2011 Conference Frequently Asked Questions
AREA ATTRACTIONS
What is available for my family to do while I am at the conference?
From its celebrated symbols of patriotism to its many unique neighborhoods, Washington, DC, is packed with famous sights, free attractions, and an endless calendar of special events. Visit the hotel's area attractions information or review the hotel services and amenities for more information on area attractions or check with the Hilton’s concierge desk on the lobby level.
AIRPORTS
What airports serve Washington, DC?
Washington, DC, is served by Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). The closest airport to the 2011 NBPTS Conference hotel, the Washington Hilton, is Ronald Reagan National Airport, which is located 6 miles from the hotel. Visit the hotel's directions page for more information on airports, airport shuttle service, and driving directions.
ATTIRE
What is the dress for the conference?
The attire for the conference is business casual. Be sure to pack a sweater in case the session rooms are cold.
BADGES
Where do I obtain my conference badge?
You may register for the conference on the Concourse level of the Washington Hilton.
What events will my badge allow me to attend?
Your badge is your “ticket” to all main conference events. Pre-conference workshops and other ticketed events require an additional ticket that will be provided with your badge, if you have paid for those events as well. You must wear your badge at all times during the conference to gain access to conference events. A $10 lost badge fee will apply if we have to reprint your badge.
Please note, badge sharing is strictly prohibited, and anyone caught sharing a badge will not be allowed to remain at the conference, and will not be provided a refund.
CHILDCARE
The conference does not provide child care services. Check with the Washington Hilton’s concierge staff regarding child care services at 202-483-3000.
CHILDREN AND SPOUSES
May I bring my spouse and children to the conference events?
Children and spouses may purchase tickets to certain meals and events outside of the conference sessions. Pricing for these events varies--see the registration desk for pricing and to purchase tickets. Spouses may only attend conference sessions if they register for the full conference. For safety reasons, children under 16 are not permitted in the exhibit hall.
EXHIBIT HALL
Where is the exhibit hall?
The exhibit hall is located on the Concourse level of the Washington Hilton. The exhibit hall is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Hours will be available in the program book and posted at the hall.
I would like to exhibit at the conference. Who do I contact?
Click here for information about exhibiting at the conference, or contact Elizabeth Arritt.
I’m a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). Is it possible to display my items somewhere at the conference without purchasing a booth?
We cannot provide promotional areas for products without purchase of an exhibit hall booth. However, there will be a networking area for NBCT networks to display information on joining an NBCT network. See NBCT Network Affiliates for more information on joining/forming a network.
Will there be NBCT products available to purchase at the conference?
NBPTS will have a booth in the exhibit hall to display NBCT items for purchase.
FINANCIAL AID
Is there financial assistance available to help cover the cost of the conference?
Unfortunately NBPTS cannot provide scholarships and/or financial assistance available to help offset the cost of the conference. We recommend that you touch base with your school/school district to inquire if there are professional development funds available to help cover these expenses. You might also consider approaching the PTA for assistance.
FITNESS CENTER
Does the hotel have a fitness center?
Yes, the hotel has a fitness center, however, there may be fees for some services offered. Call the fitness center at 202-483-4100 for more information on services and fees.
HILL DAY
Is there a Hill Day at the 2011 NBPTS Conference?
Hill Day will take place on Tuesday, July 26. Small groups will meet with Congressional members and staff to educate them about National Board Certification and other National Board programs. You must pre-register for Hill Day when you register for the conference.
HOTELS
Are there cheaper hotels in the area?
We encourage you to register at the conference hotel rate at the Washington Hilton. This will help us to continue to negotiate to get the best rates at future NBPTS conferences.
I can not afford the conference hotel rate. Can I register online and get a cheaper rate?
NBPTS cannot guarantee any reduced hotel rates other than the conference rate.
Does the hotel allow pets?
Yes, the Washington Hilton allows pets, with size restrictions and a fee. See the services and amenities page for more information.
MEALS
What meals are included in the conference registration fee?
Breakfast and lunch are included on both Friday and Saturday and refreshments are offered during the Networking reception in the exhibit hall on Thursday evening and the evening entertainment on Saturday. Continental breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee for the Candidate Support workshop only—other pre-conference workshops do not provide meals.
If I don’t attend the meals, may I get a portion of my registration fee returned?
There are no refunds on conference meals.
I’m a vegetarian or I have a special diet I need to follow. How can I obtain a special diet request?
You may indicate your special diet request when you register for the conference.
PARKING
Can I park at the Washington Hilton?
