1. I have never been to a UPA conference. Why should I go?

If you are a already a usability professional, or are thinking about integrating usability in your organization, this conference is for you. You will learn useful information about how veterans integrated usability and processes into different types of organizations. You will hear inspiring talks from invited speakers. You will learn some useful usability methods and techniques that people are using today. Best of all, you will meet people who will help answer your specific questions about the situation you are in today. There are other people out there who share the same types of challenges and experiences as you--meet them and learn how they have improved their organization and products through usability.

2. I stopped going to the conference--why should I start going again?

UPA is growing. The membership is becoming more diverse, and more advanced. The presentations are reflecting this, as more business case studies and more advanced topics are scheduled to be presented this year. Additionally, people that belong to UPA and attend the conference are the same people who have been advancing usability as a field. You can be one of those people if you stay involved. The more you read, present, write, and yes, even attend the conference, the more the field of usability will be accepted and advanced worldwide. We have come a long way as a profession, but we still gave a long way to go. Be a part of this exciting, growing community.

3. If I bring my family, what does the UPA provide for them?

Your family is welcome at the UPA conference and at the Phoenician. Several conference events are open to family, including all of the Special Events. Just remember to buy tickets for them during the registration process.

Also, the hotel has a kids' program and lots of activities for adults. Also, the Scottsdale area a wide variety of activities for both kids and the not so young. As the center of the SouthWest, the area has many museums. As an artist colony, Scottsdale in particular has an abundance of galleries and art events. Please check out :
http://www.thephoenician.com/recreation/default.html for more information about activities at the hotel (Funicians Kids Club - for the kids) and for information about Scottsdale:
http://www.scottsdalecvb.com/

4. Is there high speed internet access at the hotel?

Yes, there are several sources for internet access.

• Internet Cafe: computers or hook-up your laptop (also planning for 802.11b wireless)
• In room high speed available for an additional fee

5. How much does it cost to get from the airport to the hotel?

Transportation from the airport to the hotel is...

• Super Shuttle $12 one-way, 602-244-9000
• Taxis are approximately $25 one-way
• Execucar approx $35 for one-way, Need to make arrangements prior to travel, 602-232-4600

6. Why should I stay at the conference hotel?

UPA has found you a great hotel, which we’re also using as our meeting venue, in the heart of Arizona resort country, at a much reduced price.

When UPA selects a meeting location, we negotiate the best possible rates with our hotel as part of the package. For UPA 2003, we have reserved rooms at the Phoenician at special off-season group rates. For those who want to spend extra time in Scottsdale, our group rates extend from Saturday to Saturday, before and after the conference.

FYI, did you know that when UPA selects a conference site and reserves hotel rooms, the hotel will hold an agreed upon number of rooms off the general market for UPA’s exclusive use? If these rooms are not filled by the date of the conference, UPA is still obligated to pay for the reserved, yet unsold rooms. In addition, it is this block of reserved rooms that pays for our conference facilities; UPA does not pay directly for meeting rooms. So please honor your reservation! When you reserve a room at a conference hotel you get a great room rate and help to ensure that costly penalties are not assessed against UPA. In the long run, these penalties can drive up registration fees to future conferences.

7. What does my conference registration cover?

Your registration fee covers:

• your admission to all conference events June 25 - June 27,
• continental breakfast those days,
• lunch on the 25th and 26
• Opening and Closing Receptions
• Thursday night gala

8. What are Workshops and What are Tutorials?

A tutorial is an intensive instructional session, typically a full day, conducted by an expert in the field. Tutorials are usually, but not always, oriented towards introductory or intermediate material. Anyone may register for a tutorial.

A workshop is an exploration of open issues in the field, conducted by someone who has a particular interest and expertise in the issue. Workshops are small, closed highly interactive working sessions; it is not unusual for a workshop to result, eventually, in a book or other major publication. In order to participate in a workshop, you must submit an application or position paper describing your interest and experience in the specific issue to be discussed. These go to the workshop organizer, who will select the participants. Workshops are usually, but not always, oriented towards more experienced people.

See each workshop description for information about submitting position papers. If the workshop organizer does not ask for specific content for the paper, then a one to three page paper describing your interest and experience in the area would be appropriate.

9. What does tutorial/workshop registration cover?

Your tutorial/workshop registration covers:

• admission to the workshop/tutorial and session materials
• continental breakfast and lunch on the day of the workshop/tutorial

10. What are the Tutorial Waiting Lists about?

Some of the tutorials may sell out before registration is closed. We try to provide enough seating for everyone, but we can't always do that. If a tutorial is sold out, the online registration will offer you the chance to ask to be on the waiting list for that tutorial; if a seat does open up, it may be offered to you.

In general, it's not a safe bet that a seat will be available for a tutorial that offers a waiting list. If there is another tutorial at the same time that interests you, you should sign up for it in addition to making your wait-list request. If a seat becomes available later, it isn't automatic that you'll get that seat; you will be contacted and will have a chance to change your registration.

11. What if I need to cancel my reservation?

To change or cancel your registration, contact Prestige Accommodations (registration@prestigeacc.com, telephone 1-800-321-6338 or 1-714-957-9100). Written refund requests will be honored if postmarked before Monday, June 2, 2002. A $100 administration fee will be deducted. Mail or fax requests for refunds to Prestige Accommodations. If accompanied by an authorization letter from you, registration can be transferred to a colleague.

You will need to cancel your hotel reservation directly with the hotel. Call the Phoenician Reservations at +1.800.888.8234 or +1.480.941.8200 (for international callers).

12. How do I print out the program?

We have provided a downloadable copy of the complete, Advance Program. This is an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file, approximately 1.7 Mb in size.

13. Can I videotape sessions at UPA?

No. The use of video-recording equipment is not permitted during any part of the conference.

We have made an arrangement with Kinko's in Scottsdale for you to be able to have copies made at a reduced rate. Details:

• call Kinko's between June 16-20th to place your order and number of copies
• you MUST reference the code: UPA to get the 3 cent/pg rate
• give your credit card numbers for payment
• Kinko's phone number is 480-946-0500
• Kinko's will deliver the presentations to the hotel on June 21
• Kinko's hours of operation are…
  Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm, CLOSED on Sunday

15. I'd like to volunteer. How do I do that?

The UPA is a volunteer organization; we'd love to have your help. Check out the volunteers page for information on opportunities during the conference.

We can always use people to do planning work, review submissions, arrange various activities, and much more. During the conference talk to one of the conference committee members or let someone know at the Registration/Information area.

16. Who do I contact if I have question about the conference web site?

Please contact Gary Macomber, Conference Web Chair.