Spouse and Guest Program
Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), Entrance Concourse
Friday, Nov. 7, to Tuesday, Nov. 11

The Spouse and Guest Program is a social program open to all spouses, family members and guests accompanying Joint Meeting registrants. Tours are offered daily during the meeting. A coworker or an associate within the industry may not use the Spouse and Guest registration category.

• General Information
• Tours and Activities
• Preregistration
• Cancellations and Refunds
• Onsite Registration and Tour Ticket Sales
• Tour Departures
• Children
• ADA/Special Assistance
  

• A “guest” is a significant other, family member, friend or adult child (18 or older) of a Joint Meeting registrant. A coworker or associate within the industry may not use the Spouse and Guest registration category.
• Spouses who are physicians must register for the 2008 Joint Meeting as attendees if they wish to receive verification of attendance or CME credit. (See the Advance Program for details about Joint Meeting registration.)
• Joint Meeting registrants (i.e., physicians, health professionals, technicians, etc.) may order tour tickets on the enclosed registration form and do not need to pay the Spouse and Guest registration fee.
• Exhibitors may not purchase tour tickets in advance. However, they may purchase tour tickets onsite, as available. Registration for exhibitors and their guests or spouses can be done in advance or onsite at Exhibitor Registration.

Tours and Activities

• Use the Online Program to browse tours and activities.
• Download the 2008 Spouse and Guest Program (PDF 1,212K).

Preregistration

• Spouses and guests must be registered for the 2008 Joint Meeting in order to purchase tickets for the tour program, visit the Exhibit Hall, attend scientific sessions and purchase instruction course tickets onsite. Spouse and guest registration can be completed online, which is the most efficient way to register with immediate confirmation provided. You may also complete and return the preregistration form located in the Advance Program.
• NOTE: Some tours have extremely limited capacities, so you are encouraged to register and purchase tour tickets as soon as possible for the best selection.
• To receive your badge in the mail, you must register by Sept. 10. Online registration is open until Wednesday, Oct. 15. If you register between Sept. 10 and Oct. 15, you must pick up your badge onsite. After Oct. 15, you may still register onsite and purchase tickets, if available.
• Registration is now open to AAO and AAOE members and nonmembers.

Preregistration Confirmation

• All registrants will be sent a confirmation e-mail or letter once their registration form is received and processed. If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks of posting your registration, e-mail registration@aao.org. Receipt of faxes cannot be confirmed by phone. If you require confirmation of receipt, we recommend that you send your form by overnight carrier.

Preregistration Packets

• Preregistration packets will be mailed in late October to all attendees who register by Wednesday, Sept. 10. These packets are your official credentials; bring them with you to Atlanta.
• If you register in advance but do not receive an preregistration packet before traveling, you must pick up your materials onsite in the registration area.

Cancellations and Refunds

• To cancel your Spouse and Guest Program registration and receive a refund, a written request including your name and Academy identification number must be received at the Academy by Wednesday, Sept. 10. A $50 processing fee will be assessed per canceled registration. No refunds will be given for cancellation requests received after the Sept. 10 deadline.
• Payment by credit card is recommended, as the credit card will be charged only for tour tickets received. For payments made by check or money order, a refund check will be sent for tour tickets not received.
• Tickets to sold-out events may become available onsite; check in at the registration area.
• Tours with insufficient enrollment are subject to cancellation.
• NOTE: Tours will not be canceled due to inclement weather, so plan accordingly.
• The tour company reserves the right to make comparable substitutions if circumstances beyond their control necessitate a change in any element of the published program.

Onsite Registration and Tour Ticket Sales

Tour Departures
GWCC, Entrance Concourse, at the Spouse Tour Departure Desk

• Tour buses will depart from and return to the Georgia World Congress Center from Building B, Level 4 Entrance Concourse. We encourage you to meet at the Spouse Tour Departure Desk to depart as a group. If you plan to find your own transportation to or from a tour and you need directions, visit the registration desk for assistance.
• Transportation is provided on all tours, except where noted with an asterisk (*).
• Allow sufficient time to reach the Spouse Tour Departure Desk in Building B, Level 4 Entrance Concourse; refunds cannot be made for latecomers who miss the tour bus.

Children

• Children 17 years of age and under receive complimentary registration in the Spouse and Guest Program. However, a registration form must be filled out in each child’s name in order for them to receive a badge and gain access to events and the Exhibit Hall.
• Children may enter the Exhibit Hall only if they are wearing a badge and are accompanied by a registered adult.
• Tours with the  icon are geared toward the interests of children.

Child Care Options in Atlanta

• Due to the lack of participation in the past, the Academy will not be offering a child care program this year. Consult the concierge at your hotel for recommendations.

ADA/Special Assistance

• If you have a disability that may influence your participation in the Spouse and Guest Program, attach a written description of your disability-related needs to your registration form. To ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations, the Meetings Department must receive notification of your need by no later than Wednesday, Oct. 1.
• Some of the tours include visits to historic buildings that cannot provide access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All tours that are fully ADA-accessible are marked with the  icon.