Post-Forum FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did CADCA go forward with the Forum, knowing that there was a major snowstorm?
2. Was the event successful?
3. When can I see the presenter PowerPoint presentations online?
4. What is CADCA’s refund policy for the Forum?
5. Why can’t CADCA just return my registration fee, since I didn’t attend?
6. Am I responsible for hotel nights that I didn’t use at the Gaylord hotel?
7. I couldn’t make it to the Forum, can CADCA just credit my registration dollars toward the Mid-Year Training Institute in July?
8. When can I expect a decision on my request for a refund?

Why did CADCA go forward with the Forum, knowing that there was a major snowstorm?

CADCA weighed very carefully this decision, and ultimately decided that it would be more problematic to cancel the event than go forward. The main reasons for our decision were as follows: 1) Many people were already en route or in town for the event by the time the snowstorm started. 2) The Gaylord was not able to honor any other dates in 2010, so the event could not be rescheduled. 3) CADCA had already made a number of commitments to the hotel, to our vendors, and to our attendees. We asked everyone to be safe, and come if they could. We decided that those who were able to make the trip deserved the best Forum experience possible, and we worked hard to make that happen. In the end, an estimated 1,800 of the nearly 2,800 registered were able to join us.

Was the event successful?

Despite the weather, the Forum was indeed a success. Attendees got to hear from key national speakers, including: R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP); Adolfo Carrion, White House Director of Urban Affairs; Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary of Health, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), who received CADCA’s National Leadership Award. Only 18 of the 88 Forum workshops were cancelled. And when it was clear that few would be able to make it to Capitol Hill, CADCA staff quickly developed 3 new workshops to provide additional training. The new federal town hall plenary session format gave more attendees the opportunity to ask questions from our federal partners. Our 20th Anniversary Gala was enjoyed by nearly 500 people. Our Capitol Hill Day plenary session was followed by an enthusiastic indoor rally for prevention, featuring Christopher Kennedy Lawford. We were also able to support our attendees who had Hill visits with special transportation.

We are saddened that the weather prohibited many from attending. The energy and spirit of those who were there was tremendous, and we can only imagine how it would have been magnified if we had reached our expected capacity.

When can I see the presenter PowerPoint presentations online?

CADCA will have all workshop presenter materials online and available for our attendees to review in March.

What is CADCA’s refund policy for the Forum?

CADCA’s Forum XX registration policy does not allow for refunds after January 29. Due to the historic nature of the recent snow storm, CADCA is conferring with its Board of Directors and its insurance carrier to determine what is possible. Once we know the outcome, this information will be posted on the Forum web site and communicated to all who requested refunds in writing.

Why can’t CADCA just return my registration fee, since I didn’t attend?

CADCA incurs costs in anticipation of your attendance, and your registration fees help us pay for the event. So, for example, CADCA expected nearly 3,000 people, so we ordered 3,000 bags, 3,000 programs, 3,000 networking directories, and so on. Also, there are major costs in hosting an event of this size—like audio/visual services—that we incur regardless of the size. CADCA has notified our insurance company of our intent to file a claim that will address CADCA losses and those of our attendees. Our ability to honor any requests for refunds will depend on the response from the insurance company.

Am I responsible for hotel nights that I didn’t use at the Gaylord hotel?

CADCA worked out an agreement with the Gaylord Hotel so that all requests for room cancellations would be honored without penalties.

I couldn’t make it to the Forum, can CADCA just credit my registration dollars toward the Mid-Year Training Institute in July?

While that option may appear to be the easiest for some of our attendees, it is important that the full extent of CADCA’s and our attendees’ losses be presented to our insurance company. Therefore, applying your registration to another event would prevent us from presenting an accurate picture to the insurance company.

When can I expect a decision on my request for a refund?

CADCA must work with the insurance company to determine the timeframe for a decision on our claim. We hope to be able to provide you with some idea of the timing soon, and will update this page as soon as we know.