We want to make your FORUM experience as enjoyable as possible! Listed here are the questions we most frequently get asked, along with their answers. Please note these are for the 2008 Forum. We will update this for our 2009 program soon!.
If you have additional questions that you don't find the answers to here, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Phone: +1 517-333-3437
email: lisa@ista.org
What
happened to Dimensions?
Following several years of successful ISTA annual conferences for the
transport packaging industry, ISTA next enjoyed many years of collaboration
with IoPP in the organization and production of the two associations’
combined annual event, the Dimensions conference. After the 2007 event,
ISTA, as the lead association for Dimensions, chose to cancel the agreement
and negotiate a new agreement with IoPP to better clarify the role of
IoPP and the ownership of the brand. After sincere negotiations between
the two organizations, it became apparent that we would not come to a
mutual agreement on the future of Dimensions.
ISTA
decided that it was time to move forward with the planning of a new ISTA
event for 2008, called the International Transport Packaging Forum™.
Following up on ISTA’s many years of experience in presenting quality,
successful educational events, we are excited to be presenting the International
Transport Packaging Forum™ in March 2008. You can rest assured that
the FORUM will reflect the excellence you expect from ISTA.
How
do I register?
We offer several options for registration:
ONLINE
registration can be found by clicking here
CALL and we will take your registration over the phone
+1 517-333-3437
FAX your completed registration form +1 517-333-3813
MAIL the completed registration form:
ISTA
1400 Abbott Road Suite 160
East Lansing MI 48823-1900 USA
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM coming soon!
What
are the rates for Registration?
Registration rates are based on membership status in ISTA (or IoPP or
ASTM D-10!) and the date you register. We are currently offering the following
Early Bird registration rates through January 18, 2008:
$1,100 for Members:
$1,300 for Non-Members:
Regular rates,
after January 18, 2008, will be:
$1,200 for Members
$1,400 for Non-members
How
do I qualify for a Member rate?
The 2008 International Transport Packaging Forum is an event for all packaging
professionals. As a benefit of membership, we offer discounted rates to
current ISTA members for all of our educational events. This year we will
also honor that discount for IoPP members and members of the ASTM D-10
Committee. Simply let us know your member ID when you register
and you will qualify for the Member rate!
Do
you offer discounts for multiple registrations?
Yes! Any company sending more than one person, regardless of company location,
will receive $100 off, which will be applied to the second registration
placed (as well as subsequent registrations after that). This discount
is valid on both the Early-Bird rate and the Regular rate.
What
does my registration include?
The registration fee includes the following:
• General Sessions - Tuesday through Thursday
• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Meet & Greet - Monday
evening
• Volleyball Tournament – Monday evening
• FORUM Welcome Night - Tuesday evening
• Exhibitor Reception – Wednesday evening
• Breakfast with Exhibitors – Thursday morning
• Meals: breakfast on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; lunch Tuesday
and Wednesday; morning and afternoon refreshment breaks each day
• FORUM Guide (printed abstract proceedings)
• CD-ROM of all written papers and presentation slides
• Online access to updated presentations after the forum
• Certificate of attendance
• A great attendee gift!
What
payment methods do you allow:
Payment for the registration fee can be made by credit card (AMEX, VISA,
MasterCard), check (make checks payable to ISTA), wire transfer or money
order.
If sending payment by wire transfer, please click here to request bank information.
Is
there deadline to register?
The deadline for submitting your registration will be March 10, 2008.
Is
there a payment deadline?
The deadline for all registrations and payment to be submitted is March
10, 2008. This deadline is to allow adequate time for processing and confirmation,
as well as to be sure the proper registration materials are available
for each attendee.
Can
I transfer my registration?
Yes, you can. Our transfer policy is: After registering for the FORUM,
if you cannot attend, you may have someone else replace you at no additional
cost; please notify us of the change as soon as possible so proper arrangements
can be made.
Can
I cancel my registration?
