FAQ

General Information
Cancellations/Refunds/Payment Adjustments
On-Site Information

General Information

1. When is the early bird registration deadline?
   Monday December 6, 2010 11:59 pm (CST)
2. I registered, but have not received a confirmation. How do I get another one sent to me?
   Please call the HIMSS registrar, CompuSystems at +1 (877) 303-0721 or 708-486-0721 to request a confirmation letter. You may also request by email to himss11@compusystems.com.
3. I registered, but I'd like to add additional events to my registration. How can I do that?
   You can return to the registration web site and select add optional events option or you may call the HIMSS registrar, CompuSystems at +1 (877) 303-0721 or 708-486-0721 to update your registration over the phone.
4. Can I bring a spouse or guest to the program?
   Yes, however guests and spouses must register for the full conference or daily registration in order to attend any functions at Orange County Convention Center. Tickets may be purchased for guests for the optional events, such as the Wednesday Special Event.
5. Is there a special guest category for spouses in advance or onsite?
   NO, spouses/guests have to register as a full conference or daily registrant to gain access to the exhibit floor. NO Exceptions. Guest tickets can be purchased for special events.
6. Is there an age limit at the HIMSS conference or events?
   Yes, all registrants including spouses or guests must be 18 years of age or older to attend the HIMSS conference and events.
7. I need a letter in order to obtain a Visa, who do I contact?
   Please send an email with your name, company name, title, address, city, country and email address to Sean Roberts at sroberts@himss.org or Jaime Paton at jpaton@himss.org. An official invitation on HIMSS letterhead will be sent you.
8. May I register for the education and exhibit hall separately?
   Yes. You may opt for a Single Day registration, which allows access to all education sessions and the exhibit hall for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, or an Exhibit Hall only pass which includes admittance to the exhibit hall on Wednesday.
9. I can no longer attend the conference, can I send a substitute?
   Yes, however the substitute must pay any difference in registration rate based on membership status. Example: If you are a member and they are not, the registration difference must be paid. Please send the substitute's information in writing to the HIMSS registrar, CompuSystems, at himss11@compusystems.com. If the substitution takes place on-site they must bring a letter on company letterhead verifying the substitution.
10. How does a registrant receive a preliminary program in the mail?
    Please refer all requests to the HIMSS web site for conference information, or call HIMSS to request at 312-664-4467.
11. Does my HIMSS conference registration include admittance to Sunday educational programs?
    No, there is an additional fee for all Sunday programs, however when you register for the full conference and any symposium, you will receive an automatic $100 discount off your registration fees (excludes workshops). Discount applies to full paid conference registration only and is not available for students, single day or exhibit hall only passes.
12. Can a registrant sign up for just the CIO Forum, Symposiums or Users Groups and not HIMSS?
    Yes. These selections are available on their own under Optional Events on the registration form.
13. Is the Awards Banquet included in the fee for the convention?
    No, the Awards Banquet is NOT included with the convention fee and is an optional event.
14. What is the cut-off for exam registration? How is exam registration handled after the cut-off has passed?
    CPHIMS exam registrations will be accepted at CompuSystems until February 4, 2011. The CPHIMS Exam fee is $300 for HIMSS Members and $375 for non-members. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
15. How many CME credits are provided and for what courses?
    HIMSS will have this information available in November/December on the web site. Until then, direct all correspondence to Gail Rice at grice@himss.org.
16. Can a registrant receive their show program in advance of the show?
    HIMSS does not mail any show programs in advance because they are not printed until a few weeks prior to the conference. The registrants can view the info on the HIMSS website or wait to receive it in their tote bag onsite.
17. Do the HIMSS members have to be registered for the convention before they can book their hotel at the HIMSS block rate?
    No, they can book their hotels at the HIMSS rate before they are even registered for the convention. We actually encourage them to do so.
18. What do I need to do to qualify for the student rate?
    To qualify for the student rate, undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in no less than twelve (12) hours of classes during the spring semester of 2011. Graduate students must be enrolled in no less than nine (9) hours of classes during the spring semester of 2011 to qualify for the student rate. In order to complete registration, a copy of a Current Full-Time Class Schedule is required. Once registered please fax to 708-786-5568 or email to himss11@compusystems.com.  Please note, your badge will state “Student” at the bottom.
19. What does RFID mean to me?
    HIMSS will be utilizing RFID technology at this year’s conference to identify individuals’ movement and collect demographic information in select areas of the conference. These will include such areas as the exhibition floor, exhibitors booths, and Exhibitor Solution Sessions. If you do not wish to participate in this technology you will be given an opportunity to opt out when completing your registration.

