FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Program Questions
Registration Questions
Travel and Housing Questions
General Conference Questions
Exhibitor Questions
Press and Analyst Questions Program

Program (top)

How can I justify my attendance at the conference?

Easy, just tell your manager that attending the 2007 OWIT World Conference will allow you to:

• Learn the latest on current "hot" subjects regarding international trade including economic, environmental and social trends in international trade, fair trade, emerging global economies, trade logistics, and more.
• Discover and evaluate products and services offered by more than 20 exhibitors
• Gain perspective on the state of global trade , compliance and networking through keynote speakers including Economy Secretariat of Mexico Mr. Gerardo Ruiz Mateos and Josephine Cooper VP Public Policy and Government of Toyota and many more expert speakers in our 7 sessions within 2 tracks
• Participate in workshops to learn how you can prepare your organization for 10+2 readiness
• Take it all back--Convention attendees will be given a CD of conference proceedings to take back to your office and chapter
• You pay one quarter the attendance fee that conferences of this caliber charge because of generous subsidizing by our sponsors who include Toyota Motor Sales, Alberta Commercial Representation, Intercargo Brokers, Sandler & Travis, Commercial Representation of Netherlands and the Journal of Commerce.
• Learn how to network at conferences through our A Positive Networking™ “Leap Start” training session.
• Meet other OWIT members just like yourselves who will be gathering for this conference coming from many parts of the world aside from the U.S., as our organization continues to grow including, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean. Canada and Asia.
• Conduct your team offsite at OWIT and let OWIT plan your entire teambuilding, educational experience while rewarding your employees with a program devoted to global trade professionals.
• Share your new-found knowledge attained at the conference with colleagues back at the office and members of your chapter who are unable to attend. Update them on issues that will be presented at the OWIT Annual Conference. Put this valuable knowledge and expanded network to work for you.

Where can I find the Conference session?

The session descriptions are available in the Programs Section of the website.

Will I be able to switch between the two conference tracks?

Attendees may select from any of the 14 sessions within the 2 tracks to match their information and learning needs. You are not limited to a specific track.

What do I wear to the conference and the awards ceremony?

Business casual or business attire is appropriate for the conference. Business or evening attire is appropriate for the Awards Ceremony.

Can I purchase additional tickets to the Gala?

Additional tickets can be purchased on-line. The cost is $100 per guest.

Extra-curricular activities: I'm planning on staying over for the weekend. Will there be any activities planned for Saturday and/or Sunday?

We don’t have a planned activity but we can make some arrangements for you or contact directly with the Tourism Office

Registration (top)

How do I register for the conference?

You may register on-line or mail or fax your registration form to Women in International Trade – Monterrey in Av. Lazaro Cardenas No. 107, Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. México 66269, fax number +52 (81) 81009969 ext. 111

What are the registration costs for the Conference?

Depending on the type of registration and when you register, there are different costs. They are listed in the registration page.

What currency are the rates in?

All rates are in U.S. Dollars. Any currency conversion rates and fees are borne by the registrant.

How do I know if I'm a member?

Membership in any of the local OWIT chapters entitles you to the member rate. We will validate your membership when you enter your email or the special registration code that your local chapter provided you in the first screen in the registration process.

What type of payments do you accept?

 We accept credit cards, checks, and cash.

Will badges be mailed?

No, badges will not be mailed. You may pick up your badge at the main Registration Area on the Mezzanine level of the hotel. Simply walk straight back to the conference stairs from the main entrance of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The registration is at the Mezzanine Floor.

Registration hours:

Registration begins at 5 pm Wednesday October 22th and will be open for the duration of the conference.

Can I attend just one day of the Conference?

There are one-day passes available for the Conference. The cost depends on the type of registration and when you register. They are listed in the registration page. One day passes entitle the registrant to all events for that day including food and beverages.

Are meals included in the cost of registration?

There will be appetizers and beverages served at the welcome reception on Wednesday October 22. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both Thursday October 23 and Friday October 24. Dinner and beverages will be served at the Gala on Thursday, October 23.

What is the cancellation policy?

All cancellations must be received by 5 pm, October 10th. If not received, registrant will remain responsible for payment. Please remember that canceling your conference registration does not automatically cancel your hotel and travel arrangements. Individuals are responsible for canceling their own hotel and travel reservations.

