Frequently Asked Questions

Check below for some of the most frequently asked questions about NMEA 2019.

Registration

Do I need to be an NMEA Member to register for the conference?

Yes, in order to register for the conference, participants must first register for a yearly membership with NMEA. Participation in the NMEA 2019 Annual Conference is one of the many benefits of being a member of the National Marine Educators Association. The yearly membership to NMEA also provides members access to conference scholarships, a subscription to Current: The Journal of Marine Education, discounts at aquariums and science centers around the country and more. A link to full membership benefits is below.

NMEA offers several different membership levels depending on your status, including discounted membership rates for students and emerging professionals. A link to membership levels is below.

During the registration process you will create a username and password for the NMEA website. Once you have your username and password you can log in and register for the annual conference. See link below to register.

How do I pay by check?

To pay by check, please download and complete the PDF/paper registration form and mail the check to the address on the first page of the form. Multiple people from the same organization may register, however each person must complete a form individually. The payment can be in a single check.Make sure your organization makes the check out to Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association (GOMMEA), not to NMEA. If your organization requires a GOMMEA W9 Form, please email us at registration@gommea.org.

If your organization needs a completed vendor enrollment form, please email the form to registration@gommea.org. The form will be filled out and sent back.

If your organization requires an invoice to process the payment, please fill out the registration form and email it registration@gommea.org. We will create an invoice based on your selections.

How do I pay by Purchase Order?

To use a Purchase Order for registration, please fill out the PDF/paper registration form and email the completed form and the purchase order to: registration@gommea.org. We will email you an invoice and registration confirmation.

Can I pay for conference registration and optional ticketed items (field trips, etc.) on separate credit card transactions?

Yes! Please follow the directions below to pay for your conference registration and optional ticket items with separate credit card transactions.

Step 1: Complete your conference registration with your first method of payment.

Register for the conference and select only the items you want to pay for on the first credit card transaction. This should include the conference registration fee ($450 until June 1, $500 after June 2). Complete the registration and make your payment.

Step 2: Edit your registration and add additional items to be paid for with the second credit card transaction.

  1. Log in to the NMEA website with your member username and password (www.marine-ed.org).
  2. Under "My Profile" navigate to the "Manage Profile" page.
  3. Select "Event Registrations."
  4. Click on the pencil icon beside your conference registration. This will allow you to modify your registration. (Note: if you receive an error message when trying to edit your registration, please send an email to nmea@marine-ed.org and we will fix it immediately).
  5. On the "Attendee Info" tab, enter the validation code at the bottom of the page (leave the rest of the registration information the same).
  6. Under the "Attendee Selections" page select your add-ons. Don't unselect previous event purchases as this will cancel your previous selections.
  7. Click "Save and Proceed to Checkout."
  8. You will be able to pay the additional purchases with a separate credit card transaction.If you encounter an error message during this process, please email nmea@marine-ed.org.
Can I register for the conference now and pay for a field trip, workshop, or guest ticket later?

Yes, you can! Follow the directions above for paying with a second credit card. Please keep in mind that field trips, workshops, and guest tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis, so don't delay in making these additional purchases.

How do I edit my conference registration?
  1. Log in to the NMEA website with your member username and password (www.marine-ed.org).
  2. Under "My Profile" navigate to the "Manage Profile" page.
  3. Select "Event Registrations."
  4. Click on the pencil icon beside your conference registration. This will allow you to modify your registration. (Note: if you receive an error message when trying to edit your registration, please send an email to nmea@marine-ed.org and we will fix it immediately).
  5. On the "Attendee Info" tab, enter the validation code at the bottom of the page (leave the rest of the registration information the same).
  6. Under the "Attendee Selections" page unselect previous event purchases to cancel those selections and select your preferred options. Note: Do not unselect previous event purchases you would like to keep as this will cancel your previous selections and issue an alert for a refund. Only unselect purchases you would like to cancel.
  7. Click "Save and Proceed to Checkout."
  8. You will be able to pay the additional purchases with a separate credit card transaction.If you encounter an error message during this process, please email nmea@marine-ed.org.

Chapter Baskets

Can I ship items for my Chapter Basket in advance?

Yes, you can. Label the items and ship to:

NMEA 2019 c/o Conferences and Catering
Chapter Baskets
Holloway Commons
75 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824

On the item, reference the name of your chapter, i.e. "GOMMEA Chapter Basket" so we can get it to your table.

When and where do I set up my Chapter Basket?

Please plan to setup your basket in the Granite State Room on Tuesday prior to the morning announcements or between 10 and 11:30 am. If you mailed any portion of your basket, your package will be available at NMEA central on Tuesday morning.

The drawing for the Chapter basket raffle will take place in the Granite State Room on Tuesday, July 23 following lunch.

Where can I purchase tickets for the chapter basket auction?

Chapter basket tickets may be purchased in advance at the registration desk and from committee members during the chapter lunch.

How do I pay for chapter basket tickets?

We accept cash and credit card payment for chapter basket tickets. Tickets will be $1.00 each or $10.00 for 15 tickets.

Auction

Does my auction donation qualify as a charitable donation?

NMEA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. A written acknowledgment of your donation for your tax records will be sent when your donation is received. Please consult a tax advisor to determine whether your contribution is deductible.

When is the silent/live auction?

The silent and live auctions will be held on Tuesday, July 23 at the Hamel Rec Center. The dinner and auction portion of the evening will be followed by a live band.

How do I donate to the silent or live auction?

If you have an item that would be appropriate for the silent or live auction, please contact the auction committee before the conference. This allows us to record your donation ahead of time. Follow this link to the auction page of the NMEA conference website. If you would like to contact a member of the Auction Committee, email auctions@gommea.org.

Miscellaneous

What environmentally friendly practices will be used at the NMEA 2019 Conference?

In choosing to hold NMEA 2019 at the University of New Hampshire, the Conference Committee found a location committed to sustainable practices. The UNH Campus in Durham is powered entirely by renewable energy, much of which comes from recycled landfill gas. Residence halls to be used during the conference are EPA Energy Star certified. Holloway Commons, our on-campus dining facility during the conference, is a 3-Star Green certified restaurant where all food waste from meals is composted. This intense focus on sustainability, both through research and in practice, has resulted in multiple awards for the University, including a STARS Platinum rating, the highest score on Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll, and a second place ranking on the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools List. Feel free to visit UNH's Sustainability Institute's webpage for more information.

Additionally, here are a few things you can do with conservation in mind:

  • Bring your own lanyard, water bottle, and coffee mug.
  • Refill your water bottle at provided water stations
  • Use shared transportation options when traveling to and from the conference (See our travel page for more information)
  • Bring along a reusable bag for souvenir shopping in our local stores
Can I ship items for my exhibit booth, chapter basket or conference session in advance?

Yes, you can. Label the items and ship to:

NMEA 2019 c/o Conferences and Catering
Holloway Commons
75 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824

On the item, reference the name of your exhibit, i.e. "NHSG Exhibit" so we can get it to your table.

What fun things can I do while I'm in town?

Where to start? There are so many!! Visit our Seacoast Activities page for adventures of all types while you're visiting for the conference!

If you don’t see the answer to your question here, contact the conference committee at nmea2019@gommea.org