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Get Ready to Join Us in Orlando!

Here is some information that should help you prepare for the conference, or you can download a PDF of the 3.3MB Conference & Expo Guide for complete details.

Pack Your Passwords
While you're on-site in Orlando, you'll probably rely on online information on COMMON's Web site for scheduling and more. For example, you may want to download session handouts before you attend sessions, or register for Labs. So be sure to bring your COMMON member ID number and password with you in order to access certain restricted areas of COMMON's Web site.

Transportation

Airport Shuttle Service: Mears Transportation operates shuttle service between the Orlando World Center Marriott and the Orlando Airport. Tickets may be purchased at the Mears desk on the baggage level of the airport and cost $29 round trip per adult and $21 per child (ages 4-11) ($17 adult and $13 child one-way). Reservations from the Marriott to the airport are required four hours prior to airline departure time. Reservations from the airport to the Marriott are not necessary in advance as shuttles operate 24 hours per day and leave every 15-20 minutes. The World Center is the first stop from the airport. For more information, please contact Mears Transportation directly at 800.759.5219. Please catch your shuttle on Level 1.

Taxi Service: Several taxi services are available from the Orlando Airport. Estimated cost is $37 - $40 one way to the World Center. The taxi stand is located on Level 1 on both the A and B sides.

Ace Metro / Luxury Cab - 407.855.1111
Diamond Cab Company - 407.523.3333
Star Taxi - 407.857.9999
Town & Country Transportation -407.828.3035
Yellow / City Cab - 407.699.9999

Car Rentals: If you're interested in renting a car in Orlando, Avis is offering a special discount to COMMON conference attendees.

Hotel
All conference sessions, events and activities, including the Expo, take place under one roof--the same roof as our official conference hotel:

Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821
Tel: 407.239.4200

On-site assistance for hotel arrangements can be handled at the COMMON Housing Desk located in the Palms Foyer, on the lower level of the main convention center.

Your First Stop at the Conference

All attendees should pick up their registration materials at the COMMON registration area in the Crystal Registration area in the lower level, main convention center, in the Orlando World Center Marriott.

Attendee Registration/Check-In and Badges: All attendees who register at least three weeks prior to the conference should receive their conference badge in the mail. Attendees will need to bring their conference badge with them to the conference. Conference badges MUST be displayed at all times during conference sessions and functions.

Attendees who receive a CORRECT badge in the mail MUST check-in at the Pre-Registration Counter in the registration area in order to pick up conference materials. Those attendees who DO NOT receive their badge in the mail should go to the On-site Registration Counter to pick up their badge and conference materials.

Badge Reprints: If attendees who receive their badge in the mail prior to conference need a correction made to their badge, they may have their badge reprinted at the On-site Registration counter. Attendees who do not remember to bring their badge to conference must bring a copy of their confirmation letter and a picture ID to the On-site Registration counter in order to receive another badge.

On-Site Registration: Attendees who do not pre-register should complete an On-site Registration Form. The form and payment can be submitted at the On-site Registration Counter. This applies to guests of attendees as well. Guests of attendees registering for the conference on-site must register with the attendee at the On-site Registration Counter.

Expo-Only Registration: Expo-Only badges allow entrance to the COMMON Expo Hall for $20 per person. These badges are only available at the On-site Registration Counter. Expo-Only badges are not valid for admittance into educational sessions.

Speaker/Volunteer Registration and Check-in: All speakers and COMMON volunteers may check-in or register at the Speaker/Volunteer Registration Counter beginning Saturday, September 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the registration area.

Exhibitor Registration and Check-In: Companies exhibiting in the Expo can pick up exhibitor and conference badges at the Exhibitor Registration Counter beginning Saturday, September 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All exhibitors must pick up their own individual badge and must provide an ID card to the Exhibitor Registration attendant.

Lab Registration: On-site Lab Registration and Lab selection changes may be made at the Lab Registration Counter. You may also register and make changes for labs at Cyber Corner via COMMON's homepage, www.common.org. You'll need your individual ID and password to access the Lab registration section.

Guest Registration: Guest passes are available for $125 each. Guests must accompany a registered attendee and may attend Opening Session, COMMON User Discussion Socials (CUDS), the Guest sessions and the Closing Event, as well as the COMMON Expo. Registered guests MUST be 12 years of age or older.

Handicapped Access
It is COMMON's policy to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing handicapped accessible facilities. If you find any areas that are not clearly marked or are not accessible, report them to the COMMON Headquarters Office, located in the Crystal Registration area.

Conference Attire
Appropriate attire for the conference is casual. For your comfort, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a sweater or light jacket, since meeting room temperatures are set to allow for maximum room capacity.