Our move to Gaylord National and National Harbor

1. Why are we moving?
   Nearly five years ago, the Marriott Wardman Park notified us that they were planning to convert a section of the hotel to condos, which would have removed too many sleeping rooms from our contracted block. Sleeping rooms and meeting space of the quantity and size that we require must be contracted years in advance to secure dates, space, and rates. Coincidentally, the Gaylord National was being constructed and was beginning to look for business. We signed the ten year contract in June 2005. Please visit the hotel website for more details about the hotel (http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/.)
   
   
2. What else is in the National Harbor neighborhood?
   Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is one of the anchors to the whole National Harbor project. National Harbor is nearing completion and will be home to over 500,000 square feet of office space, over a dozen shops and a dozen restaurants, two art galleries, a marina, and much more. Please visit their website for more information (http://www.nationalharbor.com/).
   
   

Registration Information and Costs

3. What does it cost to attend the 3-day Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition?
   Advance Registration prices are as follows. Please note that Member/Non Member prices are $100 more when registering on-site.

   AFA Member - $1050.00 in advance; $1150.00 on-site
   Non-Member - $1350.00 in advance; $1450.00 on-site
   Government/DoD - $470.00
   
   

4. What does the full 3-day conference registration include?
   Registration for the full 3-day conference includes all forums and workshops September 14-16, 2009; continental breakfasts; exhibit hall access during open hours (see below); coffee breaks; and, exhibit hall lunches.
   
   
5. Is there a one day only option to attend the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition? We are extending the option of a one day only pass for Government/DoD employees only. The price for a one day pass will be $150 and includes all forums and workshops; exhibit hall access during open hours (see below); coffee breaks; and exhibit hall lunch on the day you choose to attend (Monday, Tuesday OR Wednesday).

   Note: In all previous years, persons in the government category who were in the National Capital Region were offered the one day option completely free of charge. This year the $150 fee is applicable for everyone in order to avoid any ethics concerns over gift acceptance for government employees

6. What does it cost to attend the Technology Exposition ONLY?
   There is no charge to attend the Technology Exposition during exhibit hall hours (see below). You may pre-register on-line by choosing the Technology Exposition Only category, or you may register on-site.
   
   
7. Is there an age limit for access to the Technology Exposition?
   Yes. Children over the age of 15 may attend the exposition provided they are accompanied by an adult at all times. No one under the age of 18 is permitted in the exhibit halls during installation and dismantling hours.
   
   
8. What are the Technology Exposition exhibit hall hours?
   Monday – 11:00am – 4:00pm
   Tuesday – 10:00am – 4:00pm
   Wednesday – 10:00am – 4:00pm
   
   
9. Can I substitute for someone?
   There can be no substitutions. Individuals may be canceled (see cancellation policy) and individuals may register. Specifically, no one may capture someone else’s advance registration rate.
   
   
10. What does it cost to cancel?
    A $25 non-refundable processing fee will be charged for cancellations prior to Monday, September 7, 2009. NO refunds will be granted for cancellations made after Monday, September 7, 2009. You do not need to give a reason for your cancellation: no duty or family emergency releases you from your responsibility to cancel or from the cancellation fee. Did we mention? There are no refunds after Monday, September 7, 2009.

    Refunds will be issued back to the card that was charged; check payment will be refunded individually by check to the individual or company.
    
    

11. Where do I pick up my badge/tickets?
    Badges and tickets may be picked up on-site at the AFA Registration Desk at the Gaylord National Hotel beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 12, 2009. Please bring a photo ID or corporate photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID are as follows:

    -Driver’s License
    -Military ID
    -U.S. Government ID
    -Passport
    -Corporate photo ID

12. What are registration hours?
    Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
    Sunday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
    Monday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
    Tuesday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
    Wednesday 7:30 am – 8:00 pm
    
    
13. What is the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Dinner?
    This dinner recognizes Airmen from all major air commands and operating agencies that have displayed the Air Force values within their fields. The outstanding airmen were chosen from nominations made by all Air Force Commands based on their “unique, unusual or outstanding individual involvement and achievement within the proceeding 12 months”.
    
    
14. What is the Air Force Anniversary Dinner?
    This dinner recognizes achievements made by members of the Air Force, industry and the government. During the dinner the awards that will be given out include: the Lifetime Achievement Award, the John R. Allison Award, the W. Stuart Symington Award and the H. H. Arnold Award.
    
    
15. Do I have to be a member of AFA or the military to attend?
    No. If you are not a member of AFA and/or not currently serving active duty military or reserves, or current Department of Defense civil service employee please choose the Non-Member category when registering.
    
    
16. How much does it cost to purchase a table for the Outstanding Airmen of the Year and/or Air Force Anniversary dinner(s)?
    The cost for a table of ten (10) persons is $3,000 for the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Dinner and $3,200 for the Air Force Anniversary Dinner. Tables will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Tables can be purchased once registration opens in early May.

    Note: AFA will seat FOUR guests at each table. DoD guest will be seated randomly at our Industry tables. If you wish to nominate appropriate guests to be invited to your table(s), please send an e-mail to Katie Storm kstorm@afa.org with a list of names. Final selection, invitation and random seating process will be administered solely by the Air Force Association.

    Your table tickets, list of DoD guests seated at your table, and a copy of the floor plan will be available for pick up on-site at the AFA Registration Desk at the Gaylord National Hotel beginning at 9:00 am, Sunday, September 13, 2009.

17. What about the meals: will they cost more or about same?
    AFA is not increasing our registration/ticket prices this year for our functions. When it comes to restaurants, there are four hotel restaurants that are staggered in their pricing, as well as a dozen restaurants within short walking distance of the hotel.