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Frequently Asked Questions

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Prepare for your attendance at FNCE® by reading some frequently asked questions from attendees. The questions are listed below, organized by category.

FNCE® Basics

Minneapolis Convention Center
1304 2nd Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55404

Some events may take place at the Headquarters (HQ) hotels, Hilton Minneapolis and Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, and that will be noted on the website.

This year, we will have two headquarter hotels: the Hilton Minneapolis and the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

All FNCE® hotels are within walking distance (10 blocks or less) of the Minneapolis Convention Center. ADA Accessibility shuttles will be provided beginning on Saturday, October 5 and will run through Tuesday, October 8.

During the Conference

Yes, badges must be worn at all times while inside the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The FNCE® 2024 conference app will be available for download on Apple and Android devices in September. The app will include the full program, handouts, maps, evaluations and more.

  • Sunday, October 6: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Monday, October 7: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Tuesday, October 8: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Central time)

The Expo is in Hall BC at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Yes! There are many meetings and events that attendees can join outside of the education program. The Academy’s Dietetic Practice Groups (DPGs) and Member Interest Groups (MIGs) host several events where attendees can network, socialize and learn about the groups. A full list of events is forthcoming. Additionally, the Networking Social at the DPG/MIG Showcase is free and open to all FNCE® attendees. More info coming soon.

Other events not to miss include the President’s Party with a Purpose, benefiting the Academy Foundation, which will take place in the artfully decorated Minneapolis Orchestra Hall, just a short walk from the Minneapolis Convention Center. This event promises to be a fun evening where you can unwind and support the Foundation while enjoying music, dancing and mingling with hundreds of your peers.

There also are many events happening in the Expo Hall, such as culinary demonstrations, yoga breaks and much more!

The Academy is committed to ensuring FNCE® is as accessible as possible and strives to remove barriers that would exclude people from participating. Here are some of the accessibility considerations at FNCE®:

  • Required accessibility needs question included on FNCE® registration to ensure all needs are captured.
  • Complimentary ADA-accessible shuttle between FNCE® hotels and convention center during peak hours.
  • All FNCE® hotels are contractually bound to offer full ADA-compliant rooms if requested during booking, at no additional charge.
  • Live AI-enabled voice-to-text captioning on screen for the hearing impaired during educational sessions.
  • Stage lift and/or ramp for speakers and moderators, if requested.
  • Color and contrast compliance for visual assets (digital and print).
  • Mobility Rental: Mobility equipment is available to rent at our Visitor Information Center located on Level One at the main entrance. We have both power-operated vehicles (scooters) and manual wheelchairs. Currently, pre-registration is not available, though you can call ahead of time at 612-335-6040 to check on availability. Scooters are $50 per day; wheelchairs are $20 per day.
  • Service Animals: The Minneapolis Convention Center welcomes working guide and service animals into all public areas of the building. For the safety of our visitors, comfort animals, therapy animals, companion animals, or emotional support animals are only allowed at the convention center if they are trained to perform a specific task for an individual with a disability.
  • Bathrooms: All bathrooms include accessible stalls. There are gender-neutral family bathrooms located on Level Two, Level One and the Lower Level.
  • Parking: Accessible parking is available at both the 3rd Ave. Parking Ramp and the Plaza Parking Ramp. Curbside drop-off locations are available along the front of the building on 2nd Ave.
  • Auditorium Seating: The Auditorium and Auditorium Rooms offer seating areas for people using wheelchairs.
  • Sensory Accessibility: Light: Common areas at the Minneapolis Convention Center are lit with accent lighting and natural light. All Meeting Rooms and Exhibition Halls have high-efficiency LED lighting. The Ballroom and Meeting Rooms' lighting can be dimmed. Lighting in the Ballroom and Exhibition Halls can have color lighting applied. Digital displays throughout the building show various graphics, which may include quick movements or bright colors. Sound: The sound levels at the convention center vary depending on the types and number of events in the building at once.
  • Tranquility Room: A tranquility room for meditation/prayer will be made available during FNCE® hours. It will be made for all attendees who want to pray, meditate or just find a quiet space during the hustle and bustle of FNCE®. Feel free to stop by anytime during the conference.

Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in educational sessions or the Expo Hall. Children and young adults over the age of 16 must be registered as guests and always wear a badge while in the Minneapolis Convention Center and at hotel-based events and be accompanied by a registered FNCE® attendee.

Expo Hall Attendees:
Nursing infants 12 months and younger will be allowed in the Expo Hall during show hours only and must always be carried in the parent’s arms or a front baby carrier (where the baby is affixed to the front of the adult’s chest and allows use of one or both hands; some of these can be affixed with buckles and clasps, while others are cloth) by a registered FNCE® attendee. Everyone not eligible to be an Academy member, or ages 16 and older, must be registered as a guest for the conference, wear the official badge and if under 18, be accompanied by a registered FNCE® attendee. Education Sessions: To provide all FNCE® attendees with an optimal learning environment, children under the age of 16 are not permitted in educational sessions. Exceptions will be made for nursing parents and their infants 12 months and younger only. Guests are not allowed in educational sessions.

Exhibitors:
Exhibitor booth staff must be registered as such and be 18 years of age or older. The nursing infant rule does not apply to exhibitors. No child under the age of 18 may be in an exhibit booth during set-up, dismantle or show hours. Anyone in violation of these rules will have their booth closed and will not be provided with a refund.

Strollers and roller carts are not allowed in the Expo Hall.

Childcare is not available at the Minneapolis Convention Center; however, your hotel concierge may be able to assist you.

Yes, there will be a Lactation Lounge located at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Refrigerators will be made available for same-day storage.

The hours for this room are as follows:

  • Saturday, October 5: noon - 4 p.m. (Central time)
  • Sunday, October 6: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Monday, October 7: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Tuesday, October 8: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Central time)

Yes, a coat/baggage check area will be available at the Minneapolis Convention Center with the hours listed below. This service is free to attendees. The Academy will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.

  • Saturday, October 5: 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Sunday, October 6: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Central time)
  • Monday, October 7: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Central time)
  • Tuesday, October 8: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Central time)

Education Opportunities

FNCE® provides a plethora of CPE through various formats such as educational sessions, workshops, posters and session recordings. Earning power is dependent on individual learning plans, but here is a breakdown of activities:

  • Up to 14.5 CPEUs: Educational Sessions (live lecture/seminars)
  • Up to 15 CPEUs: Research Posters
  • Up to 50 CPEUs: FNCE® On-Demand (session recordings)

*The exhibit hall no longer offers CPE hours.

All sessions, beginning with Opening Session, are open to registered FNCE® attendees and are on a first come, first served basis. Events outside of standard FNCE® times, such as pre-FNCE® workshops, excursions and DPG/MIG events, require pre-registration. Attendees are responsible for tracking which sessions and events they attended and submit accordingly in their activity logs.

Yes, there is a link to modify your registration in the confirmation email you received. Or you may return to the main registration page and log in to make modifications. Once logged in, you will click through the pages of the form until you reach the correct one. You will need to continue clicking through to the end, where you will submit payment.

Posters will be displayed in the Expo Hall on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the conference. Poster presenters will be available to answer questions during their scheduled presentation time, which can be found in the app and on the FNCE® website. Posters will also be available for viewing in the app throughout the conference.

While there will not be a virtual component this year, if you are unable to attend FNCE®, you will be able to purchase individual and bundled session recordings following FNCE®. You are welcome to explore our options for accessing recorded sessions.

All sessions, with the exception of the keynotes, will be recorded for on-demand viewing. Attendees may purchase a full conference recording package at the time of registration. The full conference recording package is an exclusive offer to FNCE® attendees. Instructions for how to access recordings are sent four weeks post-FNCE®; recordings are eligible for CPE until May 31, 2027.

Yes. The following sessions have been approved for ethics credit:

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a Recognized Provider of the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes.

We do not currently offer CME credit.

Online Registration

There is a link to modify your registration in the confirmation email you received. You also can return to the main registration page and log in there to make modifications.

