Registration FAQ
Can anyone answer my question?
Why should I pre-register?
Can I register Online?
Can I use a credit card to register?
But I don’t want to use a credit card, does that mean I can’t come?
Can I purchase a membership at CONvergence?
I’m a really nice person and want to purchase someone else’s membership, I don’t know that
fortunate person yet. How can I make this happen?
How do I check that I’m registered?
What is this "postcard business" I received in the mail?
When the heck are the postcards going out?
I don’t see anything about hotel rooms on the registration form.
If I need an ASL interpreter who do I contact?
I require a service animal at CONvergence. Do you know what I need for my animal?
My company is sending me and my friends to the northern reaches of Siberia because they want
us to install snow cone makers. Can I get a refund on our memberships?
But I just got this badge from my friend here at CVG, and I don’t want my badge to say
‘The Guest of Bob’, how do I change it?
I’m only going to be there Friday Night - how much does a day badge cost?
Where will I find the Registration Department at the CONvergence?
I’m one of the great volunteer’s for CONvergence and I need my badge early on Thursday
morning, what the heck are your hours?
Can I change the name on my badge at CONvergence?
Where did my badge go? I lost it. Do I have to commit seppeku? Do I have to duct tape the next one to my arm?
I'm only coming for the first two days, can I give my badge to a friend for the rest of the weekend?
So what happens if I get caught sharing a badge?
Can I lend my badge to my friend for just a little bit so he/she can see a panel/grab a snack at Consuite/shop in the Dealers Room?
But I can't afford to register this year and I really want to come!
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Can anyone answer my question?
Throw a rock and you will no doubt find someone that will be able to answer your question. Meant purely in jest, of course. Don’t actually throw rocks because the person that gets hit probably won’t want anything to do with your question. Seriously, if you have a question about CONvergence Registration, your best choice is to contact them at registration@convergence-con.org to resolve your inquiry.
Why should I pre-register?
You will save money! Lot’s-o-money! You’ll get the best possible price. Peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to scrape together money for CONvergence. Spending less money on CVG will help you sleep, it’ll make you healthier (confirming with health administration). After all, if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. Sound mind, sound body. Pre-register now to put your mind at ease and your body will be free of that stress. Now stress from other stuff we can’t help you with... unfortunately.
Can I register Online?
Yes, you can register for a membership Online! We’ve made an agreement with http://www.convention-reg.com/ to handle online registrations. Ready your plastic money (credit card), and they’ll take care of all your needs!
Can I use a credit card to register?
Online pre-registrations are proceesed by credit card only. At CONvergence, we will also be accepting credit cards.
But I don’t want to use a credit card, does that mean I can’t come?
We will also be accepting cash (cash is king!) and checks for both mail in registrations and at the convention.
Can I purchase a membership at CONvergence?
Visit us at Registration and we will be more than happy to help you get into the party. Be prepared with the registration fee and your picture ID. We will set you up with a badge (do you want duct tape?), badge clip, book, schedule and all the other amenities needed to enjoy your CON!
I’m a really nice person and want to purchase someone else’s membership, I don’t know that fortunate person yet. How can I make this happen?
You’re going to make best friends with whomever this is given to! You can buy a "Guest of" membership (e.g. [exempli gratia] Guest of John Doe)
How do I check that I’m registered?
If you’ve been receiving Progress Reports look for ® next to your name on the mailing label. That means you are on the guest list for the party! Shortly before the convention, we will send out postcards to all those who are registered. You can always email registration@convergence-con.org a nd ask. NOTICE: The Registration Department is in the process of switching to a shiny new database system. The registrations have been just entered, and are in the process of being double checked We are glad to answer any questions you have at this point. And! If the shiny new database behaves, you will get an email confirmation that your membership has been entered.
What is this "postcard business" I received in the mail?
The postcard is because you pre-registered and we love you that much.. Seriously, the postcard is your ticket to expedite your registration to get into CONvergence; a separate area is set aside to deal with postcards, like an express route (be prepared to show the postcard and your ID).
When the heck are the postcards going out?
Postcards will be sent out after 20 May 2011
I don’t see anything about hotel rooms on the registration form.
We have another team that will accommodate your hotel reservations. Check out the Hotel Department page for further information.
If I need an ASL interpreter who do I contact?
Please contact volunteers@convergence-con.org
I require a service animal at CONvergence. Do you know what I need for my animal?
Effective March 15th 2011, the Federal ADA definition of "service animal" has changed. For the final rule published, please follow this ADA link: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleII_2010/reg2_2010.html Or for a more direct and clear statement of the ADA definition follow this advocacy link: http://servicedogcentral.org/content/changes CONvergence follows this final ruling and its clarifications.
Key changes include the following:
- Only dogs will be recognized as service animals.
- Service animals are required to be leashed or harnessed except when performing work or tasks where such tethering would interfere with the dog's ability to perform.
- Service animals are exempt from breed bans as well as size and weight limitations.
- Though not considered service animals, businesses are generally required to accommodate the use of miniature horses under specific conditions.
Existing policies that were clarified or formalized include the following:
- Dogs whose sole function is "the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship" are not considered service dogs under the ADA.
- The use of service dogs for psychiatric and neurological disabilities is explicitly protected under the ADA.
