FAQs

The registration fee to attend in person is $595.

• Opening reception on Monday, June 28

• Speaker sponsor dinner (by invitation only) on Monday, June 28

• Breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, June 29, and Wednesday, June 30

• All sessions and keynotes on Tuesday, June 29, and Wednesday, June 30

• Evening event on Tuesday, June 29

• Round-trip air transportation to Des Moines, Iowa

• Two nights at Hilton Des Moines Downtown (or the hotel of your choosing)

• Luggage fees

• Transportation and parking fees for your home airport

• Activities on your own

• Meals or beverages on your own (including room service)

• Internet access

• Phone calls

• Gift purchases

• Laundry

• Any other items not mentioned as included

You may bring a guest, but they will need to register as an attendee.

Business casual attire will be acceptable for sessions.

• Call the number on the back of your credit card to tell them that you will be traveling, so they don’t freeze your account. You may also want to ask if you have a daily spending limit.

• Take pictures of your travel documents (passport or other identification, airline confirmation, hotel confirmation, etc.) and the contents of your checked luggage.

• Download your airline’s app to check in 24 hours before your flight, check seat assignments, and track your flight. Don’t miss flight alerts, such as delays and cancellations.

• Ensure you have enough of your prescription medication for your entire trip (pack it in your carry-on).

Yes. If you decide later that you prefer to attend virtually based on current circumstances, please contact Meeting Headquarters. You will be refunded the difference between in-person and virtual registration fees. If you have made travel arrangements, you will need to cancel those should you switch to virtual attendance. If you have booked a hotel through the GIS registration site, we will cancel your room on your behalf.

The registration fee to attend virtually is $395.

If you attend the meeting virtually, you will have access to all sessions and panels, as well as a virtual experience for the InsurTech Expo on Monday, June 28. The evening functions will not have a virtual component.

If you choose to attend virtually, you will receive a link for the meeting closer to June 28.

All attendees should register individually.

Business casual attire will be acceptable for virtual sessions.

Here are just a few things to take note of for our virtual meeting:

• Close any unnecessary programs and applications.

• Try to maximize your bandwidth by checking that other heavy-use programs or applications aren’t using it up.

• Before the meeting, test the link to make sure it’s compatible with your existing software.

• Make sure you have unmuted your computer audio and set it to a comfortable level.

• If you experience pauses in the speaker’s audio, it may be due to a lag time in the video.

• If you become disconnected, simply close your browser, restart it, click on the meeting link and rejoin in progress.

• Enjoy and participate!

Yes. If you decide later that you prefer to attend in person based on current circumstances, please contact Meeting Headquarters. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for booking flights and hotels if you change your attendance type to in person. You will also be charged the difference between virtual and in-person registration costs.

Please register as soon as possible. The registration deadline is Friday, June 25, 2021.

You’ll use this website to register for the 2021 GIS. The process is simple:

1. Select “Register” above.
2. Fill in all requested fields and select “Submit.” Note: You will be asked if you will attend the meeting in person or virtually during registration.
3. Check your email for confirmation of your registration.
4. If you do not receive confirmation of your registration, please contact Meeting Headquarters.

Please contact Global Insurance Symposium Meeting Headquarters:

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday

Phone: 844-675-9553

Email: gishq@itagroup.com

No. If you must cancel your registration, please contact Travel Headquarters as soon as possible at 844-675-9553 or gishq@itagroup.com.

Yes. If you decide later that you prefer to attend in person or virtually based on current circumstances, please contact Meeting Headquarters. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for booking flights and hotels, or for any airline or hotel cancellation fees, if you change your attendance type (if you booked a hotel through the GIS registration site, we will cancel your room on your behalf). You will also be either refunded or charged the difference between in-person and virtual registration in conjunction with the format you are changing to.

If you’re applicable for a registration discount, you’ll receive an email with a discount code you can apply during registration.

Your flight to Des Moines will be at your own expense.

You will be responsible for your own transportation to/from the airport and the hotel. Taxis or Uber rides are readily available. The Hilton Des Moines Downtown is connected to the Iowa Events Center by the Des Moines Skywalk system.

Notes:

• Cabs from DSM International Airport to Hilton Des Moines Downtown are approximately $15 one way

• Uber fares from DSM International Airport to Hilton Des Moines Downtown start at approximately $12 one way

We suggest that you arrive at least two hours before your flight departs (three hours for international travel) to allow you enough time to go through security and get to your gate. Don’t forget to check in to your airline’s website 24 hours prior to travel and view your flight itinerary so you are aware of any last-minute flight changes.

Check your airline’s website for luggage size limitations and baggage fees.

Follow these guidelines for packing your carry-on and checked luggage:

Note: The airline carry-on restrictions do not apply to medical supplies and equipment. Travelers with disabilities and medical conditions can visit the TSA website to find out what to expect during airport screening and flying.

Yes. Self-parking is $18 per day at Hilton Des Moines Downtown.

Citizens of the United States must have government-issued photo identification to travel to Des Moines. Please keep in mind:

• The name on your identification must exactly match the name on your airline ticket, including any middle name or middle initial.

• It’s a good idea to take pictures of your identification with your phone in case your ID is lost or stolen while traveling.

• The TSA may accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. Review the list of acceptable identification. It is your responsibility to present an acceptable form of identification at airport check-in.

• The Department of Homeland Security has extended the time to obtain a REAL-ID compliant driver’s license (with a star) to October 1, 2021.

Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen or you are traveling from a country outside of the United States, you will need to contact the appropriate foreign consulate to determine which travel identification documents you will need (such as a passport, tourist visas and/or transit visas).

If you’re attending 2021 GIS in person, you will receive a health assessment prior to the program that you will need to complete before arriving on site.

State and local government restrictions, as well as venue restrictions, will also be in place. You may be required to wear facial coverings and social distance within the venue. We will continue to keep you updated on what requirements you must follow.

The GIS Planning Team will continually evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions/guidelines for events. At this time, the following will be in place:

• Masks will be required throughout the event with the exception of when actively eating or drinking.

• Prior to the program, you will receive a health assessment questionnaire for completion.

• Social distancing will be in place for all tables and seating arrangements.

• All food and beverage functions will have processes and strategies in place and individually packaged meals as much as possible.

• With the cohorts for breakouts, you will be in small groups of approximately 15 people. All meals will be in the breakouts as well, with the exception of evening events.

• Room capacities will be reviewed and enforced from a social distancing perspective.

For any further information on mitigation strategies or things that will be in place, please contact gishq@itagroup.com.

These tips will help keep you and your fellow travelers healthy:

• Get plenty of rest

• Frequently clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you sneeze or cough

• Replace hand shaking with verbal greetings

• Avoid high-touch areas such as hand rails, doorhandles, etc.

• Carry disinfectant wipes to clean areas such as your plane tray table and arm rests

Note: Most airlines use high-efficiency air filters that are comparable to those used in hospital operating rooms. These HEPA filters capture 99% of the airborne microbes in recirculated air.

You can play a large part in ensuring your own safety by following these simple tips:

• Maintain a watchful eye of your immediate surroundings and keep belongings close to you.

• Do not venture out alone; it is always safer to travel in numbers. Be sure to ask the Hilton Des Moines Downtown staff if an area of the city you plan to visit is considered unsafe.

• Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.