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FAQS

 

The FAQ page has been developed to assist with questions in relation to all aspects of the conference, please see below as your first point of call. Alternatively, if the answer to your question is not listed below, please contact the Conference Office via email on conference@earlychildhood.org.au or 02 6242 1800.

1 General Questions

When is the 2024 Early Childhood Australia Conference being held?

17—20 September 2024.

Where is the 2024 conference being held?

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

Is it too late to submit an abstract to present at the conference?

Yes, applications to present are closed. The closing date for submissions of applications to present was 19 January 2024.

Where can I find more information about the conference?

For information about the conference you can visit our conference website at www.ecaconference.com.au/2024/. The website contains the most current information including the conference program, details on social functions, awards and more.

How do I subscribe for the conference e-newsletter?

To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here. Newsletters are sent out approximately once per month.

Is it too late to submit a poster presentation?

Yes, applications to present are closed. The closing date for submissions of applications to present was 19 January 2024.

Where can I find the conference program?

The program for the 2024 ECA National Conference can be found here. To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

2 Registration

How much does it cost to attend the conference?

Registration for the 2024 ECA National Conference is open. Earlybird registration will close on 30 June 2024 or when sold out. To view conference rates, please visit https://www.ecaconference.com.au/2024/register/.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information.

I am a member of Early Childhood Australia. Do I receive a discount on my conference registration?

Yes.

Institution members are eligible to receive a discount for 5 people, Service/School members are eligible to receive a discount for 3 people, and Professional and Concession members receive a discount for themselves. Please note: To receive a discount you must be a current member of ECA and your member number must be entered into the online system upon registration. If you are unsure of the type of membership you hold, please contact the ECA National Office on 1800 356 900. Become a member!

How do I find out if I am a member of ECA?

Contact the ECA Customer Service team on 1800 356 900.

Do I have to pay for the conference upfront?

Yes. Full payment of conference registration fees must accompany your registration.

I am not a member of ECA, can I still receive a registration discount?

No. The only way to receive a discount is to become a member. Click here for more information on ECA membership.

Can you take my registration details over the phone?

No. You must register online. We cannot accept any verbal registrations.

Can you invoice me once you receive my registration form?

The online system will allow you to register and indicate payment by EFT issuing you with an invoice and giving you 14 days to pay. Please note if your payment is not received within 14 days your registration will be cancelled.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my registration?

Registration terms & conditions – Registration cancellations will not be accepted unless made in writing to the event organiser. If the notification is not received by the conference office, the cancellation is deemed to have been not notified.

Cancellations made more than thirty (30) days prior to the event date will be refunded less $110.00 of the registration fee to cover administration costs. No registration refunds will be made after this date; however you may nominate a replacement delegate at no charge. The same conditions apply to tickets purchased for social events. Should your tickets be purchased within the 30 day period before the Event, no cancellations will be accommodated.

Refunds of accommodation deposits are not included in the conditions and are at the discretion of the accommodation venue. No refunds whatsoever are available in the event a delegate registers but fails to attend the conference.

Can we share one registration between different people?

Each individual must be registered for the event, a ticket cannot be shared. A service cannot share one registration with multiple people across the days of the event.

If I cannot attend, can I give my registration to someone else?

If you cannot attend, you may nominate a replacement delegate at no cost, contact ECA Customer Service on 1800 356 900.

3 Events

How much does it cost to attend the Welcome Reception?

One (1) ticket is included in the full delegate & concession registration. Additional tickets can be purchased at $103.00 each.

How much does it cost to attend the Conference Dinner?

Tickets to the HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards Dinner can be purchased during registration at $130.00 per person. If you have already registered and would like to purchase a ticket, please contact our Conference team at conference@earlychildhood.org.au. To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here. 

How much does it cost to attend a Centre tour?

More information on centre tours are not available yet. To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

What days do the tours fall on and will they run over the conference program?

Centre Tours run on Day Zero, Tuesday 17 September 2024 between 8:30 am-4.30pm and do not conflict with any presentations. To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

4 Exhibitors

I am interested in exhibiting at the conference, who do I contact?

The Exhibition will provide delegates and exhibitors with excellent opportunities to network in a favourable environment that provides a central and energised meeting place for all participants.

For more information, view the Exhibition page.

For further enquiries on sponsorship and advertising packages, please contact the Conference Office via email conference@earlychildhood.org.au or phone 02 6242 1800.

5 Sponsorship

I am interested in becoming a sponsor of the Early Childhood Australia Conference. Can you tell me what packages are available?

There are many attractive and high value sponsorship and advertising opportunities available to ensure that your organisation stands out at this premier event, which will be attended by your target market.

For more information, view the Sponsorship page.

For further enquiries please contact the Conference Office who will be pleased to provide you with details of the best marketing package for your needs and budget via email conference@earlychildhood.org.au or phone 02 6242 1800.

6 Accommodation

Can I book my accommodation through ECA?

No. InHouse Event Solutions have been appointed as the official Accommodation Management Company for the ECA 2024 National Conference. Accommodation has been secured at competitive rates at a range of hotels and apartments close to the venue, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

You will be given the opportunity to secure a reservation booking during the online conference registration process. If you have already registered for the conference and wish to now make an accommodation booking, please click here using the username and password you had created to login into the accommodation site.

How many people can we fit in one hotel room?

The capacity of the room, and the options for room configurations, are noted in the description of each hotel during the booking process. Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee which varies slightly from hotel to hotel.

How do I make changes to my accommodation booking?

You can amend your booking in one of two ways. Log back into your booking (using the username and password you created to login to the registration site) and complete the change through the online booking tool or by contacting the Accommodation Managers to do so. Please do not go directly to the hotel. Please ensure any changes are made by Wednesday 31 July 2024 to avoid fees that may be charged by the Hotel. If a change needs to be made after this date, please contact the Accommodation Managers directly.

