All you need to know to plan your trip to the annual NAFDMA Convention can be found on the Convention website. There is a lot of information here for delegates and vendors alike, so please read the information thoroughly. We strive to be clear to inform you about all you need to know before you arrive at the Convention site. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. Click on the question to see the answer.
Click here, to see the complete list of questions and answers.
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General Travel
How do I get from the airport to the Williamsburg Marriott?
I'm driving to the Convention. What's the best way to get to the there?
I am driving in and would like to know - where I can park and what does it cost?
Do I have to stay at the Williamsburg Marriott to attend the conference?
What is the weather in Williamsburg, Virginia? What do I wear?
Registration
Is the NAFDMA Convention open to the general public?
I am attending the Convention, what do I need to know about registration?
The registration form asks for a roommate. What does this mean?
Do I need to book my own hotel room for the Convention?
How do I get a registration confirmation?
How do I get a receipt for my Convention registration?
What is the rate to bring my child(ren) to the Conference?
Can I register and pay for the Conference when I get to the door?
I can only attend one day of the conference. Can I pay for only one day?
I want to visit the Trade Show only, is that possible?
What is the Convention cancellation policy?
Is any portion of my registration fee refundable?
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Why are you asking for email addresses of each participant on the registration form?
Online Registration
How do I know what my username and password are?
Is my credit card information safe?
Can I register more than one person from my farm/business with the online system?
Bus Tour
I am registering for the Networking Bus Tour Package only, what do I need to know?
What time do the buses load on the first day? What if I am driving and can't get there on time?
Is there still room the Bus Tours?
Convention Activities and General Information
I'm not sure what Workshop I want to go to; can I change it when I get there?
Can I get the session summaries without coming to the Conference?
Is the Conference going to be audio recorded?
If I bring my young children, is there day care available?
I have special dietary needs. Can my special needs be accommodated by the convention?
Why does your Convention cost more than my regional Conference?
NAFDMA Membership
Do I have to be a member of NAFDMA to attend the Conference?
Will NAFDMA membership cover more than one person from my farm to attend any part of the Convention?
What is the cost of membership for 2011?
What is the difference between a Convention Circle Membership and a Connection Circle Membership?
Complete list of Questions and Answers
General Travel
How do I get from the airport to the Williamsburg Marriott?
NAFDMA recommends that you book your air travel into Richmond International Airport (RIC). We have arranged for a shuttle service to be available to transport you to the Williamsburg Marriott. Further details will be provided to those who register for the convention. If you opt to travel into any other airport, you will need to make your own ground travel arrangements. See the travel page for details.
I'm driving to the Convention. What's the best way to get to the there?
The address for the Williamsburg Marriott is 50 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia USA 23185. Williamsburg is midway between Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia. The convention planning team has found GPS to be accurate. see the travel page
I am driving in and would like to know - where I can park and what does it cost?
Parking is free! The hotel has a very large open air parking lot that will accommodate any size vehicle.
Do I have to stay at the Williamsburg Marriott to attend the conference?
We have arranged a rate at the Williamsburg Marriott that allows us include overnight rooms in all Convention Packages. It will be more convenient for attendees to stay in this hotel as all conference activities and included transportation departures will be at this venue. If you can choose to stay at another location, there will be no prorating of convention fees and you will be responsible for you own transportation.
What is the weather in Williamsburg, Virginia? What do I wear?
Winters in Virginia can be cold and damp. While the average temperature for the area is 53 degrees f during the day and 30 at night, history shows that all average is off when NAFDMA comes to town. Those going on the bus tour will be spending time outside. You'll want to be prepared with warm layers.
Registration
Is the NAFDMA Convention open to the general public?
NAFDMA Membership and paid registration and is required to attend the NAFDMA convention. While some areas of the hotel and some venues we will visit are open to the public, a NAFDMA Convention name badge will be required to participate in all convention events.
I am attending the Convention, what do I need to know about Registration?
Take advantage of the discounted rates by signing up before January 6, 2012. Save even more with the Ultimate Networkers Package early bird rates by Dec. 15. Registration rates go up after that date. Registration Package options are package deals that include your overnight rooms. In order to secure the best rate for all attendees these are all-inclusive packages. NAFDMA has negotiated all components of this event with our Convention Hotel and service providers in order to achieve a complete value for the attendees. We are unable to prorate fees and therefore cannot give credit for underutilized components. This includes transportation, skipped meals, unused hotel nights or other package inclusions. There will be no alternate rates for anyone who chooses to overnight at locations other than the Williamsburg Marriott. A Flex Plan option is available, with the Flex Plan, you will book your own rooms.
