We've tried to come up with the most frequently asked question's to help everyone.  If we've missed something, let us know!

We will update this page as often as possible!

Where are the conference functions located? This year, all conference sessions, symposia, registration and exhibit hall will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center.  Various meetings as well as the President's Celebration will take place at the host hotel, the Baltimore Hilton.

What are the special events during the conference? On Thursday night, the Maryland Branch of IDA will hold a social event, The Best of Baltimore atop Baltimore's World Trade Center which includes local fare, beer and wine, live music, entertainment and more.  On Friday Night, we will hold the annual President's Celebration in the Holiday Ballroom of the Baltimore Hilton.

What about meals? For the most part, meals are on your own.  There will be hors d'oeuvres during the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening on Wednesday evening as well as refreshment breaks in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday afternoon that are complimentary.  Meals are included in special events.  There are numerous dining options in the Baltimore Convention Center (including the Exhibit Hall), Conference hotels and endless restaurants in the neigborhood. 

What about pets? Service animals are always welcome.  Unfortunately, our conference is not pet-friendly for non-service animals. 

What exactly is in the Exhibit Hall?   The Exhibit Hall includes a variety of schools, corporations, tutor training centers, publishers, etc... who offer products and services.  The Exhibit Hall is a great way to learn one-on-one about amazing products including the latest remediation tools, assistive technology, play therapy and more!  Click Here for more information about the Exhibit Hall.

Do you have child care services so my spouse and I can both attend the conference?  The IDA does not offer childcare services at this time.

What is the dress code? In general, business casual is appropriate for all session related functions.  Some meetings or special events require a different dress code and will be designated where applicable.

What all is included in the Registration Fee? The registration fee covers your entry into all concurrent sessions, plenary sessions, Conference Kick-Off, and Exhibit Hall (including grand-opening).  Some events require an additional ticket purchase, like the Friday night President's Celebration. Click Here for registration rates.

Can I become a Member and register for the conference at the same time? Yes you can!  There will be an option to join/renew as a member and register simultaneously.

Are there scholarships? IDA Headquarters offers a few scholarships for atendees. Check back soon for information and applications.  Additionally, many Branches of IDA will also offer scholarships.  Click Here to find your branch.

Do I need to choose my sessions ahead of time? Yes, you do.  While the majority of our rooms are large, there is the possibility of exceeding the number of seats for any given session.  Due to fire code, we cannot exceed a specified number per room.  To eliminate any difficulty onsite, we require attendees to sign-up for their sessions in advance.  Each attendees badge lists the session numbers they have registered for to ensure those who have signed up for a session can attend.  Sessions do fill to capactity so to ensure you get the sessinos you want, select them as early as possible.

Can I sign up for two sessions at the same time? No, the system will prevent this from occurring for reasons stated above.  If you decide you want to switch sessions on site, all you need to do is go to the registration booth, where the staff will happily change your selection and re-print your badge.

Can I get handouts for the presentations? It is up to the speakers to provide any handouts for their sessions.  If they have agreed to, we will provide PDF copies of their sessions on our website after the conference.

Can I get CEU's?   The IDA Conference offers CEU's from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).  Both are available at an additional charge and require registration and paperwork to be completed on site.  Please visit the Continuing Education Booth on site for sign-up.  IDA offers a Certificate of Attendance that is emailed to all registrants after the conference.  Depending on the rules and regulations of your accrediting bodies or departments of education, this can often be used to obtain credit.  You will need to check with your accrediting body prior to the conference to confirm this.  Check back soon for more CEU information.

Can I audio record/video the sessions?  To protect the privacy of our speakers, no attendee may record any session.  However, if a presenter has agreed, IDA audio records sessions that will be available for purchase. 

How can I purchase audio recordings for sessions I don’t attend?  Convention Recordings, Inc. audio records all sessions for which the presenters have given permission.  You may purchase these recordings during registration, on-site, or after the conference.  Click Here for previous year's conference recordings.

Can this come off my taxes as a professional development cost? Please consult your tax professional to determine if this conference would qualify you for any type of tax deduction.