Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions regarding your password, profile or session?  We've covered some of the most asked questions.  If your question is not listed, please contact brownfields2008@csc.com or you can call the toll free Brownfields Hotline at 1-877-343-5374, or contact ICMA, Sean Tolliver at stolliver@icma.org or Melissa Koenig at mkoenig@icma.org and we'll get back to you ASAP!

Frequently Asked Questions for Brownfields 2008

When and where will the Brownfields 2008 Conference be held?

The Brownfields 2008 Conference will be held in Detroit, Michigan at the Cobo Center on May 5, 6, and 7, 2008.

When you go to sign on to the website, you’ll be asked for your e-mail and password.  If you don’t remember your password, there is a link you can click that allows you to send your e-mail address only. A new temporary password will be sent to you at your e-mail address. This can take as long as 2 hours to receive an email from the website.

I have an idea for a session at Brownfields 2008.  How are topics selected for the conference program?

Ideas for conference sessions closed on October 26, 2007. Each year, brownfield professionals from across the country submit between 500 and 600 ideas for the approximately 120 slots available for educational sessions. ICMA works with a large and diverse selection panel to review the all ideas submitted and to develop a program with a diverse mix of topics and educational levels.

How will I know if my idea for a session is selected?

Due to the large volume of ideas submitted, a personal response to every idea is not possible. The cosponsors will meet after the call closes to decide on topic sessions for the conference. After that meeting, ICMA personnel begin contacting potential moderators and speakers. As a general rule of thumb, if your idea has been selected as a session for the conference, an ICMA staff member will have contacted you to confirm your willingness to participate.

When will I know what sessions have been selected for the conference?

The full educational program will be published online in Feb. 2008.  An e-newsletter announcing the availability of the program online will be sent out to everyone on the Brownfields 2008 Conference listserv when it is ready, so be sure to select that you want to receive emails from the conference.

If I’ve been asked to serve as a moderator or a speaker for a session, am I automatically registered for the conference?

No. You still need to register for the conference to ensure that you have a nametag and conference registration materials ready when you arrive at the conference. Registering also helps us keep the conference database updated with your current contact information. Registering for the conference can be done easily online at www.brownfields2008.org/en/register.aspx#. Please be sure to include and/or update your short biography when you register.

How much does Brownfields 2008 registration cost?

Except for certain extra sessions, the Brownfields 2008 Conference is a FREE conference; there is no cost for general registration or attendance.

Mobile workshops do have a cost, but these are extra sessions and are not required for conference attendance.

When is the deadline to pre-register for the Brownfields 2008 Conference?

While the deadline to pre-register for the conference is April 14, on-site registration will be on-going throughout the conference.  On-site registration will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2008.

What if I need to change my registration information?

Changes to your registration can be done on-line by logging in to the Brownfields 2008 Conference’s webpage.

If you are unable to log-in or make the desired changes, feel free to contact us and let us know the changes to be made.  We can be reached by e-mail at brownfields2008@csc.com or by calling the toll free phone number 1-877-343-5374.

If you are part of a group and are arriving independently of the group, you will need to register/check-in upon your arrival at the conference.  Your group will not be able to register or check in for you.

When registering multiple people, please use separate e-mail addresses or leave the e-mail field blank; a confirmation letter will be sent to the physical address provided if no e-mail address is available.

I attended the conference last year, but have changed jobs recently.  How do I update my contact information?

When you sign in online, there will be a link, “View your profile & contact information.”  If you go to this link, you will find information on how to edit your profile and/or change your password. You can also update your biography on this page.

How do I get an “Exhibitor’s Badge?”

If you are an exhibitor and want an exhibitor’s ribbon/badge, you will need to indicate you are an exhibitor on your Brownfields 2008 Conference registration form.  Exhibitors must register for the conference and receive their badge or they will not be allowed into the exhibition hall.  Also, exhibitor’s ribbons/badges must be worn for entrance to the exhibition hall for exhibit set-up.

Please note that registering multiple people using a single e-mail address will cause the individuals to experience log-in difficulties, and they may receive a web site message telling them they are not registered or that their user name and password are invalid.

How can I reserve a hotel room?

To make a reservation, contact the Brownfields 2008 Housing Bureau (click “Travel” button, “Hotel Information” on the Brownfields 2008 web site).

At the official conference hotels, prices are $105 per night (government rate) or $110 - $139 (non-government rate) when reservations are made through the Brownfields 2008 Housing Bureau.  

To change or cancel your reservations, you must contact the Housing Bureau by 3:00 p.m. ET on April 14, 2008.  Fax changes or cancellations to (313) 202-1846.  Email changes or cancellations to jfrancis@visitdetroit.com.  Beginning April 15, 2008, you will need to call your assigned hotel directly for any changes or cancellations.

For other lodging questions, (e.g. available hotels, distance to conference center), inquiries should be directed to the visitors bureau at (800) 338-7648.

If you missed the deadline to make hotel reservations, we are unable to assist you.  However, we can direct you to on-line discount travel webpages like http://www.expedia.com, http://www.orbitz.com, or http://www.travelocity.com.

What if I have special needs, such as a need for an interpreter, wheelchair/motorized transport, etc.?

By April 4, 2008, please contact the Brownfields 2008 staff at 1-877-343-5374 or brownfields2008@csc.com and specify the assistance that you require.

How can I submit an idea for a Brownfields 2008 poster?

In addition to submitting ideas for conference presentations, Brownfields 2008 also welcomes submissions for posters, which are displayed in a Brownfields Poster gallery during the conference.  The deadline for submitting poster ideas closed on January 15, 2008. 

Are scholarships available to attend the Brownfields 2008 conference?

No scholarships are available to attend the Brownfields 2008 conference.