7F Users Group Annual Conference 2024

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2024 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

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Platinum Plus

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Silver Plus

Silver

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IMPORTANT DATES

Updated 11/01/23

USER ATTENDEE REGISTRATION

User Fee
$445.00 (Registrations received by Friday, April 19, 2024)
$495.00 (Registrations received Saturday, April 20, 2024 or later)

Link to register will open on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
User Attendee Conference Registration

THIS REGISTRATION LINK IS FOR USERS ONLY. ANY REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED FROM NON-USERS WILL BE CANCELLED IMMEDIATELY AND ASSESSED A $25.00 ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.

Definition of a User A person who is employed by a company that owns and/or operates combustion turbine generators. This person cannot, as part of their normal duties, provide services (parts, repairs, consulting) to any company other than the one he/she is employed.
Example of a User: A person who works in an office providing technical/operational oversight to the facilities his/her company owns and/or operates.
Example of a non-User: A person who works in an office providing technical/operational oversight to facilities that his/her company does not own and/or operate (the exception: if the person’s company has an operation/maintenance agreement in place with a company that owns a combustion turbine generator; then the person is considered a User as long as their department of employment is not involved with the sale of services to the company outside the agreement).

REGISTRATION MODIFICATIONS: If you need to process a name change or modify the RSVP’s within your registration, please use the link below. You will need the email address in your registration and your confirmation/reference number to access.

User Attendee – Modify Existing Registration

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Attendee must fit the definition of a User.
• Name changes are allowed if the attendee is from the same company and the initial payment is not modified.
• Registration to participate in the 7F Users Group 2024 Annual Conference constitutes the participant’s full and unconditional agreement to be registered as a User on the PowerUsers.org website forum post conference.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

• Cancellations received by Friday, April 19, 2024 – Full conference fee refund
• Cancellations received Saturday, April 20, 2024 or later – No refund **

** We do allow name changes in lieu of cancellation. Attendee must be from the same company and no modifications to payments already received).

If you need any assistance regarding the online registration process or cancellation of your conference registration, please contact sheila.vashi@sv-events.net.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS

Starting in 2024, 7F Users Group will be offering Professional Development Hours certificates.

Details coming soon…

CONFERENCE AGENDA

New for 2024: This conference will offer certificates for Professional Development Hours (PDH’s) for conference attendees. Please see the PDH Tab for more details.

A printable agenda summary will be added in early 2024.

Last Update: 10/10/23

Tour MD&A’s state-of-the-art 250,000 square foot Turbine-Generator Repair Facility! For over 39 years, we’ve earned a reputation as the trusted, one-stop-shop for power generators. Capabilities ranging from gas turbine repair, steam turbine repair, generator, machining, valves repair to our modern high speed balance facility.

Monday, May 20,  2024

Tour Schedule:

• 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Load buses
• 8:15 AM – 8:35 AM: Buses in transit to MD&A repair facility
• 8:35 AM – 8:45 AM: Arrive, get safety glasses
• 8:45 AM – 11:15 AM: Tours – 6 stops, discussion, Q&A
• 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Load buses and return to hotel

Important Notes:

• RSVP required within conference registration, limit 90 each day
• Conference badges required to load bus
• Closed toe shoes required; Safety glasses provided at shop

Some of your top conference sponsors are planning to host events during times when there are no 7F scheduled conference sessions/events. We are asking for RSVP’s to assist them in planning for food and beverage. Details will be added as we receive them.

Please note: You may also receive invitations out from other vendors while at the conference. You can return to your conference registration at any time to modify your rsvps.

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SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024

Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel

800 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO 63101
Hotel Phone: +1 (314) 621-9600

Check-In: 4:00 PM
Check-Out: 11:00 AM

Group rate: $189.00/nt. USD + tax

Last day to reserve accommodations at the group rate: Friday, April 26, 2024 or when the group block is full.

Reservation Process: Online link will be in your emailed conference registration confirmation.

• This link will have the group rate pre-populated.
• If you have difficulty confirming your reservation through the link, please email sheila.vashi@sv-events.net. We may need to ask the hotel for additional rooms in the block for specific nights.
• If the block is full or the hotel is sold out, we will post a note on this page letting everyone know.

Special negotiated concessions for rooms confirmed in the 7F group block:

• Complimentary basic guestroom internet
• Group rate honored 3 days pre/post conference dates, based on availability
• 15% discount on 2024 published self-parking garage rates for overnight attendees.

See standard hotel and room amenities by visiting https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stlmg-marriott-st-louis-grand/

Parking Fees:

• On-site self parking: $35.00 USD daily (15% discount for attendees with reservations in group block)
• Valet parking: $53.00 USD daily
• Self or Valet does not accommodate oversized vehicles.

