FAQ


*General

  • Motivational keynote speakers
  • Robust offering of STEM Symposia and Professional Development sessions
  • Student research presentations
  • Academic and Career Expo
  • Cultural celebrations, art, and music
  • Lunch each day of the conference for all attendees and exhibitors


Starting on Wednesday, October 30th, you can bring the email with your badge QR code either on your phone or printed to the Convention Center to the registration check-in kiosks. Registration is located in Exhibit Hall 2 in the lower level of the North Building. 

Reminder: There is a $50 badge reprint fee if the badge is lost. Please take care to not lose your badge, as it will give you access to the conference.


We will miss you at NDiSTEM! All sales are final, cancellations are not permitted. Substitutions for conference registration is permitted prior to October 21, 2024, after that date, substitutions will not be accepted. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for updating contact information AND all financial obligations associated with that substitution. A $50 substitution fee will apply for all substitutions.


No guest passes will be issued at the NDiSTEM Conference. Any person entering the convention center session rooms or exhibit hall will need a paid registration with a verified badge, no exceptions will be made.

We will have cultural events that will be open to the public but will be announced at a later time.


Yes, a limited number of discounted rooms have been held by SACNAS at our conference partner hotels. The direct booking links will be included in the registration confirmation email. You can also find just a list of the hotels under the "Travel" tab of this website.

If the rooms at the discounted rate are sold out, we recommend making reservations at the hotel through their public site which you can access below by clicking the name of the hotel, or at any other hotel around the Convention Center or any other housing option that fits your schedule and budget. 

The discounted room rates are only for attendees of NDiSTEM 2024 and SACNAS will be checking the reservations against our registration list to ensure only registered attendees are reserving the rooms. The booking links are not transferable and should not be shared. 


Business casual attire. This includes traditional dress, regalia, jewelry, and other items to share your culture with our community! Please also bring nice, comfortable shoes to walk throughout the convention center. (Pajamas, shorts, or sandals are not appropriate for the conference.)


Yes! Lunch is provided on October 31 - November 2 for all attendees. All other meals are on your own and concessions will be open at the Convention Center. 


Diversity and inclusion are more than just words to SACNAS. They are integral parts of our history, culture, and identity. They are the principles that founded our organization and guide our strategic path forward. We continually seek to build and maintain a culture that reflects the rich diversity of our country. We look for and celebrate diverse voices, experiences, backgrounds, and talents. We believe that an inclusive organization is one where all people feel empowered to be their full, authentic selves. Simply put, everyone is welcome at SACNAS.


Welcome to the SACNAS community! If you become a member within one week of registering for the conference, we will refund you the $100 member discount. Fill out this form and we will help you out!


The Family Participation Policy extends to all minors (ages 17 and under). All conference attendees must be 18 years or older, unless any of the following exceptions apply:

Exceptions

  • Infants (up to 12 months) or children up to 24 months can stay with their parent(s) throughout the conference. SACNAS will provide a lactation room at the convention center for nursing and/or bottle-feeding parents.

  • Children will be allowed to attend the Pow Wow, which is a public event and open to all ages.

  • Children (up to age 17) of an invited Plenary Keynote or Plenary Featured speakers will be allowed to attend the conference the day their parent or guardian is presenting, but they must be accompanied by another parent or guardian while within the convention center.

  • Children (up to age 17) of a breakout session speaker will only be allowed to attend their family member’s session and will not be allowed to attend other conference activities. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while within the convention center.

Disclaimer: If children are brought to the convention center and/or any SACNAS events, the parent/guardian is the sole responsible party. If the child/ren are over 24 months old, the conference participant will be asked to adhere to the Family Participation Policy and remove the child/ren from the conference. SACNAS will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost, or other sum to any child/ren brought to the conference or any related conference activities.


