2013 Congress Attendees: Final Instructions

Congress Registration Hours

Saturday, March 2       7am – 5pm
Sunday, March 3         7am – 5pm
Monday, March 4         7am – 5pm
Tuesday, March 5        7am – 5pm
Wednesday, March 6   7am – 5pm

Registration, Badges, Tickets, and Attendee Materials

Upon your arrival to the San Diego Convention Center, please proceed to the “Bag Pick-Up” station located in Lobby D (Saturday – Monday) to get your official conference bag that will contain a plethora of important information. You may also visit the Registration area located in the Sails Pavilion (upper level) for additional registration assistance. The Exhibit Guides and other additional exhibitor offers and information will be available at the various entrances to the Exhibit Hall (on exhibit days).
Be sure to keep your badge with you at all times while in the Convention Center for easy access to the Congress Connection Center (where you can submit evaluations for CE credit), the Exhibit Hall floor, and for all the other fun events planned for the week.

Taxis, Parking, and Driving Directions

The San Diego Convention Center is located downtown at 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Detailed instructions and a map.

Shuttle Bus Information

Shuttle bus service is provided between official AORN hotels and the San Diego Convention Center (outside Lobby D/E). The following hotels are considered within walking distance and will not have shuttle service:
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Hilton Bayfront
• Hilton Gaslamp Quarter
• Horton Grand Hotel
• Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp
• Hotel Solamar
• Marriott Gaslamp
• Marriott Marquis & Marina
• Omni San Diego
• Residence Inn by Marriott - Gaslamp
Shuttles will operate on a peak schedule Saturday, March 2 through Thursday, March 7. A shuttle bus schedule is available in the Congress Program (included in your attendee bag), and flyers will be available at the Information Desk at the San Diego Convention Center. Look for signs in each hotel lobby with schedule information.

AORN Resource Center (Booth #5428)

AORN staff from the Center for Nursing Practice, Perioperative Education, Government Affairs, and Member Services will be in the AORN Resource Center during exhibit hours to provide the latest information on AORN products and services.

Education Handouts Online

Please print your Session Handouts in Advance. No printing will be available on-site. All registered attendees have access in advance and for 30 days after Congress to available Education Session Handouts. You can also access the link from the AORN Congress website and clicking on the Congress Handouts section on the home page. Remember to print and bring the handouts with you to Congress for the sessions you plan to attend.

Congress Orientation

If you are a first-timer or would like a refresher on Congress, you'll want to attend the free Congress Orientation session on Sunday, March 3, 11:30am-1pm, in Ballroom 20a-b.

Congress Education

There have been several changes to the education schedule since the distribution of the brochures. Please review the Congress Program and Exhibit Guide carefully for the session you wish to attend.

AORN Congress Posters

Congress posters will be available online where viewers can enjoy the ease of taking notes and sharing the content with others online. (Online posters will be available March 2.) Notes and bookmark tools will create a personalized summary of the poster information for you to share with your colleagues, or to reference, as a concise summary of the great posters you saw at Congress.

AORN Education Hub

Bring your coffee and relax while learning. The Education Hub in Ballroom 20d is bigger and better for Congress 2013. Stop by if a session room is full or if you missed a session you wanted to hear. Use headphones and select from four live or four repeated sessions playing at the same time on eight different screens. Live sessions will be streamed to the Education Hub. Four repeat sessions will also be available. The repeat sessions are noted on the Program Book. You may earn contact hours for each session you view per timeframe.

Exhibit Hall Resources

You can use the following resources to make the most of your exhibit hall experience, whether you are gathering information and CE for your own knowledge, or to take back to your facility.
• Visit the Exhibit Hall to search for exhibitors by name or product category. Plan your trip in advance.
• Look for your copy of the Exhibit Guide at the entrances to the Exhibit Hall starting Monday, March 4.
• Congress Mail Online: print coupons, offers, and information from the year’s top exhibitors.
• Education on the Floor: Visit these booths offering CE at their exhibits.
• Featured Product Showcase: See the latest and greatest online and onsite.

Exhibit Hall Hours:

Monday, March 4       4:30 – 7pm
Tuesday, March 5       9am – 3pm
Wednesday, March 6 10am – 3pm

Exhibit Hall Opening Reception

Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall Opening Reception on Monday, 4:30-7pm for networking, food and prizes. Check your attendee bag for food vouchers redeemable in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, special AORN commemorative giveaways will be distributed on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Limited supplies.)