The registration form asks for a roommate. What does this mean?
For the best price on all Registration Packages, the fee is based on double occupancy at the hotel. We ask you to include the name of whom you will room with for ease at check-in time. If you are traveling alone, you might wish to contact someone you have met during a previous NAFDMA event. If you do not know anyone to request, please give us some guidelines and we will assign you an appropriate roommate. Alternately, you have the option of paying the single occupancy up-charge to have your own room.
Do I need to book my own hotel room for the Convention?
Vendors who are exhibiting at the Trade Show will need to book their own overnight rooms (Vendors, please see the Exhibitor Information page.) For all other attendees the NAFDMA office will take care of this for you as part of your Convention Registration if you choose the Ultimate Networkers Package, the Networking Bus Tour Package or the Three Day Conference Package. There will also be the option to add-on extra room nights to your convention package. Flex Plan Registrants will need to book their own overnight rooms. See the Travel and Registration pages for details.
How do I get a registration confirmation?
If you register online, confirmations are automatically sent out to the email you provided during the registration process. If you sent in a registration form by fax, you should receive an email confirmation within one week to the email you provided on the form. If you sent a registration form by postal mail, you should receive an email confirmation within two weeks of your mailed date. In all cases, if you did not receive a confirmation, it may have been filtered out by a spam blocker. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your registration status.
How do I get a receipt for my Convention registration?
Use our on-line registration system and you will receive a receipt as soon as your payment is processed. If you are mailing or faxing your payment, you will receive a receipt in email when your registration is manually processed.
What is the rate to bring my child(ren) to the Conference?
Children under the age of 2 will be admitted at no charge. All rates are quoted for children 14 years of age or older. Please contact the NAFDMA office for special children's rates. 413-529-0386.
Can I register and pay for the Conference when I get to the door?
On-site registration is available for the Flex Plan Conference Registration only and may not include all workshops. Those who choose to wait to register on-site will be responsible for securing their own hotel rooms. The show management does not guarantee the room rate or the availability of rooms at the Williamsburg Marriott after January 6, 2012.
I can only attend one day of the conference. Can I pay for only one day?
Yex, please choose the Flex Plan Conference Registration. see the registration package page.
I want to visit the Trade Show only, is that possible?
The annual NAFDMA Trade Show is available as part of an individual day rate; Trade Show Preview, Participation Day or Education Day. We do not offer trade show only admittance.
What is the Convention cancellation policy?
Cancellation Policy: A full refund of registration fees will be made if written cancellation notice is provided before January 6, 2012. A 50% refund will be made if written notice is provided before January 20, 2012. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER JANUARY 21, 2012.
Is any portion of my registration fee refundable?
Due to restrictive reservation requirements and confirmation dates contracted by NAFDMA with the Convention Hotel and service providers we cannot honor trip refunds for any reason after the cancellation deadline has passed. As such, we strongly urge you to consider trip insurance. Your credit card company or auto club may offer trip insurance. It is also available at reasonable rates from a variety of different providers (check out www.insuremytrip.com to compare some of the most popular policies available).
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Any name changes or transferring of badges may be done upon show management's discretion. Please email changes prior to the convention to Virginia@whiteloafridge.com. Visit the convention registration desk for any on-site changes.
Why are you asking for email addresses of each participant on the registration form?
The NAFDMA office uses email to communicate details of the convention with registrants. Also, bus tour guides and some workshop presenters reach out to their passengers and workshop attendees to help you prepare for the convention before you leave home. We're a networking association. We like to communicate all year-round. Your email will not be sold to any third party groups. Our email systems allow for you to opt out if you choose.
Online Registration
How do I know what my username and password are?
Your username is the membership email we have on file for you in the NAFDMA office. It is the same email that receives the quarterly NAFDMA newsletter. If you do not know what that email address is, or need to change it, contact Virginia Schwarzenbach at 413-207-1561 or by email to Virginia@WhiteLoafRidge.com. Due to security, the NAFDMA office does not have access to your password. Click on the "forgot password" link and follow the on-line instructions.
Is my credit card information safe?
NAFDMA uses a leading payment processing and online fraud prevention solution. Your information is certified as safe. The online payment system is more secure than sending your card information by fax or email.
Can I register more than one person from my farm/business with the online system?
