FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR FIRST TIME ATTENDEES

Questions you might ask prior to attending

Questions you might ask about attendance

Other questions that might arise regarding convention details

I. QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK PRIOR TO ATTENDING

1. The Convention program is overwhelming, how do I find and select sessions I want to attend?

The overall Convention program and number of sessions is often overwhelming to the first-time attendee. For example, the Convention Program book for the 2007 APA Convention in San Francisco, California had 402 pages of programming. First-time attendees often feel lost in trying to identify sessions that would be of interest to them. Probably the least effective and most time consuming strategy is to try to read through the whole Convention Program book to select sessions to attend. What most first-time attendees don’t realize is that there are several indexing schemes and other search strategies that can easily help them find sessions related to their professional interests. Some search strategies are listed below.

Subject Index Terms: Each session is associated with one or two subject index terms that are descriptive of the topical focus of the session. The specific index term(s) for a session were selected by the individuals proposing the session and are general categories that describe the content of the presentation. Examples include Clinical Psychology, Ethics, Consultation, Assessment/Diagnosis, Learning, Computer Applications, and the like. The subject index in the Convention Program book lists all sessions addressing each subject term. Sessions are listed by session number and session title.

Participant Index: If you know names of specific individuals who are prominent in an area of interest to you, you could use the Participant Index to see if they are making presentations at this Convention. All presenters are listed in the index along with the session numbers in which they are participating.

Convention Highlights Sections: Several sections of the Convention Program book highlight events of interest. Reviewing these listings can help you identify special sessions that you might otherwise miss when using the subject or participant indexes. These sections include:

• APA Award Addresses
• APA Continuing Education Activities
• APA Film and Other Media Program
• APA Plenary Sessions
• APA Presidential Programming
• APA Special Events
• Associated Psychological Organizations
• Divisional Events (selected highlighted Divisional events)
• Social Hours

Scanning the Session Listing: Although it is not effective to read the entire program, you can scan the program listing for sessions of potential interest. Rather than reading the title of every session, you might focus on the sponsoring Divisions or groups listed for each session. The listed sponsors provide an indication that the focus of the session content would be directly connected to the listed sponsor’s scientific or professional area of interest.

2. Can you explain the various types of sessions I see listed in the program?

As you review the program, you will note that there are a variety of types of sessions at the convention, each of which varies somewhat in format. The most common sessions are:

Symposia or Panel Discussions: These are focused sessions in which participants present their views about a common theme, issue, or question. The views may or may not be adversarial and may or may not be supported by brief mention of relevant data. After a background presentation by the chair, participants then present their viewpoints, followed by interchange among participants. Sessions often end with an overview of the proceedings by the chair or a discussant.

Conversation Hours: This is an opportunity for informal discussion and exchange of ideas between the audience and usually one or two presenters. Presenters are chosen for their expertise in a particular area of current interest to members.

Workshops: These sessions are programs based on teaching direct skills and theory application to workshop participants.

Paper Sessions: These sessions include a series of oral paper presentations on a similar theme or topic. A minimum of 10 minutes is usually allotted for each paper presentation, with actual time allotments varying across divisions.

Poster Sessions: Papers presented within a poster session have illustrative materials mounted on a poster board for the length of the session. Copies of the complete paper are available for distribution, and one or more of the authors is available at the assigned poster board for questions, comments, and to discuss their research.

Invited Addresses: These sessions feature a well-known individual speaking on a particular topic. Invited addresses may be sponsored by a Division, the APA, or one of the APA governance groups such as the APA Board of Directors, the APA Board of Scientific Affairs, or the APA Board of Educational Affairs.

Business Meetings: These sessions, most commonly sponsored by Divisions, are designed to provide an opportunity to review the annual operations of a Division and provide a forum for Division membership to discuss the business of the Division. Although primarily of interest to Division members, Business Meetings are usually open to all Convention attendees. Attending these is a great way to learn about a division if you have an interest in getting more involved in it.

