FAQ

General Conference Questions

Program Questions

Travel and Accomodation Questions

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General Conference Questions

Where and when is the SEPG 2008 being held?

The SEPG 2008 will take place March 17-20, 2008, at the Tampa Convention Center.

The official Conference hotel is the Tampa Marriott Waterside. Reserve your room today! » Back to Top

Is the Tampa Convention Center location compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Yes, you can find additional information and floor maps here. » Back to Top

How do I let you know that I need special assistance?

When registering for the Conference you will be able to indicate your need for assistance during the online registration process.

In order to accommodate your request, we do request that you let us know before February 8, 2008. » Back to Top

What are the important dates for SEPG 2008?

October 12, 2007
Last day to volunteer as an abstract reviewer
November 16, 2007
Presenters notified
December 2007
Preliminary program available on web site
December 14, 2007
Last day to volunteer as a session moderator or room monitor
January 11, 2008
Last day to submit final presentation materials
February 8, 2007
Early Bird Registration ends.

Dates are subject to change. » Back to Top

How much does it cost to attend the SEPG conference?

The early-bird discounts will apply through February 8, 2008. And the other fees are:

Category Through Feb 8, '08 After Feb 8, '08
Standard - All 4 Days $1,495.00 $1,595.00
Standard - Any 1 Day $495.00 $595.00
SEI Member - All 4 Days $1,395.00 $1,495.00
SEI Member - Any 1 Day $395.00 $495.00
Boot Camp Complimentary Complimentary

» Back to Top

Is there an early registration discount?

Yes! Register before the early bird date of February 8, 2008 and you save $100 off the registration fee. » Back to Top

What methods of payment do you accept for Registration?

Cash, checks (personal and company) and credit cards - MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, Diner's Club - are all accepted. You may also use a Purchase Order - please see the online registration website for detailed submission information. » Back to Top

Can I bring a guest to conference events?

Your spouse or guest is welcome to attend the tutorials and sessions, but they must be a paid registrant for the Conference.

Due to the professional nature of the meetings children under 18 are not permitted to attend. » Back to Top

Can I bring a guest to the Gala Reception?

Our Gala Reception will be open to spouses or companions of attendees, but they must register at the onsite registration counter as a companion and obtain an official conference name badge. » Back to Top

How do I register?

Simply visit the SEPG 2008 secure registration web site. The online registration site works with Internet Explorer and Netscape V6 or above. If you encounter problems registering online, please contact Wingate Web toll free at 866-902-5794 (or 801-494-0295) or send a message to support@sepg08.wingateweb.com. » Back to Top

Can I register online?

Yes, secure online registrations are available. » Back to Top

I haven't received my Registration confirmation email? Who do I contact to get one?

For any registration questions or concerns, please contact Wingate Web toll free at 866-902-5794 (or 801-494-0295) or send a message to support@sepg08.wingateweb.com. » Back to Top

How do I cancel my registration?

Requests for refunds must be in writing. Requests received on or before December 31, 2007 will be honored in full minus a $75 administrative fee. From January 1, 2008 until February 8, 2008, refunds will be 50% of the applicable registration fee. NO REFUNDS after February 8, 2008. Substitutions are permitted at any time and at no cost, however we do request they be made prior to March 14, 2007 in order to update the onsite registration materials. If you cancel after February 8, 2008 and do not send a substitute, the conference materials will be mailed to you after the Conference concludes. Registration fee payments are not transferable to other SEI events. » Back to Top

What types of registration are available?

Full Conference registration is good for all four days of SEPG. It provides access to the Tutorials, Technical Sessions, Keynote Addresses and meals for each day - continental breakfasts, lunches, and breaks. It also provides access to the Exhibit Showcase, the Grand Opening Reception and the general Conference Reception.

A One Day registration is good for any single day of SEPG that you select. It provides access to the Tutorials, Technical Sessions, Keynote Addresses and meals that occur on the day that you specifically register for - continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. It provides access to the Exhibit Showcase and to the Grand Opening Reception and the general Conference Reception only if you are registered for Monday or Tuesday respectively. » Back to Top

Do you offer Group discounts for registrations?

Yes, for organizations that wish to send groups of 10 or more we offer a 10% discount off of the prevailing rate. Visit the conference registration website and select the Group registration option. All members of the group must be registered simultaneously for the discount to apply and one form of payment must be used for all of the registrants. Once the registration process has been completed, additional discounted registration requests will not be honored for that same group. Discounts are not retroactive. » Back to Top

Will I be required to wear a badge at the Conference? When and how do I receive mine?

Yes, all conference participants must wear their badges at all times to gain access to the Conference technical sessions and associated events.

