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2024 Bariatric Connect National Conference

BARIATRIC CONNECT 2024
SEPT 20th & 21st, 2024

CONFERENCE VENUE
Newport Beach Renaissance
4500 MacArthur Boulevard
Newport Beach, California 92660

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Premier Protein
Total Lipedema Care

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get answers to our most commonly asked questions about Bariatric Connect National Conference. Please check this guide before contacting us.

I'm not sure if I should attend? Is the Bariatric Connect Conference the right fit for me?

I’m in the pre-op stages of my journey, should I attend?
Definitely! It is a great way to learn about the next stages of your journey, while also building a support system with the people you meet at the Conference. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions, ask questions during the Q&A panels and even try free sample products in the Exhibitor area.

Is there value in attending the conference if I am a long term post-op?
The value to long-term post-ops are immediate and long lasting.  Members that have attended Bariatric Connect conferences years ago, still fondly post about their conference memories and many have become regular attendees.  As a long-term post-op, you’ll have an opportunity to connect with other long-term post-ops, learn new to share experiences, motivated by other attendees, speakers and break-out sessions, and become rejuvenated with your own healthy lifestyle as a post-op.

I’m scared to attend because I have had some regain. I’m not sure if I should come?
You aren’t alone with experiencing regain, there are others in attendance that are struggling with regain too. There are also attendees that have regained and found ways to combat it. You will be accepted, receive great information and be supported at the same time!

I’m a bariatric professional, can I attend?
Absolutely! Bariatric professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you’d like any additional details, please contact us!

Can I attend if I am interested in medical weight loss or don’t qualify for bariatric surgery?
Absolutely! Anyone seeking help with weight loss can attend, no matter the method they are able to utilize. Support is here for everyone.

Phone: 1-866-WLS-INFO (957-4636)
Kim: Ext. 386

Is the conference only open to patients, or can I bring a support person with me?

We truly believe that we are making the journey together! The support people in our lives are essential, we welcome and encourage you to bring anyone that you want involved in your weight loss journey. Many people that attend our conferences bring their spouse, partner, co-worker, friends and family members!

Are children allowed to attend?

Can I buy exhibitor products at the conference?

Some of the exhibitors will be selling products during the two days.

When will I receive my tickets?

As soon as you purchase your tickets, you will be sent an email with your ticket attached. Please print-out your ticket and bring it to the conference registration the day-of the conference.

Is there a specific dress code?

We do not require a specific dress code. Here are some suggestions for the various parts of the conference:

Day-time sessions: Since you will be sitting in sessions all day, we highly recommend dressing for comfort! Sometimes the rooms can be on the cool side, if you get cold easy, you may want to dress in layers or bring a sweater.

Friday Night Meet & Greet: The meet & greet is a costume party. Make sure to pack your favorite costume if you’d like to participate (costume optional).

Saturday Night Fashion Show & After Party: While some people tend to get more fancy in dressing for the fashion show and the closing party, we want you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself, so please use your discretion in choosing your outfits. Keep in mind, there can be a lot of photos taken during the evening!

How can I participate in the Fashion Show? Do I have to dress fancy?

Sign-Ups: We’ll have a fashion show sign-up form available soon! Watch for the sign-up announcement on the ObesityHelp Conference Facebook page.

Outfits: We want you to wear what you love! The Fashion Show only requires an outfit that you feel great in and want to be photographed in. It can be work clothing, casual clothing, activewear, or as dressy as you want to be. Totally your choice!

I'd like to attend the free plastic surgery consultations, what are those like?

They vary depending on the surgeon but overall you should expect the plastic surgery consultation to be very similar to an office consultation. Consultations last 30 minutes and include an exam to go over your concerns about excess skin and contouring.

Be prepared to discuss:

•  Your expectations and desired outcome

•  General health status, medical conditions & treatments, allergies, and previous surgeries

•  Your surgery options and recommended course of treatment, as well as likely outcomes

Please watch for our online signups for free private consultations with any or all of the consulting surgeons. You must be a registered (ticketed) attendee to be able to schedule consultations.

I can only attend on Saturday, is there a Saturday only registration?

There is one registration price and it's all-inclusive; you can choose to use it only one day if you wish, but there is only one price.  We’d love to see you whenever you can make it!

