Frequently Asked Questions


Registration:
Q : Who should I contact if I have problems with registration ?
A : Please email Convention2011@jaina.org or call 1 (832)447-8495 for assistance.

Q : Do I need to register for the convention if I plan to serve as a volunteer?
A : Yes, all volunteers have to register and pay registration fees for the convention.

Q : Is $99 price for one person or for a whole family?
A : $99 Price is per person for Adults during early bird registration period.

Q : Is there any registration discount for the whole family?
A : There is no registration discount per family. We have an early bird registration discount per person which will only last for 3 weeks starting December 25, 2010.

Q : Is there any discount for Senior Citizens?
A : There is no special discount for Senior Citizens.

Q : I want to get Priority Seating at the convention. How can I get that?
A : Priority Seating is available. Please contact Convention2011@jaina.org for more details.

Q : My child is 7 years old. Do I need to register him/her?
A : Yes, children 6 years and above must register.

Q : I have an infant below age 5. Do I need to register him/her?
A : Yes, you have to register infant, for security reasons, but there is no charge for kids upto 5 years of age.

Q : Is there a single day registration available?
A : No, you must register for the whole convention.

Q : Is there any extra charge for Food, Sessions or Evening events?
A : Food, sessions and evening events are covered in the convention registration fee. There is a charge for special JAIN21/JNF activities and Kids Club. Please review the registration form to see which optional services are available for an additional charge.

Q : Who qualifies for the youth registration charges?
A : Kids between the ages 6 and17.

Q : My friend is interested in attending the convention but he is not Jain. Can he register for the convention?
A : Absolutely. We have planned many non-religious breakout sessions.

Q : I am going to India in Dec and coming back after Jan 15th can I register after coming back and still take advantage of the $99 deal?
A : No. However you can use a paper registration form to register prior to leaving the country. Print out the paper registration form from the convention website or pick one up from the temple.

Q : Why is youth price (Registration + Activity) is more than adult price?
A : There are many special activities track designed for Youth. Activities are dependent on the age group. Youth 3-13 have Kids Club, Youth 14-35 have Social Activity, and Youth 21-35 has JNF/JAINA21.

Q : How do I register?
A : To register go to http://convention.jaina.org and click on Registration.

Q : Can you give me the registration cost breakdown?
A : Please refer to Registration Fee structure on the registration form for information.

Q : Why do I have to register now?
A : The choice is yours on when to register. However, the sooner you register, the less you will have to pay.

Q : I am not sure if I will be in here in July so can I register later in March or May?
A : You can register any time, but the charges will change. Please see the fee schedule to determine the rates. Registration is NOT transferable.

Q : I do not have internet connection. How do I register?
A : You may fill out a paper registration form available at your local temple or you can call (832)447-8495 and someone can help you get registered for the convention.

Q : I want to cancel the registration. How can I get a refund and what amount will be refunded?
A : Please review the cancellation policy on the registration form.

Q : I would like to donate money to JAINA. How can I donate?
A : Thank you for your thoughts. On the registration form, there is a line where you can enter the amount you want to donate. Alternatively, please call or send us an email and we can give you additional details on how you can contribute.

Q : My family and I would like to attend the convention but cannot afford the registration costs. Is there some program we can take advantage of?
A : Please email conventionboard@jaina.org and provide us details of your situation.

Q : I am a guest speaker at the convention. What are my registration costs?
A : Please email conventionboard@jaina.org and provide us your information.

Q : I have lost my registration number. How can I retrieve it?
A : Please contact Convention2011@jaina.org to get your details.

Q : I never received a registration confirmation email/letter. How can I get it?
A : Please contact Convention2011@jaina.org to get your details.

Q : Can I come early or leave late after the convention?
A : You can come early, but convention registration officially starts at 10:00AM on Friday July 1st. You can leave anytime but the convention officially ends at 12:00 PM Monday July 4th.


Transportation:
Q : What are the transportation options for Houston members?
A : We are trying to arrange valet parking at GRB Convention Center. The total charge will be advertised soon. We will be selling coupons for the valet parking in JSH during January and February month. Please make sure you purchase those coupons in advance to get better rates.

Q : Where are we going to park at the convention center?
A : The valet company will have a lot close by where they will park the car. All you have to do is drop the car at the entrance of the GRB convention center.

Q : My relatives are flying from city X on Day Y. Can you drop them at my place?
A : No, shuttle service is only available between the airports and Hilton Hotel only. They can purchase this service for a total fee of $25. You can always pick them up from the downtown hotel instead of the airport. Please note that $25 includes the return trip too.