Yes, the Washington Hilton has a parking garage. Visit the Washington Hilton website to find out the current parking rate.
Are there other parking lots nearby that offer cheaper parking?
You may call the Washington Hilton concierge at 202-483-3000 to request information on other parking options in the area.
PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
I only want to go to the Pre-conference Workshops and not the entire conference. Is that possible?
Yes, you may register to attend only the Pre-conference workshops at the rate of $150 for the regular workshops and $250 for the Candidate Support Provider workshop.
Is lunch provided at the Pre-conference Workshops?
Lunch is provided at the Candidate Support Provider workshop. Lunch is not provided at the other Workshops. We have allotted a two-hour time slot for lunch for the Workshops. There are many dining options close to the hotel.
PRESENTERS
I want to be a presenter at the conference. How do I sign up to present?
Presentation proposal submissions have closed. Please be sure to sign up for conference updates to receive information on future conference proposal submission dates.
When will I find out if my proposal was accepted?
If you submitted a proposal, you should have received an email with decisions--if you did not, please
Do I have to pay a registration fee if I’m a presenter?
Yes, you will have to pay the registration fee if you are presenting and attending the conference. However, if you are only presenting at your session and not attending any other sessions, no payment is required. You must notify NBPTS if you are planning to present without attending, as arrangements will have to be made for your badge, and any speakers who have not registered or notified NBPTS one month before the conference will be replaced.
I need special A/V requirements for my presentation, who do I call?
Meeting rooms will be set with an internet-connected computer, LCD projector and screen. Because of the tight time between sessions, other audio visual will not be possible. You must bring your presentation on a CD, DVD or flash drive to plug into the provided computer; you will not be able to hook your own computer up to the LCD projector.
I have handouts for my session. Will NBPTS make copies for me or should I bring my own?
You will need to bring copies of handouts for your session. One hundred copies should be sufficient. The Washington Hilton does have a business center, but copies in large quantities there can be expensive.
REGISTRATION
How do I register for the conference and when does registration open?
Registration for the 2011 NBPTS Conference, both on site and virtual, will open on January 17, 2011. After that date, visit nbpts.org/conference to register for the event. You can also sign up for e-mail alerts about the 2011 Conference.
Is it safe to use my credit card online?
NBPTS uses Versign to secure all of its online payment options. Visit Versign to learn more about Versign’s secure on-line payment processing function.
How do I make changes to an existing registration?
Contact Wyndham Jade directly at 1-800-830-6203 during the hours of 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, central time, to make changes to your DC conference registration. To make changes to your virtual conference registration, contact BlueSky.
I can only attend part of the day for one of the conference dates. Do I still have to pay the entire registration fee?
You may pay the one-day fee for to attend either Friday only or Saturday only for the DC conference. The virtual conference is the same cost no matter how many days attended.
Help! I just found out that I cannot attend the conference and I’ve already paid my registration fees.
Cancellation requests must be made in writing. Prior to June 1, 2011, refunds will be issued, less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after June 1, 2011. Mail your request to NBPTS Events, P.O. Box 79374, Baltimore, MD 21279-0374.
When does online registration close?
· Conference in DC: Online registration closes on July 20, 2011. After July 20, you must register on-site at the event.
· Virtual Conference Registration: Registration for the virtual conference is open up until the event starts on July 28, 2011. However, it is recommended you register no later than July 27 to ensure your computer is set up and ready to go on July 28, and all your technical questions have been answered before the actual event begins.
How do I get a receipt for my conference payment?
You may use your confirmation as a receipt of conference payment.
My district has questions on the receipt that I printed from my registration. Who should they call?
Contact registration at 1-800-830-6203 during the hours of 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, central time.
RESTAURANTS
What restaurants are in the hotel?
The Washington Hilton has posted a list of the hotel restaurant options.
Are there any restaurants near the hotel?
The Washington Hilton has a list of area restaurants in their DC City Guide.
SAFETY
I’m traveling alone to DC. How safe is it?
The Dupont Circle area is relatively safe. However, we encourage you to take safety precautions like not wearing your badge when outside of the hotel and not traveling alone after dark. As with any location, always be aware of your surroundings.
SESSIONS
How do I choose the sessions I want to attend prior to the event?
A tentative listing of concurrent sessions will be provided on the NBPTS Web site prior to the conference. A final list will be provided in the conference program book onsite at the event.
How do I find out if a particular speaker is speaking at the event?
Speakers and sessions will be available on the conference website prior to the conference.
Can I get copies of the handouts for the sessions that I could not attend?