Executive Board Meetings: These sessions are usually invitation only meetings of Division Executive Committees and APA governance groups.

Social Hours: Most commonly sponsored by Divisions, these are usually informal gatherings that provide an opportunity to meet and talk with individuals who share a common interest. Attending these is a great way to meet members of divisions you are a member of or may be interested in joining. These are casual social events and anyone is welcome to attend any of them.

Film Programs: During the Convention several free films are shown that address topics of interest to psychologists. Films are reviewed and selected by the ad hoc Committee on Films and Other Media appointed annually by the Board of Convention Affairs. Some films are followed by discussion.

3. What are Divisions?

Each APA Division represents a major scientific or professional interest that lies within the Association. Each division is allocated a number of hours at the convention to present programming that addresses issues and current trends related to the Division’s area or topic of focus. Descriptions of current APA Divisions are available at http://www.apa.org/about/division.html.

4. How can I review the program prior to the Convention?

The Convention Program is mailed to all advance convention registrants who register online by July 30, 2008 and to those individuals not attending who request copies. Those individuals who register online after July 30, 2008 and on-site registrants will receive a copy of the Convention Program in Boston by visiting the APA Registration Area. Additional copies of the Program will cost $5. The supply of Convention Programs in Boston is limited.

Program information also is available on the APA Web site at www.apa.org/convention/. Just click on "Convention Program" on the screen to access session details. In addition, you may download your personal schedule from the online program.

5. What are some effective planning strategies for attending the Convention?

Plan Early. As much as possible, we strongly recommend advance planning. Searching the Convention Program book and identifying sessions at the last minute after you arrive at the Convention can be overwhelming. An advantage of early registration is that you will be mailed a copy of the Convention Program book to begin your planning. In addition, you can also plan your onsite agenda by using the free online search service for the Convention program that is available at the APA Convention Web site.

Pay Attention to Session Locations. There is always a 10 minute break between sessions. Although the majority of sessions are located at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, you will occasionally find that there is a considerable distance to walk between session locations, so be sure to review the Center map and plan accordingly. In addition, because some sessions may be scheduled in Convention Headquarters Hotels, be sure to take into account the extra time necessary to get to that location.

Predicting Session Seating Availability: For most sessions you will usually find plenty of available seating. However, despite the best efforts to schedule large rooms for addresses and sessions featuring popular and well-known speakers, these sessions often fill up to capacity. Other sessions that often include large numbers of attendees include the APA Opening session and APA Presidential address. To ensure a seat at a potentially popular session, we strongly advise arriving early.

We strongly recommend advance registration. First, you receive a reduced registration fee. Second, you will be mailed the Convention Program book prior to the Convention, which will help you in pre-planning your Convention activities. In addition, you will receive your badge and your expocard in advance of the convention, thus shortening your wait in long lines at the registration desks.

7. Are there special onsite Convention resources and opportunities for first-time attendees?

A special orientation and Q&A session for first-time attendees will be offered on Thursday, August 14, 9:00 am to 9:50 am, in Room 258C, Meeting Level 2 of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. In addition, the APA Board of Convention Affairs is sponsoring a special Social Hour for first-time attendees on Thursday, August 14, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, in the Room 107B and C on Meeting Level 1 of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

8. Can you explain how to get to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center?

Convention attendees may wish to use the shuttle bus system provided by APA for travel to and from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. A more comprehensive shuttle bus system consisting of six routes will be provided from the APA headquarters hotels (Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Sheraton Boston Hotel, Westin Copley Place Boston Hotel) and the supplemental convention hotels to the BCEC. The shuttle bus schedule is available online at www.apa.org/convention under "Programming" and "Housing and Travel". The schedule will also be included in the Supplement to the Convention Program that will be distributed onsite at the registration desks. A map of the convention area is included in the Convention Program.

Those individuals who are staying at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel may walk across a bridge on the hotel’s Mezzanine level to Meeting Level 2 of the BCEC.

