ELFA 61st Annual Convention: FAQ

Yes! The Convention will take place Oct. 9-11 at a new location: the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida. This new location is fully operational without any advisories or restrictions, and ready to welcome our attendees to learn, network and do business together. We appreciate all the positive outreach we have received from members regarding the Convention in Orlando, and we look forward to an outstanding event with robust attendance at this exceptional venue.

ELFA made the decision to move the Convention to a new location after careful consultation with the ELFA Executive Committee, our hotel partner Marriott and our convention production and vendor partners. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, our original venue on Marco Island has been temporarily closed to the public until Oct. 12. Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the storm.

The JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, which is 4.5 hours north of Marco Island, is fully operational without any advisories or restrictions, and ready to welcome our attendees. As always, our primary concern is your safety and that of all our conference attendees and partners. The JW Marriott Grande Lakes—which hosted the 2017 ELFA Annual Convention—is an unparalleled resort and a first-rate destination for our attendees to learn, network and do business together.

The JW Marriott Grande Lakes is located at 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32837. The Resort is conveniently located 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport, and accessible from Interstate 4 and from the Florida Turnpike. For directions, please go to http://www.grandelakes.com/Directions-56.html.

No. Attendees are asked to make their own transportation arrangements. Because the JW Marriott Grande Lakes is conveniently located 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport, attendees should find that getting to and from the airport by taxi or uber is both easy and convenient.

Yes! Now that the Convention will take place in Orlando, Florida instead of Marco Island, Florida, you will need to update your travel plans, including any flight and/or car rental reservations. We recommend you do this as soon as possible.

Please review the following information regarding your hotel reservations:

If you made reservations at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort or the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, you should have received (1) an email from Marriott confirming that your Marco Island reservation has been cancelled and (2) an email from Marriott confirming your new reservation at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes. If you did not receive an email confirmation, or you wish to make any adjustments to the new reservation, including cancellation, please contact Marriott at 800-433-5402. (Note: If you didn't receive the email, you may want to check your spam folder, or check with a colleague who made the original reservation for you, in case they received the email.)
If you previously had a reservation at another property in the Marco Island area, you will need to contact that property directly to cancel that reservation. To book your room at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes, please make your reservations online. Note: Due to strong demand, the ELFA discounted room block at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes is full but rooms are still available at the regular hotel rate.

We hope you will be able to join us for the 61st ELFA Annual Convention in Orlando. However, if you are not able to attend the Convention, please contact ELFA in writing at meetings@elfaonline.org by 8pm ET, Wednesday, October 5, and we will refund your registration in full within 30 days. The last day to cancel your registration for a full refund is 8pm ET, Wednesday, October 5.

Yes. The last day to cancel your registration for a full refund is 8pm ET, Wednesday, October 5.

Yes. The following events have been cancelled:

Tennis Tournament
Jim McGrane Charity Eco Tour Bike Ride
Spouse Events

If you registered for any of these activities, you will receive a refund within 30 days.

Everyone who registered for golf will receive an email from Ed Rosen with updates on this activity.

ELFA is exploring opportunities for a community service project in support of those impacted by Hurricane Ian. In addition, the "Build-a-Guitar" community service project will take place on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 2-4pm (pre-registration required).

We have an outstanding agenda planned for you in Orlando, and the terrific lineup of keynote speakers and breakout sessions has not changed. There have been some changes to the reception schedule, most notably that we will hold a New Member, Leadership, Women's Council, Emerging Talent and Equity Combined Reception on Sunday evening. Please see the Schedule of Events for the most up-to-date information.

Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been impacted by Hurricane Ian and in the ELFA tradition of giving back, a portion of every 61st ELFA Annual Convention registration will be donated to storm relief. In addition, we are exploring opportunities for a community service project in support of those impacted by the storm.

The New Director Orientation, Board Nominating Committee and Board of Directors meetings as well as the Chair Dinner are still on. You will receive an email with any updates on these activities from Ed Rosen.