ATTENDEES

General Information

Location 

Music City Center 
201 Fifth Avenue South 
Nashville, TN 37203

Exhibit Hall Hours

Wednesday, March 21: 12–4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 22: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Onsite registration hours 

Monday, March 19: 3–5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 22: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, March 23: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 24: Closed

The final 2018 program is now available!

Official Housing Map Music City Center Floor Plan Omni Hotel Floor Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding convention registration, housing and more. If your question is not included, contact us at [email protected] for assistance. 

*We will keep this information updated as we get closer to the event date so please be sure to check back often.
Registration
Housing Travel
Continuing Education
Exhibits
Proposal Submissions

Where is the convention being held?
Music City Center
201 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203

The Omni Nashville Hotel (250 Fifth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203) is a co-headquarters hotel and will be the location for many business meetings and social events.

What is the registration deadline?
Early-Bird: February 7, 2018
Regular/On-Site Rates Begin: February 8, 2018

What are the registration rates and how do I register?
Registration is open. You can also download a PDF of the registration rates here. Register before February 7 to save up to $75!

Go to the Convention Registration page.
From the Member Login screen, enter the email address from your account as the Username and your account password, then hit Sign In.
From the Welcome screen, select "Attendee Registration and Housing" to begin.
You may then proceed through the screens to make your selections. After your payment has been processed, you will receive confirmation of your purchase by email.

SHAPE America will have self check-in (Express Check-in/Badge Pickup) stations set up in the registration area of the convention center. Scan the barcode from your confirmation at one of these kiosks to print your badge.
Please send an email [email protected] with any questions.

Do I have to register if I am a speaker/presenter?
Yes. At this time, SHAPE America does not offer reduced registration fees or speaker stipends to attend the national convention. Individuals in the fields of health and physical education, physical activity, dance, or sport must register and pay the registration fee. Speakers who are members pay the SHAPE America member rate; speakers who are in the above fields but are not members pay the non-member rate.

Do I qualify for the student member rate?
To qualify for the student member rate, you must be a full-time student currently enrolled for at least nine (9) credit hours and hold a student membership in SHAPE America that is current through March 31, 2018. If you are not currently a SHAPE America student member, you will need to complete a membership application, include a copy of your current student ID or copy of your course registration, and mail all documentation to SHAPE America, ATTN: Membership Department, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1598; or scan your documents and email them to: [email protected]

What credit cards are accepted through the online registration database?
Visa, Master Card, and American Express.

How will you protect my credit card information over the internet?
Our online registration system uses SSL, the industry standard encryption technology. This ensures that your personal information, including your credit card number, cannot be read as it travels over the internet.

How do I pay by check?
You may download and complete a registration form . A check made payable to SHAPE America must accompany your completed form and be mailed to the following address by March 9, 2018. After March 9, submit payment and completed registration form(s) on-site at one of the staffed registration counters:

ATTN: SHAPE America 
5202 Presidents Court, G100 
Frederick, MD 21703 

Direct questions to: [email protected]
Phone: 800-424-5249 (international residents, call 847-996-5829.

If the check is being sent by your employer, please inform them to include your name on the check. 
*NOTE: Multiple registrants can be included on a single check; however, a separate registration form must be completed for each person being registered.

How do I pay by purchase order?
Purchase orders will be accepted by mail, fax or on-site, and must be accompanied by a completed registration form for each attendee*. A copy of your original purchase order, not just the purchase order number, must be received in order to process your registration(s).

On or before March 9, 2018, mail or fax the completed registration form(s) and purchase order to:

ATTN: SHAPE America 
5202 Presidents Court, G100 
Frederick, MD 21703 
Fax: 301-694-5124 

Direct questions to: [email protected] | Phone: 800-424-5249 (international residents, call 847-996-5829).
After March 9, 2017, submit the purchase order and completed registration form(s) on-site at one of the staffed registration counters.

Purchase orders cannot be accepted with online registrations or for housing reservations.

*NOTE: Multiple registrants can be included on a single purchase order; however, a separate registration form must be completed for each person being registered.

Are meals included with my registration?

No, but there are plenty of food areas in the convention center, exhibit hall, and around Nashville. The only food provided would be for any ticketed event that includes meals.

What is a ticketed event?
Ticketed events are special workshops, meal events or other activities offered during the week of convention that may require a fee in addition to convention registration. Some may also require prerequisites to attend. Tickets may be purchased during the convention registration process. Please refer to the descriptions and applicable prerequisite information on the SHAPE America website before registering. Tickets may be limited and must be purchased on or before the posted deadline date. Tickets will not be sold at the door for any event.

Can I purchase tickets to meal events if I am not attending the convention?
Yes, meal events do not require convention registration. If attending a meal event with a registered attendee, have the registered attendee order a ticket for you.
If not attending the meal event with a registered attendee, tickets must be purchased through the convention registration database even if you are not registering to attend educational sessions or other aspects of the convention.