9. How do I select which hotel at which to stay?

Several factors should be considered in your selection of a hotel. For some attendees price may be an important consideration. You can review hotel rates at the APA Convention Web site (http://www.apa.org/convention08/housing.html). Another consideration is location relative to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. You can review the location of your hotel choices relative to the Center at the APA Convention Web site. (see http://www.apa.org/convention08/bostonmap.pdf

10. What should I wear at the Convention?

Attendees usually wear business casual at the Convention. Presenters generally wear professional business attire. Remember, meeting rooms in hotels and convention centers can be chilly. The air conditioning is usually on high in anticipation of full meeting rooms.

11. I have a disability. What arrangements are available to accommodate me?

The APA Council of Representatives has adopted "Guidelines on Physical and Social Accessibility." In compliance with these guidelines, the Board of Convention Affairs would like all persons with disabilities attending the Convention to identify themselves. Persons with disabilities should contact the APA Convention Office concerning arrangements that may facilitate Convention attendance. To ensure the availability of convention assistance, arrangements should be made prior to July 15, 2008. If arrangements are not requested by July 15, 2008, APA will not be able to guarantee the availability of such arrangements.

APA will provide a van with a lift to transport persons who use wheelchairs and persons with motor disabilities, interpreters for hearing-impaired individuals, and escorts or readers for persons with visual impairments. The van with a lift will be available on an on-call basis; information on summoning the van will be provided in the Convention Program Supplement. During the Convention, persons with disabilities who require a place to relax or assistance with services such as wheelchair repairs, readers, escorts, and interpreters may visit the APA Resource Room for Persons with Disabilities at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. There will also be a TTY available in the Resource Room.

Note: Individuals who require sign language interpreters must provide their detailed convention schedule to the APA Convention Office by July 15, 2008, in order to be assured of adequate coverage. Last-minute and onsite requests may not be honored due to unavailability of interpreters.

12. How do I get continuing education credit for attending sessions at the Convention?

All CE-approved sessions are marked in the Convention Program with the symbol shown at right. Look through the Convention Program for sessions approved for CE credit.  A processing fee will be charged for each CE session.

How do you claim CE credit?

- Read the instructions on how to claim CE credit on pages lxxvi, 106, and 573 of the Convention Program. A flyer will also be included in the registration packet.

- Make sure you use your ExpoCard to SWIPE IN AND SWIPE OUT of CE sessions. Your ExpoCard is included with your convention badge.  You MUST use your ExpoCard to swipe in and out of CE sessions in order to verify your attendance at CE sessions.  If you do not swipe in and out, you will not be awarded CE credits.  There will be no exceptions.

How much does this cost?

Members:  $15 processing fee per 1-hour CE session; $30 processing fee per 2-hour CE session

Nonmembers:  $20 processing fee per 1-hour CE session; $40 processing fee per 2- hour CE session

II. QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK ABOUT ATTENDANCE

1. I have completed advance registration. Do I need to go to the onsite Registration Area?

Yes. Visiting the APA Registration Area is important for several reasons. In addition to receiving a name badge holder, you get a Convention Program Supplement with program updates (e.g., cancelled sessions, program changes). Finally, as a first-time attendee you can obtain a special ribbon for your badge so that Convention veterans can easily meet and greet you.

The APA Registration Area will be located in Halls A and B1 of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Hours of registration are noted below.

Wednesday, August 13, 3 pm-8 pm
Thursday, August 14, 7 am-6 pm
Friday, August 15, 7:30 am-6 pm
Saturday, August 16, 8 am-5 pm
Sunday, August 17, 8 am-12 noon

2. Do I need to wear my Convention badge to attend sessions or other APA Convention events?

Please wear your badge when attending all Convention sessions and events. Admission to the APA exhibits and poster sessions is restricted to persons wearing badges. However, once you leave the convention area after hours, you should remove your badge so that you are not identified as a visitor to the city.

3. What is a Session Number?

Each session at the Convention is given a unique four digit number. The first number indicates the day of the Convention on which the session is scheduled (i.e., 1 indicates first day and so on). The remaining three numbers essentially represent when during that day the session is scheduled, with lower numbers indicated early in the day. Both the subject and participant indexes are keyed to the session number.