Please note: If you do not need a rental car during the conference, you may want to consider one of the alternate forms of transportation shown on the Directions/Travel tab.

TRAVEL

CLOSEST AIRPORT:

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) = 14 miles SE

TRANSPORTATION:
The Marriott St. Louis Grand does not offer complimentary shuttle service.

Other Transportation Options

• Rideshare: Lyft and Uber operate at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Use app to confirm pick-up.

Pickup zones:
Terminal 1: Door 6 (Ticketing Level)
Terminal 2: Door 10

• Taxi:

Pickup zones:
Terminal 1: Door 6 (Ticketing Level)
Terminal 2: Door 10

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

• From St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
  https://www.mapquest.com/directions/from/us/missouri/st-louis-lambert-intl-airport-436991936/to/us/missouri/marriott-st-louis-grand-459662529

VENDOR PRESENTATION OPPORTUNITIES

The button link below to submit an abstract for consideration to present at the 2024 Annual Conference will be open until 11:59 PM, Eastern on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

Submit Abstract

Please keep the abstract a brief description. You may upload a supporting pdf document within the registration if you feel the committee needs to see more detail to make a decision. Note: If you are selected to present, your abstract will be seen in the mobile app during the conference. The abstract will serve as an introduction to the presentation topic, not outline the entire presentation. Vendors should use this opportunity to attract Users to their discussion.

VENDOR SOLUTIONS BREAKOUT SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
8:45 AM – 12:15 PM = Vendor Solutions Breakouts (total of 20 vendor presentations)

•   8:45 AM –   9:15 AM    (4) 30-minute Vendor Solutions Presentations (simultaneous)
•   9:15 AM –   9:30 AM    Break / Transition
•   9:30 AM – 10:00 AM    (4) 30-minute Vendor Solutions Presentations (simultaneous)
• 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM    Break / Transition
• 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM    (4) 30-minute Vendor Solutions Presentations (simultaneous)
• 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM    Break / Transition
• 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM    (4) 30-minute Vendor Solutions Presentations (simultaneous)
• 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM    Break / Transition
• 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM    (4) 30-minute Vendor Solutions Presentations (simultaneous)

VENDOR PRESENTATION FEES:

• 30-Minute Vendor Solution Breakout: $515.00

Provided in each breakout room:

• LCD projector package
• Laptop will be provided by 7F Users Group – Presenter needs to provide presentation on USB
• One 6′ X 30′ table at the head of the room for materials
• Podium
• Wireless lavaliere microphone for presenter
• Catchbox microphone for Q&A

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

• 11/02/23: Link opens to submit an abstract
• 12/07/23: 11:59PM, EST – Link to submit abstract closes
• 12/15/23: 5:30 PM, EST – Committee decisions will be emailed to all vendors who submitted an abstract
• 01/12/24: 5:30 PM, EST – Presentation time assignments will be emailed to approved presenters.
• 02/06/24: Presentation fee must be paid in full
• 04/19/24: Final presentations are due for committee review. We will provide a MS Teams link to upload your final presentations.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

1. Presentations must be technical in nature – addressing design issues, improving performances, troubleshooting, results from RCA studies, etc. Selling and other related activities are limited to the vendor fair only.
2. Presentations must focus on currently available technology/processes/systems/components. Presentation attendees shall not be utilized as a makeshift focus group for future product development…that’s for the vendor fair if you choose.
3. Abstracts will only be accepted through the designated online registration link. The 7F Steering Committee reserves the right to approve or deny any abstract.
4. Multiple abstracts may be submitted. Please focus on quality vs. quantity. Submitting multiple abstracts does not guarantee your company will be chosen to present.
5. Presentation topics may not be changed once chosen by the 7F Steering Committee. If a topic change is absolutely necessary, the 7F Steering Committee reserves the right to cancel your topic and fill the space with another Vendor’s topic. Cancellation policy will apply.
6. The 7F Steering Committee will assign presentation dates, times, and meeting rooms.
7. While the 7F Steering Committee has created an agenda to give the Presenters the undivided attention of the Users, we cannot control or guarantee attendance at your presentation. Presentation fees will not be refunded based on lack of attendance. Presentations are limited to 30 minutes, including Q&A.
8. The $515.00 presentation fee is separate from the exhibit booth fee. Presentation fees will be charged upon confirmation as an Approved Presenter. Booth fees will be charged when booth registration opens. See “Vendor Fair Exhibitors” tab on the Annual Conference page of the 7F Users Group website for all booth details.
9. The 7F Steering Committee reserves the right to cancel the presentation space for vendors whose presentation fees are not paid in full by Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
10. All Presenters must be registered and paid exhibitors at the 7F Annual Conference vendor fair on Monday, May 20, 2024 or Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
11. Presenters who are not sponsors will have booth registration priority after sponsor booth registration and prior to open booth registration for all vendors. See “Vendor Fair Exhibitors” tab on the Annual Conference page of the 7F Users Group website for booth registration schedule.
12. All chosen presenters will be sent a MS Teams link to upload the final presentations for committee review. Presentations are due no later than Friday, April 19, 2024. Please indicate if this document may be added to the 7F Users Group website, accessible on to Users logged in on the User Forum. If presenter needs to submit a modified version for the website, the second file name should include the word “website” to avoid confusion.
13. Only employees of the presenting company will be allowed to attend the presentation unless authorization is expressed to the 7F Steering Committee.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• Confirmation – February 6, 2024: $465.00 refundable with a $50.00 cancellation fee
• February 7, 2024 or later: Non-refundable