Not a SHAPE America member? Don't worry! You can create an account now. Please note that if you have conducted business with us in the past (past member, purchased a product, attended an event) you may already be in our database. Once you have created your account, follow the instructions to complete your "Ticket Only" purchase.

Please note that since ticket only (TO) purchases do not include convention registration, you will not receive a badge or access to the exhibit hall/educational sessions. SHAPE America will have self check-in (Express Check-in/Badge Pickup) stations set up in the registration area of the convention center. Scan the barcode from your confirmation at one of these kiosks to print your purchased ticket(s). 


What information will be provided when my badge is scanned in the exhibit hall?
When registering or checking in for the convention, you will be issued a name badge. You are required to wear your badge to gain admission to all sessions and the exhibit hall. If you do not have your name badge, you may not be granted entry to convention events. For your safety, do not wear your badge outside of the convention venues.

As a SHAPE America registrant, your contact information is conveniently encoded into your badge.

With your permission only, exhibitors may scan the QR code or manually input your badge ID number and they will be provided your name, company name, address, phone number, and email address.

You may decline having your badge scanned if you do not wish to share your information. Just like handing out your business card, when you provide your contact information to exhibitors you are granting them permission to communicate with you. You will be subject to their communications and privacy policies and must opt-out with them directly.

How do I request a letter of invitation?
If it is necessary for you to obtain a visa to attend the national convention, please email your request to [email protected] and include the following information for each person requesting a letter:

Prefix (Dr., Prof., etc.)
First (Given) Name
Middle Initial
Last (Family) Name
Company/University
Address
City
State/Province
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Email Address (Note: this is the address to which the letter should be sent)
Telephone No.

All letters of invitation will be sent by email (as a PDF attachment) and postal mail if requested. If you require that your original letters be mailed using a courier delivery service instead of postal mail, please include either your Federal Express account number or attach a copy of a pre-paid UPS shipping label with your email request. The UPS label may also be provided by fax to the SHAPE America Events Management Office (703-476-9527).

Those coming into town from the airport now have a convenient and inexpensive way to travel to and from the Nashville International Airport and downtown Music City. For just $1.60, you can ride the Nashville MTA's route 18 Airport/Elm Hill Pike bus between the Nashville International Airport and Downtown Music City. Visit nashvillemta.org or call 615-862-5950 for more information on schedules and pickup locations.

Nashville's clean diesel hybrid Downtown Circulator offers travelers a free and convenient way to get around downtown and the Gulch. The Green Circuit takes you between the Gulch and Riverfront Station. The Blue Circuit runs south to north serving key destinations between the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and Bicentennial Mall. The Purple Circuit runs primarily south of Broadway along Hermitage and Second Avenues and serves key destinations between Riverfront Station and the Richard H. Fulton Complex. It's a great new way for locals and visitors alike to move around the downtown area with ease. Visit nashvillemta.org for circuit maps and schedule.

Will I earn Continuing Education/Recertification Hours for attending the convention?
Some of our educational sessions are approved for contact hours. Convention registration is required. There is an additional charge of $30 (members) or $35 (nonmembers) to participate. To receive a contact hours packet, present your ticket (purchased at registration) to a representative in the program operations booth located near the registration area in the convention center.

Before the close of convention, return the completed registration packet to the program operations booth. Participants will be e-mailed a certificate of completion. Hours may need to be approved by the individual school districts, based on state or local requirements. Contact your state, district, or other relevant governing body to affirm that SHAPE America hours are accepted.

CHES®/MCHES® can also earn Continuing Education Contact Hours

How do I sign up to exhibit for the National Convention & Expo?
The SHAPE America National Convention & Expo attracts and engages approximately 5,000 health and physical education professionals who are searching for new products, services and technologies. Review the 2018 prospectus and interactive exhibit floor plan for information on booth rates, deadline dates and available booth space. To secure your booth, complete the application form on Page 13 of the prospectus or contact Exhibit Promotions Plus, Inc. at (410) 997-0763 or [email protected]

Who do I contact about sponsorship and advertising opportunities?
Our Development & Outreach team can assist you in combining your exhibit booth with advertising and sponsorships to ensure maximum exposure and impact!

Sponsorship:
Director of Development & Outreach
Phone: (800) 213-7193 x.1468
Email: [email protected]

Advertising:
Sales Manager, Development & Outreach
Phone: (800) 213-7193 x.1457
Email: [email protected]

What are the Exhibit Hall hours?
Move-in
  • Tuesday, March 20: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 21: 8–9 a.m. (touch up only)
Open
  • Wednesday, March 21: 12–4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 22: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, March 23: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Move-out
  • Friday, March 23: 1:30–9 p.m.
  • No teardown permitted prior to 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 23

Educational programming content at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo covers a wide variety of topics relevant to advancing professional practice and research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport.

Proposal submissions are no longer being accepted for the 2018 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo (to be considered, proposals must have been submitted online through the submission site by June 16, 2017). All submitters will receive a formal decision notice from SHAPE America headquarters in early October regarding their submission. If session planners have not been notified by October 10, 2017, they should send an email to the SHAPE America office at [email protected].