Registration
Money
Conference Activities
Global Opportunities Fair
For Speakers
Other Details
What's IAESTE?
IAESTE (the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) is an international organization dedicated to providing science and engineering university students with paid internships abroad.
IAESTE United States is one of more than 80 IAESTE member countries internationally. Established in 1950 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, IAESTE United States has developed into the country's only membership organization dedicated to developing global skills in tomorrow's technical leaders.
How do I register?
Registration opens September 24, 2007 and will be done online through a secure event registration Web site, Cvent.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We will only be accepting payment via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) through Cvent's secure server. If this poses a serious challenge, please contact us.
What does my registration fee cover?
Your registration fee provides access to:
The registration fee does not cover:
How do I make a hotel reservation?
Attendees must make hotel reservations directly with the Tremont Grand Conference Center on Charles Street in Baltimore , MD. Visit www.tremontsuitehotels.com .
Is there a deadline to register?
There is no deadline to register for the conference; in fact, you can register on-site. However, rates are lower for early registrants and increase as we get closer to the conference dates. For information on rates, please see our registration fees page .
Please note that Web registration closes February 4, 2008; we will be happy to accept registrations after that date, but they must be completed on-site.
Will I get some kind of confirmation?
Yes, you'll receive a confirmation e-mail once you register.
Can I cancel my registration?
Yes, you may. All registration cancellations must be received in writing via either iaestenatlconf@aipt.org or AIPT, c/o IAESTE United States, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 250 , Columbia , MD 21044 . Registration cancellations received prior to January 4, 2008 will be refunded at 50% of fees paid. No refund will be given for cancellations received after January 4, 2008, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. Please contact us to request an exception.
Can I give my registration to someone else?
No. Registrations are not transferable.
Are there any travel funds to help me attend?
Each Local Committee is responsible for its own fundraising for the National Conference. LCs should start early and if they need any ideas or have questions, they should contact their Regional Coordinator.
Why should I stay in the conference hotel when I can get a room at another hotel cheaper through an online travel booking service?
As you probably know, the National Conference is becoming increasingly expensive to stage. Our planning committee negotiates aggressively with hotels to keep costs down so that registration fees and hotel rates are as reasonable as possible. The only way we can do this is by assuring the hotel that a certain number of our attendees will stay at the hotel. If attendees choose to stay in hotels other than the conference headquarters, we will be forced to significantly increase registration fees in future years.
In addition, when you stay in the conference hotel, you add value to your own conference experience by joining the community and having the opportunity to network non-stop, from the elevator ride down to the lobby, to the breakfast area, to the reception desk. Conferences provide the professional development and networking opportunities for you. The location of staying in the conference hotel will certainly enhance your opportunities for networking, community atmosphere, learning, and idea exchange. Make your conference experience the best that it can be by booking your room at the conference hotel.
How much money should I plan on spending at the conference?
All attendees will be responsible for:
Some possible additional on-site costs may include:
Is there an ATM in the hotel?
Yes, in the lobby.
Will I get a refund if I cancel my registration?
Registration cancellations received prior to January 4, 2008 will be refunded at 50% of fees paid. All registration cancellations must be received in writing via either iaestenatlconf@aipt.org or AIPT, c/o IAESTE United States, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 250 , Columbia , MD 21044 .
No refund will be given for cancellations received after January 4, 2008, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. Please contact us to request an exception.
What are the educational sessions like?
Topics for our educational sessions are extremely diverse. Past topics include:
Educational sessions are led by an expert in the topic field and are typically interactive in nature.
How should I choose which sessions to go to?
A schedule of events, including a list of all session topics, will be posted several months prior to the conference. There will be three different sessions taking place concurrently for each time slot, so you can choose the one that appeals most to you based on its description.
What are the Regional Roundups?
The Regional Roundups are the chance for student members in each of our four regions to get together to discuss region-specific issues. Led by the student-elected Regional Representatives, these discussion forums include such topics as spring retreats, intern reception, and summer events.
What's the Friday Evening Reception?
The Friday evening reception provides our attendees with a relaxed atmosphere in which they can network and unwind with fellow internationally-minded colleagues. Last year's reception concluded with an internationally-themed DJ dance. More details on this year's reception to come.
What's the business meeting?