Candidate Voting

Officers, Board of Directors, and the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee will be elected via electronic ballot by all eligible voting members. The online electronic ballot is available on the AORN Home Page at aorn.org until Midnight (EST) Wednesday, March 6.

5K Race Registration and Bag Pick-Up

Pre-registered racers must pick up their race bags for the 5K run/walk at the AORN Foundation Booth in Sails Pavilion by Monday at 5pm. On-site registration to participate in the race will also be available at the Foundation booth through Monday (you may also register on-site at the race on Tuesday).

Silent Auction

Make plans to visit the AORN Foundation Silent Auction. Bid on vacation packages, electronics, jewelry, sports memorabilia, and more! Bidding closes at 1:30pm on Tuesday. Winners MUST PICK UP THEIR ITEMS between 1 and 5pm on Wednesday.
Silent Auction Hours:
Sunday: 9am – 1:30pm
Monday: 8am – 4 pm
Tuesday: 8am – 1:30 pm (Auction Closes)
Wednesday: 11:30am-2pm (Item pick up ONLY)

60th Congress Celebration & AORN Foundation “White Party” Benefit

Celebrate the 60th Annual Congress in style. Come dressed to impress in your whitest whites and dance the night away at the AORN Foundation’s 60th Congress Celebration White Party at FLUXX San Diego. Located in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter and only a five-minute walk from the Convention Center, FLUXX is the newest addition to Downtown San Diego’s upscale and sophisticated nightlife and event scene. Doors open at 8pm on Tuesday, March 5. Tickets available for purchase at Foundation booth in Sails Pavilion through Tuesday.

Zumba Fitness Class

Get pumped up for the week of Congress by attending the Foundation’s ZUMBA fitness class Monday morning at 6:30am at the Marriott Marquis & Marina Hotel. ZUMBA is an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Foundation booth in Sails Pavilion Saturday and Sunday.

Discount Coupons for AORN Attendees

Local San Diego merchants have created specials just for AORN attendees. Download and print coupons to use during Congress.

Sightseeing Tours and Networking Opportunities

With fantastic weather, miles of gorgeous beaches, and a plethora of attractions, San Diego is known as one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the world! There are a variety of tour/activity options available. Please visit our website for more information and to register or visit the Tours Desk in Lobby D.

AORN will honor outstanding individual perioperative nurses, showcase chapter excellence, and recognize dedicated authors during the following General Sessions in Hall B1.
 

Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing

Sunday, March 3
1:30 – 3:30pm

Chapter Excellence Awards

Sunday, March 3
1:30 – 3:30pm

Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award

Monday, March 4
2:45 – 4:15 pm

Individual Achievement Awards

Wednesday, March 6
5:15 – 6:45 pm

Writers’ Contest Awards

Wednesday, March 6
5:15 – 6:45 pm
A photo display of individual recipients will be located in the Sails Pavilion.

Live Congress updates through AORN's various social media networks

AORN will be sharing event information in real time via Twitter @aorn, and you will also find daily recaps at AORN's Facebook page. Join the conversation by sharing your Congress experiences on Twitter using #aorncongress. You can also follow AORN on Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, and SlideShare.

Become a Delegate at Congress

In addition to chapter delegates, any eligible voting member who attends Congress can serve as a delegate (see AORN Bylaws Article VIII, Section 1, for the voting body details). If you are not serving as a chapter delegate, and you would like vote on AORN business, sign-up to serve as a delegate on-site at the Become a Delegate Counter in the Sails Pavilion.

Volunteers Needed

There are many Session Assistant and Moderator assignments available throughout the week. To volunteer, please stop by the Speaker Prep Room to sign up.

AORN Bookstore

Get your 2013 edition of Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, and other newly released AORN publications, speaker books and gift items at the AORN Bookstore. The bookstore is located in the Sails Pavilion.

Education Posters

Poster displays will be in the lobby on Level 1. Corporate Support for posters provided by BERCHTOLD.

Internet Café

Bring your wireless-enabled laptop to the Internet Café in the Sails Pavilion on the upper level and connect to the Internet for free! Corporate Support provided by a grant from Stryker through AORN.

Stay connected with Congress News

Congress News is the AORN publication that focuses exclusively on Congress events, awards, and other special highlights. Daily print issues publish Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and are free to attendees. Thursday’s issue is online only. All Congress News content is available online.

2014 Congress Education Sessions Proposals/Poster Abstracts

AORN will be accepting education session proposals for 2014 Congress through May 2013. Poster abstracts will be accepted through October 2013. More information.
If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-755-2676 or stop by the Attendee Services Desk at Congress. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

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