Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to register for the ATE Conference?
The deadline to register for the conference and to sign up for any pre-conference workshops is September 26, 2019. The deadline to reserve space for the Showcase Sessions is September 19, 2019.
How many people can register per grant to attend the conference?
Please see the Conference Registration page for detailed information on how many attendees per grant award can attend the conference.
Where can I find my ATE grant number in order to register?
Please click here to view a list of active ATE grant numbers alphabetical by principal investigator (PI) last name or consult with the PI on your grant. You may have more than one active ATE grant number, but NSF has selected the grant awards that are eligible to attend the conference. Renewals or extensions of a previous grant count as one grant. Please note that this list is accurate as of the date listed. As NSF awards new grants, AACC will be in direct contact with those PIs about conference invitations and registration.
My grant is in a no-cost extension. Can I still register to attend?
Yes. ATE projects and centers in no-cost extensions, or those that have recently expired, are welcome to attend the conference and can bring up to two people to attend. Each of the two people is required to pay a $350 registration fee. Please use your grant number when registering. If your grant number does not allow you to register online, please contact ATE registration at ate@aacc.nche.edu.
If my institution has more than one grant, how do I know what grant to register under?
Please contact your PI or other grant team members for guidance. AACC has coded a set amount of registration space per grant in the online system so each participant must register with a grant number.
AACC has my grant listed as a project grant and I have a center grant. What should I do?
AACC receives the list of grant awards from NSF. If you feel that your grant has been improperly designated as a project or center, please contact NSF. Please note that planning grants for centers count as a project.
How can I pay for my conference registration or pre-conference workshop fee?
You may pay online by VISA, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS. You may make a payment by check by mail. Purchase orders are not an acceptable form of payment.
How can I register online if I need to pay for my conference registration fees by check?
Unfortunately, the online system cannot process payments by check. If paying by check, please complete your registration online (link forthcoming) and then submit your check payment by mail. Your check must be postmarked no later than October 4. Please note, that if you have not requested a check from your institution to be mailed by October 4, it must be presented onsite. The check presented onsite will have to reflect the exact amount due, or we will be unable to complete your registration, as registrants are not allowed to carry balances forward on their accounts.
Make checks payable and mail to:
AACC ATE
P.O. Box 75263
Baltimore, MD 21275
Tax ID # 530196569
What is the policy for transferring or canceling a registration?
Please note that you are responsible for payment if you do not cancel and do not attend. Participant substitutions can be made online by September 26 and at any time following by emailing ate@aacc.nche.edu. Refunds minus a $25 cancellation fee will be issued for cancellations received in writing by Friday, October 11. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after October 11, 2019.
Can I register for a pre-conference workshop on site at the conference?
If space is available, you may register on site at the conference. However, AACC strongly encourages that you pre-register for the workshop sessions to secure a spot as they tend to fill up quickly. If you have already registered for the conference, you can use your confirmation number to go back into to your record and add a pre-conference workshop registration.
If I sign-up for one workshop, can I attend any workshop that I choose since the fees are the same?
Due to space limitations, you will only be given a ticket to the pre-conference workshop for which you are registered.
My registration is complimentary, and I would like to sign up for a pre-conference workshop. Do I have to pay a pre-conference workshop registration fee?
Yes. The registration fees for pre-conference workshops are required for all participants.
Do I make my own travel arrangements to attend the conference?
Yes. Each participant is responsible for making their own hotel and travel arrangements. Information on the hotel reservations, area airports, and ground transportation can be found on the Hotel and Travel page.
How do I make a hotel reservation?
Please refer to the Hotel and Travel page for detailed information on making hotel reservations. Please note that each individual is responsible for making their own hotel arrangements by the September 26 deadline. The hotel block is limited to registered ATE Conference participants. You will receive a hyperlink to make your hotel reservations in your conference registration confirmation email once your registration is complete. Hotel reservations will not be accepted by phone.
Each project and center get a certain number of complimentary hotel rooms. How do we know who gets assigned the complimentary rooms?
AACC will assign the complimentary rooms to those participants that have complimentary registrations following the September 26 registration cut-off date. If your grant team would like to allot the rooms differently, please send an email to ate@aacc.nche.edu with your request.
I am supposed to have a complimentary room. I called the hotel to make a reservation and was told that my room was not on the master account. How do I go about making sure that my room is direct billed to AACC?
AACC assigns the rooms that are to be direct billed to the master account FOLLOWING the September 26 hotel reservation deadline. AACC goes over the rooming list from the hotel at that time and makes the assignments. Please check with the front desk upon hotel check-in to make sure that your room was assigned properly. If there are any questions or concerns, please report them to the ATE Conference Registration desk on site so AACC staff can correct the billing prior to check-out.
What is the room rate if I am paying for my hotel room or for additional nights?
The hotel rate is $263.00 for single/double plus tax at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
What is the conference dress code?
There is no formal dress code for the conference. AACC suggests business casual and would like you to be comfortable. It is also best to dress in layers as sometimes the conference rooms can be very cool. AACC also suggests comfortable shoes as the meeting space can be spread out and involve a good deal of walking.
Where do I report any dietary restrictions or special needs?
When you register for the conference, there is a space to indicate any special needs. In addition, you may email your requests to ate@aacc.nche.edu.
What meals will be offered at the conference?
There will be a reception with heavy appetizers on Wednesday evening, October 23. The conference will also provide breakfast, lunch, and a light afternoon reception on Thursday, October 24, and breakfast and a box lunch on Friday, October 25.