Date:

July 25 - 29, 2015

Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) Address:

9990 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
+1 407 685 9800

Press:

Press registration are allowed at the GBTA 2015 Convention but must be approved by GBTA. For press inquiries please contact Colleen Gallagher at [email protected] or +1 703 236 1133. Press should submit their registration request online at the Convention registration page.

Education Sessions/ Academy Hall

Attendees can register for these sessions and view session descriptions at the My Convention Planner website.

A full listing of Academy Hall sessions will be available in the Spring of 2015.

EXPO Hours

• Monday, July 27, 2015 - 2:30pm - 6:00pm
• Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 2:30pm - 6:00pm
• Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 8:30am - 11:00am

Business Lounges

Some exhibiting and sponsor companies will have the opportunity to book a business lounge on the expo floor only. Business Lounges are open the following hours:

• Sunday 10:00am - 6:30pm
• Monday 8:00am - 6:30pm
• Tuesday 8:00am - 6:30pm
• Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00am

Wireless Access

GBTA will provide wireless internet access in all areas except in the expo hall. The public SSID is GBTA2015.

Areas of Interest w/in the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC)

• ATMs – Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and Money Changing Machines are located in every lobby of the West Building.
• Freeman Decorator Service Desk – Expo Floor
• Restroom locations – see OCCC floor plan
• Smoking areas are designated outside the OCCC.
• Concession Sales – several food courts and outlets are available in the OCCC

2015 GBTA Board Members

• Donna G. Kelliher, CTC, GLP – GBTA President & CEO
• Christle Johnson, CCTE, GLP, GTP – GBTA Vice President
• Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, GTP – GBTA Chairman/ Past President
• Mike McCormick – GBTA Executive Director & COO
• Scott A. Solombrino – President, GBTA Allied Leadership Council
• Dorothy Dowling – Vice President, GBTA Allied Leadership Council
• Jessica Davis – President, Chapter Presidents’ Council
• Rita Visser, GTP – GBTA Board Member
• Michelle (Mick) Lee – GBTA Board Member
• Eric Norberg – GBTA Board Member
• Doug Payne, CCTE, GTP – GBTA Board Member
• Bhart A. Sarin, CCTE, C.P.M., GTP – GBTA Board Member
• Denise Truso, CCTE, GTP – GBTA Board Member
• Douglas Weeks – GBTA Board Member

Mobile App

Access the agenda, speaker details, expo floor plan, news, photos, and attendee messaging. 

My Convention Planner - gbta.org/myconventionplanner

• Using advanced planning tools, attendees can plan their Convention experience by creating a schedule of exhibitors they’ll visit on the Expo floor to education and events they will attend. In addition, attendees can make confirmed appointments with exhibitors. This customized online schedule can be synched up to Outlook calendars and the 2015 Convention Mobile App.

Kick-Start Sessions & Convention Connections

• I did not sign up for a particular education session (Saturday and Sunday), can I still go?

• All of these sessions require advance registration and/or payment. Attendees may register online during the registration process, or log in (on registration confirmation notice) and add any events.

Academy Hall – Education Sessions

• How do I sign up for education sessions and/or create a schedule?

• Go to gbta.org/myconventionplanner. Please note that adding a session to your Convention Planner does not guarantee you a seat in that session.

• I did not sign up for a particular education session, can I still go?

• Yes, all sessions are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Education Takeaways

• How do I get presentations?

• Education sessions that are made available to GBTA for public access can be found on gbta.org/convention from any web accessible device. Printers will not be provided by GBTA onsite but may be found at the FedEx business center within the OCCC.

First Aid

• Permanent First Aid stations are set up in the following locations:

• In front of Hall WD2 (W224)
• In Central Lobby (Hall WC)

• Hours:

• Thursday, July 24: 8:30am – 6:30pm
• Friday, July 25: 8:30am – 6:30pm
• Saturday, July 26: 7:00am – 6:00pm
• Sunday, July 27: 7:00am – 8:30pm
• Monday, July 28: 7:30am – 6:30pm
• Tuesday, July 29: 6:00am – 6:30pm
• Wednesday, July 30: 7:30am – 5:30pm

• EMTs will also rove the Center Halls as needed.
• Should your stay here require medical attention, the nearest hospital to the OCCC is the following:

• Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
  9400 Turkey Lake Road
  Orlando, Florida 32819
  +1 407 351 8500

Food & Beverage

• GBTA hosted water cooler stations will be positioned throughout the convention center.
• GBTA does NOT provide a daily breakfast.
• Concessions (for purchase) will be available on level 1 and 2 during the convention.
• Vegetarian and other special meals can be provided to attendees (for luncheons as noted in the registration process). We will try to avoid major allergens. All attendees who have requested a special meal will receive further instruction with their onsite registration
materials.

