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Are both membership and registration required to attend the conference?
Yes, both membership and registration are required to attend the annual conference; no exceptions.
How do I pay for my membership and registration on Ballast?
Log in to your Ballast account at samla.ballastacademic.com. Click on the “Membership and Registration” tab. If you haven’t purchased membership yet, select “Membership” and click “Next.” Registration will appear as an “add-on” on the following screen. If you’ve already purchased membership but not conference registration, click on the “Membership and Registration” tab and then click on “[calendar year] Early Conference Registration” or “[calendar year] Regular Conference Registration”. We accept all major credit cards but prefer debit cards when possible so that we can avoid paying credit card processing fees.
Is there a deadline to pay for membership and registration on Ballast?
Yes. Deadlines are posted on the front page of the website. Rates for registration increase after the early conference registration deadline has passed. Any person who has not paid for both membership and conference registration by the final registration deadline will be removed from the conference schedule; no exceptions.
Does everyone attending the conference need to pay for both membership and registration?
Yes, no exceptions.
Do you offer day passes?
No.
I’m an undergraduate. Can I attend?
Yes, SAMLA is one of the nation’s most friendly conferences for undergraduates, though certain rules apply. You can submit an abstract, though you cannot propose your own session. Undergraduates are typically grouped with other undergraduates for their sessions.
I’m a professor interested in bringing my undergraduates for an undergrad-specific panel that I designed. How do I do this?
Your session would fall under the Undergraduate Research Forum (URF) category. Please indicate “URF: ” at the beginning of your title when submitting your panel proposal.
Are registration discounts offered in any circumstances?
No, unless a registration waiver is part of an award that you applied for and won. Please see the “Awards” tab for more details.
I want to pay on behalf of someone else, or I want to register for multiple attendees from my department in bulk. How do I do this?
We can assist you with this. Please email samla@gsu.edu with a complete list of attendee(s) names, institutions, and academic ranks.
Is there a virtual or hybrid attendance option?
No, SAMLA is a 100% in-person conference.
I can no longer attend the conference. Do I need to inform anyone?
Yes. If you are withdrawing from the conference, please email samla@gsu.edu and your panel chair if applicable before the final registration deadline.
What is SAMLA’s refund policy?
Membership fees are non-refundable in all circumstances. Registration fees are non-refundable after the final registration deadline.
I’m not presenting, but I am interested in general attendance. How do I register?
Non-presenters are certainly welcome to attend! Please create an account on Ballast and submit your membership and registration payment to sign up.
Where is the SAMLA conference this year?
This information is posted on the front page of the website.
How do I book my hotel room?
When it becomes available, a link to book your hotel room within SAMLA’s block will be emailed out and posted to the front page of the website. Please book within the SAMLA block for the best price, and please use the conference hotel for your stay. Our costs are offset by hotel rooms booked, and the organization pays extra if we do not meet our minimums.
Is there a deadline to book my hotel?
Yes, there is a final cut-off date to book within the hotel block. It will be posted on the front page of the website when available.
How do I change my hotel reservation details?
Please contact the hotel. SAMLA does not control reservations.
I need to park at the hotel. Can I?
Parking information differs yearly, but in general, yes. Details will be emailed out prior to the conference. The SAMLA group typically enjoys a discounted parking rate.
Do you offer funding for travel and hotel expenses?
No, unless you won the Harper Award or NTT Travel Grant Award, in which case, we will help defray your travel expenses.
Are meals provided at the conference?
Partially. The schedule for meals and coffee differs yearly and will be announced in the conference program. Please note that items are limited and we cannot guarantee availability, especially if you arrive late to a meal time.
How do I know when my session has been scheduled for?
A draft schedule will be released in mid-September, followed by a brief corrections period in which titles, names, affiliations, and institutions can be changed. The draft schedule will contain your session date and time. SAMLA does not accept scheduling requests for specific timings. Panels can be scheduled for any time on any day during the conference and are not subject to changes.
How do I make a scheduling request?
SAMLA does not accept scheduling requests for specific timings. Panels can be scheduled for any time on any day during the conference.
I need to present slides. Is there AV in my meeting room?
Yes, all meeting rooms are equipped with AV.
How do I request a letter of acceptance?
Please fill out this Google Form.
How do I request an invoice?
Please fill out this Google Form.
The conference was great! How do I express my thanks?
We’re happy you enjoyed it! Consider posting about the conference on your social media to help spread the word. Please tag us in your post. You can also consider making a donation. More information on donations can be found in the donations section of this FAQ or on our website.
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