FAQs – Life Discovery Conference

Questions? Please first review our FAQs below. If you have other questions not covered here, please contact ldc@nullesa.org.

Where is the LDC registration and conference being held?

The conference will be held in the Student Union Ballroom on the Campus of Florida A&M University. Here are directions to the H. Manning Efferson Student Union Building.

The LDC registration desk will be located on the first floor outside of the Grand Ballroom in the Efferson Student Union Building. At the registration table, you will be able to pick up conference material and select the topic that you wish to attend for the Networking Session and Education Share Fair Roundtables.

Registration hours:

Thursday March 23 – 12:00 pm to 5 pm
Friday March 24 – opens at 7:30 am
Saturday March 25 – opens at 7:30 am

Weather in Tallahassee, FL

We are expecting sunny days on Thursday and Friday of the conference – high in the mid-80s and lows in the 50s. Please be advised that thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday morning – be sure to bring an umbrella and appropriate gear.

Is there a shuttle to the conference hotel from Tallahassee airport?

Yes. The Hampton Inn & Suites provides a free shuttle to and from the Tallahassee Airport, but seating is limited to 12 passengers per trip. Please visit the Hotel and Shuttle webpage for details.

Update: We have been informed that the hotel shuttle is currently out of commission. Given this information, we have created a spreadsheet for you to try and find a ride share. Please check our most recent email communication from LDC if you are interested in a sign-up and self-organized ride-share option.

How far is the hotel from the conference location?

Walking: Please be advised that there is a 16-minute walk from the hotel to the conference location. Unfortunately, that was the closest hotel we could find to FAMU campus. If you require assistance, please let us know asap.

Shuttle Vans (NEW!): We are very pleased to announce that our host, FAMU Sustainability Institute, has made available university vans to pick up participants to and from the Hampton Inn and Suites hotel on Friday and Saturday. Pick up each morning will be at 7:15 am and 7:25 am on a first come first served basis. Return will be scheduled at 8:15 pm and 8:25 pm on Friday. We will also be looking into the possibility of coordinating rides to the Tallahassee airport on Saturday during the conference.

You will also be asked to sign a waiver form on site.

Parking

If you are coming from out of town, please check your hotel for parking options. There is an extra charge for parking at the Hampton Inn & Suties Tallahassee Capitol – University Hotel.

Where do I park on Florida A&M University Campus?

For those commuting to the conference, we have secured a set number of parking spots on campus. Please reach out to us at LDC@nullesa.org if you require on-site parking.
In order to park on campus, visitors must obtain a visitor parking permit. The cost of the permit is $5 per day per vehicle. Please keep in mind that a parking permit doesn’t guarantee you a parking spot. Parking is on a first come first serve basis and lots fill up quickly, so plan accordingly. You may request a permit at https://famuparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal
With the appropriate permit acquired, visitors are only permitted to park in lots that have red signage (general parking) on the outside of the parking lot or garage. Here’s a map of parking lots on the campus indicating where the red lots are located. Our conference will be held in building 604, Efferson Student Union, for reference.
Questions or concerns related to parking should be directed to the Office of Parking and Transportation.

Where can I see the full conference program for the Life Discovery Conference?

Here is the full conference program.

Where can I find detailed descriptions of sessions?

Detailed descriptions can be found on the LDC website:

What time does the conference begin and end each day?

Please refer to the conference program At-A-Glance

What is the Covid Code of Conduct for LDC?

Here is LDC’s Covid Code of Conduct. Please be informed all LDC attendees are required to wear a mask except when eating or drinking.

Where can I find information for presenters?

Please visit the Information for LDC Presenters page to find out more about:

What to expect
AV equipment availability
When to test your slides
When to show up at the room you are presenting
Handouts
Uploading your talk
Publishing your teaching resource

Who do I contact if I am no longer able to attend or present?

Please contact ldc@nullesa.org or Jessica Johnston at 202-833-8773 x 222.

Will the presenters’ materials be uploaded and available after the conference?

Presenters will be encouraged, but not required, to upload materials and slide presentations. Materials shared will be available after the conference unless presenters request that they be removed. We also strongly encourage all participants to contribute their ideas to the LifeDiscoveryEd Digital Library for editorial or peer review (according to ESA, BSA or SSE policy).

What meals will I get during the conference and where?

Meals for the conference include morning coffee and breaks, Friday lunch and dinner, and Saturday lunch. All meals will be served from the Grand Ballroom.

What if I have special dietary needs/restrictions?

We have discussed all potential dietary needs in advance with the FAMU Catering staff and they have informed us that they have vegetarian, dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free options. We have also tried to account for most dietary needs when selecting snack items during our catered breaks in between sessions. While we aim to accommodate all our attendees, if you have very specific dietary requirements, it is best to bring your own snacks to ensure that you have what you need during the conference.