Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What is ISDC?

The International Space Development Conference(ISDC) is the annual conference of the National Space Society. The conference covers several broad areas of study related to building a spacefaring civilization, including transportation to and through space, technology needed to live and work in space, and Earth-based activities to advocate for or educate others about space development. The ISDC is unique in that it brings together members of the general public with space activists, scientists, engineers, educators, astronauts, aerospace industry leaders, and government officials for one purpose: to explore humanity's future in space.

General

When and where is ISDC 2012?

May 24-28, 2012. Memorial Day Weekend

Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: +1 202 582 1234

What is the Conference Schedule?

Tentatively

Thursday, May 24: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, May 25: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 26: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 27: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, May 28: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Evening activities are not listed in above.

I am interested in presenting a paper or giving a talk. How to I sign up?

As of April 1, 2012, we are no longer accepting abstracts.

How to do I get to the Conference?

By Air

There are three major airports serving the Washington, D.C. area: Dulles International, Reagan National, and Baltimore/Washington International

By Train

Amtrak serves the Washington, D.C. Union Station. You can then take the Metro, Taxi or city Buses to the hotel.

By Car

Hotel Address
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street NW,
Washington, D.C., USA 20001

You can Google Map It here.

From Marshall Baltimore-Washington International Airport (approximately 30 miles) and Points North to our Washington, DC hotel:

Take I-95-South to Exit 22 B (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy South); Follow onto New York Avenue for six miles. Turn left onto 5th Street NW and follow for three and a half blocks. Turn right onto H Street NW and follow for five blocks. Our lodging is at the corner of 10th and H Streets NW.

From Points South:

Take I-95-N to 395 North. Continue over the 14th Street Bridge, then merge into the right lane. Take the exit for 12th Street, continue though the tunnel for eight blocks. Turn Right onto H Street and follow for one block. Our lodging is at the corner of 11th and H Streets NW.

From Washington Dulles International Airport (approximately 27 miles):

Take Dulles Toll Road/VA-267 East, and stay on this road after it becomes I-66 E. Take the US-50 E / Constitution Ave exit, and stay straight to go onto US-50 E. Turn left onto 15th Street NW, then right onto New York Ave NW. Turn right onto H Street NW; The Grand Hyatt is on the corner of 11th and H Streets NW.

From Reagan National Airport (approximately 5 miles):

Take George Washington Memorial Parkway North. Merge onto US-1 N toward Washington. Stay straight to go onto 14th Street NW, then turn right onto New York Ave NW. Turn slight right onto H Street NW; The Grand Hyatt is on the corner of 11th and H Streets NW.

By Metro

• Take the Blue, Orange or Red lines to the Metro Center stop.
• The hotel is "on top" of the Metro Center stop. The hotel is connected to the Metro Center by a underground plaza/walkway. Please look for "Grand Hyatt Hotel / Washington Center Office" sign when existing the station. You do not need to go to the surface.
• For more information about Washington D.C. Metro and other public transportation options, please visit Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Website.

How much is parking at the Grand Hyatt?

For hotel guests, the prices are (please check with the hotel for current pricing):
Valet Parking: $35 per night, including in/out privilege
Self-Parking: $30 per night, with no in/out privileges

For non-hotel guests, please contact hotel for additional information.

Hotels

What are the official ISDC hotels?

NSS has negotiated a special rate at the Grand Hyatt. The rate is $171/night including all taxes for up to four adults in the room.

How can I make hotel reservations for ISDC?

You can make your hotel reservations on-line here

Registration

How can I register for ISDC?

Online registration forms can be found at here.

What form of payment can I use to register for ISDC?

Online: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express via PayPal.

By mail: Bank checks, certified checks, and money orders drawn from U.S. banks. Please use certified or registered mail when mailing your payment.

Online registration form can be found here .

On site: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Cash (no checks).

Will I receive my badge prior to ISDC?

No. In support of sustainability and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives, name badges are not mailed in advance. All pre-registrants can pick up their badge at the Advance Registration Desk on-site at hotel Thursday (time TBD) or during regular conference operating hours.

What do I need to bring to prove I've pre-registered?

When you register on-line you will be emailed a confirmation. Bring this confirmation to the Advance Registration Desk.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email, mail, phone or fax. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.

Before May 1: Full refund.
Between May 1 and 15: 50 percent (50%) refund.
After May 15: No refund.

Is there a penalty for substitutions?

No. Name substitutions for paid conference registrations are welcomed without penalty and should be submitted in writing by email, mail or fax by May 15, 2012.

When does registration open onsite?

Registration will open at the hotel 8 a.m. on Friday, May 25. Guests who preregistered will have the opportunity to pick up their badges and registration materials on Thursday at a time to be determined.

When can I sign up for meals and do you offer Kosher or vegetarian dishes?

Meals can be purchased right now or during secondary registration. Specific meal options will be made available during secondary registration and every effort will be made to accommodate Kosher, vegetarian, vegan, and allegy-free meal requests. However, we cannot guarantee that all situations can be accommodated. There are no refunds for meals and no substitutions after May 11.

What kind of food options do you have near the hotel?

The Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel is centrally located on the eastern edge of downtown Washington, DC and there are many possibilities for meals outside the hotel. The hotel is in the middle of a square bordered by Chinatown (East), Penn Quarter (South) and Downtown (North and West) and there are literally hundreds of restaurants offering every type of cuisine in every price range within a five-block radius of the hotel. Please visit the following sites for more detailed information for alternative meal selections:

• Urban Spoon
• Yelp
• Washington Post Restaurant Guide
• Open Table
• City Eats

Exhibits and Sponsorships

On which days will the Exhibit Hall be open?

The ISDC Exhibit Hall will be open from Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Independence B, C, D, and E.

What is the Exhibit Hall schedule?

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and the show will run until 6 pm.

I'm interested in Exhibiting, Sponsoring and/or Advertising at the ISDC. Who do I contact?

At this time, our Exhibitor package is in process. Sponsorship information for the Conference can be found here and for the Gala at National Air and Space Museum can be found here.