Frequently Asked Questions About Our Events
The
FAQs are divided into three sections:
FAQs
for Speakers
FAQs
for Exhibitors and Sponsors
FAQs
for Attendees and Other General Information
Special
Note: This list of FAQs applies to most Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.)
events. From time to time, selected events may have different features.
If you have any questions about a specific event, please call Customer Service
at 703-412-9287 x222.
(Q) Who provides briefings at your events?
(A) We invite current government speakers to provide briefings at our events. Government speakers are asked to prepare a management-level briefing as opposed to a detailed and technical report. Government speakers are asked to discuss their programs, requirements, best practices, and lessons learned. We encourage case studies. Our audience is comprised of both senior level government and industry attendees. They want to learn more about government programs, lessons leaned, and requirements.
(Q) Can industry representatives speak at your events?
(A) Yes. However, realize 9 out of 10 speakers are current government employees. Industry speakers must typically become sponsors to speak. There is a fee associated with this. This fee is covered in the cost of your company sponsorship package. For details, please contact Sareth Neak at 703-412-9287 x226.
A simple rule for industry speakers.
Industry speakers are absolutely NOT allowed to present a sales pitch! Your sponsorship includes an exhibit area so your colleagues can pitch your products and services. Industry speakers are encouraged to provide lessons learned and case studies. Ideally, industry speakers should invite one of their current government clients to provide the briefing. It sounds less like a sales pitch. Industry speakers should discuss trends, outlooks, and insights into a specific topic or area. If done tactfully and with respect to your audience, you have the ability to demonstrate your knowledge of a particular challenge and solution without making your presentation sound like a sales pitch.
(Q) How long can I speak?
(A) Presentations are typically 45 minutes in length. This allows for a 30-35 minute PowerPoint presentation with 5-10 minutes of Q&A. Some presentations are 30 minutes in length: 20-25 minute PowerPoint presentation with 5-10 minutes for Q&A.
(Q) What is the presentation format?
(A) We encourage and expect you to use PowerPoint. However, we can accept most formats for presentations, including PDF files.
(Q) Will you print my presentation for the attendees?
(A) PowerPoint presentations will be made available to attendees via the internet prior to the conference.
(Q) Do I need to bring my laptop?
(A) No. Your presentation will be pre-loaded on a laptop and connected to a projector the day of the event. We have an A/V specialist on-site available to assist you with your presentation and advance your slides if necessary.
(Q) Who should I contact for questions regarding my presentation & event logistics?
(A) Please contact Laura Johnson at 703-412-9287 x223 or via email at ljohnson@homelanddefensejournal.net.
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(Q) What is the difference between sponsoring and exhibiting?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) encourages all participating organizational & corporate sponsors to feature their core products, services or solutions at our events using a tabletop space. All sponsors may exhibit; however, not all sponsors choose to do so. Exhibit space is included in the fees associated with sponsorship. Sponsorship fees and benefits are listed by event on our website at www.homelanddefensejournal.com.
(Q) Why should I be a sponsor?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) uses an event model that results in an audience of high interest to our sponsors & clients. That business model includes:
- Narrowly defined market segment of paying participants which allows you to be assured that the people who attend our events WANT to be there & have obtained approval to attend.
- Senior government IT speakers who have funds, plans, & programs of high interest to the attendees.
- Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) performs research prior to each event. We FIND your target market including the subject matter experts & program managers who are actively engaged in this vertical market. This is our invitation list.
(Q) How can a sponsor participate on the agenda with a speaker?
(A) By providing a subject matter expert to present a case study with a federal customer on a relevant topic. Where a service or product is in its embryonic stages or has not had a federal implementation, a commercial client may participate provided the case study demonstrates a COTS solution or commercial best practices. Sponsors may also participate in a panel provided that the subject matter expert's knowledge would be consistent and useful with the topics in the panel discussion.
(Q) Are all sponsors guaranteed a speaking opportunity?
(A) Not all sponsors are guaranteed speaker participation. Based on the level of sponsorship and the nature of the topics, we will review speaker suggestions in order to provide useful, non-biased educational information to our audiences.
