SDDC Training Symposium

Who should attend the Symposium?

The Symposium is geared toward transportation professionals (military, government and industry) who are involved in the Defense Transportation System. The Symposium will target current issues and policies as well as future projects and programs.

As a "newcomer" to the Symposium, what is the value of my attendance?

Some of the values of attending the event are:

Networking with peers
Meeting Industry representatives
Addressing questions
Sharing lessons learned
Planning for the future
Attending valuable training sessions
Learning from Government/Industry Exhibits and demonstrations

Seeing the latest commercial vehicles and equipment

What services are participating in the 2010 SDDC Training Symposium?

Each of the military services, and the US Coast Guard, as well as many Department of Defense activities, participate in the Symposium.

What is the registration fee for attendees?

The Symposium attendee rate is $250. The fee increases to $300 after February 8, 2010.

When will my credit card be billed for my Symposium registration fee?

All attendees who register on or before February 22, 2010, shall have their Symposium registration fees charged to the credit or charge card listed within their registration information on February 22, 2010. All attendees who register on or after February 22, 2010 or on-site in Atlanta, shall have their fees charged on the day they register. Those attendees registering on-site must have their physical credit or charge card in their possession at the time of registration. A receipt will be sent via e-mail to confirm payment after your card has been processed.

What does the registration fee include?

The attendee registration fee includes:

Welcome Social on Monday, March 8, 2010
Seated Breakfast with Speaker on Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Symposium Banquet on Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Refreshment Breaks
Admission to General Sessions
Motivational Speaker
Service Tack-On Sessions
Functional Breakout Training Sessions
Admission to Exhibit Hall
Name Identification Badge and all Symposium Material

What is the Symposium registration cancellation policy?

Attendees must cancel their registration via the SDDC Training Symposium web site on or before February 8, 2010, at help@sddcsymposium.org , in order to receive a full refund. All registration cancellations received after February 8, 2010 will be non-refundable. Cancellations via the web are required to ensure each attendee has written documentation of registration cancellation for their own protection.

Substitution of an un-registered attendee for one who is registered, but unable to attend, is accepted at any time with no penalty, as long as the substitution (name change) takes place at the same time as the cancellation.

Why must I cancel my Symposium registration on the web?

Cancellations via the web are required to ensure each attendee has written documentation of registration cancellation for their own protection.

Is the registration fee reimbursable for Military and Government attendees?

Yes. In order to be reimbursed for the registration fee, all military and government attendees must ensure that their travel orders indicate the Symposium "registration fee is a reimbursable expense and includes one breakfast and one dinner meal on March 10, 2010." Be sure to keep your registration fee receipt and attach it to your travel voucher as proof of payment.

I have registered for the Symposium. Is my hotel room reserved?

No. Part of the registration process is reserving your hotel room. You should receive two confirmations: one for your symposium registration and a separate confirmation for your hotel room, once you make your hotel reservation.

What types of vendors can I expect to see in the exhibit hall?

Meet Industry and Government partners, and see the latest products, services, and solutions they offer. Visit over 100 booths of exhibitors that are prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, representing all modes of transportation, travel, distribution, logistics and supporting services.

What is the cost for Government activities to exhibit in the exhibit hall?

Booth space is complimentary to the Government activity exhibiting. Interested Government exhibitors may request space by clicking here.

What is the cost for industry exhibitors to exhibit?

Industry booth costs vary by size and location. For more information and to reserve your space, please contact Mr. Denny Edwards at NDTA: 703.751.5011 or denny@ndtahq.com.

I am an industry exhibitor and I paid a booth rental fee to NDTA. Do I still have to register via the web and pay a registration fee to attend the Symposium?

Yes. The booth rental fee pays ONLY for floor space/access in the exhibit hall. The Symposium fee includes conference meals, speakers, symposium materials, etc.

Are all meetings and exhibits being held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis?

Yes.

Will there be Functional Breakout Sessions?

There will be numerous dynamic breakout sessions scheduled addressing a variety of transportation and distribution issues. Please see the Symposium Agenda.

Will the training session presentations be available as handouts?

Some of the presenters will offer handouts to attendees, however, in the interest of offering an eco-friendly symposium, most training session presentations provided by the speakers will be loaded on the SDDC website approximately two weeks following the symposium.

I'm a presenter. Where is the closest place I can make copies of my presentation handouts?

In the interest of offering an eco-friendly symposium and reducing our footprint, we recommend that presenters send SDDC their electronic presentation in advance of the symposium, or give it to staff in the SDDC Administration Room when they arrive at the hotel. Presentations will be loaded on the SDDC website for attendees to access within two weeks following the symposium.

I'm interested in attending many training sessions. Will there be repeated sessions for each training session?

The Functional Breakout Sessions will be repeated four times allowing you to attend all of the training sessions that interest you without a conflict.

I am interested in attending the Tack-On Sessions only. Do I have to pay the entire registration fee?

The daily registration fee for Tack-On Sessions is $40.00. This fee will not grant access to any other Symposium activities outside of the Tack-On Sessions. If you have questions about purchasing a Tack-On Session ticket please contact help@sddcsymposium.org

I would like to bring a guest to the Welcome Social, Breakfast, Symposium Banquet, Tack-On's or Exhibit Hall. May single tickets be purchased for these events?

Yes, individual special event tickets may be purchased on-site. The cost is $60.00 for the Welcome Social, $35 for the Breakfast, $75.00 for the Symposium Banquet, $40/day for the Tack-On Meetings, and $40/day for an Exhibit Hall guest pass.

