Frequently Asked Questions

Updated May 20, 2020

How do I register for the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting?
Visit our registration page to sign up for ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting access! While registration is required for all attendees and participants, the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting fees are discounted from regular ACE conference rates. Registrants can attend the conference from any location using their computers or mobile devices and will have exclusive access to hundreds of presentations, as well as discussant commentary for one year. The virtual access registration fee is non-refundable.
 
Can I reinstate my registration?
We welcome registrants who had cancelled prior to our announcement to attend the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting. Please contact us at garmstrong@awma.org if you would like to reinstate a previous registration.
 
Do I need to be a member of A&WMA to register for the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting?
No, membership is not required. Virtual conference attendance is open to all, but lower registration rates are available for members. The cost differential nearly covers the annual dues. See our Member Benefits and join today.  
 
Do presenters need to register? Yes. A&WMA’s meeting registration policy is based on the premise that participation in A&WMA conferences is an enriching opportunity and is beneficial to the individual’s company/institution, as it provides individual and company/institution exposure as well as personal professional development opportunities.  All participants, including speakers/presenters/panelists/session chairs/poster presenters (both invited or accepted through the call for abstracts), are expected to register and pay the appropriate registration fee.

What sessions will be live?
In addition to the Keynote Plenary and Critical Review, our technical program planning team has identified many sessions and events that will be offered as livestream events online.  Links to access those sessions will be included in the Virtual Conference platform and will be accessible to those who have registered for the conference. Check out all of the live sessions and events included in the ACE 2020 Virtual Conference.
 
I can’t attend a live session. Can I view it online later?
Yes. All livestream sessions will be recorded and posted online in the ACE 2020 Virtual Platform within 48 hours of their live presentation time and will be accessible through June 2021.
 
In what time zone will the ACE Virtual Meeting be conducted?
All session times listed in the program will be hosted in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
 
I am an author/panelist/speaker/poster presenter/session chair/reviewer. What do I do now?
A&WMA professional development staff will contact all presenters with instructions on how to proceed with uploading and recording presentations as more details on the virtual process become available. Plans are being finalized for delivering conference content virtually and for publishing the conference proceedings in a format typical of past A&WMA ACE conferences. We are asking for your help in continuing to move our technical program forward to this end by following the communicated deadlines and completing your final manuscripts and reviews.
 
Can I receive Continuing Education credit for the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting?
Yes. Registered attendees are eligible to request Professional Development Hours (PDH) or Continuing Education Units (CEU) for participation in Technical Sessions. Attendees must participate in the virtual conference using the online virtual conference platform. A&WMA will award and distribute credits allocations after the event is complete. For complete details, please see the Continuing Education page. 

I am a sponsor/exhibitor/advertiser. How does this affect me?
If you have already committed funding prior to the change in the meeting format, A&WMA’s Business Development Manager will reach out under separate cover to discuss next steps and available options to continue to be showcased in our ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting.
 
How can I support the virtual meeting?
Opportunities for sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers are still available. You can contact A&WMA’s Business Development Manager at jschurman@awma.org to review the menu of opportunities and talk about how you can participate in our virtual conference.

What is the status of Council and volunteer leadership Committee meetings?
Volunteer leadership meetings previously scheduled to take place face-to-face at ACE will be held virtually at the discretion of the Council/Committee Chair. Council and Committee Chairs (and/or A&WMA staff liaisons) will contact all group members in the coming weeks with the details of if/when the meetings will take place virtually. Separate conference call/access information will be sent as well under separate cover to the group members.

I registered for the on-site Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) in San Francisco and plan to attend the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting. What do I need to do?
No further action is required. You will receive an email correspondence directly from A&WMA’s Registrar. Your registration will be automatically transferred to the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting. Any remaining registration fee will be refunded to you.
 
I registered for the on-site Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) in San Francisco and do not plan to attend the Virtual Meeting. What do I need to do?
Should you choose to decline access to the ACE 2020 Virtual Meeting, you can cancel your registration to receive a full refund by contacting the A&WMA Registrar at garmstrong@awma.org.  All requests must be confirmed in writing and received by May 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). All cancellation fees will be waived.

Are you refunding flights?
Participants are responsible for cancelling their airline tickets. Each airline has its own policies regarding refunds and vouchers for future travel. You will need to work with the carrier directly to determine if you qualify. A&WMA is not responsible for refunding airline ticket costs, fees, charges, or penalties.
 
How can I cancel my hotel room reservation?
All individual hotel reservations booked through A&WMA’s group booking link at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel will be cancelled automatically without penalty. However, registrants who booked a reservation at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel outside the group’s block through other sources, or directly with other hotel properties, are responsible for cancelling their own reservations. A&WMA is not responsible for reimbursing any charges, fees, or penalties associated with housing.