Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)


  16. Do you allow substitutions?
  17. Where is the nearest airport?
  18. Where can I find driving directions?

1. How do I register?

There are two ways to register: 1) Print the registration form (available June 15, 2008) and return it with your payment . If you are paying with a check, (personal or corporate), send the completed form to us by US mail to the address indicated on the registration form.  If you are paying with a credit card, you may either fax the completed form along with your credit card information, or send it to us by US mail. 2)  Register online with your credit card. Online registration will be available in August 2008. 

Group registrations are not available online. For more information on group registrations, see FAQ number 4 below. 


2. What forms of payment do you accept?

You may pay by check or credit card. We accept checks from your school or business, as well as personal checks. We accept the following credit cards: Visa and MasterCard. 

We do not accept Purchase Orders. If you send your registration with a purchase order as payment, your registration will not be processed.


3. I'm a Presenter. Do I need to register and pay for the conference?

Presenters must register and pay for the conference. Presenters are offered a 20% discount the conference registration fee and Monday workshops. There is no discount on Monday pre-conference tours or the Tuesday lunch. Please register using the “Presenter Registration” form sent with your confirmation packet to receive the discount.

Presenters must register for the conference by January 2, 2009.  If you are not registered by this deadline, your session will be canceled.


4. How do I register as part of a group? Is there a group discount?

We encourage groups from schools or institutions to come as a team, to work together, and to take back an agenda for change. Meeting rooms will be set aside for groups from a school, district or agency –see the official program upon arrival for room locations and available times. 

Groups of 10 or more registered together with the same check or credit card receive a 20% group discount off the conference fee and Monday pre-conference workshops.   There is no discount on Monday pre-conference tours or the Tuesday lunches.  Each member of the group must completely fill out a registration form. Send or fax the batch of registrations with payment in full. Group registrations are not available online.


5. I'm a presenter coming with a group. May I take advantage of both discounts?

Sorry, you are entitled to only one 20% discount.


6. Is there a special conference rate at nearby hotels?

Each participating conference hotel listed on our website offers discounted conference room rates. When you make your reservation, mention that you are attending  “Careers Conference 2009” and would like a room at the conference rate. These special rates will be offered through January 7, 2009. The conference hotel fills up early; make your reservation early to guarantee a room.


7. Are tours included with my registration fee?

All Tuesday tours to educational and workplace sites are included in the registration fee. Tour sign-up sheets will be available on Monday, January 26th in the hotel lobby.  

Pre-conference tours will be offered for an additional fee. Check the tours section of our website for tour locations and cost.


8. What kinds of credit can I earn for attending the conference?

There are three types of credit available: 1) A Certificate of Attendance issued by the Center on Education and Work is available to all attendees who complete and submit the Credit Application; 2) University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Education Units are available for qualified applicants for a fee of $7.40 and 3) NBCC credit for certified counselors can be earned by attending the Careers Conference.   

Careers Conference content meets several standards of Wisconsin PI34 Professional Development plans. Hours of attendance and credits will be awarded based on sessions, workshops and qualified tours attended. Approximate credit hours available include: 4 hours for half-day workshops, 8 hours for full-day workshops, 3.5 hours for Monday workplace tours, 7.5 hours for the full-day conference on Tuesday, and 5 hours for the full-day conference on Wednesday .

In addition, academic credit can be earned through Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, by attending Careers Conference 2009. The cost (subject to change) is $219.93 for one undergraduate credit, and $304.43 for one graduate credit. If you are interested in earning academic credit please contact us prior to attending Careers Conference for more information.


9. When will I receive a confirmation that I am registered?

Registrations are processed as they are received.  Online registration has the quickest turn-around time.  Please allow two weeks if you send your registration through the mail. If you have questions about the status of your registration, please call the telephone number provided on the registration form.


10. Are meals included with my registration fee?

Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast and the Conference Reception on Tuesday evening. The Madison Concourse Hotel offers excellent food at its restaurants, and in addition, there are many restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance at all price ranges. 

For an additional fee, a luncheon will be held for conference participants in the Grand Ballroom on Tuesday.  Please indicate your choice on the Registration Form.


11. What is there to do in the evenings at the conference?

Find out why Madison consistently ranks as one of the top places to live in the country.  Visit these websites to discover what is happening in Madison: www.visitdowntownmadison.com, www.thedailypage.com, www.madisondining.com, www.madisonmagazine.com.  The Madison Concourse Hotel is located just off the Capitol Square within walking distance of the Overture Center, The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Memorial Union, and dining and shopping on State Street.


12. I am not staying at the Madison Concourse Hotel. How will I get to the conference?

A free conference shuttle will provide transportation from the Madison Concourse Hotel to participating conference hotels listed on our website. Hotel shuttle schedules will be posted in the main lobby at all hotels. If you are not staying at one of the conference hotels, you must provide your own transportation to and from the conference. While the Best Western Inntowner is a participating conference hotel, they will provide a shuttle service directly from the hotel to the conference site.  If you are staying at the Inntowner, you will arrange for shuttle service directly with the hotel.


13. Where can I park?

The Madison Concourse Hotel has limited parking available at a discounted rate of $5.00 per day.  To get the discounted rate, stop by the conference Registration desk after you have parked and request a coupon.  Public parking is available at the State Street Ramp, 214 N. Carroll Street, located just down the block from the conference hotel.  Parking fees are charged hourly during the day, at $.85 per hour.  To view a map of this parking ramp or for more information on downtown parking visit:www.cityofmadison.com/parking/parking.html. For your convenience, all participating conference hotels will have shuttle service to the Madison Concourse Hotel eliminating the need to drive and park downtown.


14. Are accommodations available at the conference?

The Center on Education and Work will make every reasonable effort to provide accommodations to those who submit a request in writing by December 15, 2008.


15. Can I get a refund if I have to cancel my registration?

Refunds are given, less the cancellation fee, for all cancellation requests received in writing (email, fax or regular mail) by 4:00 pm on January 9, 2009. There is a $50 cancellation fee for each individual registration; and a $100 fee for exhibitors. No refunds are made after the cutoff date of January 9th.


16. Do you allow substitutions?

Yes, if your plans change, and you are unable to attend, we will transfer your registration to a colleague. There is no deadline for substitutions.


17. Where is the nearest airport?

The Dane County Regional Airport is 5.5 miles from downtown Madison. Visit their website at www.msnairport.com. The Concourse Hotel is located just 10 minutes from the Dane County Airport. A complimentary hotel shuttle is available to guests staying at the Concourse Hotel: Hotel guests should use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area at Dane County Airport to contact the hotel upon arrival.

Other nearby airports include:

Mitchell International Airport
Milwaukee, WI
Distance from Madison: 84 miles
www.mitchellairport.com

Chicago Rockford International Airport
Rockford, IL
Distance from Madison: 80 miles
www.flyrfd.com

18. Where can I find driving directions?

Madison's midwest location places it within driving distance from many states including IA, IL, MI, IN, MN, OH, KS, MO, ND, and SD, and is easily accessible via major highways.

Link to Mapquest
http://www.mapquest.com/

Map and directions to the Madison Concourse Hotel
(conference site)
http://www.concoursehotel.com/directions_main.html