TechEd North America 2012 Registration FAQs

Event Registration

Q: How do I register for TechEd North America 2012?
A: Visit the TechEd 2012 registration page and click "Register Now" to start the registration process. You will be asked to create a myTechEd account and enter your details, including the email address and password you would like to use for your login credentials. You will then have the opportunity to associate this account with a Windows Live™ ID (optional) and continue to your registration. Once you complete your registration, you will be able to log back into your myTechEd account and access your registration details by simply entering your email address and password or Windows Live™ ID into the myTechEd sign in page.

Q: How do I register with my existing myTechEd account?
A: Visit the TechEd 2012 registration page and click “Register Now” to start the registration process. On the "Create an Account" screen, you will find a sign in link for those that already have a myTechEd account. Click to sign in with your existing myTechEd account and you will be taken into event registration. Alternately, you can sign in to your myTechEd account and click the "Register Now" banner at the top right of My Portal to start the registration process.

Q: How do I sign up with a registration code?
A: Visit the TechEd 2012 registration page and click "Register Now" to start the registration process. You’ll be asked to create a myTechEd account where you’ll enter your details. Once you have your account, you will be taken to event registration. Click "Register yourself" and under the section to the right titled "Register with a registration code", enter your registration code and click “Register Now".

Q: How do I use the group manger account to register multiple people?
A: The group manager account tool allows one person to create, manage and pay for multiple registration records. This will be especially useful for individuals that need to register a team for their booth or multiple attendees from one company. The individual that will be managing the multiple records must first register as a Group Manager. The Group Manager will be able to register multiple individuals with and without registration codes, edit registration information, cancel records, perform substitutions and submit payment. If the Group Manager is planning on attending the conference, they will have the option to add themselves as an attendee through their Group Manager account. You can also request to add a record to your Group Manager account.

To create a group manager account:

1. Visit the TechEd 2012 registration page and click "Register Now".
2. Create your myTechEd account with email address and Password, then select whether or not you would like to associate a Windows Live™ ID with your account.
3. Next, select the option to "Register one or more attendees" under the "Register a Group" section. Enter your contact information and click "Continue".
4. Select "Add an attendee to this group" to register your attendees. (To register the group manager to attend, click "Register to attend" under "Group Manager Details" on the Group Manager Dashboard.)

From your Group Manger Dashboard you can choose to update, substitute, or cancel each attendee's record.

Returning Services/Manage Registration

This set of FAQs applies to those that have already registered to attend TechEd North America 2012.

Q: How do I log into my registration details to make changes, view my confirmation, print my invoice, etc.?
A: Sign in to your myTechEd account (using your email address and password or Windows Live™ ID associated with your account) and click the "Manage Registration" banner at the top right of My Portal to access the Returning Services page and your registration details. Alternately, you can click this link (sign in required) to go straight to Returning Services.
If you have not completed your registration, you will be taken to the last registration step visited.

Once on the registration review page, you can:

• Update your Registration: Select any of the headers (Contact Information, Accomodations, etc.) and click "Edit" to update information in these sections.
• Review/Print your Confirmation: Click the link "Print confirmation".
• Review/Print your Invoice: Click the link "View receipt".
• Cancel your Registration: Select the option to "Cancel Registration" under "Registration Quick Links". Please review the cancellation policy closely before completing your cancellation. If you wish to substitute someone into your record, do not cancel and read how to perform a substitution below.

Q: How do I perform a substitution?
A: Substitutions can only be performed on completed registrations. Sign in to your myTechEd account (using your email address and password or Windows Live™ ID associated with your account) and click the "Manage Registration" banner at the top right of My Portal to access the Returning Services page and your registration details.

On your review page, select the option to "Substitute another person for this registration" under "Registration Quick Links". Fill out the contact information for the person who will be taking your place at TechEd. Once you complete this information, an email will automatically be sent to the email address provided with instructions on how the new registrant can log into his/her record and update the information. Please remind your replacement to visit the record to make sure all information is correct (e.g. survey questions, hotel, guest passes, etc.)

myTechEd Account Management

Q: How do I create a myTechEd account?
A: All registered attendees of TechEd 2012 automatically get a myTechEd account created during registration. Visit the myTechEd sign in page to access your account.

If you would like to participate in the myTechEd community without attending the TechEd 2012 event, you can do so with a free "virtual attendee" account that gives you limited access to discussions and archived content. Visit the Join myTechEd page to learn more.

Q: How do I associate a myTechEd account and/or registration record with a Windows Live™ ID?
A: If you already have a myTechEd account, you may choose to associate your Windows Live™ ID with your account to streamline the sign in process for accessing your profile and reviewing your registration record. To make the connection, sign into the myTechEd Portal with your email address and password. On the "My Portal" page, beneath your profile picture, click on "Edit my profile". On the right side, you will see an option to "Associate or Update your Windows Live™ Id". Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in and either enter your Windows Live™ ID or create a new one. When finished, you will be able to use either your Windows Live™ ID or your email address and password to sign in to myTechEd and access your registration record.