(Q) As a sponsor, can we send just anyone to attend?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) encourages attendance and participation at our events. We welcome participation. Tactically speaking from an industry perspective, our vendors consistently report to us that their return on investment for a sponsorship is well worth the qualified leads & contacts from industry and government generated from the event. Why pay for months of business development when you can reach a large cross-section of your targeted audience in a single day at a fraction of the cost?
(Q) I would like to sponsor an event, but we don’t have enough money in our funds to pay for it right now. What do I do?
(A) Contact Sareth Neak at 703-412-9287 x226 to make special payment arrangements.
(Q) What type of audience should we expect?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) has a unique and exceptional capability. We FIND the right folks and invite them. We spend a tremendous amount of time researching our subjects and topics and identifying the decision makers associated with our event topics. This is costlier than a direct mail or "spray and pray" approach. We get them there by providing a reputable executive conference format, relevant subject matter, the right speakers, and a select group of sponsors who can be solution providers and relationship-builders rather than just sales people. Consistently, our audience is made up of two-thirds government, one-third industry representatives. This audience is a cross-section of senior managers and executives.
(Q) How does Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) find their audience?
(A) We work closely to maintain our industry and government relationships and therefore consistently offer quality and provide the right folks at the right time. The government is there to learn industry best practices, existing government solutions, case studies, and more. They are focused on the quality of the information and in some cases receive credit towards continuing education for participating in these training events.
(Q) Do your events focus more on the training aspect or on the sales aspect?
(A) Our events focus more on the training aspect.
(Q) Can we get the attendee list or the mailing list?
(A) Sponsors receive a post-conference a list of attendees by name, title, agency/ department and/or company. No contact information is provided. We do not sell or give away our attendee lists as a general rule. Our relationships with our federal friends are very important to us. We want to keep it that way, so the data remains proprietary. We can and do work with organizations to provide follow-up services to our attending audiences or we can provide a market research deliverable or survey providing contacts and qualified leads for relevant business initiatives consistent with the subject matter of the conference. There are fees associated with this.
(Q) How many people do you expect at your events?
(A) For typical conferences, attendance ranges from 100 to 200 attendees. Our workshops usually max out at 40 attendees. Sponsorships are first come, first serve until space is exhausted.
(Q) How do you market your events?
(A) We use our website as our main source of information. Feel free to download sponsorship forms, registration forms, anything you need. Remember to update and refresh your browser between visits, otherwise you may not see the updates because your computer will show you the last file it stored. We update our websites weekly! We can fax or email you flyers, website URL information, and forms upon request. Please call Sareth Neak 703-412-9287 x226 to request more information or if you have questions about sponsorships.
(Q) As a sponsor, what event accommodations will I be provided with?
(A) If your event is at NRECA Executive Conference Center, you will be provided with a six-foot table, one electrical outlet, and chair(s). There may also be additional sponsorship benefits depending on your sponsorship level. See the sponsorship page for the event you are sponsoring for further details.
(Q) When I complete my sponsorship packet, where do I send my completed forms?
(A) Please fax all sponsor forms to Attn: Sareth Neak at 703-412-9286.
(Q) How do I coordinate receiving my special equipment?
(A) Please speak with your sponsor sales person.
(Q) Where do I go when I get to the Conference Facility?
(A) See map and/or instructions at our web site.
(Q) How do I find out my table assignment?
(A) You will be notified when sponsorship arrangements and floor plans have been verified by the conference team.
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(Q) There is supposed to be updated information on a certain web page, but it doesn't seem to be there. How can I view the changes?
(A) You may need to click the "Refresh" or "Reload" button on your browser to get the most recent version of a web page to appear. If this doesn't solve the problem, please contact Laura Johnson at 703-412-9287 x223 or at ljohnson@homelanddefensejournal.net.
(Q) There is a charge on my credit card statement, but I don’t know what it was for. How can I determine this information?
(A) If you attended one of Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.)'s conferences, your credit card statement will indicate the purchase price. On your credit card statement, Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) will appear as the processor. If you need further assistance, call Customer Service at 703-412-9287 x222.
(Q) I have a scheduling conflict and can no longer attend an event. Can I transfer to another offering without penalty?
(A) Yes. You may transfer a registration without penalty up to two times*.
*If you have provided a government training form to secure your registration, but need to transfer to a future event, you must re-register as a new registrant.