Answer: Yes! The Phoenix Convention Center offers two 4ft x 8ft private Mamava nursing pods for breastfeeding guests. The nursing pods are in the atrium of the West Building and the second level of the North Building. Guests can unlock the pods by downloading the free Mamava app or by visiting the Information Desk and speaking with a Guest Experience Representative. 


COLOR

Yes, it is possible that more than 1 Officer/Member from each chapter will be accepted. However, priority will be given to ensure that we have AT LEAST 1 representative from each chapter attend COLOR.


Absolutely! Do not feel discouraged to apply if you are not an officer, as long as you are an active member* of your chapter and ready to report back from what you learned at COLOR to your chapter!

*Active member means you should appear on your chapter’s member roster. Contact chapters@sacnas.org for more information.


Yes, you may participate in COLOR but will need to secure alternative funding. Due to our grant policies, we cannot fund non-US Citizens/Residents for travel and lodging. Please refer to our Funding Page for help!


Accepted COLOR participants will have their airfare, lodging (hotel), and registration for NDiSTEM covered thanks to funding support from NIH grant #R25GM130515


COLOR is a full-day event occurring on Wednesday, October 30 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Please plan on participating in COLOR from 8am to 5pm PT (subject to change). There will be breaks throughout the day, and a served lunch. Breakfast and dinner are on your own.
Participants should expect to travel to Phoenix on Tuesday, October 29, and leave Phoenix on Sunday, November 3, 2024.


To facilitate an uninterrupted community-building experience, COLOR is technology-free for participants— you may bring your devices but please do not use them during the event and do keep them silenced and in your bag during the program.

We recommend bringing a notepad to take notes, but we will be providing folders and pens.


Bring your whole and best self! In other words, we suggest “business casual” (e.g. no graphic t shirts, no jeans, & no sweats), and we welcome traditional regalia or other culturally important items or apparel that represent who you are.


Exhibits

Exhibit Hall Schedule

Exhibit Move In: 
Wednesday October 30, 2024 - 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Thursday October 31, 2024 - 7:30AM to 9:30AM

Exhibit Move Out:
Friday November 1, 2024 - 5:00PM-8:00PM

Exhibit Hall Hours:
Thursday October 31, 2024 - 10:30AM - 5:00PM*
*Closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30pm on the 31st
Friday November 1, 2024 - 10:15AM - 5:00PM


We are here to help! We are available Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm PST. 

You can call us at: 831-512-1173 or email us at:


Registration

Great question! You can register a group here.
There is no discount for registering a large group.


Exclusive registration links via our membership portal, discounted registration pricing, webinars and member events throughout the year. You can find it all here


Click here for instructions on how to check your membership status.
Your membership type should say Student, Postdoc/New Professional, Professional 1, Professional 2, Professional 3, or Lifetime to be eligible for member pricing. “Free SACNISTA” members are not eligible.


Email members@sacnas.org.


Yes! Click here to learn more about supporting dues for others. Thank you for your generosity! 


Research Presentation and Travel Scholarship

No, acceptance of the Research Presentation does not include funding for your conference registration. You will be responsible for covering the cost of registration.  


Detailed instructions will be emailed to you, do not register before you receive them. For any questions, please email travelscholarships@sacnas.org.


No. If you would like to apply for a SACNAS Travel Scholarship, you must submit a separate application for a SACNAS travel scholarship. The Spring application window for the Travel Scholarship has closed, but the Summer application window will open June 5th.


No, spring applications are closed but summer applications will be open June 5th. For more information please visit this link.


Yes, but we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity! If you would still like to cancel your presentation, contact us immediately at presentations@sacnas.org.  


We encourage you to check out our webpage Funding Your Way to a Conference where you will find resources and ideas, including a downloadable proposal letter template. We also suggest you apply for a Google Conference Scholarship to attend our conference!


Travel Scholars only, please do not book a hotel room for yourself. SACNAS coordinates all hotel and flight bookings and cannot reimburse you for hotel stays booked on your own.