Yes, you can. Our cancellation policy is: After registering for the FORUM,
if you have no replacement and need to cancel the registration, you must
do so in writing by fax, mail or email, to be received no later than 5:00pm
EST, February 29, 2008, to obtain a full refund of registration fees less
a $100 administrative charge. After this cancellation deadline, only 50%
of the registration fee will be refunded.
Where
will the registration check-in be?
Registration will be at the Central registration desk in the Convention
Center at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Signs will point the way to
our area. Registration materials may be picked up on Monday, March 17,
2008, from 8:00am until 5:00pm.
Can
I register on-site?
We strongly discourage on-site registration due to the way we handle the
registration materials that are distributed at the FORUM. Registering
on-site will delay your name badge and FORUM materials, as well as exclude
you from the list of attendees. There will be an additional charge of
$100 to the regular registration fee for anyone registering on-site and
payment will be due at that time.
What
is the Welcome Reception?
We want to welcome you to in style and our Welcome Reception will be the
perfect start to your FORUM experience! We’re keeping a tight wrap
on the plans for our 2008 Welcome Reception but we can say “You
don’t want to miss it!!” Please be sure to indicate your attendance
on the registration
form.
What
is the Exhibitor Reception?
The Transport Packaging Forum’s Exhibitor Reception will offer an
opportunity for attendees to observe the latest and greatest in packaging,
lab services, equipment technology and university programs, as well as
sample a delicious array of food (come hungry, leave stuffed!). For those
that don't have enough time to see every exhibit (and there will be a
lot to see!), we offer yet another session the following morning. Breakfast
with Exhibitors will be held in the same hall, with the same exhibitors,
and will include an elaborate breakfast buffet. You will definitely not
want to miss these events! The Reception will be held on Wednesday evening
from 6:00 until 9:00pm and the Breakfast will be held on Thursday morning
from 7:30 until 8:30am; both are free to registered attendees. Please
be sure to indicate your attendance on the registration
form.
Can
I bring my kids to the Welcome and/or Exhibitor Reception?
We don’t allow anyone under the age of 18 to attend our evening
receptions. Child care is offered by Coronado Springs Resort - contact
us for further details!
What
is the CPLP Workshop?
CPLP, or Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional, is an individual
certification program offered by ISTA to representatives of our member
companies. Although normally taken in a self-study format, the FORUM offers
the opportunity for you to take the "live" version - in a classroom
setting and with an experienced instructor. This is a very effective approach,
as questions can be answered directly and the material is covered thoroughly
in one session. Two levels of certification are available: the Technician
level is taught in the morning and the Technologist level will be taught
in the afternoon on Sunday, March 16, 2008. The certification exam will
be on Monday, March 17. Although the Workshop is open to everyone, the
exam will be administered only to ISTA members. Please click
here for further details on the CPLP program.
What
is the Family & Guest Event?
Orlando is a great place to hold an educational forum; it's also a great
way to combine a family vacation with your business travel. In an effort
to include the families, children and guests of our attendees, the FORUM
in 2008 will offer a fun Event for families and guests of registered attendees
at Coronado Springs Resort. Registration for this event will be required,
but there is no cost to participate. Please be sure to indicate your family's
attendance on the registration
form.
What
are the details for Golf?
Join us for a round of golf at one of the famous Disney World golf courses!
(Check back for full details on which course you’ll be playing).
Proceeds will go towards ISTA’s Educational Foundation to provide
scholarships for packaging education. Pre-registration is required and
there is an additional fee of $150. Limited tee times start at 8:00am.
Please be sure to indicate your participation on the registration
form.
Are
guest tickets available?
Guest tickets may be purchased for both the Welcome Reception and the
Exhibitor Reception. Cost per guest is $60 for the Welcome Reception and
$30 for the Exhibitor Reception. Guests 21 years and older are allowed
to attend these events (child care is available at the resort; please
contact us for full details). Pre-registration is required for guest tickets
and can be done through the registration
form.
How do I make hotel reservations?
