FAQs - 2020 Executive Conference

  • Question: Given the COVID-19/coronavirus situation, will the CSIA Executive Conference still take place? 
    • Answer: After careful consideration by the CSIA Board of Directors, it was decided to cancel the 2020 Executive Conference and reschedule to April 26-30, 2021 at the same location.  

  • Question: What brought about this decision?
    • Answer: From the beginning, our decision to hold our flagship conference was based on advice from local and national health officials (including the CDC) and whether we could provide a truly safe environment in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) recently being deemed a global pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their event guidance on 3/15/2020 and directed organizations to cancel events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. This makes it impossible for us to hold our conference in 2020.

  •  Question: Will you host the 2020 Executive Conference virtually?
    • Answer: There are currently no definitive plans to hold the 2020 Executive Conference in a virtual format in its entirety. However, both the CSIA annual business meeting, the awards ceremony and CEO update will be hosted virtually. CSIA will continue to explore other ways throughout the year to deliver valuable and meaningful content to its members.
      • We know that the current situation represents a big challenge to all, in particular to our main membership segment, the smaller SI companies. As a small enterprise ourselves we empathize. We are working to set up an online forum to allow SIs to share experiences and advice on how to cope with the present situation.

    • More information will follow soon. 

  • Question: Will you host the Best Practices Workshop virtually?
    • Answer: The CSIA Board of Directors is currently exploring this as an option and will reach out to those registered for the 2020 Best Practices Workshop directly with a decision prior to May 2020.
 
  • Question: What are my options to cancel registration?
    • Answer: We realize this is a difficult time for everyone, not only personally but professionally as companies evaluate the financial impact of this crisis on their own businesses. CSIA is no different. The conference represents a key contributor to our funding and the cancellation leaves us with a challenging financial situation.
    • Therefore, we are offering attendees two options regarding their conference registration, sponsorship and/or expo participation:
      • The first is a full refund – waiving the $50 cancellation fee, no questions asked.
      • The second is a deferment – rolling over the fees and applying them to the 2021 event. We hope you are able to choose the second option to help secure the financial future of the association.

  • Question: What are my options to cancel sponsorship?
    • Answer: We realize this is a difficult time for everyone, not only personally but professionally as companies evaluate the financial impact of this crisis on their own businesses. CSIA is no different. The conference represents a key contributor to our funding and the cancellation leaves us with a challenging financial situation.
    • Therefore, we are offering sponsors two options regarding their conference sponsorship:
      • The first is a full refund.
      • The second is a deferment – rolling over the fees and sponsorship and applying them to the 2021 event. We hope you are able to choose the second option to help secure the financial future of the association.

  • Question: What are my options to cancel my exhibit?
    • Answer: We realize this is a difficult time for everyone, not only personally but professionally as companies evaluate the financial impact of this crisis on their own businesses. CSIA is no different. The conference represents a key contributor to our funding and the cancellation leaves us with a challenging financial situation.
    • Therefore, we are offering exhibitors two options regarding their exhibits:
      • The first is a full refund – waiving the $50 cancellation fee, no questions asked.
      • The second is a deferment – rolling over the fees and applying them to the 2021 event. We hope you are able to choose the second option to help secure the financial future of the association.

  • Question: What are my options to cancel my hotel reservation?
    • Answer: There is nothing you need to do with your hotel reservations at the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans. All reservations will automatically be cancelled and you will not be charged. Please do not call the hotel.
      • If you made a reservation at a different hotel in New Orleans, you are responsible for canceling your reservation there.
  • Question: What are my options to cancel my travel arrangements?
    • Answer: We encourage you to reach out to your transportation providers and take advantage of any extended change and cancelation policies.