4. How do I find where a session is located?

Each session listed in the program includes its location. The majority of the sessions will be located at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. However, some Divisional and APA programming (e.g., Business Meetings, Presidential Addresses, Social Hours) will be located in one of the Convention Headquarter Hotels – Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Sheraton Boston Hotel, Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, and Westin Copley Place Hotel. The Convention Program book will include a map of the convention center as well as the Convention Headquarter Hotels that shows all meeting rooms.

5. How do I easily locate Divisional events and programs?

Each Division highlights several sessions in the Divisional Events section of the Convention Program book. Many Divisions also make an online summary of their programming available at their Web site (Divisional Web sites can be found through the Division listing at http://www.apa.org/about/division.html) or in their Newsletter. Finally, upon arriving at the Convention, you can visit the Division Services booth. In addition to information about each Division, many Divisions also supply a brief program guide for their scheduled Convention program.

6. I went to attend a session and it was cancelled. How do I avoid this happening?

Although you may have pre-registered and received your name badge and program book, it is a good idea to visit the APA Registration Area. One item that you will receive is a listing of program changes, including sessions that have been cancelled.

7. Can I leave a session before it is over or come to a session late?

Yes, if you are a session attendee. Attendees often leave sessions early or arrive late for a variety of reasons and presenters are aware this will happen. For example, you may want to leave a session early to allow enough time to get to another session that is a distance away or may arrive late because of the travel distance between session locations. Also, if you are attending a paper session, you may want to only hear a particular paper within the session. If you plan to leave early, you should try to sit towards the back of the room to facilitate your departure.

No, if you are a presenter in the session. If you are making a presentation in the session, it would be respectful if you arrived at the beginning and stayed throughout the session to hear and support your co-presenters.

8. How do I get a copy of the paper presented in a session?

Many paper and poster presenters make copies of their presentations available at the session. If they run out of handouts, presenters may make available a sign up sheet to send you a copy. In addition, you can contact presenters directly after the Convention to request a copy of the presentation, whether or not you attended the session. Contact information for presenters is available in the Participant Index in the Convention Program book. Abstracts for most of the convention presentations will be available in PsycEXTRA, one of APA’s newest databases. To learn more about PsycEXTRA, visit www.apa.org/psycEXTRA.

9. Can I record sessions?

Current APA policy on recording sessions is as follows:

"Audiotape recorders and video equipment will be provided only for the presentation of material and not for recording of discussions, papers, or other presentations. Recording or videotaping sessions by divisions or individuals, for either private or commercial purposes, is not permitted. When APA records a session at the convention, it will obtain prior permission from all participants. The one exception to this policy is for registered news media personnel. Both APA media and outside media with proper convention registration credentials may record sessions to help them cover convention programming accurately."

10. As a first-time attendee I feel alone. How do I connect with people who share my interests?

First and foremost, be socially assertive. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to other attendees and presenters, especially at sessions you attend where it is likely that the person sitting next to you shares your interest in the topic. Another effective strategy is to attend the Social Hours for Divisions related to your professional interests. Social Hours are usually open to all Convention attendees, not just Division members, and are a great way to meet colleagues. Finally, this year the APA Board of Convention Affairs is also sponsoring a special Social Hour for new attendees on Thursday, August 14, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, in Meeting Room 107B and C, Meeting Level 1, of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. As well as including the opportunity to meet other first-time attendees, we will be inviting representatives from all APA Divisions and APA Directorates.

11. What is the APA Exhibit Hall? Why should I go to it?

The APA Exhibits, located in Exhibit Halls A and B1of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, includes a wide range of exhibitors presenting ideas, techniques, books, and equipment of interest to scientists, academics, and practitioners. Exhibitors include test, book, and journal publishers, insurance companies, health care facilities, producers of mental health field related products, and many others. Many exhibitors provide special convention discounts, prizes, and "freebies" at their booths that make it to your advantage to schedule time to tour the Exhibits. Because the use of these products should be guided by the APA Ethical Principles, every effort is made to include only reliable and responsible firms; however, APA does not assume responsibility for displayed products and services. Exhibit Hall hours will be listed in the Convention Program book.

