ASTA FAQ 2020

Why is the ASTA Annual Meeting & Events cancelled?
The decision was made in response to health and safety concerns about COVID-19, public health authority guidance to cancel large gatherings, and travel restrictions.

I’m already registered to attend the ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits. What happens to my registration fee?
All registered attendees have automatically been re-registered for ASTA Online. In addition, registered attendees have received refunds based on the time and type of registration. Anyone who was registered for the 2020 Annual Meeting & Exhibits has now been enrolled into ASTA Online at the following rates:

• Members $495
• Non-members $995

Registrants were automatically refunded the difference between their original registration payment and this new rate. For example, registrants that paid the early bird member registration fee of $820 received a refund of $325. All guest registrations were automatically refunded.

I am not registered for the 2020 ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits. How do I register for ASTA Online?
Registration for ASTA Online is now open at the following rates:

• Members $595
• Non-members $1,195

What benefits will I receive with my ASTA Online registration?
The online education provides an opportunity to stay up to date on industry trends and information. It includes more than 10 hours of education, including modules on crop reports, market trends, FDA updates, global trade and regulation information, relevant chemical regulation updates, and more. Brand new content on navigating COVID-19 for the food industry and other hot topics is also included.

Online sessions will be recorded for participants’ convenience and to accommodate time zone differences, and PowerPoint presentations, videos, and other resources will be provided to registrants.

This new format allows for participation for a higher number of individuals within your companies. Although ASTA webinars typically allow for multiple participants from the same company under the same registration, we are encouraging companies to register multiple people from the same company.

We would also like to remind our registrants that ASTA is a not-for-profit trade association that reinvests revenue from the ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits to support advocacy initiatives that keep the industry strong. ASTA has accrued expenses that cannot be recouped for the 2020 meeting. The revenue from ASTA Online registrations will help ensure that ASTA is in a good position to be able to continue to offer high quality events such as future annual meetings, and that the industry continues to have a strong voice with government agencies, which is especially important in times of crisis.

What is happening with the Pre-Conference Workshop?
Several of the presentations scheduled to take place during the Pre-Conference Workshop will be rolled into ASTA Online. Pre-Conference Workshop registration fees have been refunded.

What about the ASTA Business Meeting?
The Business Meeting session was held as an online meeting on April 21.

I come to ASTA to network and see my colleagues. How will ASTA provide opportunities for networking in the absence of the in-person meeting?
We recognize that one of the key benefits of ASTA is the opportunity to come together as an industry and connect with your suppliers, customers, industry friends and colleagues, which is challenging in the era of “social distancing.” The Networking Task Force is hosting Virtual Happy Hours of ASTA Online attendees.

What will happen with the committee meetings?
The committee meetings will not take place in person. ASTA staff will work with the committee chairs to reschedule meetings, which will take place virtually to continue the work that ASTA is doing.

What if I would like to cancel my registration?
Cancellations must be received in writing by Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Cancellations will be refunded with a $100 cancellation fee and processed to your original form of payment. No refunds will be given after Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Please contact [email protected] to cancel or make changes to your registration.

When will refunds and price adjustments be processed?
ASTA will process refunds and price adjustments by April 21, 2020.

What about flight and travel arrangements?
All attendees need to contact their own airlines/travel insurance companies to understand their policies and whether flights can be transferred and what penalty fees, if any, may apply.

How do I cancel my hotel reservation(s)?
If your hotel reservation at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront were made in the ASTA room block, they have been automatically cancelled. You should receive an email confirmation by March 21, 2020. If you did not receive a confirmation, please contact the hotel directly. Please note the hotel will automatically refund your one night deposit, but due to high volume in their reservation department that refund may take up to 14 business days to be processed. If you booked your room outside the ASTA block you must call the hotel to cancel, without penalty, your reservation. ASTA is not responsible for any fees incurred for un-cancelled reservations.

FOR SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

What will happen to sponsors and their financial support of and visibility at the ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits?

New this year, ASTA added advertising in ASTA newsletters and the ASTA website as a key sponsorship benefit. Sponsors have already received recognition on the ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits webpage and promotions. All sponsors will continue to get recognition through these mobile platforms as well as on all ASTA Online content.

Please contact Margarita Passero, at [email protected] if you have any questions.

What will happen to exhibitors and their financial support of and planned presence at the ASTA Annual Meeting & Exhibits?
All exhibitors will have the opportunity to transfer their exhibit to a future ASTA event. ASTA will contact you directly to discuss your specific needs.

Please contact Margarita Passero at [email protected] if you have any questions.