Q : How can I submit information about my arrival and departure time?
A : Please email Convention2011@jaina.org. Transportation form is available on the Hotel and Travel Section and the Registration Section. Please submit all your arrival and departure information. Please note that we need this information only if you are paying for the airport shuttle service.

Q : How can I update previously submitted arrival and departure information?
A : For any changes, please email to Convention2011@jaina.org.

Q : What are the timings for the airport shuttle?
A : Airport shuttle service will be provided from 11am to 10pm on Friday, July 1st and from 7am to 2pm on July 4th. For any other timing, please send us the e-mail at Convention2011@jaina.org and we will let you know if we can accommodate your request.

Q : I am coming very early on Friday and leaving very late on Monday. Do you have any kind of tours for us so that we can visit Houston during that time?
A : Yes, we have arranged for pre-convention and post-convention tours to NASA. You can always take this tour for a small charge. Details for our tours are posted on the Hotel and Travel section.

Q : I have a six year old child. Do I have to pay for airport shuttle for him too?
A : We have the same age rule as registration. If you have to pay for the registration then you will have to pay for the shuttle as well. If your child is under the age limit and you did not have to pay any registration fees, then you do not have to pay for the airport shuttle.



Food:

Q : Are you going to serve JAIN Food?
A : Yes

Q : Are you going to handle special diet (Diabetic, Vegan, etc)?
A : Yes we will have Vegan food, but for those who selected VEGAN on the registration form. In addition, if you have a special diet request, please email Convention2011@jaina.org.

Q : My Kids like to eat cereal in the morning. Are you going to provide that or we should bring our own?
A : Yes we will have variety of items for breakfast with cereal being one of them. We will have several non-Indian Jain dishes as an option at each meal.

Q : What time breakfast, lunch and dinner be served?
A : Breakfast - 7:30AM
Lunch – 12:00 PM
Dinner – 6:00 PM

Q : Breakfast is only for Guests coming from outside or available for local members also?
A : Breakfast is for anyone who has registered for the convention.

Q : Can we order room service at our Hotel in Hilton Americas?
A : Yes but you will be responsible for that cost. Registration fees do not cover and costs related to the Hotel stay.

Q : Are you going to cater to people who want to do Akasna, Besna, Aimbail or Tithi?
A : Yes but please email Convention2011@jaina.org with you details ahead of time.



Programming:

Q : Will Youth and Adults have the same programs or different?
A : Some programs are applicable for all age groups. Some programs are catered to certain age groups. Detailed agenda will be available on http://convention.jaina.org soon.

Q : Where will Youth related programs take place?
A : All Youth programs will be organized in the Hilton Hotel.

Q : What is included for programming?
A : Please check the Program Information section for detailed Programming information.

Q : Are there any special programs being organized for Senior Citizen?
A : Yes, there will be special track for Senior Citizens, such as health related, JAIN Diaspora, etc. Please refer to the Program information section for more information.

Q : What special programs have been planned for Kids age from 3 years to 13 years?
A : Mad Science Camp, Jain Story time, Yoga Camp, Puppet show, Drawing Competition, and many more activities.

Q : I/my group/our sangh would like to perform a program on stage. Who should we contact for this?
A : Please contact Convention2011@jaina.org



Facilities and Hotel:

Q : Do you have handicap accessibility?
A : GRB Convention Center and the Hilton Hotel are handicap accessible.

Q : Which hotel is close to convention?
A : Hilton Americas is the preferred hotel to stay during the convention and connected by an air conditioned walkway connect the hotel to GRB.

Q : Can I get a discount at Hilton Americas?
A : Yes, we have negotiated a significant discount with the hotel. Please visit http://convention.jaina.org under the Travel and Hotel section for more information.

Q : Is the hotel cost covered by the cost of registration?
A : No.

Q : Hilton Hotel says they have no more rooms at the discounted rate. Can we still get a room with a discount?
A : JAINA has reserved limited rooms at significantly discounted rate of $105 each night for double or king beds. Convention registration is required to qualify and maintain for JAINA group discount. Please call Hilton Americas Phone # 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) and request group rate for JAINA or click here for Hotel Reservation. You may also call 1 (832)447-8495 for further assistance.

Q : Can I get a room at the Hilton Americas even if I live in Houston?
A : Yes.

Q : Do you have discounts at any other hotels?
A : No. Hilton Americas offers a safe and secure location at the best rates. Please check the website http://convention.jaina.org under the Travel and Hotel section for more information.

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