Cancellations/Refunds/Payment Adjustments

1. What if a person has registered using their personal credit card and then wants to switch to a corporate card or check?
   HIMSS allows registrants to switch from employee paid to company paid, thus showing a refund on the attendee record. The company would have to send in a check and then the registrant will receive a refund check. A letter must accompany the company check explaining what happened so HIMSS knows how to apply the funds and issue the refund check.
2. What if a registrant cancelled and calls the next day to re-instate their registration?
   HIMSS DOES NOT allow cancelled registrants to re-instate their original registration. They must re-register again at the rate for that time and provide new payment.
3. When will I receive my refund?
   If you cancel and are entitled to a refund, expect the refund within 30 days. Faxed and Website registrations must be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. No purchase orders are accepted. All refunds will be issued back to the original payment type. Cash payments will be refunded by check.
4. If I cancel, can I transfer my events or membership to another person from my company?
   HIMSS allows registrants to substitute if they send it in writing, but does not allow the original person to cancel his registration then transfer to another record. The substituted person WILL NOT be entitled to the membership. Membership is  non-transferable and non- refundable.
5. What is the policy for checks that are received after any of the published cut-off dates?
   We will accept any checks received up to a week after the published cut-off date at the previous price. After that, they will be keyed as a balance due.
6. What is the cancellation policy for attendees that only register for a symposium and don’t pay for the full conference?
   Full conference registrations, exhibit hall only passes, single day registrations and events only registration, less a $100 cancellation fee, are refundable if submitted in writing to himss11cancel@compusystems.com or by modifying your current registration online and selecting the option to cancel your registration on or before January 24, 2011.
7. What is the cancellation policy?
   Full conference registrations, exhibit hall only passes, single day registrations and events only registration, less a $100 cancellation fee, are refundable if submitted in writing to himss11cancel@compusystems.com or by modifying your current registration online and selecting the option to cancel your registration on or before January 24, 2011. Registrations and cancellations received after January 24, 2011, are not refundable. You cannot reinstate a registration after you cancel it. HIMSS membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel and are entitled to a refund, expect the refund within 30 days. Faxed and Website registrations must be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. No purchase orders are accepted. All refunds will be issued back to the original payment type. Cash payments will be refunded by check.
8. Can I pay by check?
   Yes, you may submit payment by check by completing the online registration process and selecting "pay by check" at the end. You will need to print out your confirmation and mail this in along with your check (registration ID number must be written on check) to HIMSS, 6923 Eagle Way, Chicago, IL 60678-1690.

On Site Information

1. What are the registration hours?

Exhibitor Registration Only
Friday, Feb 18	12:00pm - 6:00pm




Attendees & Exhibitors
Saturday, Feb 19	2:00pm - 6:00pm
Sunday, Feb 20	7:00am - 8:00pm
Monday, Feb 21	7:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday, Feb 22	7:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday, Feb 23	7:30am - 5:00pm




Attendees Only
Thursday, Feb 24	7:30am - 12:00pm

 

2. What are the Exhibit Hall hours?

Monday, Feb 21
Exhibit Halls A-D Hall E – Meeting Plaza & Interoperability Showcase	11:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday, Feb 22
Exhibit Halls A-D Hall E – Meeting Plaza & Interoperability Showcase	9:30am -1:00pm 2:30pm - 5:30pm 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday, Feb 22
Exhibit Halls A-D * Hall E – Meeting Plaza & Interoperability Showcase	9:30am -1:00pm 2:30pm - 5:30pm 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday, Feb 24
Hall E – Meeting Plaza & Interoperability Showcase	9:30am - 12:30pm

* Main exhibit hall ends on Wednesday, February 22, at 5:30pm

3. Where do I pick up my badge?
   If pre-registered, you will receive your badge and event tickets in the mail starting approximately two weeks before the conference. If for some reason you do not receive your badge in the mail or if you register after the cut-off date February 1, 2010, please print out your registration confirmation with your bar-code on it and you will be able to collect your badge at any self registration kiosk onsite.
4. What is the dress code for the show and the Wednesday evening event?
   The dress code for the show is smart business casual and casual for the Wednesday Night Event