FAQs

FAQs

What is IMMUNOLOGY 2017™?

The largest annual immunology event worldwide, the AAI Annual Meeting is where the leading researchers come to learn the latest in their field. With major lectures from some of the world’s most prominent immunologists, and oral and poster presentations of abstracts, IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ will feature cutting-edge developments from scientists at every career stage.

Registration

When does registration open?
Early Bird Registration runs from December 20, 2016 – March 30, 2017
Late registration runs from March 31 – May 11, 2017
On-site registration opens on May 12, 2017

What are the registration fees?
Please view registration page for registration fee information.

What does the registration fee cover?
The registration fee covers entrance to scientific sessions and exhibits, admission to the Opening Night
Welcome Reception (+ 1 drink ticket), the IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ Gala (+ 2 drink tickets), and the meeting program book.  You may purchase the Abstract Book, tickets to a Roundtable, or Gala guest tickets when registering.

PLEASE NOTE:Your AAI Membership must be paid in full through 12/31/17 to be eligible for the Member Rate. If you have questions about your membership status, or need to make changes to your contact information, please email members@aai.org.  If you would like to Join AAI today click here.

Will I receive confirmation of my registration?
After you register, an immediate email confirmation will be sent to the email address you provided.

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my registration?
We will be sorry that you will not be able to join us.  A $50 non-refundable processing fee will be deducted from all refunds issued for registration cancellations received by April 10, 2017.  Refund requests must be submitted in writing, include the registrant’s confirmation number, and be received by 11:59 PM (EST), on April 10, 2017. No refunds will be issued after April 10, 2017.  Please email your cancellation request to meetings@aai.org.

What if AAI cancels the meeting once I have registered?
If the meeting needs to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, AAI will refund all registration fees (only).

If my plans change and I am unable to attend, may I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes.  If you are a member and they are not, the difference in the fee will need to be paid. If you are not a member and they are, we will be unable to issue a refund for any difference in the fee.

I’m a graduate student, how do I register?
AAI offers a reduced registration rate for graduate students.  Find more details in the registration page

I’m a high school student/high school teacher/undergraduate student, how do I register?
Undergraduate students, high school teachers, and high school students (age 13 and older) are eligible for complimentary registration to the meeting. Participants must register on-site only.  Registrations will not be accepted in advance.  To receive complimentary registration, please bring a teacher/student ID card or a letter signed by your department head, research advisors, principal, or teacher.  We request that high school students by accompanied by a registered adult at all times.  Appropriate behavior by all students is required.

I’m with the press, how do I register?
AAI offers complimentary press badges to pre-approved members of the working press.  For details visit Press Policies Guidelines/

When will I receive my badge?
AAI does not mail badges prior to the meeting.  All registered attendees will receive an email with instructions on badge pick up prior to their arrival onsite. Please bring the email containing a bar code to expedite badge pick up when you arrive at the Attendee Registration Counter in Washington, DC.

Events

There are two special events included in your registration fee.
Opening Night Welcome Reception – Friday, May 12, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ Gala – Monday, May 15, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

May I purchase a ticket for the special events for my guest/s?
The Opening Night Welcome Reception is for registered attendees only.
For the Gala, you may purchase a guest ticket for $95.

Exhibit Hall

What are the hours of the Exhibit Hall?
Saturday, May 13: 9:30 AM – 4:30PM
Sunday, May 14: 9:30 AM – 4:30PM
Monday, May 15: 9:30 AM – 4:30PM

How may I exhibit?
Visit the exhibitor information page for complete information on exhibiting at IMMUNOLOGY 2017™.  For further information, please email exhibits@aai.org.

General Information

Where may I eat while attending IMMUNOLOGY 2017™?
During exhibit hours, there are concessions open on the exhibit floor.  At all times, there a several eateries open within the Center.

How can I get a letter of invitation?
For security purposes, letters of invitation will be sent only to individuals who are registered for the meeting.  Once your registration is complete, you can email meetings@aai.org to request a personalized letter of invitation. Please go to hotel and travel page for more information.

I am considering bringing my family with me.
Children age 13 and older are welcome to attend IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ if accompanied by a registered adult.  Children under age of 13 may not attend and are prohibited from entry into the Exhibit Hall, session rooms, or hallways in the meeting area.  No children will be allowed entry into social events.

Is there child care available?
Onsite child care will not be provided during IMMUNOLOGY 2017™.  If you require a child care provider during the meeting, you may contact your hotel concierge for recommendations*.  Attendees are advised to make such inquiries in advance of the meeting

*AAI and its officers, employees, and agents assume no responsibility and accept no liabilities with respect to these services.

Is there a Mother’s Room available?
There will be a Mother’s Room in the Center, available to accommodate mothers who are nursing.

May I bring a guest with me who is a nonscientist to the sessions?
Unfortunately, we do not have GUEST PASSES.  All attendees must be registered in order to gain access to the sessions and Exhibit Hall.

Does AAI offer CME?
Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are NOT offered for this meeting.  AAI, however, adheres to conflict-of-interest policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.  AAI requires all speakers at AAI-sponsored meetings or programs to inform their audiences of their academic and professional affiliations, and to disclose any significant financial interests or other relationships they may have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in their presentation.  This information is required to be provided by speakers and is included in the back of the Scientific Program.

