Registration
- When and where is the meeting?
- How do I register?
- I am a sponsored attendee. Do I need to pay the registration fee?
- Can I register online and return later to purchase additional guest tickets or make changes to the events I want to attend?
- Is there a registration fee for attending Congressional Advocacy Day?
- Do I need to register my spouse for this meeting or other events?
- Can I cancel meeting registration for myself and for my guests online?
Hotel and Airline
- Does the Academy make my hotel reservation?
- Can I cancel or change my hotel reservation?
- How do I make my airline reservation?
- I am a sponsored attendee and I cannot find a reasonable airline fare that does not have a Saturday stay over; may I stay an extra night as an Academy sponsored attendee?
Advocacy Day
- Shall I make appointments to visit Members of Congress?
Special Event
- Do I need to pay an extra fee of $50 to attend the Mid-Year Forum dinner on Thursday?
- Can I attend the Thursday evening dinner if I am not registered for the Mid-Year Forum and am only attending Advocacy Day?
Sponsored Attendees
- What/who is a sponsored attendee?
- I am a sponsored attendee. Will the Academy reimbursement me for the registration fee?
Members in Training (Residents and Fellows)
- I am a member in training. What events may I register for?
- I am a resident but not a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Can I participate in the Mid-Year Forum?
- How can I find out about sponsorship for member in training to attend the MYF?
1. When and where is the meeting?
The 2011 Mid-Year Forum is at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. from April 6 to 9.
2. How do I register?
Pre-registration is available starting January 20, 2011. The registration deadline is March 16, 2011.
Note: this meeting is for Academy members (or invited guests) only.
3. I am a sponsored attendee, do I need to pay the registration fee?
Yes. All attendees pay the registration fee including members of the Board of Trustees and Council. The registration fee for the 2011 Mid-Year Forum is $175. Note: the registration fee is not reimbursable.
4. Can I register online and return later to purchase additional guest tickets or make changes to the events I want to attend?
No. Please contact kmitchell@aao.org to purchase additional guest tickets or make changes to the events you want to attend. Note: if you only want to change your hotel reservation, you may do so - see below.
5. Is there a registration fee for attending Congressional Advocacy Day?
No. There isn't a registration fee for Advocacy Day. The registration fee is for the Mid-Year Forum/Council Meeting.
6. Do I need to register my spouse for this meeting or other events?
No, you do not need to register your spouse, as there are no Academy sponsored spouse tours or events. BUT, you will need to purchase a GUEST ticket if your spouse will attend the Thursday evening dinner. Dinner tickets are $50 each.
7. Can I cancel meeting registration for myself and for my guests online?
No. Cancellations for refunds must be received in writing on or before March 23. Note that a $25 administrative fee will be deducted from your refund. There are no refunds for cancellations after March 23. Please contact kmitchell@aao.org if you need to cancel your meeting registration. Note: if you want to cancel your hotel reservation, you may do so - see below.
8. Does the Academy make my hotel reservation?
No. All attendees must make their own hotel reservations. Housing opens on January 20 and will close on March 8. For housing questions or to make a change to a reserveration call Expovision at 1.866.774.0478 or 1.703.770.3908 and indicate you are attending Mid-Year forum for the special group rate at the Grand Hyatt of $299/night + tax (single) or $324/night + tax (double).
9. Can I cancel or change my hotel reservation?
Yes. You can change your hotel reservaton by calling Expovision at 1.866.774.0478 or 1.703.770.3908. You will need your reservation acknowledgement number. But, you cannot change your registraton for the meeting. If you need to cancel or change your meeting registration, contact kmitchell@aao.org.
10, How do I make my airline reservation?
Make your airline reservation through your own travel agent or online. If you attendance is sponsored by the Academy you must purchase a 21-day advance fare ticket at the lowest possible rate. Only economy fare tickets will be reimbursed in addition to baggage fees.
11. I am a sponsored attendee and I cannot find a reasonable airline fare that does not have a Saturday stay over. May I stay an extra night as an Academy sponsored attendee?
First, check all airlines not only your first choice airline. If you still cannot find a reasonable fare contact kmitchell@aao.org or call 415.447.0345.
12. Shall I make appointments to visit Members of Congress?
No, Academy staff in Washington, D.C., will make appointments for you based on the zip code you have on file at the Academy. Your schedule will be given to you when you arrive at the meeting in Washington, D.C. (Contact Heather Falen: hfalen@aaodc.org or call 202.737.6662 if you have any special requests regarding appointments.)
13. Do I need to pay an extra fee to attend the Mid-Year Forum dinner on Thursday?
No. One place is reserved for you and is included in your registration fee ($175) for the Mid-Year Forum. You only need to purchase tickets ($50 each) for each guest that will attend the dinner with you.
14. Can I attend the Thursday evening dinner if I am not registered for the Mid-Year Forum and am only attending Advocacy Day?
Yes, you may attend, but you must purchase a guest ticket ($50).
15. What/who is a sponsored attendee?
Sponsored attendees are reimbursed by the Academy for their airfare and hotel room and are: members of the Academy Board of Trustees, Committee of Secretaries and Council, Academy representatives to other organizations, Academy committee chairs, and members of the Young Ophthalmologist Committee and Subcommittee on Advocacy and members of the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) Board of Directors.
16. I am a sponsored attendee. Will the Academy reimburse me for the registration fee?
No. The Academy reimburses sponsored attendees only for their airfare and hotel stay.
17. I am a Member in Training. What events may I register for?
Registration is complimentary for members in training and includes access to all events including, Advocacy Day, the Mid-Year Forum, the Council meeting and the banquet dinner on Thursday, April 7. If a guest(s) will attend the banquet dinner with you, you will need to purchase a guest ticket ($50) for each guest.
18. I am a resident, but not a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Can I participate in the Mid-Year Forum?
Participants attending the Mid-Year Forum must be members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. AAO membership is FREE for residents and is completed by filling out an application signed by a program director. The Academy member in training membership application is available online.
19. How can I find out about sponsorship for member in training to attend the MYF?
Some ophthalmic state and subspecialty societies, along with ophthalmology training programs are participating in a program called the Advocacy Ambassador Program to encourage members in training (residents and those undergoing fellowship training) to attend the Mid-Year Forum. These societies are working with the program directors to select the most appropriate candidate(s) and are funding* the travel expenses (transportation/housing) for selected members in training to attend the MYF. Residents should contact your program director or your state ophthalmology society for more information. (*Societies differ in the amount of funding they offer and may or may not cover all expenses.)
