Why is the in-person 16th National Conference on Hydrocephalus, HA CONNECT, moving virtual?

In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we are not hosting the in-person HA CONNECT National Conference in order to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our conference participants, speakers, exhibitors, and staff. Given the latest information available, it became clear to the Program Planning Committee and the leadership of the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) that not hosting an in-person conference is the best course of action, as it posed too great of a risk. Furthermore, taking this action will ensure that our hydrocephalus community, a vulnerable population, are safe and our medical professionals, who represent a critical element of the healthcare workforce, are available to provide care to patients.

Will the in-person National Conference be postponed until a later date or rescheduled?

No. HA CONNECT is planned years in advance. We carefully coordinate with each host city to accommodate our attendees during a specific timeframe and rescheduling to a later date this year not an option. The next in-person National Conference will take place in 2022 in Houston, Texas as originally planned—additional information on dates and exact location will be provided as soon as possible.

Will any sessions be made available virtually?

Yes. Our conference is now virtual! Hosting a virtual conference will allow us to continue to meet the educational needs of our community, deliver research, knowledge and expert insight. You can attend from the comfort of your own home and you’ll still have the opportunity to get to hear from some of your favorite medical professionals and researchers, to ask questions and learn from our exhibitors. More flexibility, same great educational opportunity!

When is the virtual 2020 HA CONNECT National Conference?

HA CONNECT Virtual will be held June 26-27. We are finalizing the program, so hang on tight! In the meantime, you can stay tuned for updates by signing up for the conference e-newsletter and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What is the cost to participate in the virtual conference?

To ensure that as many people as possible can take advantage of this virtual experience, and thanks to our generous conference sponsors and donors, we are excited to share that we are offering the 2020 National Conference free of charge! We are incredibly grateful for your support over the years and hope this free virtual experience will provide some respite from what we’re all experiencing at this time. We also want to express our appreciation for our generous sponsors and donors who continue to support HA in delivering our programs and services, like our National Conference.

If I already registered for the in-person HA CONNECT conference in Houston, Texas, will I need to register for the virtual conference?

Yes. To register, click here.

Will registration fees for the in-person National Conference be refunded?

All registered attendees can receive a full refund of their registration fee. You also have the option to donate all or part of your registration fee to HA. Your donation will go towards our new 2020 Resilience Fund, which we recently established to ensure HA can continue to fund hydrocephalus research and provide critical support and education programs, like our Conference, during this challenging time.

For assistance, please call Site Solution Worldwide’s office at 866-792-5399 (8:00am-5:00pm EST) and a member of their Registration Department can assist. You can also email our Registration Specialist, Emily Cooper for assistance.

How are hotel cancellations being handled?

The Hydrocephalus Association will automatically cancel your existing registration and housing (if you booked through our hotel block). Your credit card that you used to hold your reservation will not be charged; no additional action is needed.

Will attendees be refunded by HA for travel costs?

Individuals are responsible for cancelling and requesting refunds for any travel arrangements. Due to COVID-19, most airlines are waiving cancellation penalties; we suggest you contact your airline to request a refund or a travel credit for another flight in the future.

When is the next National Conference?

The 17^th National Conference on Hydrocephalus, HA CONNECT, will take place in the summer of 2022 in Houston, TX. Stay tuned for more information!

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

For event support, click here.

If you have additional questions or if you would like to sign up for notifications on the conference, please contact HA staff directly at conference@hydroassoc.org.