NRPA Annual Conference FAQs

General Information

General Registration and Housing Information:

What is the address of the Convention Center?

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Call for general Information: (404) 223-4000
Convention Center website: https://www.gwcca.org/georgia-world-congress-center
Click HERE for Visit Atlanta (Convention & Visitor’s information)

Exhibitor Kit can be found HERE

Where can I find my membership ID number to register?

You can find your membership ID number by logging into your NRPA account. You can also contact NRPA’s Customer Service Team by emailing them at customerservice@nrpa.org or calling 800-626-NRPA (6772).

What is the registration fee? What does the registration cover?

All registration information can be found here.

If I have specific questions about my registration or housing or need to make changes how do I reach NRPA’s registration and housing partner MCI (previously known as Wyndham Jade)?

You can call them at 888-385-8010 (and 972-349-5891)
Use their Live Chat (Open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm CT)
Email them at nrpa@mcievents.com

Does my registration include tickets to NRPA ticketed events?

Please visit our registration page here https://conference.nrpa.org/registration/ to view all package inclusions.

There are separate registration fees for pre-conference workshops (PCWs), the Local Host organized Off-Site Institutes (OSIs) and Leisure Tours as well as the Golf Tournament and the 5K fun run/walk. Further details regarding all additional events and the conference schedule can be found on the NRPA Conference Website: https://conference.nrpa.org/local-host/

Are there any meals included with my full registration package?

Food will be provided at the Opening Reception on Tuesday evening and lunch on the exhibit hall on Wednesday afternoon.

Is there a discount on my hotel rate? If so how do I receive the discount?

NRPA has contracted with a number of hotels for the conference. The best place to check out your options and availability is here: https://conference.nrpa.org/hotel-information/

NRPA has secured 20 hotels for this year’s conference. As stated in the Registration Policies and Terms and on the Housing webpage, in order to guarantee NRPA Annual Conference attendees, exhibitors, and speakers the best housing rates and most convenient locations, NRPA is promoting the following:

Attendees must register for the conference prior to booking rooms at the following hotels: Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park, The Glenn Hotel (Autograph Collection), Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown, Hyatt Place Atlanta Centennial Park, Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center (Co-Headquarters Hotel), and the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at GWCC (NRPA Headquarters Hotel). Once the registration process is complete, attendees can continue directly to housing via a provided link or opt to use the RECORD ID number provided in the conference confirmation which can be used to book a room within these hotels at any time.

For attendees who need to register for the conference at a later date due to fiscal calendars or for other reasons but would like to reserve a room now, they may do so at any of the following hotels: AC Hotel Atlanta Downtown, Aloft Atlanta Downtown, The American Hotel Downtown Atlanta, The Candler Hotel (Curio Collection by Hilton), Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, Ellis Hotel (Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott), Hampton Inn and Suites Atlanta Downtown, Hilton Atlanta, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Atlanta Downtown, Home2 Suite Atlanta Downtown, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Reverb by Hard Rock Downtown Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza.

Can I pay my registration fee with a Purchase Order?

Yes, you can pay with a purchase order (PO). You will need the PO number and a copy of the actual PO to complete your registration. Policies for paying with a PO have changed in the last couple of years. All attendees using a PO should read our Registration Terms and Policies regarding POs as a form of payment. Here is the basic information:

All registrants will need to provide NRPA with (1) a valid Purchase Order number and (2) a copy of the Purchase Order with clear instructions to process registration. NRPA has the right to contact the agency or organization issuing the purchase order to confirm its validity. *All purchase orders and accompanying information must be received no later than Friday, September 6th, 2024. If any Purchase Order is not paid in full by the start of the conference, registrants will not be able to obtain conference materials and will NOT be permitted to attend. Onsite payments via check or credit card will be accepted. Cash payments are permitted; however, NRPA’s onsite registration is cashless so no change will be provided.

I would like to register more than four (4) people from my agency and we are Premier Members of NRPA. I understand this qualifies me for the Premier Agency Group Registration benefit. What is the best way to do that?

Premier Member Agency groups who purchase four (4) in-person Full Package Registrations will receive two (2) free Member Virtual Conference Passes. Premier group registration discounts are available for full package registrations only. You can download the form here: https://conference.nrpa.org/registration/

PLEASE NOTE: ALL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR THE GROUP DISCOUNT AT THE CONFERENCE MUST BE ON THE PREMIER AGENCY’S ACTIVE ROSTER IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS OFFER.

What is the Cancellation policy?

Any registration refund and cancellation requests must be provided in writing by Friday, September 13th, 2024 no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT and will incur a $100 administrative fee. Absolutely NO refunds will be issued if requested/postmarked after Friday, September 13th, 2024.

Military deployments are the ONLY exceptions for a refund past the cancellation deadline.

Attendees experiencing a Medical Emergency after the cancellation deadline may request to transfer their registration to a colleague OR to the next NRPA Annual Conference ONLY. If transferring to the next NRPA Annual Conference attendees must pay the difference in registration fees.

Requestors may submit cancellation/refund requests prior to the indicated cut-off date of Friday, September 13th, 2024 via the following:
Email: nrpa@mcievents.com
Mail: NRPA Annual Conference Registration
P.O. Box 5004
Merrifield, VA 22116-5004

If someone cannot attend can we substitute another person for an existing paid registration?

Yes. To do so please contact MCI at 888-385-8010 or email nrpa@mcievents.com. If you registered as a non-member and received a membership, that membership will also be transferred. If registrations are transferred it is often necessary to ensure that housing arrangements are changed as well.

Where should I mail the completed registration form and/or payment?