Are there reserved seats at the Symposium Banquet?

No. It is open seating except for the award winners and special guests.

Will there be any afterhour’s events during the conference?

There are no official after hours events planned at this time.

What is the Conference attendee lodging rate?

Room reservations made by February 10:
Government Rate: $140.00 plus tax
Industry Rate: $170.00 plus tax

After February 10 – space available basis, prevailing hotel rates

When can I make my hotel reservation?

Now through February 10, 2010 while our special SDDC rate is available.

May I contact the hotel directly to reserve my hotel room?

Reservations can be made directly with Marriott reservations at 1 (800) 228-9290 or (404) 521-0000.

What types of sleeping rooms are available at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis?

Recently renovated Guest Rooms with a King Bed or Two Queen Beds. All rooms are non-smoking.

Is there an internet access fee in the guest rooms?

Yes, however the hotel is pleased to extend a 50% discount on the Wired for Business daily package to Symposium attendees. Wired internet, unlimited local and long distance is generally $12.95+ tax per day. The special SDDC rate is $6.50 + tax per day.

If I use my credit or charge card to reserve my hotel room, will my account be billed immediately?

All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Upon check-in at the hotel your credit card will be authorized (a temporary hold placed) for the anticipated dollar amount of your stay. Your credit card will be actually charged when you check-out.

How do I cancel my hotel reservation?

Call Atlanta Marriott Marquis at 1 (800) 228-9290 or (404) 521-0000 and ask for the hotel room reservations department. Reservations cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival will not be charged, otherwise a fee equal to 1 night Room and Tax will be charged to the credit card on file.

As a Federal Government employee, is my guest room rate tax exempt?

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County Policies are quite rigorous and do not provide Tax Exempt Status for Symposium Attendees.

Does the hotel have a fitness center?

SDDC overnight guests of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis may use the hotel Fitness Center on a complimentary basis. The Fitness Center will be open on a 24 hour basis.

Is there an access fee charged by the hotel for phone calls made from my room?

Yes. The fee is $1.00 per local and 800 call. Long Distance (International) calls are billed at the AT&T daytime operator assisted rate plus a hotel surcharge of 55% and a connect fee ($4.47-$6.75) depending on where you call.

If you purchase the Wired for Business package that includes internet, local and long distance calls, the daily fee for SDDC attendees is $6.50 + tax per day and you will be charged only for International Calls per the above rates.

Do the hotel rooms have a complimentary hair dryer?

Yes.

What is the cost to park at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis?

The Atlanta Marriott Marquis offers ONLY Valet Parking.
Parking Rates:

0-1 Hours	$10.00
1-4 Hours	$15.00
4-8 Hours	$20.00
8-24 Hours	$28.00

The parking rate for overnight guests is $28.00 with in and out privileges.

There is no additional charge for “oversized” vehicles, unless the guest stays more than 8 hours ($32.00 for “oversized” vehicles).

All hotel restaurants will validate tickets for up to three hours free parking. Patrons are required to pick up their cars in the motor lobby on parking level (P1).

Self Parking may be available in nearby lots.
Rates are variable and vehicle security should be considered.

Are wheelchairs available?

Atlanta Marriott Marquis wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis at the bell stand and are used only for assisting a guest to their guest room or out to their waiting vehicle. Should the guest wish to have a wheelchair at their disposal for the duration of the Symposium, it is necessary to contact the hotel concierge by February 8, 2010 at 404-586-6983. The Concierge will assist with securing a rental wheelchair and the charges will be placed on the guest’s hotel room account.

If a traveler has a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, will there be someone on the premises to assist?

Should a medical emergency take place, in-house security should be contacted immediately via house phone and necessary assistance will be provided.

Is there a charge for shipping boxes to the hotel?

Industry exhibitor shipments should be coordinated through the Exhibitor Kit and NDTA, (703) 751-5011.

Individual Attendees or Speakers shipping boxes to themselves are responsible for all shipping/handling/storage fees at the hotel.
Click here for Shipping and Storage prices.

What is the dress code for the Symposium?

For all sessions, meetings, Tack-On Sessions, and breakfast:

Military: ACUs or equivalent*
Civilian: Business Attire
*USAF: any combination of the blue uniform. USAF Tack-On Session briefers will wear Full Service Dress.

Welcome Social, Monday 8 March:

Military: Business Casual (coat not required)
Civilian: Business Casual (coat not required)

For the Symposium Banquet, Wednesday, 10 March:

Military: Army Class A or equivalent
Civilian: Coat and Tie/Business Attire

For speakers:

Military: ACUs or equivalent*
Civilian: Business Attire
*USAF: any combination of the blue uniform

Should I bring a sweater or a jacket? What kind of footwear is appropriate?

Yes. The Atlanta Marriott Marquis meeting rooms tend to run cool. Please wear comfortable shoes.

What is the per diem and M&IE rate for Atlanta, Georgia?

The per diem rate for the Symposium in Atlanta, GA is $140.00.
The M&IE rate is $49.00 per day.

Where can I get information on things to do in Atlanta?

Visit our Atlanta Info page on this site at www.sddcsymposium.org/atlantainfo.htm

Are there any restaurants or attractions in close proximity to the hotel?

Yes. Upon arrival at the hotel, check with the Hotel Concierge for an up-to date listing. An overview of area restaurants may be found at: www.sddcsymposium.org/atlantainfo.htm