Q: What if I forgot my account password?
A: Visit the Recover Password page to reset your myTechEd account password. Enter the email address you used to create your registration and click "Recover". The system will email a link to reset your password.

Q: What if I forgot my Windows Live™ ID?
A: Visit the myTechEd account sign in page and click the "Sign In" button under the Windows Live™ ID option. If you forgot your password, click the "Can’t access your account?" link, select "I forgot my password" and then "Reset your password". Follow the instructions to reset your Windows Live™ ID password.

If you have completely forgotten your Windows Live™ ID email and password associated with your myTechEd account and registration, please contact the TechEd 2012 Registration team at TechEdNA2012@microsoft.crgevents.com for assistance.

Additional Registration Questions

Q: How do I know if I need to submit a signed Public Sector waiver?
A: In order to comply with public sector gifting policies, Microsoft requires that government or public sector employees that register at a discounted or complimentary rate provide a signed waiver in order to retain their registration rate and receive meals and business items onsite. If you indicate during registration that you are a public sector employee, the option to download the appropriate waiver will be available during the process. See below for additional details on the waiver.

Government or public sector employees that register at one of the publicly available rates (early adopter, super early bird, early bird, standard) will not be required to provide a signed waiver in order to receive meals, personal use or business items onsite.

Q: How do I get a Public Sector waiver?
A: When registering, there will be an option to indicate if you are a government or public sector employee. A link to download the appropriate waiver can be found in the text that appears. If you do not see a link for a waiver or need one sent to you please contact the TechEd Registration team at TechEdNA2012@microsoft.crgevents.com.

Q: How do I get a Business Travel Support Letter request form?
A: Once you complete your registration you will have the opportunity to download a request form on your registration confirmation page. Email the completed form to the TechEd 2012 Registration Team at TechEdNA2012@microsoft.crgevents.com. Request forms should be submitted prior to May 17, 2012 to ensure adequate processing time. Please note that requests are only processed for attendees that are paid in full.

Q: How long does it take to get a Business Travel Support Letter?
A: It can take seven to ten (7-10) business days for a Business Travel Support Letter to be produced. Once created a copy will be sent to the email address provided. If a hard copy is requested, it will be sent to the address provided. Please allow five to seven (5-7) additional business days for hard copies.

Q: When will I receive my hotel confirmation?
A: Hotel confirmations take approximately 10 to 14 business days to be processed by the hotel for our special rates. Once your reservation is confirmed by the hotel and assigned a confirmation number you will receive an email with this information from the Registration Team, TechEdNA2012@microsoft.crgevents.com.

Q: Can I bring a guest?
A: Guests of registered Microsoft TechEd North America 2012 attendees are welcome at the Closing Attendee Party on Thursday, June 14 (5 years or older) with the purchase of a Closing Attendee Party Guest Pass for $125. Guest passes are not available for any other TechEd programming.

Please note that guest five years or age or older must have a pass to enter. Alcohol may be available at the event so please consider the age of your guests carefully. Child care services will not be available. Guests may be required to show government issued photo ID for admittance. Guests will be required to wear a name badge or wristband for entry.

Q: Where will the Closing Attendee Party be held?
A: We are still working on identifying a great location! Details will be available closer to the event and revealed on the TechEd Blog. Be sure to check back for updates.

Q: Is there an age minimum to attend the event?
A: TechEd is designed for the working professional, so attendees must be 18 years of age or older.

Q: Can I purchase a Day Pass to TechEd 2012?
A: Day passes are not offered for this event. Pre-Conference Session Only, Professional Career Development Session Only, Partner Expo Only, and Closing Attendee Party passes can be purchased through the registration page.

Q: How do I sign up for a Pre-Conference Seminar?
A: Pre-Conference Seminars are day-long, in-depth technology sessions presented the day before TechEd and available for an additional fee. Pre-Conference Seminar selection occurs during the registration process. If you have already registered to attend TechEd 2012 and would like to add a Pre-Conference Seminar, sign in to your myTechEd account (using your email address and password or Windows Live™ ID associated with your account) and click the "Manage Registration" banner at the top right of My Portal to access the Returning Services page and your registration details.

Once you’ve signed in, click on Pre-Conference Seminars and then Edit. On the Pre-Conference Seminars page, click to choose the seminar you would like to attend. You will be prompted to provide payment before your seminar is confirmed. You must click the "Update" button on the bottom of your Payment page in order for your Pre-Conference Seminar to be processed. You can access an updated, online version of your confirmation email at the Returning Services menu within your registration account.