Emergencies

• Emergencies at the Convention Center

• For serious medical emergencies (cardiac arrest, profuse bleeding, seizures, etc.) dial 9-1-1 from any house phone or outside line. In the event of dialing 9-1-1 from a cell phone, calls will go directly to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) where it will be transferred to Orange County Fire Rescue (OCFR). OCFR will flag the OCCC address in their system to prompt their call taker to call OCCC Security Command Center and advise them of details on the call and that they are responding. OCCC Security will, in turn, dispatch Security Representatives to the scene, and advise the OCFR operator the best entrance location for their response.
• For minor incidents/first aid (bruises, blisters, etc.), see the above listed first aid stations or ask a nearby GBTA Staff Member for assistance.
• For non-emergencies, notify building security via any house phone at extension 5-9828 or +1 407 685 1119.

Foundation

• Where do I purchase Foundation raffle tickets?

• Foundation Booth located in the South Lobby.

• I won, where do I claim my prize?

• To claim your prize you may contact a GBTA staff person in a white GBTA shirt, visit the Foundation Booth, or contact Kerry Gaylor with the GBTA Foundation at [email protected]

• The GBTA Foundation has booked the Mokara Spa at the Omni Orlando Resort for those who wish to pamper themselves prior to a busy week at Convention. Ranked No. 8 on Conde Nast Traveler's list of 2010 Top Spa Hotels in North America, Mokara Spa offers a restorative spa experience in a serene, relaxing atmosphere. In addition to a series of treatments, spa goers can enjoy the amenities of the spa including private treatment rooms, a relaxation room, Whirlpool, sauna, beauty salon and retail boutique. Spa participants can enjoy the pool deck mimosa bar, float the day away in the resort’s lazy river or lounge in poolside cabanas before the start of a busy week of networking.
• The Foundation Golf Tournament and Spa Day will be held on Sunday, July 26 from 7:30am – 2:00pm located at ChampionsGate Golf Club.

• Advance registration is required through the registration system.

Membership

• Can I join or renew onsite?

• Yes, visit the GBTA Support Central area near Registration in West B Lobby (Level 1) or join online at gbta.org/join

• How much is membership?

• Visit the GBTA Support Central area near Registration or gbta.org/join

FAQs from Attendees

• Which hotel is HQ?

• Hyatt Regency Orlando
  9801 International Drive
  Orlando, FL 32819

• Where can I find a list of the hotels and room rates?

• On the convention web page at gbta.org/convention
• Hotel addresses and distance to OCCC can be found in the GBTA mobile app

• My preferred hotel is sold out? How do I get on the waitlist for any sold out hotel?

• If your preferred hotel(s) is sold out, you must first book a room at an available hotel and then select the waitlist option at your preferred hotels. You will not be able to waitlist yourself unless you have a confirmed reservation at an available hotel.
• J. Spargo & Associates (GBTA’s Official Housing Provider) will contact you should room(s) become available at the waitlisted hotel(s). You may also call J. Spargo for further assistance – +1 800 934 1957 /+1 703 449 6418

• How do I change my hotel room? I don’t like it…

• Please visit the Housing Desk located by registration in the West B Lobby (Level 1).

• Can I sit in on a Convention Arena even if I do not eat?

• Seats are only available at the lunch tables.

• Is there reserved seating at the Convention Arena sessions?

• If you have not been invited, or purchased a table there is no reserved seating.

• What does the Fast Pass provide?

• Fast Pass tickets provide early access to the GBTA Convention Arena. Fast pass ticket holders may have early entrance to avoid the lines and find seating faster. Fast Pass tickets do not provide assigned seats.

• Is there a message center?

• There is no “message center”.

• How many attendees do we have?

• We are expecting approximately 7,000 attendees (total)

• What is the Shuttle Schedule/what route is my hotel on?

• See the Convention Onsite Program or consult one of the schedules we’ll provide. These are posted at each hotel and in the West B Lobby (Level 1) where the shuttle drops off passengers. A shuttle route will also be provided in the mobile app.

Lost and Found

For lost and found, contact OCCC Security at +1 407 685 1119 in the West Building.

