Q: Why is there a fee to attend the 2008 AGI Users' Conference?
A: Although the most recent Users' Conferences were offered free-of-charge (except for travel, accommodations, and the paid Classified Day), events prior to 2004 charged a nominal fee for hands-on training. The 2008 AGI Users' Conference features a robust training track. With the Chicago space limiting our overall capacity and our training seats, we need a level of commitment from our attendees to ensure adequate seating for training and other offerings, as well as food, conference materials, and giveaways. We believe the fee is extremely competitive with industry norms and we will be offering paid attendees a $1,295 credit toward a future purchase of AGI software.

Q. Who can attend the conference?
A. All qualified aerospace, defense, and intelligence professionals are invited to attend the event. No solicitors please.

Q. If I need to cancel my registration, will I be refunded?
A. 100% refund will be provided for cancellations before July 31, 2008. The conference registration fee is non-refundable after July 31, 2008.

Q. If I can't make it to the event, can I transfer my registration to a colleague?
A. Yes, your conference registration is transferable to a colleague through Tues., Oct. 7, 2008 (the first day of the conference).

Q. Who can attend the pre-conference day?
A. Anyone who has registered for the main conference can attend pre-conference activities on Mon., Oct. 6, 2008. These include STK Fundamentals training, organizational user group meetings (members of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and Northrop Grumman only), and Lunar Mission Design and Space Situational Awareness (unclassified, U.S citizens only) workshops. Those who arrive on Monday can pick up their registration materials from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the registration area.

Q. I can't make it all three days. Can I attend just part of the conference?
A. You may attend as much or as little of the AGI Users' Conference as you like, though the Standard registration fee applies. However, we recommend you attend the entire event to ensure you maximize your experience!

Q. Is there a reduced conference rate for educators and/or students?
A. The conference will feature a free Education Day on Thurs., Oct. 9 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Educators and students with a valid official educational ID can attend the full day at no charge. Details on signing up for Education Day will be coming soon!

Q. Will there be a Classified Day at this year's conference?
A. While we have typically held a Classified Day in conjunction with the Users' Conference, this year we are holding a full-day unclassified Space Situational Awareness Workshop on Oct. 6 for U.S. citizens only. We expect to hold a regional Classified Day soon, but a date and location has not yet been secured. Stay tuned to www.agi.com/CRUG for details!

Q. Is the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center accessible to the disabled?
A. Yes! The conference space is a new facility fully compliant with American Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.

Q. What about meals?
A. In traditional AGI style, daily breakfasts and lunches are included with your conference fee. Additionally, networking receptions featuring hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be held daily in the AGI Technology Zone. On Tues., Oct. 7, AGI's Monte Carlo Night will feature a dinner buffet and beverages. Dinner on Wed., Oct. 8 is on your own.

Q. Are there evening events?
A. Of course! Following networking receptions in the AGI Technology Zone on Tuesday and Wednesday, evening events will be offered. Tuesday night, enjoy AGI’s renowned Monte Carlo Night with casino-style games, live music, food, prizes, and more. On Wednesday night, following “On Your Own” activities from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., join AGI for a private screening of “In the Shadow of the Moon,” the 2007 documentary about NASA’s Apollo mission told by the surviving astronauts, at 8:30 p.m.

Q. How should I dress?
A. Business casual is acceptable attire for all conference sessions. If you’d prefer to dress more like James Bond or one of the "Bond Girls" at Monte Carlo Night, go for it!

Q. Is lodging included?
A. Hotel room accommodations are NOT included as part of the 2008 AGI Users' Conference, but AGI has secured a block of rooms at a special conference rate of $199/night (Sun., Oct. 5 – Wed., Oct. 8) at the host hotel, the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center. Please remember to request the AGI Users' Conference block rate when reserving your room.

Q. How do I get to the conference venue?
A. The Renaissance Schaumburg is located in Schaumburg, IL, an approximately 20-minute drive from Chicago O'Hare Airport and 45 minutes from Chicago Midway. Self-parking is complimentary for conference attendees ($14/day for valet).

Q. Do I need to register for the AGI Users’ Conference?
A. Yes, registration is required. Simply visit the agiuc.com registration page, provide some brief contact and payment information, and you are automatically registered for the event. Any individual registering by credit card can use the online option. If you are paying via purchase order, registering multiple attendees, or registering on behalf of someone, you will need to download the fax-back form available online. Registering helps to ensure we have enough conference materials, giveaways, and food for all! Registered attendees will also receive the latest conference news and updates, including when they are able to build their online schedule in late July.

Q. When do I build my online schedule?
A. Attendees will be notified when they are able to build their personalized conference agenda online. The majority of sessions (especially hands-on training and one-on-one expert meetings) are on a first-come, first served basis, with limited seating, so AGI strongly recommends guests select sessions of interest prior to their arrival. Schedule building preference will be granted in order of registration.

Q. When do I redeem my software credit?
A. All paid attendees will receive a voucher in the mail in the amount of $1,295 following their attendance at the conference. Credit must be used for software only, and cannot be used for training, services, STK certification, or software maintenance, and must be redeemed by Feb. 13, 2009.

Q. When will the registration desk be open at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center?
A. Those who arrive on Monday, October 6 can pick up their registration materials from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the registration area. The registration desk will be open daily Tuesday - Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please check in as soon as you arrive so we can provide you with your badge and event materials.

Q. Are there resources from past conferences that I can review?
A. Materials from the 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002 conferences are available online at www.agiuc.com/resources.

Q. Will the "STK Fundamentals" training course be offered?
A. AGI's introductory "STK Fundamentals" training course will be offered during multiple sessions at convenient off-site locations on the pre-conference day. Additionally, we’ve condensed the normally 8-hour training into a 90-minute "Intro to STK Primer" that will be offered all three days of the main conference. For a full day of introductory training prior to your UC attendance, register for one of our many free courses offered globally at www.agi.com/training.

Q. My question wasn't answered. Who can I contact for help?
A. If you have further questions about the 2008 AGI Users' Conference, please call the Events Hotline at 1.610.981.8025 or send an e-mail to UCTeam@agiuc.com. We're more than happy to help!