How to Register for a GLPA Conference

Here’s some information you need to know before you fill out your conference registration form.

You must pay membership dues to attend the conference. Do that before you register online.

Questions & Answers

Q. What is this talk about a new web site and online registration? 

A. This summer, GLPA will debut a new web site which allows for online registration. If you register online, you do not need to mail in the registration form. Registering online allows you to use a credit card or PayPal account. You can also register online and still send in a check if you wish. There is a 3% fee for paying with a credit card.

Q. What is this about a scholarship?

A. The scholarship was created to assist delegates who may not be able to afford to attend the conference and may not be receiving assistance from their home institution. The scholarship amounts to a waiver of registration fees and meal package. Details can be found on the Conference page. Applications must be received by August 1.

Q. Do I have to stay at the conference hotel?

A. No. You may stay anywhere you wish.

Q. What are the advantages of staying at the conference hotel?

A. Convenience. Almost everyone else will be there. When planning the conference, the Conference Host may plan to utilize hotel services only available to those delegates staying at the conference hotel. Delegates not staying at the conference hotel may need to make breakfast, transportation (bus or otherwise) or parking arrangements on their own. Also, scheduling will be done assuming people use the conference hotel.

Q. What if I want a more luxurious or cheaper hotel? 

A. Usually the deciding factor in choosing a conference hotel is the price and proximity to the host site. If you desire one with a pool or hot tub, you should book your own hotel. The Conference Host’s primary goal in selecting a conference hotel is a place to sleep. Since most GLPA conferences keep the delegates quite busy with little time to spend in hotel rooms, having fancy rooms is not a high priority. It wouldn’t be fair to the majority of the delegates. Most GLPA delegates are very cost conscious. Conversely, if you are on a very tight budget, choose a cheaper hotel. The Conference Host will be happy to provide you names of alternate hotels upon request (just don’t wait until the month before the conference to ask). A Holiday Inn Express (a separate hotel) shares a parking lot with the conference hotel.

Q. What if I need transportation from the airport to the conference site?

A. Most GLPA delegates drive. It would be asking a lot for the Conference Host to make transportation arrangements for every possible combination of plane arrival from many different locations. However, the Conference Host would be happy to suggest who you could contact to make your own arrangements. If you are looking to share a limousine, taxi or bus, send your information to the GLPA list serve at glpa@ipsd.org so others in the same situation can contact you.

Q. I need a roommate for the conference. Can the Conference Host help me? 

A. You can help yourself. Send a request to the GLPA list serve at glpa@ipsd.org that you are looking for a roommate. That way you don’t have to bother the Conference Host.

Q. What if I don’t want to take the meal package? Maybe I want to eat at McDonalds or I won’t be there for the whole conference.

A. We tell the Conference Host they do not have to provide individual meals (other than the GLPA Banquet) as it is a big hassle, but some choose to do so upon request -- so ask, but understand if the answer is no. We do, however, require the Conference Host to offer registration without the meal package. The registration forms may not indicate this, so contact the Conference Host directly to make those arrangements. Since most people take the meal package for convenience, it's easier to simply make the registration form include the meals. 

Q. The conference schedule indicates we won’t be seeing any planetarium shows from the host site. How can I see one of their shows?

A. Come early or stay late. Contact the Conference Host for their show schedule (we bet they will even let you in free). 

Q. I need to know the exact conference schedule. I may not be able to stay for the whole conference and I need to know how to plan.

A. Check the GLPA web site for the latest conference schedule. One of the things the Conference Host does in the last 3 weeks before the conference is to put together the final schedule with the hope that it is finished at least 3 days before the conference, but here on the web site is where you would find the latest possible schedule. 

Q. If I send in my registration forms, how will I know the Conference Host received them?

A. If you register online, you will receive an e-mail confirmation very soon after submitting your information. If you mail the traditional form, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail if you mailed the form by the early registration deadline. If you wait until the late registration deadline, the Conference Host will try (but no promises) to get you a confirmation.