Every Spring BYU notices a large increase in the number of women on campus.

In order to accommodate the nearly 20,000 women who come for Women's Conference, BYU spends a considerable amount of time planning and preparing.

"Women's Conference is a big event on campus," said Jody Marks, conference scheduler. "We begin preparing for Women's Conference as soon as Education Week ends."

Issues such as housing, scheduling, parking and dining are all things that have to be considered when a group this large comes to campus, Marks said.

In order to accommodate the women who come to the conference, BYU opens up Heritage Halls, Helaman Halls and Deseret Towers for the visitors.

The women can pay a fee to stay in the on-campus housing for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Currently, there are approximately 3,200 women staying in on-campus housing, Marks said.

Another housing option is local hotels.

"We are full eleven months before the conference begins," said Chelsey Anderson, front desk clerk at the Courtyard Marriott in Provo. "I think one of the reasons we fill up so quickly is because of our location. We are really close to campus."

Anderson also said that the Courtyard sees a lot of return visitors.

"We have a lot of repeat customers. As soon as the women leave the conference, calls begin pouring in to make reservations for next year," Anderson said.

While the classes and service projects are a loved part of the conference, so are BYU's dining options.

"I love the Creamery," said Susan Paulson, a veteran Women's Conference attendee. "I love the classes and the service project, but Women's Conference wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Creamery."

Barbara Lettich, assistant manager of the Original Creamery, said that the store notices an increase in business during the conference.

"The women's favorites are the mint brownies and the hot fudge sundaes," Lettich said.

Meal tickets can be purchased as part of the conference. The meal tickets provide visitors with two meals on Thursday and Friday at either the Morris Center or the Cannon Center.

Toni Lua, the manager of the Morris Dining Center, said the meals served to the women during the conference are very similar to the meals the students eat during the year.

Other dining areas such as the Cougareat, the Marketplace Café, the Museum of Art Café and the Skyroom Restaurant are also busy with women during the conference.
Copyright Brigham Young University 2 May 2002