The business meeting provides an official forum for discussion of the policies and rules governing IAESTE United States and will take place unopposed this year. Voting will take place on a variety of issues. One voting delegate will represent each Local Committee, usually the president. All other conference attendees are invited to observe the meeting, but are not required to do so.
What goes on at the banquet?
IAESTE's Annual Awards Banquet is a time to celebrate our successes and recognize certain individuals and Local Committees who have excelled in the past year. The evening begins with a few brief words from the National Secretary, followed by the keynote address from a special guest. After the speeches, the awards are presented by IAESTE staff members. 2008 awards include:
After the awards are presented, the National Secretary officially closes the conference.
Will there be time to sightsee?
Yes, there will be time to go out and explore Baltimore in the evenings and if you choose to stay through the day on Sunday.
What is the Global Opportunities Fair?
The IAESTE United States Global Opportunities Fair (GOF) is a showcase of career, educational, and life opportunities. The fair brings the global skills of IAESTE United States National Conference attendees to both global and domestic opportunities.
What kinds of organizations will there be?
The fair is open to many different kinds of organizations:
How can my company sign up to exhibit at the career fair?
We're thrilled that your organization is interested in exhibiting at the third annual IAESTE United States Global Opportunities Fair. Please contact us for more information.
Should I bring copies of my résumé?
Absolutely! We strongly recommend that all job-seekers (not just students!) bring several copies of their résumé. Both speakers and GOF exhibitors alike will be interested in learning more about what you have to offer.
How and when will I find out if my proposal has been accepted?
The conference planning committee will contact all those who submitted proposals by November 1, 2007 to inform them whether their proposal was accepted.
Who should I contact regarding proposal questions or changes?
Please contact Pamela Ruiz at iaestenatlconf@aipt.org or 410-997-3069.
When will I receive final details on my session?
We will confirm date and time with each speaker two months prior to the conference, then again two weeks prior to the conference.
How will the room be set up?
Rooms will be set up theater-style to accommodate approximately 40 attendees each.
What type of audiovisual equipment will be provided?
We will provide all speakers with a laptop computer and LCD projector, as well as a large paper pad and several markers. Requests for other materials will be considered; please contact the conference planning committee at iaestenatlconf@aipt.org or 410-997-3069.
How many handouts should I prepare for my session?
If you would like to supply handouts for attendees, please prepare at least 50 copies per session. We recommend that handouts be 3-hole punched if possible, so that attendees can easily place your handouts inside the official conference program.
I am a presenter; do I have to register?
Professional presenters receive a free registration for the day that they present and may choose to register for the day that they will not present. As the student registration fees are heavily discounted and the vast majority of students attend the conference on both days, we do not offer students the option of one-day registration; student presenters must register for the full conference. The registration page provides fee and registration information.
Will I get feedback on my session?
Yes. Shortly after the conclusion of the conference, all presenters will receive a summary of evaluations submitted by attendees. The evaluations will include ratings on different aspects of the presentation, such as the speaker's knowledge of the subject, relevance of material covered, and quality of handouts. Evaluations will also include general comments made by attendees.
What should I wear?
For most of the conference, we ask that you observe a "business casual" dress code: slacks/khakis/skirt, buttoned shirt/polo shirt/sweater; no jeans, t-shirts, or athletic shoes. Layers are a good idea, since temperatures can vary between meeting rooms. The Thursday meet-and-greet and Friday evening receptions are more casual, so attire is at your discretion. Saturday's Awards Banquet is formal: men should wear suits or slacks with a sport coat, ties required; women should wear a suit, dress, or blouse with skirt/slacks.
What's the weather like in Baltimore during February?
February's temperatures average a high of 46°F 8°C) and a low of 29°F (-3°C). Snowfall averages about 4 inches for the month of February, but it can also rain quite a bit.
In what time zone is Baltimore ?
In February, Baltimore observes Eastern Standard Time, which is six hours behind Western/Central Europe and three hours ahead of California .
I'm vegetarian/kosher/halal/allergic to something. Will I have enough to eat?
Our conference committee makes every effort to ensure that all attendees' dietary needs are met. If you have a special need, please indicate so at registration, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that if you register less than two weeks prior to the start of the conference, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to fulfill your request. In addition, Baltimore has a plethora of restaurants that serve every appetite and dietary requirement. Ask one of the staff or the concierge for help picking the best spot.
