FAQ
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q. How many people usually attend the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?
A. Recent years have seen between 4,000-6,000 conference attendees.
Q. Where is the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO held?
A. In 2012, the conference will be held at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center in Chicago, 15 – 18 July. Each year the conference is held in a different U.S. or Canadian city. Locations are selected five years in advance. The selected venue is typically a large convention center with sufficient meeting rooms to accommodate the many simultaneous programs, meetings, and events that occur during the week. The conference hotels provide additional space for conference activities. All rooms are climate-controlled and smoking is typically prohibited in the indoor spaces.
Q. What is the dress code for the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?
A. Dress comfortably and wear shoes that are good for walking. Our venues are usually quite spread out. Check the weather for the region before you pack so you will know what to expect of the climate.
Q. I require special assistance or have dietary restrictions, whom do I contact?
A. There is a section on the online registration and print registration forms where you can list any special needs. You may also e-mail Caroline Rives, Events Manager at crives@sla.org, indicating which events you plan to attend and detailing the restrictions. Please make sure to include onsite contact information, such as a cell phone number, in case there are any additional questions.
Q. Can my child attend the conference with me?
A. In recent years, SLA has not had a demand for family programs. We do offer a family member pass for purchase for those who wish to participate in the General Sessions and INFO-EXPO only. Please note that children under the age of 18 are not permitted to enter the INFO-EXPO. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions to this policy. We do not offer child care services although most of the hotels can provide you with a list of child care providers in the area.
Q. Where is Lost and Found?
A. Please check with the SLA Information Booth in the registration area for information about lost and found.
REGISTRATION
Q. How do I register for the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?
A. You can go to the SLA conference registration information Web page and click on the Register Now option. You may also download a PDF registration form from the bottom of the Register Now page.
Q. What is included in the FULL registration fee?
A. The registration fee covers entry into the INFO-EXPO, general sessions, programming sessions and receptions that are not ticketed. There are hundreds of sessions to choose from!
Q. Can I attend just the pre-conference CE course(s) on Saturday and Sunday?
A. Yes. You will need to pay only for the CE course(s) you are registering for and not an additional conference fee.
Q. I need to make changes to my registration. Whom do I contact?
A. Please contact Active Network, Toll Free: 1.866-446-6069, Toll: +1.801.523.6523.
Q. What is the Registration Cancellation Policy?
A. Registration cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation administrative fee. Full refunds, minus the cancellation fee, for conference registration, continuing education courses, and ticketed events will be made only if a written cancellation is received or postmarked on or before 15 June 2012. Written cancellations received or postmarked between 16 June and 26 June 2012 are eligible for a refund of 50 percent of the registration and applicable event fees less the $50 cancellation fee.
Cancellations postmarked after 26 June 2012 will not be eligible for refunds. Note: Situations that fall under this policy include, but are not limited to, absence due to illness, late arrival, weather, and/or travel difficulties. Credit balances and/or uncashed refund checks may not be used to purchase additional items onsite.
No refunds will be processed after 31 August 2012. It is your responsibility to contact SLA well before 31 August 2012 if you have not received your refund.
Please fax cancellation requests to Active Networks at +1.801.523.6590 or mail to SLA, P.O. Box 75338, Baltimore, MD 21275.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Q. How do I make reservations for my accommodations during the SLA Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO?
A. Several area hotels have been selected to serve as conference hotels and offer discounted conference rates. You may make reservations at any of the conference hotels through the Association’s Housing Office. Please keep in mind that by your staying at one of our conference hotels, SLA is able to negotiate better rates for future conferences. It also helps us keep the meeting space rental to a minimum.
Q. I need to change my hotel reservations. Whom do I contact?
A. Please contact SLA’s official housing office, Expovision, at slahousing@expovision.com or call +1.866.774.0486 (outside the U.S. call +1.703.770.3907). Expovision can be reached Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. ET.
INFO-EXPO
Q. Can I attend just the INFO-EXPO without purchasing a full conference registration?
A. Yes, you may purchase an INFO-EXPO Only pass for US $35 in advance or US $50.00 on site, which entitles you a single day of access to the INFO-EXPO, on the SLA Annual Conference & INFO- EXPO registration site.
Q. Where can I find a list of exhibitors?
A. A current list of 2012 exhibitors can be found in the exhibitors section of the conference Web site.
Q. My company is interested in exhibiting. Whom do I contact?
A. Please e-mail Jeff Leach, Director, Marketing & Exhibits, or call +1.703.647.4922.
Q. What are the hours for the INFO-EXPO exhibition hall?
A. Complete details are available in the Visit INFO-EXPO section of the conference Website.
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING
Q. I am interested in sponsoring an SLA HQ event. Whom do I contact?
A. Please e-mail John Walsh, Communications Marketing Manager at jwalsh@sla.org, or call +1.703.647.4917.
Q. My company is interested in advertising. Whom do I contact?
A. Please e-mail John Walsh, Communications Marketing Manager at jwalsh@sla.org, or call +1.703.647.4917.