OWIT reserves the right to cancel any event prior to its commencement. In such situations, OWIT at its sole discretion reserves the right to refund any conference fees that have been paid. No other expenditures however will be considered for reimbursement by OWIT or conference organizers to attendees, speakers or other registered conference participants.

FORCE MAJEURE / IMPOSSIBILITY

The performance and obligation of WIT-NC and/or OWIT to host the 2007 Global Trade Conference is subject to Acts of God, war, government regulations, disasters, strikes (except those involving the employees or agents of the party seeking the protection of this clause), or threat of strikes over the meeting dates, civil disorder, curtailment of transportation facilities or any other emergency making it illegal or impossible to provide or use the Hotel facilities or hold the conference. The ability to terminate the conference without liability pursuant to this paragraph is conditioned upon delivery of written notice to the other party setting forth the basis for such termination as soon as reasonably practical – but in no event longer than five (5) days – after learning of such basis.

If I am unable to attend, how can someone take my place at the Conference?

Substitutions, including those made on site, are allowed with the written permission of the original registrant. You may submit your request via e-mail, fax or regular/overnight mail; e-mail: cnavarro@owit.com.mx; fax number +52 (81) 81009969 ext. 111; or regular/overnight mail: Women in International Trade - Monterrey in Av. Lazaro Cardenas No. 107, Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. México 66269

Do I need a special VISA to enter to Mexico?

No, you only show up at the airport Migration Office and they will provide a tourist permit to enter to Mexico.

Travel and Housing (top)

Has OWIT negotiated a special rate with the hotel?

Yes, but unfortunately, most of our room block has sold out. There may still be rooms avialable at the Crowne Plaza Hotel or at the Ancita Hotel. Follow this link to the Venue

What is the address of the conference?

Crowne Plaza Hotel
Avenue Constitucion Ote. 300, Monterrey, 64000 México
Hotel Front Desk: 52-81-83196000
Hotel Fax: 52-81-83196141
Book at 01 800 000 04 04
Maps and transportation

Where in Mexico?

There are a few cities in our country named as Monterrey. The conference will be in Monterrey at the state of Nuevo Leon. We are about two hours driving from Laredo, Texas. We are located on the north east of the country.

Is transportation available from the airport?

There is taxi service available to transport you between the Monterrey International Airport and Downtown. The estimated cost for a taxi from the airport to the Downtown is $25. By sharing a ride, up to 4 persons can ride for the price of 1 person.

Is there parking at the Hotel?

The Crowne Plaza Hotel has limited parking available for $6/day, but guess of the Hotel do not pay for the parking. Parking may restrict access to hotel guests. There are other garages in the area just across the street at $10/day

General Conference Questions (top)

What is the expected attendance?

The 2008 OWIT World Conference attendance is expected to exceed 200 attendees.

What is the Conference attire?

Casual to business are both appropriate.

Will presentations be available after the Conference?

Presentations will be available to Full Conference Attendees only on a proceedings CD that will be distributed after the conference. Media Attendees do not receive the CD. *Please note that we will include as many presentations on this CD as possible, but it will not contain every presentation.

Will there be a Message Center at the Conference?

At this time there are no plans for a Message Center. You should leave your cell or hotel phone number with your office for messages.

I'm an OWIT President and/or Representative, when is the board meeting?

The OWIT fall board meeting will be held on Saturday October 25 from 8-6 and Sunday October 26 from 8-1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Jalisco Room. Please rsvp to Lilia Navarrete.

Exhibitors (top)

What are the Expo Hall hours?

The exhibits will open at 6 pm Wednesday October 22th and will be open until 4:30 pm on Friday October 24th.

When can I begin the installation of my booth?

Booth installation will begin on Wednesday, October 22 at 11 am.

When can I begin the dismantling of my booth?

Booth dismantle will begin at 5:00 pm, Friday October 24th.

 Press and Analysts (top)

What are the qualifications to get a press pass for a member of the press?

You will need to indicate the type of organization you are representing and provide a direct link to your latest written article or report, with your name included, posted at an editorial or analyst Web site.

How do I obtain a press pass?

E-mail us at vjimenez@owit.com.mx with the qualifications and link stated above.