Sunday, July 4: noon-5 p.m.

> Monday, July 5: 9:15 a.m.-7 p.m.

> Tuesday, July 6: 9:15 a.m.-7 p.m.

> Wednesday, July 7: 9:15 a.m.-7 p.m.