All room reservations for Disney's Coronado Springs Resort should be made
by the forum attendee. You can contact Hotel Group Reservations directly
by phoning 407-939-1020 and mentioning the Transport
Packaging Forum (Group Code G0494881) to take advantage of our reserved
room block. OR CLICK
HERE to reserve your hotel room ONLINE!
Room rates are $166/night for single or double occupancy. This rate is
valid for guests staying between March 14 and March 23, 2008. The hotel
staff will be able to assist you should you have any special requirements
during your stay.
What
is the hotel reservation deadline?
Assuming availability, the FORUM’s reserved room block and special
rate will be valid through February 13, 2008. Our experience has shown
us that the room block WILL sell out prior to the deadline, so try to
make your reservations early! If you have any trouble with your reservations,
please contact us and we will make every attempt to assist you with your
arrangements.
How
do I get from the airport to Coronado Springs Resort?
There are several options you can use for transportation to and from Orlando
International Airport, including Disney's Magical Express Service (see
below), taxi, rental car or shuttle bus. Taxi, rental car or shuttle should
be arranged by the attendee either prior to arrival or by using Ground
Transportation at the airport.
Driving directions
from major north-south highways are:
From I-75 or I-275:
Take I-4 East to appropriate Walt Disney World exit and follow the signs
to your resort area.
From I-95:
Take I-4 West to appropriate Walt Disney World exit and follow the signs
to your resort area.
From Florida Turnpike:
-Southbound Only: Take Highway 27 Exit #285 south to Highway 192 and follow
the signs to Walt Disney World resort area.
-Northbound Only: Take Highway 192 Exit #244 (or #242 northbound only).
Stay on Highway 192 West through St. Cloud and Kissimmee to Walt Disney
World.
-Take Osceola Parkway Exit #249 (toll road) and follow the signs to Walt
Disney World.
-Take Orlando I-4 Exit #259 and follow westbound to the Walt Disney World
exit.
Take advantage of Disney's Magical Express Service and receive complimentary round trip transportation from the Orlando International Airport to Coronado Springs Resort. No need to worry about baggage claim as your luggage will be delivered directly to your resort room!
A Disney's Magical Express reservation is required to use the service
and must be booked at least 30 days prior to your arrival. Once you have
confirmed a room reservation and finalized your airline arrangements,
you may do one of the following to book your Disney's Magical Express
reservation:
• Call 407-827-6777
• Complete the online form: http://www.disneymeetings.com/magicalexpress
What
is the dress requirement?
We strive for comfort during the week of the FORUM, and encourage attendees
and speakers alike to dress casually. It is important to remember that
due to the size of the general session room, we often have little control
over immediate heating and cooling, so be prepared in the beginning for
cooler or warmer temperatures as the hotel staff assists us in finding
that perfect balance.
What
is the cell phone policy?
In order to make the educational sessions at the FORUM beneficial for
everyone involved, we require all cell phones be turned off or set to
vibrate while in the general session room. If you must leave the room
to take or make a call, please try to do so at an appropriate time so
as not to disturb the speaker or attendees around you. Breaks are planned
throughout the day to allow you time to check for voice mails and return
calls without disrupting a presentation.
What
is the laptop policy?
We understand the need to not be separated from your laptop (we feel the
same way!), but we do encourage proper etiquette if you must bring your
laptop into the general session room. Please be courteous of the people
around you, turn off any sounds and keep typing to a bare minimum during
presentations.
Does
Coronado Springs Resort offer child care services?
Child care is available from Coronado Springs Resort. Contact us and we
will help you with that information.
Phone: +1 517-333-3437 or email: lisa@ista.org
Does
Disney World offer discount park tickets?
Yes! We have made arrangements with Disney World to offer FORUM attendees
specially priced Disney Meeting and Convention Theme Park tickets. Further
details on how to purchase tickets is coming soon!
Can
I get an advanced copy of the Attendee List?
Our policy is to NOT distribute any portion of our attendee list prior
to the FORUM. A full contact list will be given to each attendee upon
check-in and we will release an updated version after the conference.