NRPA encourages participants to register online as it is the fastest way to complete the process and will provide an immediate email confirmation. If you need to mail in your registration form and payment, please be sure to include all necessary information and send them to:

NRPA Annual Conference Registration
P.O. Box 5004
Merrifield, VA 22116-5004

When does the Early Bird discount end?

The Early Bird deadline is Friday, August 23rd, 2024. After that date, the registration rates will increase. If you are registering after August 23rd, 2024 please register online or onsite–Please do not mail your registration form.

PLEASE NOTE: BADGES WILL NOT BE MAILED IN ADVANCE OF THE CONFERENCE. THE REGISTRATION AREA WILL HAVE PRE-REGISTRATION AND ONSITE REGISTRATION DESK. IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED IN ADVANCE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE PRE-REGISTRATION DESK TO PICK UP ALL OF YOUR CONFERENCE MATERIALS.

Can I attend an Off-Site Institute, Leisure Tour, or Pre-Conference Workshop if I am NOT attending the full Conference (i.e. education sessions etc.)?

Yes! This is possible. When completing the online registration, be sure to click on the radio button for “Additional Training Sessions Only” which will be your registration type. At that point, you will be able to select any of the add-on options and they should appear in your ‘cart’ for when you are ready to check out.

What hotel would NRPA recommend?

NRPA does not recommend any one hotel but instead provides a number of hotels from which to choose. These choices do need to consider whether an attendee has registered for the conference or not. There are different price points, different brands, and each hotel is a different distance from the Convention Center. Many of the hotels are within walking distance and a shuttle will be available for the further out hotel properties.

*** PLEASE NOTE: Important information regarding potential Housing Poachers: MCI (previously known as Wyndham Jade) is NRPA’s official housing bureau. Year after year we have been made aware of housing companies or travel agencies that may aggressively pursue you or your company/agency to book your guest rooms at significant discounts. Reservations made through these pirate agencies or companies should be avoided as many of them are scams that will charge your card with no reservation to show for it when you arrive. If you are contacted by anyone who says they are working on behalf of NRPA, please take their company information/phone number and notify us immediately. NRPA is not responsible for any housing issues occurring outside of our official housing block.

Do you have activities for spouses/guests?

Absolutely! The spouse/guest registration is available to individuals who are not in the field of parks and recreation but would like to accompany a registered individual to conference events. This registration type includes entry into the Opening General Session, the Exhibit Hall, and NRPA’s Opening Reception. Guests and spouses are not permitted to attend Educational Sessions, the NRPA Research Poster Sessions, or to assist at a booth in the Exhibit Hall. Members and Exhibitor booth personnel are not eligible to register as guests. Spouses/Guests are also welcome to purchase additional tickets for the golf tournament and/or 5K run/walk, Local Host sponsored Off-Site Institutes, and Leisure Tours.

Can I register my co-worker online?

The NRPA registration system allows the person who is logged in to electronically register themselves and a guest/spouse. If you would like to register more than one person, there are several ways this can be done:

1. You can call 888-385-8010 and the MCI customer service representatives will happily assist you.
2. If you are a Premier agency and plan on sending four or more representatives, NRPA does have a group registration discount. You can register these people through the Annual Conference registration website or download the group discount registration form.
3. You can complete a separate transaction and registration form for each participant or register them online. NRPA Member ID numbers will be required for each registrant.

NRPA Event Tickets

Tickets are required for access into the NRPA Opening Reception. Tickets are included in the Full, Young Professional, Retired, and Spouse/Guest registration packages. Tickets for evening events are not included with the Student and Exhibit Hall Only registration packages. Tickets may be purchased separately online or onsite at the registration desk. Replacements for lost tickets will be charged at full price. For additional reference feel free to contact NRPA Customer Service for a list of registration package inclusions.

Hotel Shuttles to/from the Atlanta Convention Center

Conference shuttle service will be available to/from select hotels. https://conference.nrpa.org/shuttle-schedule/

Badge Ribbons

There are many ribbons available to recognize your affiliation with NRPA. Ribbons will be available in the registration area at the convention center. Be sure to attach the appropriate ribbons to your badge and wear them with pride.

Conference Etiquette

To make the conference experience an enjoyable event for all attendees, we ask that you please keep the following in mind (this information is also included in our Registration Policies and Terms):

• As a courtesy to our speakers and other conference attendees, please refrain from cell phone conversations and turn your ringer off during presentations and education sessions.
• Please keep in mind that participants of this conference are in attendance to learn. In consideration of all attendees, we ask that you please take any conversations that are unrelated to the program outside of the session rooms.
• In order to accommodate environmental sensitivities of some of your peers, please refrain from wearing scented products to include perfumes or colognes while attending the conference—especially the sessions. Some individuals may suffer from chemical sensitivities such as MCS and are in attendance to participate in this valuable educational forum and social events.

Wi-Fi/Internet Access

Complimentary Wi-Fi access at the conference will be available in the education session rooms and the Convention Center common areas such as the registration area. We are working on determining if a password will be needed. If a password is needed we will have signage throughout the convention center with the details.

Where can I nurse/pump?

GWCCA has partnered with Mamava to provide two self-contained pods that give lactating people a private place to nurse and/or pump. These pods are conveniently located in Building A right across from the Sidney Marcus Auditorium as well as in Building B. The Mamava pod in Building B is stationed right near the escalator on Level 4. *Please note that the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference is in Building B.*

Accessibility

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs will be available to attendees at the Hospitality and Accessibility Kiosk located near registration. For more information or questions please email events@nrpa.org.