Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions to provide further information about the Annual Meeting and Exposition. Questions are broken into the following sections for your convenience.
General Information
Presenter Information (new webpage)
Registration Information
Housing Information
General Information
Q: Does APHA have scholarships or financial support for presenters and/or attendees?
A: No. Due to the size, logistical management, and scope of the Meeting, APHA relies entirely on paid staff and temporary personnel to fulfill essential needs on site.
Q: How do I request a Letter of Invitation for a visa?
A: If you require a letter of invitation for visa purposes, you must first register and submit payment for the Annual Meeting. Once you receive confirmation of your registration, you may request a letter of invitation online. An official letter will be emailed to you.
Q: Where can I find registration and housing information?
A: Registration information will be available on June 1, 2012
Q: When will name badges be mailed?
A: Badges will be mailed in late September 2012.
Q: Are meals included in the cost of registration?
A: No meals are included in the Annual Meeting registration. You may however purchase tickets for several ticketed lunch events at an additional cost (see the registration form).
Q: How many attendees do you expect at the APHA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA?
A: We are anticipating over 12,000 attendees
Q: When and where is the 2013 APHA Annual Meeting?
A: The 2013 APHA Annual Meeting will be held November 2-6 in Boston, MA. For information about past and future Annual Meetings please visit. http://www.apha.org/meetings/pastfuture/.
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Registration Information
Q: Can I pay for registration by purchase order?A: No, purchase orders are not accepted. Registration can be paid for by check or credit card.
Q: I am presenting. Do I need to register?
A: Yes. Presenters must be individual members of APHA and must register for the meeting by the September 20 registration deadline to present their paper(s) at this meeting. Session organizers, moderators and presenters are required to pay the appropriate registration fee (full or one day).
Q: Where can I find registration and housing information?
A: Registration and Housing information will be available on June 1.
Q: When is the Early-Bird deadline for registration?
A: August 16, 2012 - forms must be submitted online by that date or must be received by our registration provider (J. Spargo & Associates) by that date.
Q: Can I register for the day of my presentation?A: Presenters may register for one-day in advance. Attendees who are not presenting can only register for one day onsite.
Q: How do I select the sessions that I want to attend at the Annual Meeting?
A: There is no sign up for individual sessions. All sessions are first-come, first-served. If you think a session is likely to be very popular you may want to arrive at least 15 minutes early. NOTE: Over 1000 scientific sessions and posters take place during the Annual Meeting. Use the Personal Scheduler to help you plan your schedule in advance.
Q: Can I register for the Public Health Expo ONLY?
A: No. Annual Meeting registration includes access to the Expo. You cannot purchase Expo only registration.
Q: Does APHA offer volunteer opportunities at the Annual Meeting?
A: No. Due to the size, logistical management, and scope of the Meeting, APHA relies entirely on paid staff and temporary personnel to fulfill essential needs on site.
Q: Can I register as a guest?
A: You cannot register yourself as a guest. You must be the guest of a registrant and the registrant must authorize you as his/her guest. Guest registration is for individuals who are not working in public health.
Q: Are meals included in the cost of registration?
A: No meals are included in the Annual Meeting registration. You may however purchase tickets for several ticketed lunch events at an additional cost (see the registration form).
Q: Where does onsite registration take place?
A: Registration takes place in the Moscone Center located at 474 Howard St., San Franscico, CA 94103.
Q: What are the hours of onsite registration?Saturday, 10/27/12 - 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, 10/28/12 - 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Monday, 10/29/12 - 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, 10/30/12 - 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, 10/31/12 - 7:30 am – 12:00 pm
Q: Can students get free access to the Expo?
A: On Wednesday, 10/31/12 ONLY, students can get free Public Health Expo passes. Keep in mind that the Exhibit Hall is only open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Wednesday, so come early! Further details will be provided at a later date
Q: How can I add additional events (or add a guest) to my registration?
A: If you have already registered, contact APHA Registration Service by phone at (866) 871-5085 or by email at apharegistration@jspargo.com.
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Housing Information
Q: Can I contact the hotels directly to make my hotel reservation?
A: No. Attendees must make their reservations through APHA Housing Services in order to take advantage of APHAs contracted discounted rates.
Q: The nights I need are not available at any of the APHA blocked hotels, what should I do?
A: Send an email to aphahousing@jspargo.com with the dates you are requesting and every effort will be made to try and accommodate your request.
Q: Will my credit card be charged when I make my reservation online?
A: No. Credit card information is taken as a guarantee only and will not be charged unless reservation is cancelled less than 72 hours from confirmed arrival, or not cancelled at all (no show), in which case the hotel will charge a penalty equal to one night of room and tax charges.
Q: The hotel I have requested is sold out.
A: Please book a room at one of the available APHA hotels and then notify aphahousing@jspargo.com to add you to the waitlist for the hotel of your choice. If your request can be accommodated you will be notified via email.
Q: I am requesting a Suite, are there any available?
A: APHA does not have suites contracted in the room blocks. Please send your request for a suite to aphahousing@jspargo.com and if we are able to accommodate your request we will notify you via email.
Q: I’d like to share a room with someone in at the Annual Meeting. Is there a way that I can do that?
A: APHA has a roommate locator service which will be available when housing opens in June 2012.
Q: Can I pay for my entire hotel stay upfront? I have funds that I need to use before July 1.
A: Contact APHA Housing Services directly at 866-871-5085. If you are paying by check you will need to make the check payable to the hotel where your reservation is held.
Q: I am a government employee. At which hotels can I get the government rate?
A: There are a number of hotels in San Francisco, whose rates are at, or below, Government Rate. Be aware, however, that the lower cost hotels are always the first to be filled up. So make your reservation early! Note: no official “Government Rate” is blocked at APHA hotels because so many APHA members work for government agencies. If you need the government rate, make your reservation early at one of APHA’s lower cost hotels that fit within the parameters of the government rate.
Q: What is the deadline for making hotel reservations?
A: The deadline will be available soon. To ensure that you get into the hotel of your choice it is recommended that you make your reservation as early as possible. Based on availability APHA Housing Services may or may not continue to make reservations after the deadline.
Q: Can I make my hotel reservations first or do I need to register for the meeting in order to make reservations?
A: You can make your hotel reservation online first. Once you finish making your hotel reservation if you have not already registered you will see a button that will link you back to Annual Meeting registration. Our recommendation is that you make you register for the meeting first. Complete your online registration and the housing pages will pre-populate with your information.
Q: How do I reserve a block of 5 rooms or more
A: Contact APHA Housing Services directly at aphahousing@jspargo.com. You will need to fill out a Room Block Request Form.
Q: If I need an ADA room, can I make my reservation on line or is it better to call?
A: You can make your reservation online. Be sure to indicate your special needs in the space provided. If you have any questions feel free to contact APHA Housing Services toll free at 866-871-5085. Note: all ADA rooms will be guaranteed.
Q: Will there be shuttle service to the Moscone Center?
A: APHA provides complimentary shuttle service between meeting hotels and the Convention Center. The only hotels that are NOT on a shuttle route are those that are within a block or two of the Convention Center.
Q: Is shuttle service provided from the airport?
A: APHA does not provide shuttle service from the airport. However, there are several reliable shuttle companies that provide transportation to and from the airport at a reasonable rate.
Q: How much is taxi fare from the airport to the APHA hotels?
A: There are two major airports that service the San Francisco area. Taxi fare varies from each airport. From San Francisco International airport, fare is approximately $40. From Oakland International Airport fare is approximately $80.