Special Exhibit Hall features include:

• Exhibits Only Hour: Thursday, August 14, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. With no competing substantive sessions, attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibits during the Exhibits Only Hour. Complimentary refreshments will highlight this hour.
• Massage Break Lounge: Certified massage therapists will be providing complimentary upper-body seated-chair massages during Exhibit Hall hours. The Massage Break Lounge is located in the 200 aisle in the exhibit area.
• Cyber Café: Registrants will be able to access their personal e-mail and use the local message system as well as electronically search for information during Exhibit Hall hours. The Cyber Café is located in the 1400 aisle of the exhibit area.
• Coffee with the Authors: Attendees are invited to join exhibitors on Saturday, August 16, from 10:00 am -11:00 am for author signings in the booths of participating book and test publishers. Coffee and pastries will be served on the show floor. Watch for details in the Convention Program supplement.
• APA Affinity Partners Pavilion (Booth 120): Check out the APA Affinity Pavilion sponsored by APA and its affinity partners featuring personal and professional benefits, including travel discounts (car rentals and hotels), computer products and technology, office products, financial services, and more.
• Boston Refresher: Join exhibitors on Friday, August 15, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm for an afternoon refresher of fruit smoothies.
• 2009 Toronto Preview: Visit the Exhibit Hall for complimentary coffee and a special Toronto preview treat on Sunday, August 16, 10:00 am-11:00 am

12. Where can I find out about potential employers?

Job opportunities for attendees can be found in the APA Exhibit Hall. Employer exhibit booths and PsycCareers, APA’s Online Career Center, are located in a section of the APA exhibits, Exhibit Halls A and B1, Exhibit Level, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The PsycCareers kiosk will be located in Booth 110.

13. Where do I get advice or assistance at the Convention with my questions?

A Convention Information Desk will be maintained in the APA Registration Area.

14. What is a hospitality suite?

Hospitality suites are usually located in Convention Headquarters Hotels and are coordinated by Divisions. Because Divisions do not know the locations of their hospitality suites until arrival at the Convention, a listing of locations is available at the Division Services booth and on signs posted in the lobby of each Convention Headquarters Hotels as well as all Convention facilities. In addition to providing an informal gathering place for Division members and those interested in the Division during the Convention, many Divisions also offer additional informal programming in their hospitality suite. Hospitality suite programming schedules may be obtained onsite either as a flyer included with program updates you receive in your Registration packet, flyers available at the Division Services booth, or may be posted on the door of the hospitality suite.

15. Does APA provide child care?

For financial reasons, APA does not provide on-site child care facilities. Parents who require child care during the Convention must make arrangements with existing child-care services in Boston. Hotels may offer child care and parents are encouraged to contact hotels directly in advance to make arrangements.

16. Can I access my e-mail at the Convention?

A free "Cyber-café" in the Exhibit Hall is open during exhibit hours. Using the APA Expocard, registrants may access their e-mail on a complimentary basis for a period of 10 minutes.

If you have your own laptop, free WiFi is available throughout the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

17. What is the APA Expocard?

The APA Expocard, a small plastic card containing individual registration information on a magnetic strip, will be sent to advance registrants and will be issued to on-site registrants when they arrive at the APA Registration Area in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Expocard is necessary to use the APA E-Mail Message Cyber Cafe. Simply insert your Expocard into a Cyber Café station and follow the simple directions.

The Expocard is also used by APA exhibitors in the Exhibit Area. If you wish to receive information from an exhibitor and there is an expocard reader in the booth, simply swipe your card in the reader. Information will be mailed to you after the convention.

In addition, in order to obtain CE credit at CE sessions, you will need to swipe your Expocard into readers at the entrance to the meeting room when you enter and when you leave the room.