Handouts may be available if provided by the presenter. NBPTS does not guarantee that any session handouts may be available.
Can I view a session I missed online?
All attendees to the physical conference will receive access to the recorded sessions for a limited time. Two of the concurrent sessions from each time slot will be recorded and available for viewing.
SLEEPING ROOMS
How do I reserve my hotel room?
You must register to attend the conference prior to booking your hotel room. You may book your hotel reservations with Wyndham Jade at the same time you register for the conference.
What do the rooms look like? May I see them online before I book?
The hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations, and their renovation website has pictures and information on the project.
What time is hotel check-in and checkout?
Hotel check-in is at 3:00 pm and checkout is 11:00 am. You may check with the Hilton’s front desk if you require a late check-out.
TRANSPORTATION
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
The Hilton does not have an airport shuttle. Super Shuttle is available from all DC airports. You may reserve Super Shuttle by calling 1-800-BLUE VAN (258-3826) prior to your arrival to DC. You may also take the metro or a taxi from Ronald Reagan National Airport. The closest metro stop to the Hilton is Dupont Circle (north exit) which is located four blocks (uphill) from the Washington Hilton. One way metro fare is approximately $2.00. Taxis are available outside baggage claim areas at all airports. One way taxi fare is approximately $19 from Ronald Reagan National Airport, approximately $55 from Dulles International Airport and approximately $65 from Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport. Visit the Washington Hilton's directions page for more information.
How do I get around while I’m in DC?
The Washington Metro subway system is the best form of transportation. The closest metro stop to the Hilton is Dupont Circle (north exit). Most city attractions are easily accessible via metro.
I understand that NBPTS will offer a virtual conference. How do I register for it and how much does it cost?
You can register for the 2011 NBPTS Virtual Conference at the 2011 NBPTS Conference site. The virtual conference costs $149 per log in. If you are attending on your own from your home or office, your one login ID will cost $149. If you get a group together in a conference room with one computer and a projector and log in to one computer, the cost for the group in the room will be $149. However, if a group attends in a room but needs to log onto more than one computer, the cost will be $149 for each computer that logs on. The system will not allow your unique login to view the conference more than once at any one time, so sharing logins is not possible.
Can we attend the virtual conference as a group?
Yes, you may hold your own remote mini-conference by gathering in a conference room with one computer and a projector and log in just once, and the cost for the group in the room will be just $149. However, if your group attends in a room but needs to log onto more than one computer, the cost will be $149 for each computer that logs on. The system will not allow your unique login to view the conference more than once at any one time, so sharing logins is not possible.
Who are the presenters? Are the same as the onsite presenters?
The virtual conference is the same content live, as it is taking place in DC. You will be able to view all six general session speakers, and for each concurrent session slot you will be able to choose between two pre-selected session options. You will be able to ask questions of the presenter along with those in the room through a moderator on the computer.
How can I be considered for a virtual conference presenter slot?
The virtual conference presenters are all presenters at the conference in DC. There are no virtual-only slots. To be considered for a 2013 presenting slot in DC that may be added to the 2013 virtual conference, sign up for updates on the conference and watch for call for presentation proposals in 2012.
Is it only available “live” or will I be able to access it at a later date?
The recorded sessions will be available for a limited amount of time following the conference, allowing you to go back and watch the sessions you did not attend, or to re-watch those you particularly enjoyed.
Can I attend the pre-conference workshops virtually?
Unfortunately, due to the expensive nature of virtual conferences, the pre-conference workshops are not part of the virtual conference for 2011.
I’m planning to attend the Conference in DC but would like to also access the virtual conference. Is there an extra charge--or is access to the virtual conference included in my registration fee.
Your onsite DC conference registration fee includes access to all the recorded sessions on the virtual conference for a limited amount of time, so you may re-watch some sessions or view recorded sessions you did not attend.
I’m not very tech savvy. How will I access the virtual conference--and will there be tech support available if I run into difficulty?
There will be technical support available through BlueSky, the virtual conference portal provider. You can view the FAQ for the online attendance for more information, and read the system requirements for technical needs for both PCs and Macs. You can also contact Blue Sky Broadcast support ahead of the conference to ask questions about the conference portal.
VOLUNTEERS
I would like to volunteer for the conference. Who do I call?
Volunteer information will be posted closer to the conference date.
WEATHER
What is the weather like in Washington, DC in July?
The weather in DC in July averages 87 degrees for a high and 69 degrees low. Please keep in mind that this is an average over the past 100 years or so, and that you should keep an eye on the forecast as the conference draws near to ensure you prepare accordingly.