Who is the Special Libraries Association (SLA)?
The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other “specialized” settings. If you manage information and/or knowledge resources for organizations and their stakeholders—such as business executives, government agency staff, university faculty and students, association members, nonprofit funders, and law firm partners—SLA is your professional home! For more information, visit https://www.sla.org/about-sla/.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The conference will be held Friday, June 14 through Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio. Continuing education and certificate courses, unit business meetings, and special events will take place on June 14-15. The conference will officially kick off on Monday, June 14, with educational workshops, followed by the Opening General Session at 10:30 a.m. The INFO-EXPO (exhibit hall) opens with a luncheon Monday at 12:00 p.m.
A full schedule is available on the conference website
REGISTRATION
How can I register for the Annual Conference?
When is/did registration open for the Annual Conference?
- Registration opens in December, with Early Bird registration through April 2, 2019.
What is included in the registration fee?
- The registration fee covers:
- Entry into the INFO-EXPO
- Opening Reception
- Lunches
- Networking Breaks
- Select Social Functions
- General Sessions, Education Workshops
- Health and Wellness Events
Where can I join to become an SLA Member?
- You can join online at SLA’s website: Join SLA
If I become a member before I register, will I be able to receive the SLA member rate?
- Yes, you can receive the SLA member rate. Please allow 2-3 business days for your membership to become active before you register for the conference.
Is the registration website secure?
When/Where will I receive a confirmation email after I have finished registering?
- Immediately after registering your confirmation and payment receipt will be sent via email from sla@mcievents.com to the address you registered with.
How can I receive another registration confirmation?
- Step 1: Go to the Annual Conference Attendee Registration site.
- Step 2: Login and review your information.
- Step 3: On the bottom page of the screen, click the button “resend confirmation”.
If you experience problems receiving your email confirmation, send an email to sla@mcievents.com with the attendee name on your registration.
How can I update my registration information after I have already registered?
- Step 1: Go to the Annual Conference Attendee Registration site.
- Step 2: Login and review your information.
- Step 3: Save
Or you can call SLA Registration at 800-466-5652 (within the US) or 972-349-5451 (International) and a customer service agent will assist you.
What if I need to cancel?
- All registration cancellations are subject to a $100 cancellation administrative fee. Requests for refunds must be received via email (sla@mcievents.com) or fax (972-349-7715), on the dates indicated below:
- Refund requests received by May 3, 2019 are eligible for a full refund,minus the $100 cancellation fee.
- Refund requests received between May 4 and May 17, 2019 are eligible for a refund of 50% of the registration and applicable event fees, minus the $100 cancellation fee.
- There will be no refunds for requests May 18, 2019 or later.
Can I request a registration substitution?
- Yes, substitutions must be received in writing (fax or email) and can be submitted by the original registrant or the original registrant’s supervisor if employer paid for the registration.
- Payment is transferred from one record to another. A refund will NOT be given to the original registrant and the substitute charged.
- Attendee substitutions are restricted to SLA members only and cannot include transfer to a new registration category.
Can I attend only the SLA certificate courses on Saturday and Sunday?
- Yes, You will need to pay only for the continuing education (CE) and/or certificate course(s) you are registering for and not an additional conference registration fee.
How do I register for ticketed events?
- Registration for the many conference-affiliated special events, continuing education courses, and certificate courses will be available in March. You will receive an email announcing registration for these events. These and other conference updates and announcements can be found on the SLA website.
Where are most of the programs being held?
Most conference events will be held at:
- Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland 300 Lakeside Ave. E.Cleveland, OH 44113
Select evening receptions and unit special events will be held at:
- Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 100 Lakeside Ave. E. Cleveland, OH 44114
ACCOMMODATIONS
Which hotel is the SLA Headquarter Hotel and what is the address?
Hilton Cleveland Downtown 100 Lakeside Ave. E.Cleveland, OH 44114
How do I make my hotel reservations?
- Multiple downtown Cleveland hotels have been selected to serve as conference hotels and offer discounted conference rates. SLA recognizes that you have a choice when making your hotel reservations to attend the SLA 2019 Annual Conference. We have worked to secure the best rates available with our conference hotels in Cleveland. By staying in the SLA room block, you help SLA meet our obligations to the conference hotels that offer the reduced rates shown below and at future conferences. We appreciate your continued support.
Whom do I contact to change my hotel reservations?
- If staying at the conference hotels: Changes and Cancellations can be made online by logging into your record or by contacting housing at sla@mcievents.com until May 21, 2019. Contact the hotel directly for changes or cancellations on or after May 23, 2019.
How can I find a roommate?
- SLA members registered for the conference will be entered into the SLA 2019 Annual Conference virtual community on SLA Connect, which will be created in early January 2019. There, you will be able to reach out to other conference registrants to find a travel partner or roommate.
INFO-EXPO
Can I attend the INFO-EXPO without a full conference registration?
- Yes, you may purchase a 3-day or 1-day Buyers Pass via the registration website or onsite at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Please note that no conference programming outside of the INFO-EXPO will be accessible with this type of registration. The pass is offered to buyers in industries relevant to libraries and information professionals, and not intended for unaffiliated merchants or vendors.
SPONSORSHIP
How can I view a list of exhibitors?
- A list of exhibitors will be updated and made available in 2019 once the date of the conference nears.
Whom do I contact if my company is interested in exhibiting or in sponsoring an event?
MISCELLANEOUS
Is there a dress code at the conference?
- Dress comfortably and wear shoes that are good for walking. Meeting room temperatures often fluctuate, so be sure to bring a sweater, and dress in layers.
Whom do I contact about dietary restrictions?
- There is a section of the online registration and print registration forms where you can select dietary restrictions. If you have a dietary restriction outside of the listed categories (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher), please contact learning@sla.org. SLA will make reasonable efforts to provide dining options for all attendees, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary restrictions can always be accommodated.
Does SLA have an anti-harassment policy?
- SLA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue, including sessions and networking events. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference (without a refund) at the discretion of the conference organizers. Review our anti-harassment policy.
Whom do I contact about ADA or special needs?
- There is a section of the online registration and print registration forms where you can list any ADA or special needs. Please send an email to learning@sla.org if you have any questions. All ADA and special needs requests must be received by May 3, 2019. SLA will work to accommodate requests, but we cannot make any guarantees.
Can my child attend the conference with me?
- There will be no family activities or child programming at the SLA 2019 Annual Conference. Children under the age of 18 are permitted at the SLA Annual Conference and in the INFO-EXPO hall at NO charge. Children must have completed a registration, and wear registration badge. SLA does not provide child care services, but we can provide a list of child care providers in the area. Send an email to learning@sla.org for more information.
Who can I contact about my registration?
- If you are an attendee, please contact sla@mcievents.com. You can also call us at 800-466-5652 (within the US) or 972-349-5451 (International) and a customer service agent will assist you.
- If you are an exhibitor, please contact sla@mcievents.com. You can also call us at 800-480-0152 (within the US) or 972-349-5452 (International) and a customer service agent will assist you.