III. OTHER QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT ARISE REGARDING CONVENTION DETAILS

1. Who developed the Convention program?

Various groups organize and select sessions for the program. The majority of the sessions are coordinated by APA Divisions. These sessions are either selected from proposals submitted to the Division Program Chair or invited programs developed by the Division. The majority of APA-wide programming is developed by the APA President, the Board of Convention Affairs, APA Directorates, and APA Governance groups. APA-wide programming is designed to present sessions that will be of interest to a broad cross section of the APA membership.

2. Are all presentations endorsed by APA or reflect APA policy?

Research conclusions, viewpoints, and comments expressed by program participants in program descriptions or in presentations scheduled during the APA Convention are those held expressly by the individual presenter and do not reflect policy of APA. Likewise, the content of videos and other media shown during the convention reflect the viewpoints of the filmmaker and its producers and not those of the APA.

3. How can I learn more about APA and the resources it offers me?

Please visit the APA Resource Center, which will be located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Exhibit Halls A and B1. The Center provides information about the Association’s programs and services. Staff will be available from the APA Science, Practice, Education, and Public Interest Directorates; Division Services; Membership Department; International Affairs; the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students; Early Career Psychologists; and the American Psychological Foundation. The hours of operation for the Resource Center will be listed in your Convention Program Book.

4. Can I purchase APA books and other merchandise at the Convention?

Conveniently located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Exhibit Halls A and B1, the APA Convention Store offers APA member prices to all convention attendees. The Convention Store will have more than 500 APA books, videos, pamphlets, and special issues of APA journals. Also check out our APA signature accessories, including always popular T-shirts, mugs, notebooks, and book bags. The APA Convention Store hours will be listed in your Convention Program book.

5. Can I post a sign or poster at the Convention?

Signs and notices should only be placed on the bulletin boards available in the APA Information Area. Unless a session in the program involves a time or room change, no sign or poster announcing it should be displayed. All signs and posters must be approved by APA.

6. I’ve never been to Boston. How can I learn about restaurants or other city information?

In addition to checking with your hotel concierge, information about the city of Boston and its restaurants is available for attendees by visiting the City Information Desk in the North Lobby of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau website also offers up to date information about the city at www.bostonusa.com. Information on public transportation in Boston is available through the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority at www.mbta.com.

APA will also be distributing The Boston City and Exhibit Hall Guide that contains a map of the city and a floor plan for the APA exhibit area. This Guide is sponsored by Riverside Publishing and will be available in the APA Registration Area.

As is the case in many big cities, it is wise to take care when you are out exploring your surroundings. In particular, as a tourist, it is important to use common sense. Removing your name tag when you are out walking will make your status as a tourist less obvious and may minimize some of the unwanted attention that tourists sometimes receive.

Baseball Tickets: A raffle drawing for Boston Red Sox tickets will take place at the Convention. A limited number of tickets for the game with the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, August 16, at 7:05 p.m. will be given to individuals (2 per person) whose names are drawn on Friday, August 15. Completed forms must be turned in by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15. Names of winners will be posted by 3:00 p.m. on Friday in the APA Registration Area. Forms for entering the raffle will be in your convention registration packet.

7. Where is next year’s APA Convention and how do I submit a proposal?

The 2009 Convention will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. A booklet containing registration, hotel, airline, and other information will be mailed with the April 2009 issue of the APA Monitor on Psychology and will be posted on the APA website.

The 2009 "Call for Programs" will be distributed in the September 2008 issue of the APA Monitor and will be posted on the APA website. The deadline for submitting proposals for the 2009 Convention is Monday, December 1, 2008. The deadline for CE workshop proposals is Monday, November 3, 2008.

IMPORTANT!! Currently, U.S. passports are required for U.S. citizens entering Canada and returning to the United States by air. By August 2009, a U.S. passport or a U.S. passport card will be required as well for travel by land and sea. Information and application forms for obtaining a passport are available at http://travel.state.gov/passport. Citizens or permanent residents of other countries must have a valid passport and/or a valid visitor’s visa.