Yes, there is a link to modify your registration in the confirmation email you received. You also can return to the main registration page and log in there to make modifications. Once logged in, click through the pages of the form until you reach the correct one. You will need to continue clicking through to the end, where you will submit payment.

The online registration form automatically assigns a rate based on your Academy membership status. First, be sure you have entered your Academy member number correctly on the first page of the registration form. If this does not work, please reach out to membership to verify membership status.

Guest badges are available as an add-on to full conference or one-day registrations only. Guest badges cannot be purchased a-la-carte.

Guests must be 16 years of age or older and may not be current Academy members or eligible for Academy membership. Guest fees include Opening and Closing Sessions, Member Showcase, and Expo for three days. A name badge is required for admittance to the above activities. Guests cannot attend educational sessions or earn CPE.

Meals are not provided by the conference, so you will want to plan accordingly. Exhibiting companies often give away complimentary samples on the trade show floor, but if you’re looking for other food options, check out the Minneapolis dining guide.

Yes! There are multiple stipend and grant opportunities for FNCE® attendees:

  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation awards stipends to offset the cost of in-person FNCE® 2024 attendance. Students and dietetic interns enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester, as well as practicing dietitians who have maintained their RDN credential for five years or more, are eligible to apply. Academy membership is required for all applicants.

    The applications for student and practitioner stipends are closed as of September 9, 2024. Foundation Practitioner Stipends have been awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • FNCE® Student Host Program: Join the FNCE® 2024 Student Host Program and enjoy a special reduced student member registration rate of $35! As a Student Host, you'll have the unique opportunity to network with peers behind the scenes, engage with Academy staff and meet leaders in the profession — all while participating in person at the 2024 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo®. In exchange for six to eight hours of onsite work, Student Hosts will be randomly selected to receive this discounted registration rate. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting opportunity!
  • DPG/MIG FNCE® Grants: Many Dietetic Practice Groups and Member Interest Groups offer stipends to their members to help offset the cost of attending FNCE®. Each group manages this process individually; please check your group's website for more information.

The FNCE® registration cancellation deadline is September 4, 2024. This includes FNCE® special events, add ons and workshops. There is a link to cancel in the confirmation email you received. You also can return to the main registration page, log in and cancel. Requests made prior to September 4, 2024, will be refunded less a $50 administrative fee.

Please note, foundation donations will not be refunded. If there are any add-ons, outside of donations, that need to be refunded prior to September 4, 2024, please email FNCE®.

Requests received after September 4, 2024, are not guaranteed refunds and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis after the meeting ends. Not all cancellations or requests for refunds will be accepted after the deadline date. Cancellations may take up to six weeks to process any refund, if approved.

While we are not authorized to provide an invitation letter, we do have an information letter template available.

Registering Onsite

Yes, we will have on-site registration available at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The online registration form will remain open until noon on Tuesday, October 8, so you can register online as well.

Registration will be located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, outside of Hall B.

  • Friday, October 4: noon – 5 p.m. (Central time)
  • Saturday, October 5: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Central time)
  • Sunday, October 6: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Central time)
  • Monday, October 7: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Central time)
  • Tuesday, October 8: 7:30 a.m. – noon (Central time)

Registration category determines admission to the FNCE® events. Badges are required for admittance to all FNCE® events. If lost, badges can be reprinted in the Registration area. If your badge is lost, you can have it reprinted at the Registration area for a fee of $50.

FNCE® 2025

The Call for Sessions and Workshops will open September 1 and close November 15, 2024. The Call for Abstracts will open January 1 and close February 16, 2025. More information will be posted online closer to that time.

Each fall, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors the world's largest meeting of food and nutrition experts — more than 10,000 registered dietitians, nutrition science researchers, policymakers, health care providers and industry leaders attend the annual meeting — and address key issues affecting the health of all Americans.

  • October 11-14, 2025 in Nashville
  • October 24-27, 2026 in San Antonio
  • October 23-26, 2027 in Washington, D.C.
  • October 7-10, 2028 in Salt Lake City
  • October 27-30, 2029 in New Orleans
  • October 12-15, 2030 in Indianapolis
  • October 25-28, 2031 in Boston

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!

Log in or join