Badges are distributed onsite during check-in. You will need to show a government issued photo ID to pick your registration package up. » Back to Top

Do I need to present ID when I pick up my conference registration onsite?

Yes, we require all attendees to present government issued photo identification at SEPG North America 2008 registration. » Back to Top

Is there a dress code for SEPG?

We recommend that attendees should dress in business casual attire for the conference.

In order to maximize your personal comfort, we do recommend that you consider wearing layers and/or sweaters. This will allow you to adjust to any varying conditions in the meeting and social event venues. » Back to Top

Are meals included with the conference fee?

Yes - Continental breakfast, Lunch and refreshment breaks are provided on each day for which you are registered for the Conference. Receptions - including the Exhibit Showcase Grand Opening and General Conference Reception - are also included. » Back to Top

How do I advise you of my special dietary needs?

When registering for the Conference you will be able to indicate your particular dietary needs/restrictions during the registration process.

In order to accommodate your request, we do require that you let us know before February 8, 2008. » Back to Top

Program Questions

When will the SEPG 2008 Program be available on your website?

The preliminary program will be available December 2007. » Back to Top

What is the difference between a panel session, presentation, tutorial, and poster session?

Tutorials (Full or Half day)

Tutorials give subject matter experts an opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences in an education-oriented environment. Tutorials should focus on improving attendees' comprehension and skills in a particular subject area. Tutorials should incorporate examples and hands-on learning opportunities for the attendees. Tutorials are scheduled primarily on Monday and some on Thursday of the conference.

Panels (80 minutes)

Panels provide the audience with an opportunity to discover what hot and possibly controversial topics are on the minds of individuals leading the field of process improvement and related matters. Panels should target issues related to the conference topics and will be selected according to their relevance to the aims of the conference. Panel sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the conference.

Presentation (40 minutes)

Presentation abstracts should describe how the work builds on, differs from, or contributes to the state of practice or the state of the art of process improvement. Presentations that include practical tools (forms, checklists, procedures, etc.), empirical data (metrics), and real-world experiences are preferred. Presentations that may come across as sales pitches are discouraged. Presentation sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the conference.

Poster Sessions (30 minutes)

Posters provide a quick and efficient communication of your topic. Poster sessions should combine text and graphics to make a visually-appealing presentation to attendees as they walk by. Attendees will be able to view the information at their leisure during the conference and discuss it with you one-on-one on Monday and Thursday of the conference, during the morning and afternoon breaks. Posters of a sales-pitch nature are not permitted. » Back to Top

Are Professional Development/CEUs available at SEPG?

A personalized Certificate of Attendance will be emailed to all Conference participants after the Conference concludes. » Back to Top

Do I need to pre-register for specific sessions?

While you do need to sign up for Tutorials (which will be held Monday and Thursday) you do not need to register in advance for the technical sessions (which will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). » Back to Top

Must I pre-register to attend the Tutorials?

Yes, however you may choose to attend a different Tutorial onsite. » Back to Top

What is an SEPG volunteer?

SEPG conference volunteers are SEI Members who serve as room monitors and session moderators for two days during the conference.

In exchange for these services which consist of overseeing the evaluation process and making sure the presentation room and its various technologies are in working order, SEPG volunteers receive a free two-day conference registration. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel, room and board expenses that are associated with this event. Volunteers must be able to commit to two full days of volunteering in order to receive the complimentary two-day conference registration. » Back to Top

How do I sign up to be an SEPG volunteer?

Simply contact SEI's Customer Relations team to volunteer or receive more information (customer-relations@sei.cmu.edu). » Back to Top

What does Birds of A Feather (BoF) mean?

A BoF is a self-directed opportunity for peer-to-peer networking available to all attendees during the SEPG. » Back to Top

How do I attend or schedule a Birds of A Feather meeting?

This is done onsite. Bulletin Boards with sign-up sheets are provided for each BoF daily and can be found in the registration desk area. Room assignment is determined based on a minimum number of 10 participants. » Back to Top

Is there a job board at the SEPG conference?

Yes, SEPG 2008 will have a board where organizations may post job opening announcements. » Back to Top

How do I post a job opportunity on the job board?

Simply give your posting announcement to the SEPG staff at the Conference Information desk. » Back to Top

How do I obtain a copy of the Conference Proceedings?

All registered Conference attendees will receive a CD containing all presentations and tutorials received prior to the submission deadline. » Back to Top

Travel and Accomodation Questions

What Hotel Should I stay at?

Please see our page on Travel Arrangements. » Back to Top

What is there to do in Tampa?

A variety of travel and event options are available in Tampa. You can begin your planning by reviewing the options and links on the About Tampa page of the conference website. » Back to Top

Is there parking available at Tampa Convention Center?

Yes, full information about rates and lot locations can be found here. » Back to Top