Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Prior the Event

  1. Is there preferred accommodation I can book?
    • Discounted lodging has been negotiated at several hotel properties near the DeVos Place. If you do not currently have lodging reservations and are still in need, please reach out to Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu. 
    • Visit the Lodging Options page of the website for more information on the hotel properties.
    • Your credit card will be required to make a reservation, but charges will not be placed on the card unless you incur a cancellation or no show fee or charge food/items to your room account. Please do not book lodging outside of the group lodging block. 
  2. Can I share a room with another person?
    • You may not share a room with someone you supervise, someone who supervises you, or with a MSU student (of any level of studies).
  3. Where can I review my registration information?
    • After completing your FEC registration, you can refer to the registration confirmation email you receive from events@anr.msu.edu for a confirmation of your registration and selected sessions and/or Workshops on the Move.
  4. I booked the wrong session, can I change my booking?
    • If you need to alter your registration in any way, please email the request to events@anr.msu.edu. Please include FEC Registration Change in the subject line. One of the Event Services team members will help, if the change is possible. Keep in mind, some sessions and workshops on the move may not be available if they have reached capacity.
  5. I have special accessibility needs/dietary requirements; can you accommodate me?
    • During registration, be sure to list any special accessibility needs or dietary requirements and we will do our best to work with the venue to accommodate them wherever possible. Please be as detailed as possible regarding the request. For example, if you have an allergy, please indicate if it's ingested, airborne, etc.

    • Your health and well-being are our top priority! As we gather, please remember to take care of yourselves regarding allergies. We are taking precautions to prevent allergens in the reserved FEC spaces, but we will be in a venue that is open to the public, therefore we will have some areas that are not within our immediate control. We encourage you to bring any necessary medications and to take care of yourself as needed.

    • We are working to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience at FEC. If you have any questions or concerns about your specific needs, feel free to reach out to Betsy Braid directly at braidbet@msu.edu.

  6. Is there a dress code for the event?
    • Attire for the event is business casual - similar to what you would typically wear to work. Feel free to wear comfortable shoes. If you are attending a Workshop on the Move, feel free to dress appropriately for the activity. Several have specific requirements related to clothing and footwear.
  7. Where can I find information about the event agenda and schedule?
    • Agenda information, including breakout session locations, workshops on the move and other details and times will be on the conference overview. You can also view the full schedule and descriptions online for the Breakout Sessions and the Workshops on the Move. During the event, the event agenda, schedule and specific room locations can also be found in the mobile app and in the conference program. 
  8. Is there a conference app I can download?
    • We will be using Whova again for this year's FEC24 mobile app. Additional instructions were sent out to registrants for how to download the app as we get closer to the conference. If you have trouble accessing the app, please contact Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu.
  9. What do I do if I'm going to miss part of the conference?
    • Absences from FEC24 should be pre-approved with supervisors.
  10. I am a presenter, should I register for the breakout session I am leading?
    • If you are presenting a session, please register for that session so we have a full list of who will be in each session.
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During the Event

  1. What parking arrangements are available at the venue?

    • DeVos Place has parking conveniently located under the convention center. Access to the parking lot is on Michigan Street and Lyon Street. Please note you can no longer access the underground parking garage if you are heading West on Michigan Street. No left hand turns are permitted due to a semi-permanent concrete berm installed for a new crosswalk.

    • Guests staying overnight can park at their hotel and walk to/from DeVos Place. Overnight parking charges will be directly billed along with overnight lodging. See the final details email sent on Friday, October 11 for more information. Contact Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu if you have specific questions. 

  2. Where do I go to check in for the conference?
    • Conference registration will take place in the pre-function area outside of Ballroom BCD in DeVos Place. It is sometimes noted as the Secchia Lobby.
  3. Where is the keynote/my next session/the recharge room located?
    • You can utilize the mobile app to bring information about FEC24 directly to your fingertips, including the agenda, program descriptions, speaker biographies, and facility maps.The FEC program also includes the conference schedule, with room locations and a facility map. We will also use app announcements to alter attendees to any last minute schedule or room changes. Those who selected text messaging as their preferred communication method will receive text updates.
  4. How do I download the event app?
  • FEC24 will use Whova, a conference mobile app, to give you easy access to the information you’ll need throughout the conference. If you haven’t already, be sure to download Whova. The app brings information about FEC24 directly to your fingertips, from program descriptions to speaker biographies and from facility maps to campus maps. The app will also allow you to create your own personalized schedule. We will be sharing any last-minute update through the app as well.
  • To get the best FEC24 experience:
    • Visit https://whova.com/portal/webapp/falle1_202410/ to view the web portal or download the FEC 2023 mobile app to your device from Whova.
    • Once the app is downloaded on your mobile device, create an account. Then, input the event invitation code 8ikz24n3a6 to find the event.

5. Where are the breakout sessions? Where can I find information about them?

  • Agenda information, including breakout session locations, workshops on the move and other details and times will be on the mobile app and in the conference program. 

6. Will sessions be recorded? If so, where can I find session materials?

  • Breakout sessions will NOT be recorded.

7. I am a presenter: Will I receive feedback on my session?

  • Attendees will be asked to share feedback on the overall conference, in addition to the breakout sessions. After the conference, ANR Event Services can share feedback results with presenters, if desired.

8. Dinner is on our own, where should I go to eat?

  • Grand Rapids has a variety of fresh, farm-to-table cuisine for every taste and budget in the downtown area. Experience GR has a great list of nearby restaurants that can be filtered to your desired cuisine. Restaurant list.
  • The Amway Grand also features several restaurants from comfy to casually elegant to elegant, all without ever having to step outside of the hotel. Each restaurant features a unique menu and provides a deliciously different experience for hotel guests and local diners alike, as well as innovative wine lists, locally brewed beers and classically crafted cocktails. Dining at the Amway Grand.

After the Event

1. How can I share feedback on the event?

  • Shortly after the conference concludes, all FEC attendees will receive an email with an invitation to provide feedback on the overall conference. Attendees are also invited to share feedback on individual breakout sessions through the mobile app. If you have any questions on the feedback process or have additional feedback to share, please reach out to ANR Event Services at events@anr.msu.edu.

2. How do I submit my travel reimbursement?

  • MSU Extension employees can be reimbursed for travel expenses (mileage and per diem, as applicable) for FEC through their operating accounts.
  • View the MSU Manual of Business Procedures - travel policies and procedures. 
  • Meals that are not provided as part of the conference are reimbursed to staff at a set allowance rate, the amount dependent on the travel destination (Grand Rapids). Staff that are not spending the night are not eligible to claim any meals per diem.

3. What is per diem? How much is it? When do I get it?

  • A per diem is a daily allowance given to employees to pay for certain expenses, while traveling for business. Per diem rates are established by the U.S. General Services Administration that federal agencies use for lodging, meals and incidental expenses incurred while traveling. Per diem rates can be found her: https://travel.msu.edu/reimbursement/meals-incidental-expense-rates. 
  • On the first and last day of travel, you will receive 75% of the daily per diem. It does not matter when you left or returned on those days. Meals provided by the conference will be subtracted from the daily per diem.
  • You will receive any applicable per diem after the conference as part of your travel reimbursement.

If you have additional questions not outlined here, please contact Betsy Braid at braidbet@msu.edu.

 

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