- "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence" do not qualify that animal as a service animal and "an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal."
If your service dog meets these requirements, it will be issued a Service Animal Badge from the Help Desk. The next immediate step is to report to the Bridge with the service dog to check in for the weekend.
My company is sending me and my friends to the northern reaches of Siberia because they want us to install snow cone makers. Can I get a refund on our memberships?
Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for memberships but we will tell you how to transfer your membership to someone else. Here’s how
Step 1: Find someone who will buy the membership from you (or make a best friend by giving it someone)
Step 2: Send an email to registration@convergence-con.org with:
- Your name and address
- The name and address of the new owner
- Badge name of the new owner
Step 4. ???
Step 5. Profit
Online transfers can be submitted until June 15th. After that date, transfers will be done at CONvergence for a fee of $20.
But I just got this badge from my friend here at CVG, and I don’t want my badge to say ‘The Guest of Bob’, how do I change it?
Transfers of Memberships AT CON require the following:
Completed and Legible Transfer of Membership Form
Current Owners Signature on Form or a printed email with Current Owners
email address showing and indicating approval of transfer
New Owners Contact Information
Cost: FREE - If Badge Type does not change (Adult to Adult) and No Name Change
Cost: $20.00 - If the badge changes from Adult to Teen, etc.
Cost: $20.00 - If new owner wants a name change
I’m only going to be there Friday Night - how much does a day badge cost?
Full registration rate, same as downtown. Seriously, unfortunately we do not have Day Badges. It costs the same to attend for one day as it does for all four days of CVG-awesomeness.
Where will I find the Registration Department at the CONvergence?
We are seriously working to provide better service to our membership and we have created new opportunities for our membership to pick up their badges with a pre-Convention pick up the weekend before CVG!
Saturday, June 25th 10 am - 2 pm, and 4 pm - 7 pm at the Waterbury (NE Minneapolis at the corner of Broadway and Central)
Wednesday, June 29th, and Thursday, June 30th at the Garden Court
Friday, July 1st to Sunday, July 3rd in Atrium 8
I’m one of the great volunteer’s for CONvergence and I need my badge early on Thursday morning, what the heck are your hours?
Pre-Convention Pickup Saturday June 25th 10 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm NO Money Taken
Wednesday of CON 3 pm - 6 pm NO Money Taken
Thursday of CON 9 am - 8 pm
Friday of CON 9 am - 8 pm
Saturday of CON 9 am - 8 pm
Sunday of CON Noon - one half hour after Closing Ceremonies
After Hours: Thursday through Saturday on the Bridge: 8 pm - 11 pm
New this year:
As an experiment, Registration has decided to hold a PRE-Convention Pickup on June 25th at the Waterbury
building (corner of Broadway and Central Aves in NE Minneapolis). Our hours will be 10 am - 2 pm and
4 pm - 7 pm. Members who are registered and have a Valid ID, their postcard or a valid email
confirmation may pick up their badge and publications before arriving at CON. For those who are not
able to make it, Registration will still be open at the CON Wednesday from 3 pm - 6 pm. NO Money will be
taken during the Pre-Convention Pick up.
Can I change the name on my badge at CONvergence?
We understand inspiration can occur at anytime. Yes, you can change your Badge Name at CVG for a small fee of $20.
Where did my badge go? I lost it. Do I have to commit seppeku? Do I have to duct tape the next one to my arm?
For Seppuku you may desire a kaishakunin. Before you go that far stop by CVG Operations to see if a noble soul turned it in. If not, meander to CONvergence Registration during regular hours, and we can issue a new one, do you want duct tape? We will need to see some ID, and there is a small fee of $20. If Registration is closed, your party is finished for the evening, but we will be glad to assist you when we open in the morning.
I'm only coming for the first two days, can I give my badge to a friend for the rest of the weekend?
No, you may not. So-called "badge sharing" is actually fraud. Leaving aside all other arguments (and they are numerous), each badge is a unique identifier for that person. If (heavens forbid) something bad were to happen and render you incapable of communicating, the badge is our first step in identifying you and getting you the help you need. If you are wearing someone else's badge, you put yourself and the convention at risk and that is Unacceptable.
So what happens if I get caught sharing a badge?
Punishment for badge sharing is as follows:
The registered member who loaned/shared their badge will be removed from the convention immediately, and will be banned from attending
future conventions unless and until they petition the Board of Directors for readmittance with an honest statement of wrong-doing and
culpability.
The person who is in possession of a badge not theirs will be given the choice of either registering immediately paying the at-the-door rate or leaving the convention immediately AND will be banned from future conventions unless and until they petition the Board of Directors for readmittance with an honest statement of wrong-doing and culpability.
Can I lend my badge to my friend for just a little bit so he/she can see a panel/grab a snack at Consuite/shop in the Dealers Room?
No, you may not. Want to know what would happen to you? See [above]. Is it really worth taking the chance just so your friend can see/snack/shop?
But I can't afford to register this year and I really want to come!
If you cannot afford to attend, then don't attend. Do not risk your future participation by trying to attend this year illegally. We will miss you, but we promise we'll have another convention next year. And you can always come to the hotel on Sunday and register for NEXT year using the at-the-convention rate, even if you are NOT registered for this year's convention.