What is the dress code?
We want you to be comfortable so you can enjoy your meeting experience.  Business casual dress is strongly encouraged.  We suggest bringing a light sweater or jacket with you during the day as the meeting rooms are air-conditioned.

Do you record any of the sessions?
No sessions are recorded and recording of presentations by any means is strictly prohibited.  Doing so may result in expulsion from the meeting.

Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: onPeak is the official housing service for IMMUNOLOGY 2017™.  No other organization may claim to represent AAI for housing.

Are hotel discounts being offered?
Discounts are being offered through the IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ website only. Please go to Meeting Hotels to book your hotel.  If you contact the hotels directly, you will not be able to receive the AAI discount.

Will I receive confirmation of my hotel reservation?
Yes.  A confirmation of your reservation will be sent to you, via email, immediately after making your reservation.  The confirmation will come from the official housing company, onPeak.
PLEASE NOTE: A final confirmation with your hotel confirmation number will be sent within two weeks of your arrival. The confirmation will NOT come directly from the hotel at which you will be staying.

Will I be refunded if I have to cancel my hotel reservation?
Yes, a full refund will be provided as long as you cancel 48-hours prior to your arrival, with the exception of the Embassy Suites, which requires 72-hours notice prior to your arrival. If you cancel after these times, you will be charged one night’s room rate and applicable taxes.

Is there any shuttle service to and from IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ hotels?
There is no transportation provided between the hotels and the Center.  Most of the IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ hotels are within walking distance to the Center.

Photography

May I take photographs throughout the meeting?
Photography of presentations by any means is strictly prohibited.  Doing so may result in expulsion from the meeting.

Transportation

Are there any airfare discounts?
Please visit the Hotel and Travel webpage for further information.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Options are available.  Please visit the Hotel and Travel webpage for further information.

Is there any shuttle service to and from hotels?
There is no transportation provided between the hotels and the Center.  Most of the IMMUNOLOGY 2017™ hotels are within walking distance to the Center.

Public transportation
There are several methods of transportation near the Center.

Washington, DC has one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient transportation systems in the world. Metrorail and Metrobus are the most convenient ways to get around DC, with Metrobus providing connections for locations not serviced by Metrorail.

The Center has a dedicated Metro station serviced by the yellow and green lines (stop is called “Mt. Vernon Square/7th St/Convention Center”.)  The Metro entrance is near the southwest corner of M and 7th Streets, NW.  All other subway lines connect to these two lines.  Attendees arriving via Metro can see the entrance to the Center directly in front of them as they travel up the escalators exiting the Metro. Metro buses also stop on the corners of 7th St. and 9th St., near the Center.

Many hotels are conveniently located near Metro stations or bus routes.

Metro operates from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Metrorail is currently undergoing an accelerated track work plan to address safety concerns and rehabilitate the Metrorail system. Please review information on Metro’s SafeTrack Plan which may   impact your travel.

The Circulator is a public transit system designed to take riders to the city’s cultural, shopping, dining and business destinations. There are two routes near the Center as well as one that travels around the National Mall.  The Circulator runs frequently from approximately 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.  For more information, click here.

Transportation service manages the taxi stand on Mt. Vernon Place.  They will be alerted of our potential need for taxis, and the anticipated timing of the high usage of taxis.

WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

What is the address of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center?
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001  (www.dcconvention.com)

Disabilities and special services
If you require special services, or a reasonable accommodation, please mark the appropriate box during the meeting registration process.  Requests must be made no later than April 24, 2017.

The public sidewalks serving the Walter E. Washington Convention Center feature curb cuts for wheelchair access.  Automatic doors are located at the Mt. Vernon Place, L Street, and Metro entrances. Inside the center, meetings rooms, exhibit hall and common areas are all served by conveniently located elevators.  Telephones, drinking fountains and restrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible.

Safety features
The Center is equipped with sophisticated fire detection and protection systems.  When an alarm is activated, the system automatically transmits a signal to local emergency communication centers that initiate an immediate response from the DC Fire Department.

In the event of a power failure, generators power all emergency lighting and other critical systems.  Exit doors are clearly marked and illuminated.  Exit stairwells contain emergency lighting and illuminated graphics for greater visibility and accessibility.All public safety officers receive training in basic first aid and CPR and in the use of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are located throughout the building. In the event of an evacuation, adaptive escape chairs are strategically located to transport persons with disabilities or those who need assistance walking down several flights of stairs.

Is there free wi-fi anywhere?
Attendees can utilize the Center’s wireless internet service to perform basic functions at no charge. This service is available throughout the Center.

Wired internet connections can be found in the L Street Lobby, South Building, outside Room 103A. Up to eight users can be accommodated at one time.  Internet access from these connections is at no cost.

Where is the nearest ATM?
There are several ATMs permanently located inside the Convention Center.

Where is the Business Center located?
The Capital Business Center services include copying, computer rental, faxing and limited shipping services via Federal Express, UPS and DHL for small packages.  It is located on the Street Level, towards 7th Street.

Where may I park?
There is no public parking (with the exception of several metered handicapped parking spaces around the perimeter of the Convention Center) at the Center.  However, there are ample parking spaces on surface lots and garages within walking distance of the Center.  These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Visit directions and parking to view the map.