Congress 2006 information and services

AORN Journal, Jan, 2006

Sunday, March 19, to Thursday, March 23, 2006

The 53rd annual AORN Congress will be held March 19 to 23, 2006, in Washington, DC. This article contains important information for attendees.

AIRLINE INFORMATION

Association Travel Concepts (ATC) is offering discounts on their lowest available fares. Discount fares can be found using the AORN Travel Center online booking engine at http://www .atcmeetings.com/aorn and following the MemberTravel links. A $15 service fee applies to all online bookings.

You also may call ATC at (800) 7552676 x 360. A $20 service fee applies to any telephone reservations.

Association Travel Concepts offers personalized service, advance seating assignments, special meal requests, frequent-flier program updates, electronic ticketing, e-mail access for convenient booking of your tickets, and more. Restrictions apply.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE

SuperShuttle Transportation Systems provides shuttle service to and from Reagan National and Dulles Airports. From Reagan National Airport, the approximate one-way fare is $12 per person. For parties traveling together, the fare for each additional person is approximately $10. Proceed to the outside curb and contact a SuperShuttle representative. After hours, call (800) 258-3826 and press 1 for dispatch.

From Dulles airport, the approximate one-way fare is $25 per person.

For parties traveling together, the fare for each additional person is approximately $10. After claiming your luggage, proceed down the ramps located near either side of the escalator, toward Ground Transportation/Shared Ride Vans. SuperShuttle ticket counters are located on the lower level, just before you exit the building.

Discount coupons are being negotiated. Details will be included in the final attendee letter. For updates, please refer to the AORN web site at http:// www.aorn.org/congress/2006/attendees /housing.asp#transportation.

AIRPORT TAXI SERVICE

At Reagan National Airport, taxis will be available at the exits of each terminal. Fares will vary depending on destination; however, the approximate one-way fare to Washington, DC, is $15.

From Dulles Airport, taxis will be available at the east and west ramps on the lower level of the Main Terminal. Fares will vary depending on destination; however, the approximate oneway fare to Washington, DC, is $60.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

AORN has secured blocks of rooms in Washington, DC, hotels. A portion of the room block in each hotel has been designated for use by nurses. Your room rate includes a service fee to help defray the cost of the housing service. Data has been supplied by individual hotels and does not constitute warranty, implied or otherwise, on the part of AORN, its employees, or its agents as to the quality of accommodations or services available.

There are four easy ways to reserve your hotel room:

* online (credit cards only) at http:// www.aorn.org/congress;> * by mail to Quality Business Services (QBS), 3110 S Wadsworth Blvd, Suite 307, Denver, CO 80227;

* by fax (credit cards only) to (303) 382-8066; or

* by calling (credit cards only) (800) 7552676 x 273 in the United States and Canada or (303) 755-6304 x 273 outside the United States and Canada.

If your hotel choice is no longer available, 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 a fax to QBS and ask to be placed on the waiting list. Changes will be based on availability.

ROOM DEPOSIT. All housing requests require a deposit. The deposit must accompany 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. Room deposits are

* $200 per guest room,

* $400 per one-bedroom suite, and

* $600 per two-bedroom suite.

Payment may be made using a MasterCard, VISA, Discover, or American Express credit card. Your credit card will be charged at the time the reservation is made. If you are mailing your form, you may pay by check made payable to QBS in US dollars drawn on a US bank. Quality Business Services cannot acknowledge receipt of forms. If you do not receive a hotel confirmation within two weeks of making your reservation or you have questions about hotels, contact QBS at (800) 755-2676 x 273 in the United States and Canada or (303) 755-6304 x 273 outside the United States and Canada.

HOTEL CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS. All changes or cancellations should be sent to QBS in writing by e-mail, fax, or mail on or before Feb 17, 2006. Deposits will be forfeited if cancellation notice is not received on or before Feb 17, 2006.

After Feb 28, 2006, you must contact the hotel directly to make any changes. Hotels may apply an early departure fee equal to one night's stay for changes made on-site. Cancellations will result in forfeiture of the deposit. Contact QBS directly to cancel your reservation.

GOVERNMENT RATES. A limited number of rooms at government rates have been provided by some of the hotels. They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact QBS directly to book these rooms.