Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I go to an ICES Convention?

The ICES Convention exists solely for YOU, the members. Each year we bring together the best in the sugar arts field for your enjoyment, education, shopping, and social pleasure. ICES was founded on the basis of sharing what we have learned in the sugar arts with each other. Where else can you choose from more than 75 demos, all for $7 each? It is a chance for you to take part in an organization made up of others just like you. A chance to get involved, meet new people and maybe learn something new. It’s a time to meet old friends and catch up, see some of the new trends in cake decorating and also a great time for filling in your supplies with all the great things at the vendor’s area.

What do I get for my registration fee?

Your registration fee allows you to purchase demo and class tickets, attend the General Membership Meeting and Breakfast, the Banquet, the Vendors Hall and Cake Shack. You will also be presented with a handy convention bag filled with free goodies when you arrive. It is a good idea to immediately put your name or business card somewhere visible on the bag, as they all look alike and can get picked up by mistake. You will also have a name badge which has a handy pocket to store your demo and event tickets.

Do I have to bring a cake?

It is not mandatory for anyone to bring a cake for the Cake Shack. On the other hand, that is part of what makes the convention so great. People from around the world taking the time and effort to display what they can do, and show new and interesting techniques. Think how much you enjoy going through the Cake Shack and remember it's people just like you who make it so special. It is a unique experience to see works from other states and countries that you normally would not see, all in one place. So before you think it is too much hassle, please take a look at our traveling with a cake page and see if you can help make it a great Cake Shack this year.

What is the Cake Hospital?

The Cake Hospital is an on-site facility at the convention to help those poor unfortunate cakes (and their owners) that did not weather their travels to the convention well. It stocks icings, colors, tips, and tools in a place specially set aside to help you facilitate repairs to your Cake Shack exhibit. It also serves the demonstrators and teachers for last minute items. For more information about the Cake Hospital, click here.

What is the Century Club?

The Century Club is our way of saying “thank you” to those members bringing a display cake for the Cake Shack. Each cake/tier of a cake, over 6 ” will earn 1 ticket into a random drawing for prizes. (i.e. a 3- tiered cake where all of the tiers are more than 6 ” will net 3 tickets. For each non-tiered display, you will be awarded 1 ticket) The winners will be announced during the convention banquet. These Century club prizes are donated to the convention by the graciousness of our many vendors, and friends of ICES. This year each of the prizes awarded will be more than $250 in value! Some may be vouchers for classes in the sugar arts, others may be gift certificates or merchandise. So yes, it really can pay to bring a display for the sugar art gallery.

What is a Stand-by Ticket?

Formerly called a “Wild Card” ticket, a Standby ticket may be purchased in lieu of a standard demonstration ticket which has an assigned seat number and guarantees admission to a specific demo. The Standby ticket is an open end non-guaranteed admission to a demo of your choice which has room for additional audience members once all standard ticket holders have been seated. To use your Standby ticket, you would line up outside the demo room of your choice at the appointed demo time, and wait for them to announce how many Standby tickets they will be able to accommodate. If space is not available for that particular demo, you may use your Standby ticket to try again for another demo. Standby tickets are useful when the demo of your choice has sold out of standard tickets, or you simply can not make up your mind. They are the same price as a standard demo ticket.

Is there a lot of free time at the convention?

That is solely up to you. You can sign up for every open slot for demos and classes, spend all your free time in the Cake Shack or Vendor Hall, attend all the open meetings, and spend the rest of your time chatting to other members. And before you know it, five days have flown past, and you realize when you get back to your room each night that all you ate for lunch was a piece of cake or fondant sample. Or, you can take only a few demos, hang by the pool, see the local area, and breeze through the Cake Shack and Vendor Hall. There is usually a happy medium somewhere in between and that depends largely on how involved you wish to be.

What should I expect in the Vendor Hall?

The Vendor Hall is one of the busiest places to be during the Convention. The vendor hall opens Friday afternoon immediately following the general membership meeting and grand opening of the Cake Shack. There is also a vendors' preview night Thursday evening prior to the Town Hall meeting. At this preview, you can see demonstrations and product introductions of the new and exciting items some vendors will be featuring at their booths.

As an added bonus, in each convention registration packet you will receive a coupon booklet with special convention-only deals offered by some of the vendors.

As for payment, most, but not all, vendors take credit cards. Cash is always welcome and the fastest method of transaction, and some will take personal checks with the proper identification. If you use a credit card with a vendor from another country who will process your transaction when they return to their home country, you may be charged a currency transaction fee depending on your credit card’s policy. You will be charged local (CA) state and county sales tax on your purchases (currently they are 8.75% on general purchases and 1.75% on food items).

For persons not attending the convention but wishing to take advantage of the Vendors Hall, a One-Day Shopping Pass will be available for either Saturday or Sunday for $50. This also admits you into the Cake Shack, but not the demonstrations or meetings.

What is Volunteer Services/ManPower, and do I need to help?

Volunteer Services, which was former known as ManPower is in need of you! The ICES Convention is run solely on the greatness of our ICES volunteers. Working for Volunteer Services at the conventions lets you get a behind the scenes look at how the convention is run. The perks are great. You get to meet new people, maybe help with a demo you wanted to see, and get entered into a drawing for wonderful prizes. And as a reward this year, everyone who works 10 hours or more at the convention will receive a Volunteer Services pin and year bar. So if you can spare an hour or so to help, contact Volunteer Services either before or at convention and have some fun! Every person is needed, and no one will be turned away. Remember; Many hands make light work.

How do I rent a wheelchair or electric scooter to get around at the convention?

Please contact, MobilitySource for wheelchair or electric scooter rentals. Scooter rental for the duration of the convention is $69.00 and a wheelchair for the entire time would be $29.00.  Delivery and pick up at the host hotel is free.  These are special convention rates, so please mention you are part of the ICES convention when making your reservation.

You can visit their website: http://www.mobility-source.com/Welcome.html , call them at (619) 234-9505 or email them info@mobility-source.com for more information.

Should I come alone, or bring my family?

Having your family with you can be great fun. San Diego is home to numerous attractions and the opportunites for family fun are boundless. Check out the What to do in San Diego page for more information. Just be aware that you might have limited free time to spend with them during the peak days of convention, Thursday thru Sunday. Check the convention schedule and see how much free time you will feasibly have. Pets of course, will have to remain at home.

As for coming alone, there are always plenty of people to meet, have meals with, or even to share a room. You might wish to find out who else in your area will be going and split the cost of a room with them. Although there is always something wonderful about taking a mini vacation for yourself !

Should I stay for the Sunday Night of Sharing?

It’s free! Anyone can take part in it, and you get to meet some of the demo and class teachers up close and personal, and ask them all those questions you thought of after the demo. It’s also a way to get a peek at one of the other demos you might have missed. The evening is for anyone who wants to sit down and show off what they can do. People can roam from table to table and listen for as long as they wish. It is informal and fun. You will need to bring your own supplies to do your demo if you wish, and be prepared to answer lots of questions from interested onlookers. Find out if you have what it takes to be a future demonstrator, or just take in all the wonderful talent pooled in one room together having a great time.

If you have other questions that have note been answered here or on the First Timers page, please e-mail us and we will try to help you.