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Last update: 11/27/23

Sponsorship levels, benefits, and costs will be posted by Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

Link to purchase a sponsorship will open at 12:00 PM, Eastern, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Purchase Sponsorship

INVOICE/RECEIPT:

• Your emailed confirmation has a button link to open your invoice/receipt.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Upload logos in .jpg and .eps formats to the MS Teams link in your sponsorship confirmation by Wednesday, December 27, 2023. Reference “2024 – Company name” in the subject line.
• Sponsorship payments must be paid in full by Monday, January 15, 2024.
• Sponsors must be exhibitors at the 7F Annual Conference vendor fair on Monday, May 20, 2024 or Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
• Sponsors will have booth registration priority. See “Vendor Fair Exhibitors” tab on the Annual Conference page of the website for booth registration schedule.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• Sponsorship fees are non-refundable

VENDOR FAIR DATES:

• Monday, May 20, 2024
  4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Tuesday, May 21, 2024
  4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Important Notes:

• Only Platinum and Gold level sponsors may exhibit both evenings.
• Everyone else may purchase one single 10’W x 8’D booth on one evening only.

Exhibitor Itinerary

VENDOR FAIR FLOOR PLAN:

Vendor Fair floor plan will be added by December 31, 2023.

LEAD RETRIEVAL:

All badges will have QR Codes. Download any QR code scanner app to your smart device. If you scan a User attendee’s badge at the vendor fair, you will receive their name, company, work phone number, and email address.

ATTENDEE LIST:

• Monday, May 13, 2024: One week prior to the conference – the user attendee list with contact information they are willing to share will be emailed to all confirmed exhibitors.
• Friday, May 31, 2024: One week after the conference, after reconciling attendees, no-shows, and cancellations – the final user attendee list with contact information they are willing to share will be emailed to all confirmed exhibitors.

Scam Alert: Please be aware that emails go out every year from unknown parties trying to sell the attendee lists to Vendors. Power Users does not sell the attendee list.

VENDOR / BOOTH REGISTRATION:

• Early Registration Dates (Sponsors and Approved Presenters only):
  SV Events will email a link at 11:30 AM, Eastern each day as noted below. Registrations need to be completed by 5:30 PM, Eastern. If you do not register by that time, we will select a booth for you so we can get the site ready for the next level of early registrations.
  • 1/30/2024 – Platinum Plus / Platinum sponsors
  • 1/31/2024 – Gold sponsors
  • 2/01/2024 – Silver Plus / Silver sponsors
  • 2/06/2024 – Bronze sponsors
  • 2/07/2024 – Approved Presenters

• Open Booth Registration:
  Link to purchase a booth will open on Tuesday, 2/13/24 at 12:00 PM, Eastern.
  Purchase a Booth

IMPORTANT: Cancellations for double booking booths will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee.

Important Notes/Helpful Hints for open registration on 2/13/24:

• • There is no option to purchase more than one booth.
  • If you hit the button at 11:59 AM, it will not go anywhere. It is set to open at 12:00 PM, Eastern.
  • Review floor plan, pricing, inclusions, terms and conditions, etc. and get your questions answered and any approvals needed from your company prior to date the link opens. I would hate to see you miss the opportunity to secure a booth because you are waiting for answers and/or approvals.
  • If the registration system does not accept your credit card, change the form of payment to “check” and finish your registration. You can call us later to change the form of payment and we can figure out why the credit card wasn’t accepted. Many times it is a case of an incorrect billing address or card number entered incorrectly.
  • Please do not call or send an email on 2/13/24 and expect an immediate response. We receive lots of calls on booth registration day and all booths may be gone by the time we can get back to you. Reading all details on the Vendor Fair Exhibitors tab usually answers 95% of the questions we receive the day the link goes live.

INVOICE/RECEIPT:

• Your emailed confirmation has a button link to open and print your invoice/receipt.