Yes, provided the same Registration is chosen. For example, chose the Ultimate Networkers' Package, complete the registration for the first person, then click "Add Guest" to complete additional registrations for Ultimate Networkers. You will need to complete a separate online form if one registrant is an Ultimate Networker and another is Three Day Conference Package. This registration process is the same if you are using the hardcopy form for registration.
Bus Tour
I am registering for the Networking Bus Tour Package only, what do I need to know?
Your registration includes your overnight room for Friday night so that you can attend Bus Tour Registration. The bus tour will depart from the Williamsburg Marriott on Saturday morning. The exact time will be communicated to you during registration. Overnight rooms on Saturday and Sunday are also included. All buses will return to the Marriott by 6:00 pm on Monday. The Trade Show Preview and Dinner is included in your Package. You can also add on an overnight room for Monday on your registration form.
What time do the buses load on the first day? What if I am driving and can't get there on time?
Your overnight room on Friday is included in the Bus Tour registration, we highly recommend that you arrive in time to attend bus tour registration. If you absolutely must arrive on Saturday, plan to board the bus about 7:00 a.m. We are running 6 or more buses. They will be going in different directions and have different first stop destinations, so we are not able to accommodate anyone who is late to the bus loading. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
Is there still room on the Bus Tours?
Seats on the tour buses will be filled on a first paid, first served basis. We strongly recommend that your register early for the tour and bus of your choice. Cancellations are very rare therefore there will be no wait-list if your first choice is no longer available. The Bus Tour pages will be updated in the event that any bus sells out and is not available.
Convention Activities and General Information
I'm not sure what Workshop I want to go to; can I change it when I get there?
Due to delegate feedback, limited on-site changes may be available. It is highly recommended that you choose and pre-register for Workshops offered on Education Day. Most workshops have limited seating and some have pre-workshop preparation assignments. On-site changes will only be made at the discretion of show management and the workshop presenter. Take the time to review the Workshop descriptions to help you make your decision.
Can I get the session summaries without coming to the Conference?
The summaries will be included in the 2012 Convention Yearbook. All Convention Circle Members will receive a hard copy of the Convention Yearbook at the convention. Connection Circle Members will receive a pdf copy of the Yearbook.
Is the Conference going to be audio recorded?
Most workshops and sessions will be audio recorded, so if you enjoyed your session or want to hear a session that you missed, you will be able to download these sessions to any device that allows for audio in Mp3 format. Please see the Registration page for details on reserving your audio recordings in advance, or visit the registration desk at the conference for more information.
If I bring my young children, is there day care available?
Childcare is not offered by the convention. You are responsible for the care and arrangements for your children.
I have special dietary needs. Can my special needs be accomodated by the convention?
Yes. On your registration form, please note any special needs you require. At the convention, inform your food servers and they will offer acceptable alternate selections to accommodate your needs.
Why does your Convention cost more than my regional Conference?
The NAFDMA Convention is not underwritten by any government agency grants. Our association leadership is made up of farmers and industry supporters who are passionate about providing the best possible value for farmers and industry supporters. We invest in providing the best possible learning and networking atmosphere. Registration includes a number of meals and special amenities that allow you to focus attention on learning and networking over finding your next meal or trying to decide what to do with your time. NAFDMA has established a business-to-business peer exchange with a proven track record at providing the most outstanding return-on-investment. Our longtime attendees tell us their farm income has increased as a result of attending a NAFDMA convention. The convention is a great value that can really help boost farm income. Come for your first time and see the NAFDMA magic for yourself. You won't likely ask this question again.
NAFDMA Membership
Do I have to be a member of NAFDMA to attend the Conference?
Yes, the NAFDMA Convention is one of our valued Membership Benefits; you must be a 2012 Convention Circle Member to attend the 2012 Convention.
Will NAFDMA Membership cover more than one person from my farm to attend any part of the Convention?
Yes! Membership is for your farm or business. After your Convention Membership fee is paid, as many folks as you would like from your farm or business can participate in the convention.
What is the cost of membership for 2012?
Convention Circle Membership is $250.00.
What is the difference between a Convention Circle Membership and a Connection Circle Membership?
Convention Circle Membership is the premier membership option. This membership level is required to attend the annual convention. We also offer Connection Circle Membership for those who opt out of attending the convention any given year but want to maintain the connections with the association and their friends from across the continent. For more details on the two membership levels, visit the NAFDMA Membership page.
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please send us a message using our Contact Us form or call Virginia at 413-207-1561.
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