Accommodation and travel arrangements are not included in the fully flexible conditions and need to be negotiated directly with the hotel and airline.

How do I cancel my booking for accommodation?

Cancellation fees will apply if you cancel and in some cases reduce the room nights staying of your booking after Wednesday 31 July 2024 or if you do not arrive at the hotel on your check in date. The fee will differ according to the individual hotel’s cancellation policy. For cancellations please contact the Accommodation Managers on conferences@inhouseeventsolutions.com.

Please place the name ECA 2024 Conference in the subject line of the email.

I am no longer travelling can I change the name on my booking to a colleague?

In most cases hotels will allow a name change, however, please do check the terms and conditions for your specific hotel before making the change online.

How do I book for more than person?

You can make a group booking if you are booking for more than one person.  Details are provided within the booking area to guide you through how to book for two or more persons, whether you are attending the conference or booking on someone else’s behalf.

How do I arrange payment for my accommodation by EFT or a third party credit card?

You will need to provide a credit card to guarantee your reservation during the initial booking process but this card will not be utilised if payment is subsequently made by another method. Once your receive your confirmation email please contact the Accommodation Managers to request an invoice for EFT or for a third party credit card form to be sent to you. Please note that if the hotel does not have the required paperwork and/or the payment by your Accounts team has not gone through, you will be required to settle your account at check in. Please allow sufficient time for payments to be made to the hotel. You will still be asked to provide a credit card or cash deposit upon arrival at the hotel to cover any incidental costs.

I am thinking of extending my stay either before and/or after the Conference but I am unable to book these date online?

Please contact the Accommodation Managers who will confirm availability and rates with your selected property.

I am arriving early in the morning can I check in straight away?

You will need to book and pay for the night prior to your arrival to guarantee an early check in. If you do not wish to pay for the night before you can request an early check in the “special requirements” box during the booking process. Please note that although the hotel will note this request they cannot guarantee a room will be available for you. In most instances you will be able to leave your luggage at the hotel until check in time.

My flight isn't departing until the evening, what time do I have to check out?

Each property has a check out time, normally mid-morning. You may ask the hotel for a late check out on arrival at the hotel however their answer will be based on availability and hotel policy. Please note fees may apply.

I need to speak to someone regarding booking my accommodation or about my confirmed booking, who do I call?

Please contact the Accommodation Managers, InHouse Event Solutions on conferences@inhouseeventsolutions.com. Please put ECA 2024 Conference in the subject line.

7 Conference App

How do I download the conference app?

The 2024 ECA National Conference App is not yet available in the Google play and Apple App store.

To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

What is the 'Conference App Permissions' and what am I consenting to?

Providing us with your consent to share your information via the conference app will allow your profile to be viewed by other attendees at the conference.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by opening the ‘Conference App Permissions’ and selecting ‘I do not consent’.

Why do I need to login?

You will need to be logged in to use the functions and features in the app.

To login please enter your email address which you registered with and your App Pin or Password.

If you can’t remember your App Pin or password, select Reset Password and it will send you an email with your pin.

I can nominate the sessions I would like to attend in the app, does this book me in to the session?

You can plan your time during the conference and pick the presentations you are interested in attending.

The session will then be added to your personal agenda to make it easy for you to know where to go and at what time.

Nominating your sessions does not mean this will book you a seat in the room.

I see there is an option to take notes in a session, what does this mean?

If you select the note icon on the top of the session information page, you can take notes during the presentation and then later, export these notes via your email.

How do I post on the social stream?

You need to be logged in, in order to view and post on the social stream.

Upon opening the social stream you will be able to see the conference stream.

To post, select ‘Add to the EventStream’ at the top of the page.

After writing your post, submit by hitting the ‘Post’ button.

Your post will then be submitted to our conference team for review and to be posted on the stream.

Please note: If you have opted to not provide us with consent to share your information, you will not be able to post on the social stream.

8 Virtual Pass and Live Stream 

What is included in the Virtual delegate pass?

Virtual delegate passes will include streaming access to:

  • all keynote speakers
  • a selection of concurrent presenters and panel discussions
  • participate in the live Q&A with speakers
  • access to the on-demand library for up to 60 days post conference.

Can I still register to virtually attend the 2024 ECA National Conference?

Registration for the 2024 ECA National Conference is open. Earlybird registration will close 30 June 2024 or when sold out. To view conference rates, please visit https://www.ecaconference.com.au/2024/register/. 

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information.

What are the minimum requirements for my device to view the live stream?

To view the live webcasts, you will require:

  • A computer (desktop or laptop), tablet or smartphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • An internet connection (at least 450kbps). A speed of 2.5mbps is required to achieve the best playback quality
  • A recent version of your web browser – Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge preferred
  • Adobe Flash Player 10.2 (or higher) is only required for older desktop machines and browsers

It is very important that you check your IT equipment and internet connection before day zero (Tuesday 17 September 2024) of the ECA Conference. We recommend you test your equipment as early as possible prior to the start of the ECA Conference. We will email your invitation to the live stream page prior to the conference, please log in to test and view it. If you experience any problems and would like assistance, please email us at customerservice@earlychildhood.org.au.

Where can I find the program for the Live stream?

The program for the 2024 ECA National Conference can be found here. To stay up to date on all conference news, subscribe to the e-newsletter here.

I missed a presentation, what now?

After the ECA National Conference has concluded, most of the live streamed presentations will be uploaded to an on-demand library, where it will be available for 60 days post conference. Use your same login details as during the conference to access it.