(Q) I wasn't able to attend the event, though I registered and prepaid. Can I get a refund?
(A) A full refund, less a $100 processing fee will be granted only if the registered attendee informs Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) in writing at least two weeks before the event. At this point, Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) has already committed the funds to purchase refreshments, meals, space and event handouts. Any time after that point, the attendee will be responsible for the entire registration fee. Note: Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.)'s cancellation policy is located at the bottom of each registration form and may vary from course to course.
(Q) I registered and prepaid for the event but am not able to attend. Can someone else go in my place?
(A) You may designate a substitute in writing. Please send an email to Customer Service or fax at 703-412-9286 any time before an event with no penalties or processing fees.
(Q) If I fax the registration form or fill out the online booking form, am I guaranteed a seat?
(A) Yes, for events that are still accepting registrations. However, if an event is sold out, Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) will contact you and ask if you want to be put on a waiting list or transferred to an upcoming offering. To prevent this from happening, be sure to keep an eye on our website at www.homelanddefensejournal.com.
(Q) What happens if I submitted my registration form without payment and then an event sells out?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) reserves the right to cancel any unpaid reservations to provide a paying registrant with the seat. All registrants will be notified if they are in danger of losing their seat. If they are unable to process payment timely, they will be notified at least two weeks prior to the start date that they have lost their seat. Please note that we accept government purchase orders as "payment."
(Q) I am a contractor and physically work on-site at a government facility. Am I eligible for the government rate?
(A) No. Contractors are charged the full industry rate even when representing a government affiliation or agency.
(Q) I was not able to attend the event . Can I get a copy of the briefing materials?
(A) Yes. There will be a fee for a single copy of the briefing materials. Please call 703-412-9287 x222 to purchase the briefing materials.
(Q) Can I get a copy of your attendee list?
(A) Yes, if you were a registered attendee. Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) will provide an attendee list including the attendee name, title and agency/company information at the day of the conference. We do not release contact information.
(Q) I want to come to the conference to view the exhibitors. Will your staff allow me to enter the exhibitor area?
(A) Yes. However, all attendees must pay the full conference rate.
(Q) My company makes and sells IT products and Services to the federal government. Can Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) help me arrange an event that will showcase my products and services?
(A) Absolutely. Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) does this for many of our clients. Contact Laura Johnson at 703-412-9287 x223 or at ljohnson@homelanddefensejournal.net.
(Q) I am with the press. Can I attend for free?
(A) We no longer offer complimentary press passes. However, we often work with other publications to offer a complimentary pass in exchange for helping us market our events. For more information on "media sponsorships," contact Laura Johnson at 703-412-9287 x223. Also, due to the subject matter of some of the executive briefings, members of the press may not be allowed to attend per the request of a speaker.
(Q) How do I learn more about the conference?
(A) Visit our website at www.homelanddefensejournal.com. Check the site fairly frequently as information on events is continually revised and expanded.
(Q) What are the nearest hotels to the event?
(A) If the function is not being held at a hotel, a list of recommended nearby hotels (with hyperlinks to each hotel's web site) is given on the web page for each event.
(Q) What is the last day to register?
(A) Registration for our conferences is usually open until 48 hours prior to the conference. You may also walk in and register the day of the conference, space permitting. Visit our website at www.homelanddefensejournal.com for up-to-date details.
(Q) Can I simply walk in on the morning of the event itself?
(A) Maybe. If the course is still accepting registrations, you may register on site. Please have your payment with you in order to attend. Provided we have space available, we will do everything we can to allow you to attend. If the event is sold out, you will not be allowed to walk in. Visit our website at www.homelanddefensejournal.com for up-to-date details.
(Q) Will I be charged more at the door than I would if I registered in advance?
(A) No.
(Q) What kind of discount do you offer for groups of people attending from the same company?
(A) Sponsors and exhibitors are permitted to purchase additional tickets at a reduced rate.
(Q) Will I receive a receipt?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) provides receipts via email confirmation after an event or upon request the day of the event.
(Q) Can I tape any of the presentations?
(A) Homeland Defense Training & Publishing (A Division of Government Horizons Global Inc.) does not allow any video or audio taping of any events.
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