Florida Woodturning Symposium Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What do I get for my Symposium registration? –This fee gains you access to all symposium events; the instant gallery, trade show, rotations (demonstrations), an opportunity to win an educational Scholarship, and the Friday/Saturday evening functions.   Accompanying spouses or others that do not attend demonstrations are not charged this fee and are not eligible for an educational scholarship or rotation attendance but can participate in all other symposium activities.  
  2. What is the refund policy?  – We will provide a refund if you notify us on or before 12/31/2023.  If you have an actual emergency requiring you to cancel after 12/31/2023 contact us and we will address your issue at that time.   We charge a processing fee of $25 or 4% (whichever is greater) of your registration if we have to cancel your registration.
  3. How many pieces can I enter into the Instant Gallery? – Each registrant can enter up to 3 pieces in the instant gallery.  All items entered into the instant gallery must be items that were at least partially turned on a lathe.  We encourage everyone to enter their pieces into the Instant Gallery during the normal registration and check-in hours of Friday between 8 am and 6 pm.  Pieces can also be entered on Saturday morning before the first rotation begins.  Instant Gallery entries must be picked up no later than 1:00 pm on Sunday.  The FWS Committee will provide security on the Instant Gallery during the symposium but cannot be held liable for any damage or loss of the entries.
  4. What is the Shopping Spree? – FWS Board decided to once again give away $100 free shopping spree door prizes to five lucky attendees of the Friday Night activities at the 2024 Florida Woodturning Symposium.  Tickets will be given out to each attendee of the Friday night activities.  You must be present to get your ticket and to win.  The shopping spree can only be used during the symposium and must be spent with a vendor at the symposium.  The FWS will reimburse up to $100 to the winners of the free shopping spree door prizes when presented with FWS Vendor receipts.
  5. When is the drawing for the Educations Scholarships, Day in the Shop and the raffle? – The drawing for these prizes will be held on Saturday evening.  
  6. Do I need to be present to win Scholarship or a Raffle prize? – You do not need to be present for either.  Winners of the Education Scholarship, Day in the shop and Raffle will be contacted by e-mail.
  7. What’s the difference between the Silent Auction and the Live Auction? – The silent auction gives you the opportunity to place a bid on the bid sheets by each item on the auction tables.  The silent auction will end at 5 pm on Saturday.  The high bid on the Silent Auction bid sheet will be the auction winner.  Additional higher-value items will be available for viewing.  These items will be sold during the exciting Live Auction on Saturday night.  Demonstrator pieces created during the symposium will also be sold during the Live Auction.
  8. How will I know if I have won an Auction item? – After the evening break that starts at 4:30 PM Saturday night, a list of the Silent Auction winners will be posted in various locations within Sykes Hall.  Live Auction winners will be selected during the auction and announced by the auctioneer.  You can pick up and pay for your item in the Registration area.
  9. How can I pay for my Auction item? – We accept cash, check or credit cards
  10. What is the WIT meeting? – The Florida Woodturning Symposium supports the “Women in Turning” initiative.  A special meeting for all women interested in woodturning will be held on Friday night at 7:00 pm in one of the demonstration rooms.
  1. What is the Presidents meeting? – On Saturday evening at 7:00 pm a meeting of the Presidents of all area Woodturning Clubs in attendance will be held in one of the demonstration rooms.   All woodturning club Presidents or their designees are invited to discuss issues regarding woodturning in Florida.  An AAW representative is generally present to give us an update on their activities.
  2. How can I help as a volunteer at the symposium? – Opportunities to volunteer to support the Symposium can be made during the registration process.  Volunteering includes becoming a videographer, helping clean the facilities or assisting at the registration desk.  If you didn’t volunteer through the registration process, contact someone in the registration area and they will find you an assignment.
  3. Can I donate items to the auctions? – Yes.  During the Symposium there is someone located at the Instant Gallery tables to log in both your Instant Gallery pieces and to accept auction items.  After the Symposium is over a letter will be sent to you thanking and acknowledging you for your donation with the selling price of the item.