MODIFY EXISTING VENDOR REGISTRATION / ADD BOOTH REPS:

• If you have confirmed a booth and need to make changes to your registration and/or add booth reps, use the link below.
• You will need the email address and reference number from your emailed booth confirmation.
• If it is not in your inbox, check your junk, spam or other folders. Those are usually the culprits.

Modify Vendor Registration / Add Booth Reps

BOOTH PRICES:

20’W x 8D’ = Included in Platinum Double and Gold Double Booth Sponsorships

• Includes a maximum of ten representatives allowed in booth
• Same booth reps both days

10’W x 8D’ = Included in Platinum Single and Gold Single Booth Sponsorships

• Includes a maximum of six representatives allowed in booth
• Same booth reps both days

10′W x 8D′ = $1,650.00

• Booth fee includes two booth representatives
• Additional booth representatives @ $211.00 each
• Maximum of six representatives allowed in booth
• Exhibit in one booth on Monday or Tuesday only

ALL BOOTH SPACES WILL INCLUDE:

• Carpeted booth space *
• Pipe and drape booth space – black drape, 8′ high in back and 3′ high on sides
• One 6′ x 30″ table **, white drape and black skirt
• Two chairs
• One waste basket
• One sign

* The Majestic Ballorom is carpeted. If you want additional carpet, you can order through the exhibitor kit.
** If you require a different size table please see the exhibitor kit. You will need to order your preferred table a la carte at an additional cost.

Links below will be available in late January 2023.

Exhibitor Kit – Monday

Exhibitor Kit – Tuesday

Encore – Power and Audio Visual Orders

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

1. Exhibiting Companies may not share a booth with another company or invite a representative from another company without written approval from the Steering Committee. Booth sharing may be allowed if and only if:
   • Exhibiting Companies are owned by the same parent company, or
   • One of the companies in the booth space sells directly to the other company in lieu of sales to a User, such as a Distributor or Representative.
2. Booth assignments are provided on a first-come first-serve basis upon registration. Higher tier sponsorships receive higher priority.
3. If all booth space is sold out, you can register yourself for the waitlist. If we have any booth cancellations, companies on the waitlist will be offered booth space. Payment in full must be received within 2 business days of accepting the available booth.
4. Each 10’W x 8’D booth space is allowed a maximum of (6) six exhibiting company representatives.
5. Each 20’W x 8’D booth is allowed a maximum of (10) ten exhibiting company representatives.
6. Breakout session presenter(s) from an exhibiting company must be registered as an additional booth rep. if planning to attend the vendor fair.
7. Each exhibiting representative is expected to wear his/her own badge.
8. Exhibiting Companies are not allowed to schedule meetings or invite Users to functions during conference scheduled events.
9. The 7F Steering Committee reserves the right to make changes to booth assignments when required in its best judgment.
10. Exhibiting Companies who do not follow these Terms and Conditions will not be invited to attend any portion of the following year’s annual conference.
11. Payment for booth space must be received no later than 5:00pm Eastern on March 14, 2023.
12. Booth spaces in which full payment has not been received by 5:00pm Eastern on March 14, 2023 will be cancelled and offered to the next company on the waitlist.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:
Booth Cancellations:

• Confirmation – March 19, 2024: Refundable with a $75.00 cancellation fee
• March 20, 2024 or later: Non-refundable

Additional Booth Representative Cancellations:

• Confirmation – May 10, 2024: Refundable
• May 11, 2024 or later: Non-refundable (Name changes are allowed if the attendee is from the same company and the initial payment is not modified.)

Please contact sheila.vashi@sv-events.net with questions regarding the vendor fair.

ADVERTISING IN USERS’ PRINTED CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Vendors will have an opportunity to purchase ad space in the Users’ conference program at the time of purchasing a booth space. Sponsors will have an opportunity to upgrade ad space included in sponsorships.

Complimentary ads included in sponsorships:

• Platinum Sponsors – 2-page spread
• Gold Sponsors – full page ad
• Silver Plus and Silver Sponsors – half page ad
• Bronze Sponsors – quarter page ad

Links below will be available in late January 2023.

2024 Ad Specifications

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Ads containing inappropriate language and/or images will be removed from the program. No refund will be issued.
• The 7F Steering Committee reserves the right to refuse any ad they deem inappropriate.
• Ads due March 21, 2024.
• A MS Teams link for ad upload will be sent to everyone who will have an ad in the conference program.
• Failure to submit ads by the deadline could result in your ad not being included in the program. Refunds will not be issued.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

• Confirmation – March 21, 2024: Refundable
• March 22, 2024 or later: Non-refundable

Please contact sheila.vashi@sv-events.net with questions regarding conference program advertising.