HOUSING AND TRAVEL
HOTEL REGISTRATION / best place to stay
The New Orleans Marriott is pleased to accept hotel reservations for the upcoming ANCC Transition to Practice (TTP) Symposium. To receive special rates and features, you must book through our dedicated booking website created especially for TTP Symposium attendees! Deadline to secure rooms is April 5, 2024, or once the reserved block has reached capacity.
RESERVE YOUR HOTEL ROOM NOW
Benefits of booking at the New Orleans Marriott:
- Stay at the official TTP Symposium hotel with other conference attendees
- Easy access to the symposium
- Networking opportunities
- Save time booking
- Support the symposium and ANCC by staying at an official conference hotel
Housing Questions
New Orleans Marriott
Phone: 1-504-581-1000
555 Canal St.,
New Orleans, LA
70130
ALERT: BE AWARE OF HOUSING SCAMS
Be aware of nonofficial housing companies that contact exhibitors and attendees claiming to be able to secure hotel rooms at a better rate. These “poachers” are not authorized to represent ANCC. Previous attendees reported that after paying these companies, no rooms were reserved, and they lost their money. If you are contacted by another housing company trying to sell hotel rooms, please notify meetings@ana.org as soon as possible.
TRAVEL INFORMATION / stay in the know
VISITOR VISA REQUIREMENTS
Be sure to plan ahead to ensure you meet the visa/travel requirements to enter the United States. We understand in some areas of the world there continue to be delays in obtaining a visa to enter the US. Don’t wait! These links and resources will help you navigate this process.
CHECK THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Many visitors to the United States require a visa to enter the country, unless they are coming from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program and possess a Machine-Ready Passport (MRP). If you require a visa to enter the United States, check with your local United States Embassy or Consulate to obtain the necessary documentation as soon as possible.
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM (VWP)
The US Department of Homeland Security requires travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure through its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Additional information and an online application can be found on the Department of Homeland Security’s ESTA website.
REQUEST A LETTER OF INVITATION
To assist you with the visa process, you may request a Letter of Invitation to the ANCC Conference. You can request this letter during the registration process. If you have questions, please email meetings@ana.org.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VISA PROCESS?
If you have any questions about the visa process, please contact your local embassy or consulate.
REMEMBER TO BOOK YOUR HOUSING EARLY!
To ensure the best hotel selection, we recommend that you book your hotel early.
INTERNATIONAL ATTENDEE GUIDE
GENERAL UNITED STATES INFORMATION
Welcome to the United States! We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans, LA, the location of ANCC’s 2024 Transition to Practice Symposium. The following information will help you acclimate.
Business hours in the US are extensive in the services sector. One can shop for clothing, food, and other items or find an open restaurant very late in the evening, and in some cases, 24 hours per day. Business hours for banks and government agencies such as the post office are more limited—typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.—though some may have extended hours.
CALENDAR OF DATES
Calendar dates are expressed in the month-day-year order in the US. This is contrary to the system used in many other countries. For instance, the 29th of April 2024, would be listed as 04-29-2024 rather than 29-04-2024.
12-HOUR CLOCK
A 12-hour clock utilizing a.m. and p.m. designations is standard. The 24-hour clock is primarily used only in military settings. New Orleans is in the Central Time Zone (CT), Daylight Saving Time (DST) will be in effect during the 2024 Symposium.
CUSTOMARY MEAL HOURS
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m.
As with other services, extended restaurant hours are readily available. On weekends, many Americans combine the meals of breakfast and lunch into a single “brunch.” Many full-service hotels offer brunch buffets on Saturday and Sunday.
ELECTRICITY
Electronics in the US operate with a voltage of 110-120 volts, 60 cycles. If your equipment requires 220 volts, you will need to bring a transformer and plug adapter. Note: converters can be difficult to find once in the United States.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
In general, you can dial 911 from any phone for emergency services, including police, ambulance, and fire. However, hotels and convention centers have their own emergency numbers, which will be posted on the phones and in the guest directories.
MONEY MATTERS
Cash machines are also known as automatic teller machines or ATMs. They are easily found near banks and in malls, shops and hotels, as well as on the street in major cities such as New Orleans. Service is reliable. The exchange rate is generally better at an ATM than at a bank currency exchange counter. Foreign currency exchange service is provided at MSY International Airport, which is located near the United and Delta Airlines ticket counters in the West Terminal. Most US retailers accept cash and credit cards.
SMOKING
Smoking is prohibited at the ANCC TTP Symposium and in all public areas like the New Orleans Marriott, except in designated areas
TELEPHONE USAGE
To make international calls from a telephone in the United States, dial the international calling number (011), followed by the country code, then city code, then phone number. For instance, to reach Harrod’s in London, dial 011-44-20-7730-1234. If you require operator assistance, an AT&T International Operator can be reached by dialing 00.
TIPPING
Tips or gratuities are optional payments given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service. How much to tip is a personal judgment. The information below serves only as a guideline. One should never offer a tip to police officers or government employees; such an offer might be considered a bribe.
- Waiters and waitresses normally receive 20% of the amount of the food bill for good service.
- Porters receive $1 or $2 per bag.
- Taxi drivers receive 15-20% of the amount of the fare.
- Barbers and hairdressers, as well as spa personnel, normally receive 15-20% of the bill.
- Room service personnel often receive an automatic gratuity that is listed on the food bill after the subtotal. Otherwise, $2 per meal is acceptable.
- Hotel maids normally receive $1 to $2 per night for cleaning the room.
- Any other visits from hotel personnel (for more towels or pillows, for instance) can be appropriately tipped with $1 to $2.
- Tour guides for organized tours utilizing transportation can receive tips for excellent service. The size of such a tip depends on the number of persons touring, the length of the tour, etc. For a half-day bus tour with a good guide, an average tip might be $5 per attendee.