General Information

Dates and Locations • Registration Hours • Continuing Education • Commercial Exhibits • Registration Information • Itinerary Builder • Guest Passes • Refunds • ONS Foundation/Pfizer Fun Run • Tips for Making Your Congress Experience Worthwhile

ONS 30th Annual Congress
April 28-May 1, 2005
Orlando, FL
Orange County Convention Center-West Building

Click here for hotel and travel information.

Registration Hours
Wednesday, April 27: 10 am-5 pm
Thursday, April 28: 7:30 am-5 pm
Friday, April 29: 8 am-5 pm
Saturday, April 30: 8 am-5 pm
Sunday, May 1: 8-11:30 am

Continuing-Education Credits
ONS is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Each nurse should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity. Participants must attend a session in its entirety in order to receive continuing-education credit. Nurses may earn up to 23.4 contact hours from Thursday through Sunday if all sessions are attended. Additional contact hours may be earned through corporate ancillary events. ONS is also accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 2850.

Commercial Exhibits
Visit the Congress exhibit hall, where more than 200 exhibitors will feature new products, services, and technologies in the area of cancer care.

Exhibit Hours
Thursday, April 28: 11 am-5 pm
Friday, April 29: 8:30 am-5 pm
Saturday, April 30: 10 am-3 pm

Visit the exhibitor listing page for more information.

Registration Information
Register today for the #1 conference for oncology nursing. Click here to register online through our secure site. If you prefer, you can download the official Congress registration form and fax or mail it to ONS.

Congress fees include attendance at the educational sessions, special social events, and commercial exhibits. Participants will also receive a copy of the Congress syllabus, which includes complete session details, objectives, and key session slides as well as other helpful attendee information.

Itinerary Builder
With the Congress Itinerary Builder, you may browse sessions by title, date, track, or keyword to create your own custom itinerary. Your itinerary can be printed, sent via email, or saved as an electronic file to add to your personal calendar. Information about Congess exhibitors, including an exhibit hall floor plan, is also available.

Guest Passes
Guest passes must be purchased by a full-paying Congress registrant for his or her guests. The guest pass fee ($5 per day or $10 for three days) covers entrance into the commercial exhibit hall only. You can order your guest pass online when you register for Congress. If you are not registering online, click here to download the guest pass order form.

Refunds
To apply for a Congress or Pre-Congress registration refund, please send a written request and proof of payment to the ONS Meeting Services Team at 125 Enterprise Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214.

Refunds will be made in full before March 22, 2005 (less a $20 processing fee). Fifty percent refunds will be made between March 23, 2005, and April 12, 2005. No refunds will be made after April 12, 2005. Refunds will be processed 4-6 weeks after Congress is held.

ONS Foundation Fun Run/Walk & Wheel
Enjoy the sunshine and raise funds to support oncology nursing through the Ann Olson Memorial Scholarship Fund at the ONS Foundation/Pfizer Fun Run/Walk & Wheel! Visit the Pfizer Oncology Booth (#317) at Congress to register! Click here to view a map of the 2005 routes.

Tips for Making Your Congress Experience Worthwhile
Networking is an excellent way to share new ideas, establish contacts, and develop lasting friendships. Attending Congress offers you an opportunity to meet oncology nurses from all over the United States and from other countries. Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of Congress.

Review the Glance by Day and Glance by Track session information. Note the sessions that interest you. Sketch out your week in advance; this can be used as a quick reference to guide you. Pick an alternative session in case the one you choose is filled.
Look for educational opportunities provided by pharmaceutical companies in addition to the regular Congress sessions. Returning an RSVP card may be necessary to ensure admittance to a pharmaceutical session. Be sure you do not RSVP for sessions being held simultaneously. In addition, companies rely heavily on RSVP cards to plan these events; if you do RSVP for an event, please attend so that resources and meals are not wasted. Return any unused tickets to the Ancillary Event Booth and check at the booth for returned tickets that have become available.
Read the General Information and review Session Details. Be certain that you understand the differences between the types of sessions. If you're still not sure, ask for assistance at the ONS registration desk. Choose the format most likely to match your learning objectives.
Wear comfortable shoes. They will take priority over fashion. Tennis shoes are a must to survive at Congress.
An extra bag is necessary for carrying and storing all of the materials and souvenirs that you will obtain at Congress. Or, consider shipping materials home. Fees are the attendee's responsibility.
Congress can be very hectic. Plan to take “time out” to refresh yourself during all activities and plan some rest time afterward.
Carry your business cards and ask new acquaintances for one of theirs. When someone gives you a card, make a note on the back to cue your memory.
Divide the sessions between yourself and your colleagues, as it will be impossible for you to attend everything. Sharing feedback can be fun! Most of the sessions are audiotaped and available for purchase at Congress. Plan with friends which audiotapes each of you would like to purchase.
Plan some time for sightseeing. Click here for more information.
Attend the Opening Ceremony.
Find the computerized message board located in the ONS Intranet Café of the convention center. A limited number of computers with Internet service are available for Congress attendees. It's a great place to leave messages for friends,get information about job openings, or read notices about special group get-togethers.
Visit the commercial exhibits. They provide an excellent opportunity to make contacts and learn about the latest technology and products in oncology health care. Check exhibit hours and dates
Attend the Annual Business/Town Hall Meeting on Saturday. They provide a great way to learn about how ONS works.
Visit the ONS Store where ONS publications and books, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation pins, and ONS Foundation mugs, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and buttons will be on sale.
Introduce yourself to two new people each day-a good place to start is with the person sitting next to you at a session.
Note the number of contact hours earned on the CNE certificate included in your registration packet and submit your program evaluation before you leave Congress. Evaluation forms are not accepted following the meeting.

NonSmoking Event
In support of the 1984 ONS Resolution “Challenge to Action in Anti-Smoking Efforts,” the ONS Board of Directors is committed to developing a smoke-free environment at all national meetings. Smoking will not be permitted within the 2005 Congress meeting rooms.