CONFERENCE QUESTIONS
- Question: What changes have been made to the 2013 Annual Conference? There are several major changes to the 2013 annual conference that you should be aware of.
- The Resident Review Workshop will take place on Thursday, October 17th beginning at 8:00 am rather than the typical 1:00 pm as in previous years.
- An additional pre-conference workshop has been scheduled. The Genetics of Cancer Workshop will run concurrently to the Resident Review. There will be a small fee to attend.
- The general conference begins at 1:00 pm on Thursday afternoon with a Keynote Presentation.
- The conference concludes with the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday evening.
- There are NO sessions scheduled for Sunday.
- A light breakfast will be served on Friday and Saturday mornings.
- Question: What meals are provided at the conference? VCS will provide a light breakfast on Friday and Saturday morning, mid-morning and afternoon food & beverage breaks each day, and light hors-d’oeuvres at the Welcome Reception and Poster Presentation Reception. One ticket to the Awards Banquet on Saturday evening is also included in your registration fee. Lunch and dinner are on your own all other days. Those who plan to attend the VTCS, VCOG or OPWG lunches may purchase a lunch for those functions when registering.
- Question: What can I expect at this year’s Awards Banquet? This year, guests who attend the Awards Banquet will enjoy an eclectic buffet of international foods at a sit-down meal held at the International Market Square, just a very short bus ride from the hotel. Entertainment will also be provided so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
- Question: What time does the conference end? The abstract presentations will end at 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 19th. The Awards Banquet will follow that evening at 7 pm. There are no sessions scheduled for Sunday. You can find a complete conference schedule here.
- Question: I have been selected to present a poster at the conference. When can I hang my poster? You will be able to hang your poster anytime after 12 pm on Thursday. Posters must be removed by 5 pm on Saturday. Your name will be on the board in which you are to hang your poster. You must be present at the Poster Reception on Friday evening at 6:30 pm to discuss your poster. Your poster must be 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall (vertical) so that two posters can fit on one board.
- Question: I have been selected to present my abstract orally. How do I submit my presentation? All presenters will receive an email that includes an individualized link in which to submit your oral presentation. All presentations must be uploaded by October 15th at 11:59 pm.
- Question: I want to attend the VCOG and/ or OPWG) business meeting during the lunch hour but do not wish to purchase a lunch. Can I do that? Yes, you may attend any of these lunches and not purchase a lunch.
- Question: How many CE hours will I receive by attending this conference and when will I receive the certificate? Please see the Continuing Education page for more information.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
- Question: I want to register as a VCS member but haven’t paid my 2013 dues yet. What should I do? If you are a VCS member who has not renewed your dues for 2013, we recommend that you do so prior to registering for the conference so that you can take advantage of the VCS member rates. To do so, visit http://www.vetcancersociety.org and log in to your account using your email and password, select the online store, and then select your membership category and proceed to payment. You may also call Sandi Strother at 573-823-8497. Please note: If you have been a VCS member and your membership has expired, and you register for the conference using the VCS member rate, you should renew your membership prior to the conference or you will be asked to do so when you check in at the registration table. This will simply make you a 2013 member, however, you will still be asked to pay your 2014 dues by January 1st. Those people who have never been a member of VCS and join after September 1st will be a member for the remainder of 2013 and all of 2014 and will be able to register for the 2013 conference using the member registration rate.
- Question: I am a Resident who was selected to present an oral or poster abstract. What registration fee do I use? You will use the VCS Member Resident Presenter fee of $125. Only CURRENT Residents who will be presenting in the Resident category on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, and thus in the Resident competition, are eligible to use this special rate.
- Question: I have recently completed my residency (within the past year) and have been accepted to present my abstract in the Resident category. What conference registration rate do I use? Because you are no longer a Resident, you are required to pay the Professional registration rate for the conference. You will still be eligible to present in the Resident category and accept one of the Resident Awards if your abstract is selected as a winner.
- Question: I am a student whose abstract has been accepted in the oral or poster category. Which registration rate do I use? Students selected to present a poster or oral abstract must register for the conference paying the STUDENT rate only. These abstracts will NOT be presented during the Resident presentation time periods.
- Question: I plan to register on site. What will that cost? There will be a late fee of $50 charged in addition to the regular registration fee when registering onsite. See the registration page for more information on rates.
- Question: I am paying for Saturday only. Does the single day fee include the banquet? No. You must pay $60 separately for the banquet if you wish to attend.
AIRPORT, DRIVING AND SHUTTLE QUESTIONS
- Question: Is there shuttle transportation to and from the airport to the Minneapolis Marriott City Center? The easiest way to get to the hotel from the airport is to take the light rail which only costs $1.75 each way. Once you exit the train at the Nicollett Station, you are just two short blocks from the hotel which is on 7th Street. There are also taxis at the airport. If you prefer a shuttle that will take you directly from the airport to the hotel and return, Super Shuttle is offering a discount to VCS attendees. Visit HERE to book your shuttle.
- Question: How do I get to the hotel if I am driving? You may get information for travelling to the hotel on the hotel website.
HOTEL QUESTIONS
- Question: When can I make my reservation at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center? The group reservations will open on July 1, 2013. When the block opens you can make your reservation using the provided link.
- Question: Is there a discounted rate available for Students/Residents/Interns at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center? Yes, there is a discounted rate on a group of thirty rooms for those students, interns, residents who are on a limited budget, however, you must call the hotel to reserve a room in that category AND you must share a room with someone of your choice.
- Question: What is the website address to the conference headquarters hotel? You can find the website here.
- Question: When is the last day that I can make a hotel reservation? The block closes thirty days prior to the conference. After that time, there may be rooms available but you may not be able to get the conference rate.
- Question: Is internet service available at the hotel? Yes. A discounted rate of $5.95 in the sleeping room is available to VCS attendees.
- Question: I am travelling alone. Can VCS help me find a roommate? VCS does not pair roommates, however, you may email us at VetCancerConference@yahoo.com and let us know that you are looking for a roommate. If others contact us looking for the same, we will let you know.
- Question: Is there babysitting service available? No, VCS does not provide any babysitting services and the hotel does not recommend any babysitting services for its guests.
- Question: Is there a spa at the hotel? No