Registration FAQ

Q: What’s new with conference registration this year?

A: The conference program is richer than ever, with more of the small-group experiences you've asked for. Our new online system now tracks registration in real-time, so we always have the most current status on workshop occupancy and waitlists, and can respond to demand more quickly. 

Q:  Can I download the conference program?

A: Yes, click here to view the 2012 Annual Conference program. Please note: for current registration information, go directly to program registration. The downloadable document is for reference only, not for up-to-the-minute program information. 

Q: Who is coming to conference?

A: Click here to view the current attendee list.

Q:  When is Early Bird registration deadline and why should I register by then?

A: Early Bird registration saves you money and maximizes your chance of getting into the sessions you want most. Early Bird registration is $800 for Full Conference/$650 for a Weekend Pass. The Early Bird registration deadline is 12 midnight PST, February 10, 2012. 

Please also note: Day Passes will go on sale February 11, 2012, during our standard registration period.

Q: What is a Weekend Pass and how are other registration options priced?  

A: A Weekend Pass begins on Friday evening with the NYC Opening Party and runs through Sunday evening. All other registration options are listed here:

Q: Do I need to be a member of IACP to attend conference? 

A: Yes, you do. But, because we want you to see you at this conference, we would like to extend a one-time trial membership to new Professional and Emerging Professional members. For a $50 initiation fee, you will become a member until June 30, 2012. Click here to join. At the bottom of the sign-up form, click the "Select Membership Type" button and then select "IACP Trial Membership." Follow the steps to becoming a member and start registering for conference! We look forward to seeing you in New York and having you become a part of IACP.

Q: Can I save my registration form partway through and finish it later?

A: No, you cannot save a partially completed registration form, so please allow yourself ample time (about 15 to 20 minutes) to complete the process before beginning. Please be careful not to hit the back browswer key after you have made your selections as this will remove all your choices! This makes it possible for us to monitor our real-time registration for each session and ensure that everyone has a seat. 

Q: This is a huge conference schedule. How do I keep track of the times and sessions? 

A: Good question! The program page is broken up into time slots, organized by day. The session numbering system works like this: session type/day/time slot/session number. For example: GSF216 is a General Session, on Friday, in the second afternoon time slot, and is session number 16. Also:

• GS = General Session
• FS = Featured Session  
• EA = Experts Are In  
• MM = Mix & Mentor  
• OP = Optional  
• MT = Media Tour
• IS = Interest Section

More information about Experts Are In, Mix & Mentor, and other types of sessions can be found below.

Q: Can I bring a guest to any of the conference events?

A: Annual Conference sessions are for members only. For special events, you're welcome to bring along a friend!

There will be a limited number of online, single-event tickets for the NYC Opening Party and Awards Ceremony & After Party. These tickets will be available online for $150, beginning February 11, 2012.

We are also offering general public tickets for the Book & Blog Festival ($10 online, $15 at the door). The Culinary Expo & Networking Brunch is open to all culinarians and includes admittance to the Book & Blog Festival ($25 online/ $30 at the door). Buy tickets to the Books & Blog Festival or Culinary Expo here.

Q: Can I change my registration after it's been submitted, for instance, to add one or more of the new optional tours and dinners?

A: Yes, simply click on the link within your 2012 Annual Conference confirmation email, which came from tickets@iacp.com. Once you click on the link, you will be prompted to log in to view your current choices. Upon logging in, click on the button called "Edit Registration," which is located at the bottom of the page. Finally, proceed to make any edits and then click on "Next" to finish up. If you have trouble locating your confirmation email, please email tickets@eztix.co or membership@iacp.com to request your confirmation link. Or call either of the numbers listed at the top of this page.

You can also buy tickets to the optional tours and dinners here.

Q : Are any meals included? 

A: Breakfast and snacks at the networking breaks are complimentary for all Annual Conference registrants. Because this year's conference is in the heart of NYC, and many of you will use lunch breaks to dine around the city, we decided not to add $100 per day in hotel lunch costs to everyone's registration fee. We are working with local restaurants and will provide you with our suggested guide for the many lunch opportunites in the area. 

Q: Will we have free WiFi in the hotel? 

A: Yes, we will! You spoke up in Austin and the Millennium Broadway Hotel heard you. Many thanks to the exceptional crew at the Millennium Broadway Hotel for helping make this conference a success. 

Q: What is a Core Curriculum session?

A: Honing your craft is all well and good, but if you really want to rise to the top of your profession, you have to know how to run your career like a business. The Core Curriculum sessions are designed to give you a money-making perspective through the development of key business skills and strategies: proposal development, strategic planning, creating a platform for your brand, building a portfolio of freelance activity, using social media strategically, and building recipes that connect to your core customers.  

Q: What is an Experts Are In session?

A: Experts Are In sessions offer the opportunity for intimate and in-depth discussions with leading professionals and like-minded peers. Each round-table style session begins with a short presentation by the expert, followed by an informal Q&A. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and contribute actively to the discussion.

Q: What is a Mix & Mentor session? 

A: Mix & Mentor sessions are a new component of the popular Experts Are In program. In these highly interactive sessions, each participant has at least one 10-minute face-to-face conversation with each of several experts (depending on the number of participants, there may be more time with each expert). Before, between, and after the one-on-one conversations, you can "mix" with the other participants who share your interests, show work, swap advice, and make connections. 

Q: I'm not from New York. How will I find my way around on the Optional Tours? 

A: Every Optional Tour starts at the Millennium Hotel. There will be a tour leader (or two) to take you on the subway and stay with you the whole time. You will have the tour guide's cell number, so you'll always be in touch. New Yorkers prefer the subway because it is quick, efficient, and green. And with a whole tour to keep you company and entertained, you will feel like a local in no time!  

Q: It's my first time coming to Annual Conference. How will I meet anyone? 

A: Relax. This is the most inclusive, friendly, generous, well connected group of people you will ever meet. We will have a February Speaker Series webinar to help you learn how to get the most out of conference. If you've registered for conference and live in the NY area, we will have an in-person networking event on March 7. Look in your inbox for details, coming soon. We would also like to invite you to a private, special luncheon on Friday, March 30. We look forward to getting to know you! 

Q: What is an interest section and can I attend multiple interest section meetings?

A: Interest sections are like "meet ups" for specific areas of expertise. When you join IACP, you'll be asked if you want to join an interest section. Of course you do . . . it's the quickest way to connect to your fellow professionals. Most of us belong to more than one interest section because everyone cross-pollinates these days. If you would like to attend more that one interest section meeting, please check one box on the registration form to indicate which section meeting you plan to attend, but feel free to move among concurrent section meetings. You will note that this year we are breaking up the section meetings into Friday and Saturday groupings so that members who are interested in different sections have a better opportunity to attend those meetings that interest them. 

For any other questions, please contact IACP Headquarters at info@iacp.com, or by calling (646) 358-4957 or (866) 358-4951 x 102.