Planner FAQs

Planner registration is free until December 31st.

After that it remains at the low price of $125.

Spouse registration is $115

In order to qualify for the Hosted Planner program, you must have an event that utilizes at least 50 hotel rooms on peak night of your event, be the primary decision maker for your organization and have an event that meets in multiple locations. As a hosted planner, you'll receive reimbursement for your hotel room (up to 4 nights single rate at host hotel), airfare (based on the reimbursement schedule) or mileage up to $150 and your conference registration fee. In exchange for your reimbursement, you'll be expected to engage in conversation with at least 10 exhibitors during each expo time (Wednesday and Thursday) for a total of 20 exhibitors.  You are required to remain on the tradeshow floor for the duration of all expo hours.  Also required is your attendance at the Tuesday afternoon Member Orientation.

Just because you don't qualify or choose not to participate in the program, doesn't mean you aren't welcome to attend. There are numerous benefits to attending the Emerge Conference that are well worth your time and investment.

Your opportunity to participate in the 2021 Emerge conference and tradeshow is dependent upon our faithful sponsors and suppliers and their willingness to help underwrite a portion of your cost to attend. Good stewardship requires your support and gratitude to them. Please show your support by participating in the tradeshow by visiting with as many suppliers as possible.

You are certainly welcome to attend the conference and participate in all aspects of the conference and tradeshow.  You are welcome to simply roam the exhibit floor and interact with suppliers at your leisure.

The Emerge Planner room block:
Hilton Charlotte Center City - $109/nt
The Westin Charlotte - $109/nt
(+15.25% tax)

You'll find a link to make your reservations in the registration confirmation email

 

All transportation will be provided for attendees arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. For your safety, shuttles will be running at 50% occupancy. Drivers will be required to wear face masks and will block the row behind them to practice social distancing. The shuttle schedules are listed as follows:

Monday, March 1
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Shuttle service to depart every 60 minutes from the Charlotte Airport to the Westin Charlotte & Hilton Charlotte Uptown. The last shuttle will depart the airport at 10 p.m. Buses will load on the curb at Zone D.

Tuesday, March 2
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Shuttle service to depart every 60 minutes from the Charlotte Airport to the Westin Charlotte & Hilton Charlotte Uptown. The last shuttle will depart the airport at 7 p.m. Buses will load on the curb at Zone D.

Friday, March 5
6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Shuttle service to depart each hotel lobby every 30 minutes to Charlotte Douglas.  Last Shuttle will depart hotel at 2:00 pm

Planner Overview:  This high-energy session will provide an overview of Emerge 2021 as well as a Q&A session. Make plans to join all planners on Tuesday from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Who knows? You could win a valuable prize! 

(If you have opted to be a Hosted Planner, this session is required.)

You should come prepared with 3 items:

1) Business Cards

2) Event Spec Sheet - you won't want to give an RFP to every single supplier you meet, but they would be eager and interested to know the details of your event. Prepare a one-sheet description of your event details to share.

3) RFP - a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) should be distributed sparingly for those venues and designations that you have a genuine interest in considering for a future event.  (Click here for a sample RFP.)

Temperatures in Charlotte in March range in lows at night around 41 and 64 during the day.

For our daily sessions, business casual attire is appropriate.

There will be a mobile app and you'll receive a timely notice with instructions for downloading and utilizing its features.

All Emerge conference activities and trade shows are restricted to those persons over the age of 18.