Coat/Bag Check – Located in West B Lobby (Level 1)

Note that electronic items will not be checked. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, July 28:                    8:00am – 6:30pm
  Tuesday, July 29:                  6:30am – 6:30pm
  Wednesday, July 30:             8:00am – 6:30pm

The fee is $4 per bag.

Registration Questions

• Are guest/spouse registrations available?

• Tickets may be purchased for the Opening and Closing Receptions. We do not allow guest registrations at other GBTA Convention events.

• I lost my credentials. Can I get replacement badge/materials?

• Yes. The replacement fee is $195 for a one time replacement only. See registration staff for details.

• How do I get an attendee list?

• An attendee list is available for purchase to exhibitors only. Order forms are available in the Exhibitor Service Manual.
• In addition, a list of companies with representatives in attendance will be available online at gbta/convention.

• Can my friend or guest come to convention?

• Registration is not available for friends or guests.

• Can I just go to the exposition?

• We do not have an exposition only pass.

• Can a guest attend any events?

• Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the opening and closing receptions. Maximum purchase of 2 tickets per event per attendee. Opening reception only ticket cost is $150, Closing Reception is $75.

• I did not register for the First Time Attendee Lunch, can I still attend?

• Yes, but this is limited to first time attendees and mentor participants only.

• Do you have to register for the Convention to participate in the service project?

• No, you do not have to register for Convention to participate in the service project.
• Registration for the service project can be found on the GBTA Foundation website as well as under Convention Kick Start Sessions Only during the registration process..

• I did not register for the Service Project, can I still attend?

• If space is available, you may still register. Check for availability at the registration desk in West B Lobby (level 1). Donations are always welcome.

• Can I replace or substitute for another paid attendee?

• Substitutions can be made prior to the event, by contacting the registration center at [email protected] or onsite at the assisted registration desk.

• What is the Cancellation policy?

• There will be a $395 fee for cancellations received on or before Thursday, May 28, 2015. There will be a $395 fee and 50% registration fee for cancellations received between Friday May 29, 2015 and Thursday, June 25, 2015. No refunds for cancellations will be issued on or after Friday, June, 26, 2015. There are no refunds for Fast Pass, Opening or Closing event cancellations, service project donations or GBTA Foundation Annual Prize Drawing tickets. All requests for cancellation must be made in writing to GBTA. Mail or email requests to: GBTA Convention Housing and Registration Center 11208 Waples Mill Rd., Ste. 112, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA or [email protected]. Cancelling your registration does not automatically cancel your housing reservation. To cancel your hotel room(s), please contact [email protected].

• Can I get an extra bag?

• Please check back with the registration desk on Wednesday afternoon in West B Lobby (Level 1).

Registration Bags

• What is in the registration bags?

• GBTA Magazine
• Pocket program
• Tradeshow floor maps (Directs only)
• Convention Program
• Sponsor pieces

Expo Prize Cards

• The Expo Prize Card is not included in the bags.
• Expo prize drawing cards are available to buyer attendees/direct members and are available for pick up at the expo entrance.
• The expo prize drawing will take place at 10:45am on Wednesday.
• You must be present to win.

2016 Sponsorship Flyer

• 2016 Sponsorship flyers (Allieds only) - No flyer in bags

Business Center/Shipping

• The FedEx Business Center will be open 8:00am – 5:00pm each day for general needs, located in the West C Lobby.

Tradeshow Floor

• Discover GBTA Kiosk
• Freeman Service Desk – Expo Hall
• How many exhibitors do we have?

• Nearly 400 exhibiting companies

• What are Priority Points?

• Priority Points are accrued by supplier companies through exhibiting, advertising with GBTA, and sponsorship of GBTA official events. Supplier companies are ranked according to points earned, and may choose booth space and housing room blocks (for the GBTA Convention) based on rankings.

2016 Expo Selection Center

• Missed space selection appointment time – proceed to the Expo Space Selection Center (located in the South Lobby) for assistance or call Heather Brown at +1 701 684 0836.
• If you are a first time exhibitor and would like to sign up to exhibit in 2016, stop by the Expo Space Selection Center on Tuesday, July 28 at 12:00pm.
• GBTA Visibility Packages are also sold here.

Shuttles

• See shuttle schedule
• No shuttle service from the following hotels as they are in walking distance from the OCCC:

• Hyatt Regency Orlando, Rosen Centre & Rosen Plaza

• Shuttle/Bus Pick-up/Drop-off

• Outside West A/B Lobby (Level 1)