FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSDo I have to register online and pay by credit card? No, while we encourage online registration, you may also download a copy of the registration form (available in English or Spanish). If you wish to pay by credit card you can fax your completed form to us with your credit card details. If paying by check, you will need to mail the check, along with your completed registration form, to the following address: Food Marketing Institute If you wish to pay by wire transfer, please contact us for instructions. What does my registration fee include? The registration fee includes meeting materials, participation in general sessions and breakouts, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners and morning and afternoon breaks. Fee does not include your hotel, airfare or incidentals. Additional fees apply for pre-conference workshops and training sessions. See registration form for more details. Your registration fee also includes participation in "Fiesta!" a celebration of Mexican culture and cuisine on Thursday, October 22, and covers cost of transportation, entertainment and dinner. Do I have to register for the conference to attend the pre-conference training classes? You do not have to attend the conference in order to sign up for training classes. You can sign up for the classes using the links below. Implementing SQF 1000 Systems (Spanish) Implementing SQF 2000 Systems (Spanish) Your fees cover only the cost of the training classes. If you wish to attend the conference, you must register separately. Do I have to register for the conference to attend the pre-conference workshop? You do not have to attend the conference in order to sign up for workshop. However you still need to go through the registration process and select the "Workshop Only" fee code option. You will not be charged the conference fee and will not receive a conference badge. Only the workshop fee will be charged. How do I qualify for the SQF Affiliate rate? An SQF affiliate is either a registered SQF consultant, auditor or practitioner, an employee of a licensed SQF Training Center or Certification body or an employee of an SQF certified supplier. Registrants not meeting those eligibility requirements will be charged the appropriate registration fee. How do I qualify for a rate as a Latin American supplier? In order to qualify for this rate, you must be a producer or manufacturer with a mailing address in Latin America. Registrants not meeting those eligibility requirements will be charged the appropriate registration fee. Are group rates available? No, we are not offering group rates for this conference. Can my spouse attend? Yes, your spouse may attend, however, she/he will need to pay the appropriate registration fee to attend any general session or participate in meal events, including breakfast. Guests are also welcome to attend the Fiesta! evening, but must pre-register and pay a $75.00 cover charge. Please contact Amanda Bond-Thorley at 202.220.0606 for further information. What are your cancellation policies? A full refund is granted when a cancellation is received by September 30, 2009 (COB). A 60 percent refund is granted if cancellation is received after September 30, 2009, but prior to October 7, 2009 (COB). No refund if notification is received October 7, 2009 or later. Please notify the registrar in writing via fax at 202.220.0820 or email sgeorge@fmi.org How do I make hotel reservations? The 2009 SQF Conference will take place at the Fiesta Americana Hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico Fiesta Americana Hotel Please make room reservations directly with the hotel. The negotiated rate for the SQF Conference is $ 99.00 / night for a standard room (single/double) without breakfast. There is an additional charge of $ 3.50 per day for housekeeping and a $ 5.00 fee for bellman service per person. These fees are mandatory and will be included on your bill. In order to secure a room at the conference rate reservations must be made no later than September 25, 2009. Please call 1-800-FIESTA-1 (1-800-343-7821). Mexico residents may call or (55) 53266900 to make their reservations. We encourage you to make your reservations early, as the hotel may sell out before this date. After September 25, reservations will be accepted on a space-available basis and higher rates may apply. Please reference the SQF International Conference when making your booking. Online reservations are not available. How far is the hotel from the airport? The hotel is approximately 30 minutes from Guadalajara's international airport (GDL). Is transportation from the airport to the hotel provided ? Delegates should make their own transfer arrangements from the airport to the hotel. No shuttle service will be provided. The hotel is approximately 25 minutes from the airport and the recommended method of transportation is by taxi. The cost is approximately $ 15 - $ 20. Will the sessions be conducted in English or Spanish? That will depend on the speaker and his / her preference or native language. Simultaneous translation will be provided from English into Spanish and vice versa. The "official" language of the conference will be English. SQF will have at least one Spanish-speaking staff member onsite to provide assistance for non-English speaking attendees. What is the conference attire? Conference attire is business casual. Please keep in mind that meeting and hotel rooms may be chilly. What is the weather like in Guadalajara in October? In October, temperatures average a high in the upper 70s/lower 80s and a low in the upper 50s/lower 60s. Who can I contact for more information? Program, Logistics, Sponsorships: |
9:00 am - 6:00 pm