2002 Congress information and services: Sunday, April 21, to Thursday, April 25, 2002 - Congress Services

AORN Journal, Jan, 2002

The 49th annual AORN Congress will be held April 21 to April 25, 2002. Following is important information about Congress, which will be held in the Anaheim Convention Center, Calif.

AIRLINE INFORMATION

In cooperation with AORN, Majestic Travel, Inc, is offering special rates that afford a 5% discount on lowest applicable fares, including first class, or a 10% discount on unrestricted coach fares. All rules and regulations of the airfare have to be met to receive the discounts. Purchase your tickets at least 60 days in advance of travel and receive an additional 5% discount.

To take advantage of either discount:

* call or have your travel agent call United Airlines at (800) 521-4041, Monday through Sunday, 5 AM to midnight, central time, and refer to file #501BH, or

* call or have your travel agent call Delta Air Lines at (800) 241-6760, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 11 PM, eastern time, and refer to file #DMN178527A.

If neither of these options meets your needs, call Majestic Travel at (800) 748-2059 inside the United States, or (303) 333-6161 outside the United States, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, mountain time.

Early bird drawing for four Delta coach class tickets. Delta Air Lines and AORN are giving away four coach-class domestic airline tickets. To be eligible for the drawing you must:

* call or have your travel agent call Delta Air Lines at (800) 241-6760, refer to File #178527A, and make your reservation on Delta before March 8;

* preregister for the AORN Congress before March 8; and

* attend the Anaheim Congress.

The drawing will be held two weeks after Congress. Winners will be sent a letter with the certificate information.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE

Super Shuttle will operate between Orange County/John wayne Airport and Los Angeles International Airport and all official AORN hotels. The normal rate between the Orange County airport and the Anaheim hotels is $10 per person and $14 per person between Los Angeles International and the hotels. The rates with the discount coupons are $9 per person from Orange County and $12 per person from Los Angeles International. You will receive two coupons in your final information letter.

We do not foresee any problems with the shuttle service; however, if you have problems, please obtain as much information as you can (eg, van number, driver's name, license plate number, time, date). Bring the information to the Headquarters office at the convention center. If reporting problems after Congress, contact Cheryl Llewellyn at (800) 755-2676 x 239.

HOUSING INFORMATION

AORN has secured blocks of rooms in hotels in the area of the Anaheim Convention Center. A portion of the room block in each hotel has been designated for nurse use. Receipt of the housing form and deposit within 24 hours will increase your chance of obtaining the hotel(s) of your choice. If your hotel choices are no longer available, AORN's housing bureau, QBS, will make an assignment that is the most comparable to your request. Read the confirmation promptly. If you are not satisfied with your assignment, send QBS a request via fax to be placed on the wait list. Changes will be made based on availability.

If sharing a room, send only one form with the names of all people occupying the room. One confirmation will be mailed to the "Room Contact." Although QBS cannot acknowledge receipt of forms, if hotel confirmation is not received within two weeks of posting, contact QBS. If you wish to contact QBS with further questions on hotels, call (800) 755-2676 x 273 in the United States or (303) 755-6304 x 273 outside the United States.

Room deposit. All housing requests require a deposit. The deposit must be mailed or sent via fax with the housing request form. If the deposit does not accompany the form, your reservation will not be processed until the deposit is received. This delay could mean the loss of your hotel choice. Deposits are

* $175 per guest room,

* $350 per one-bedroom suite, and

* $525 per two-bedroom suite.

Payment may be made by check, made payable to QBS (US dollars drawn on a US bank). The following credit cards can be used for deposits: MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. Your credit card will be charged at the time the reservation is made.

Hotel changes and cancellations. All changes and/or cancellations must be received by QBS in writing, either by fax or mail, on or before March 22. Deposits will be forfeited if cancellation notice is not received on or before March 22. After March 27, you may contact the hotel directly for changes; however, cancellations will result in forfeiture of deposit. Hotels will apply an early departure fee equal to one night's stay for changes made on-site. Your room rate includes a service fee to help defray the cost of the housing service.

PARKING IN ANAHEIM

Keep in mind there may be parking fees at official AORN hotels. After receiving your housing confirmation from QBS, call the hotel for exact charges. The convention center has parking available in several parking lots. The cost was $7 per vehicle at press time, with no in and out privileges.