Frequently Asked Questions

For ease of navigation, we have divided the FAQ into three overarching categories:
Registration | Preparing for Exchange 2008 | Your Time at Exchange

Registration
1) What is the purpose of Vertex Exchange 2008?
2) If I have a problem registering on-line, who should I contact?
3) I am not sure if I should sign up for a particular session. Is there anyone I can contact for further information?
4) Will you be offering any group airfare discounts to the conference?
5) I can only attend one day of the conference, is there a single day price?
6) Can I receive a discount if I send more than one attendee?
7) What is the room rate to stay at the hotel?
8) Can I extend my hotel stay beyond the conference block?
9) Can I stay at other hotels?
10) What are the conference and hotel cancellation policies?
11) How do I change my registration information?
12) What is the cost of the conference and what methods of payment do you accept for the registration and related fees?
13) I cannot attend the conference; may I obtain transcripts of the event?
14) What can I do if a course is already full?
Preparing for Exchange 2008
1) What is the dress code for the conference?
2) What is the conference policy on bringing families, and will there be activities?
Your Time at Exchange
1) Where is Sheraton San Diego located?
2) Will airport transportation be provided?
3) What is the cost of parking at the Sheraton San Diego ?
4) Will I have an opportunity to meet with product experts at the conference?
5) How many CPE credits can I earn at Exchange?
6) Are there groups of customers with common interests (i.e. special interest groups) who meet during the conference?
7) Where can I rent a car?

Registration
1) What is the purpose of Vertex Exchange 2008?
Vertex Exchange 2008 is your opportunity to learn the latest tips and tricks for your Vertex product, explore new solutions from Vertex, engage Vertex subject matter experts and network with other tax and IT professionals.
2) If I have a problem registering on-line, who should I contact?
Please e-mail Courtney Smith at csmith@npmeet.com  or contact us toll free 866-912-7313 or 630-416-8801 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CDT
3) I am not sure if I should sign up for a particular session. Is there anyone I can contact for further information?
Please review the abstracts on the website for detailed information about each session. If you still have questions, please send us an email at csmith@npmeet.com..
4) Will you be offering any group airfare discounts to the conference?
Due to people’s desire to use their own preferred carrier and the many low internet airfares offered, we have found it more cost effective for our guests to secure their own travel arrangements. 
5) I can only attend one day of the conference, is there a single day price?
We apologize, but there is only the three-day package available for this conference. The event has been carefully structured to optimize participant's time to achieve maximum learning value.

6) Can I receive a discount if I send more than one attendee?
We've worked to price the conference as reasonably as possible for every attendee. Therefore, there is one low registration fee for all who attend. However, if you register before July 31 you can receive a $100 discount per person.

7) What is the room rate to stay at the hotel?
We have a negotiated a group rate of $219 (single or double occupancy) plus tax (currently 12.57%). Extra rollaway beds are $25 per bed, per night.

8) Can I extend my hotel stay beyond the conference block?
If you would like to extend your stay, we may be able to extend this rate to you subject to availability. Please let us know by entering your request in the special request box on the accommodation form. Please do not call Sheraton directly as we have a group block at the hotel. We will respond within 2 business days.
9) Can I stay at other hotels?
There are no restrictions. However, past attendees have found it beneficial to be at the same hotel as the conference and with other attendees. We do encourage you to stay at our host hotel, the San Diego Sheraton. Vertex has negotiated a discounted rate anticipating that most attendees would stay at this venue.
10) What are the conference and hotel cancellation policies?

Registration Fee

Vertex Notified by:
Policy
Over 30 days (before September 19)
Full refund
14 to 30 days (Between October 6 – September 19)
$200 penalty
14 days or less (After October 6)
No refund

Hotel policy requires you provide at least 72 hours notification in the event you need to reduce the number of nights reserved.

If you need to cancel completely, we must receive all notifications on or before Sept. 19, 2008. 
Reservations cancelled after that date will be charged one night's room & tax to their credit card.

11) How do I change my registration information?
If you need to make a change, open your confirmation email, copy the confirmation code provided and click on the link as instructed. Once the window opens to your registration, you will need to paste the confirmation code into the box as requested. From there you will access your registration and can click on the appropriate link to make your changes. Please follow directions completely in order to save your changes. Upon completion, you will receive a new confirmation email reflecting the previous details AND the new details.

If you are having problems, contact us at csmith@npmeet.com or by calling toll free 866-912-7313 or 630-416-8801 between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CDT.

12) What is the cost of the conference and what methods of payment do you accept for the registration and related fees?

The cost of the conference is $1,295 if you take advantage of the early bird special before July 31, 2008. After that the cost is $1,395.

We accept Visa/MasterCard or American Express.  We will charge your card approximately 14 days after your registration. 

You may also request to be invoiced for your registration.  All payments must be received before start of the conference.

13) I cannot attend the conference; may I obtain transcripts of the event?
Due to the nature of the conference and the potential for sensitive discussion to occur, sessions will not be taped or recorded for purchase/distribution.
14) What can I do if a course is already full?
Often a course is offered more than once, so please check to see if a second session is offered. If you still want to "wait list" yourself, you are welcome to do so. We will send you an email advising if a class opens up or if you are able to be confirmed a seat. You can also check for any last minute cancellations while on-site at the conference.
Preparing for Vertex Exchange 2008

1) What is the dress code for the conference?
The dress code for the conference, including the receptions, is business casual attire. The average temperature in San Diego during the month of October is 68°F.
2) What is the conference policy on bringing families, and will there be activities?
Naturally, you can bring family members and guests if you so choose, but conference activities are solely for attendees with the exception of the Monday night event aboard the USS Midway. Guests must be over 21 years of age and there will be an extra charge of $95.00 per guest.
Your Time at Exchange
1) Where is Sheraton San Diego located?
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
5 minutes / 0.64 miles from San Diego Airport Check-in time is 3:00 PM Checkout is 12:00 Noon

2) Will airport transportation be provided?
Yes, the hotel has a courtesy shuttle leaving the terminal area every twenty minutes
3) What is the cost of parking at the Sheraton San Diego?
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina has the following parking available: valet parking at $26.00 USD a day, self parking at $20.00 USD a day. It is an uncovered parking garage. In and out privileges apply for valet parking only. Sheraton also stated that if you wish to use hourly parking it is $4.00 USD per hour to a maximum of $20.00 USD per day
4) Will I have an opportunity to meet with product experts at the conference?
Absolutely. Representatives of our product management team will be on-site at the conference. Vertex subject matter experts can always be found at the Vertex Resource Center.
5) How many CPE credits can I earn at Exchange?
You will have the opportunity to earn over 20 CPE credits.
6) Are there groups of customers with common interests (i.e. special interest groups) who meet during the conference?
Yes, there will be focused sessions and roundtable forums dedicated to specific industries, products and ERP vendors including Oracle and SAP. Additionally, our meal times will provide opportunities to meet folks from similar lines of tax, industries, etc. (see Networking Activities page)

7) Where can I rent a car?
The closest car rental agency would be either Hertz, Avis and National. Each are located across the street from the hotel. Enterprise Car Rental is also an option because they will pick up the guests at the hotel.