I'm not sure if I can come yet, can I buy a ticket at the door last minute?

Absolutely! We have staff on hand that will help you purchase your ticket and get you registered.

What should I bring to the conference?

Here are some ideas:

1.  Notebook: Many attendees find it helpful to bring a small notebook so that they can take notes during the sessions, as well as to write down the contact information for the new friends they make at the conference.

2.  Camera: If you’d like to capture some of the memories made during the conference, a camera is a must!

3.  Before Photo: If you are post-op, it is great to bring your “before” photo to share with your peers.

4.  Spending Money: There is an exhibitor area where some of the vendors sell their products during the conference.

5.  Dancing Shoes: There is a lot of opportunity for dancing on Friday & Saturday!

6.  and most importantly, bring YOU!

Will there be provided meals and/or beverages?

Your BC2024 ticket will include beverages stations on both Friday and Saturday and a buffet lunch on Saturday. For other meals, there is a restaurant onsite and many others near the hotel.

I want to ask a question during the Q&A. What do I need to do?

This will be an interactive session where panelists will answer questions submitted live from the audience. To ask a question, simply raise your hand and when the moderator calls on you, stand up so our staff member can bring you a microphone. The moderator and staff will work to help keep the Q & A moving so we can get in as many questions as possible during the session and stay on schedule.

Is there a fee for parking?

Parking fees are per car and include in and out privileges.

Self Parking: $25 per day for daytime attendees.
Self Parking: $30 per 24 hours for overnight guests.
Valet Parking: $35 per 24 hours.

I'm interested in carpooling, splitting a room, and/or meeting up with other attendees for meals. How can I arrange that?

We have a very active Facebook Conference page where attendees discuss carpooling and splitting hotel room costs! Also, be sure to keep an eye on that page while you’re at the conference because attendees will post meal and extra activity plans. Please jump right in and join the discussions, or you could even create a new one.

 

Does the conference hotel provide airport shuttles?

The conference venue is just a few minutes from the John Wayne Airport (SNA). There is a free airport shuttle service upon request for attendees who book their stay at the Renaissance, but it is subject to availability. Be sure to contact the hotel directly at 949-576-2001 to inquire about shuttle hours and arrange transportation.

Do you have scholarships available?

With the support of our Platinum and Gold Sponsors, we are pleased to announce that ObesityHelp has implemented a financial need-based program for conference tickets. A huge thank you to those sponsors! Please watch for our sponsorship application announcement!

Please note - there are a limited number of scholarships and they cover the cost of a conference ticket only. It does not include travel, lodging or meals. Initial consideration is given to first-time attendees that have not previously received a scholarship.

I'm no longer able to attend. Can I get a credit, refund, or do a transfer?

Eventbrite charges a Ticketing Fee for every paid ticket. The Ticketing Fee consists of a Service fee and a Payment processing fee. These fees are non-refundable.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes plans need to change. With this in mind, we have outlined our policies to be flexible to attendees while being mindful of our conference planning requirements. If you need to request any of these options for your attendance, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We're here to help and respond to inquiries within 5 business days.

Bariatric Connect National Conference Refund Policy

Credits: We highly encourage opting for credits, valid for one year and applicable for our next event. This is a great way to secure your participation in our upcoming events without any additional registration hassle.

Ticket Transfers: You may sell your ticket directly to another person. Payment transactions are between you and the buyer. We are not responsible for any disputes that may arise. To complete the transfer, please provide the buyer's name and email for registration update.

Discretionary Refunds: In the case of a refund request for personal reasons, please submit refund requests by August 6, 2024, at least 45 days before the event. Emergency situations beyond this deadline will be considered flexibly on a case-by-case basis.

Mandatory Refunds: In the rare case we have to cancel or postpone an event, full refunds are available upon request in compliance with California state law. Requests will be processed within 30 days of the refund request.

Please Note:

  • Eventbrite's fee is non-refundable.
  • Refunds will be issued to the original payment method and may take up to two weeks for processing. For refunds that cannot be processed back to the original payment method, such as in cases where a credit card has expired or been cancelled, we will issue a refund by check. Please be aware that this process can take up to 60 days.
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