#OCDcon What to Know Before You Go

We are only two weeks away from the 25th Annual OCD Conference in Washington D.C.! We can’t wait to see all of you, and we want to help you get the most out of your Conference experience. This blog contains some important things to know before you go, including information on check-in and on-site registration, Thursday evening activities, Conference attire, food options, transportation, and D.C. attractions.

Registration and Check-in

Online Pre-Registration
Online pre-registration will be closing on Thursday, July 19th at 5pm ET. Those who do not register by this time will still have the option to register on-site at the Conference (please see below).

Check-in & On-site Registration
Check-in and On-site Registration for the Annual OCD Conference opens on Thursday, July 26th at 12pm ET. 

• If you have already pre-registered for the Conference, you will be able to check-in and pick up your badge(s) at the Check-In Desk on the Lobby level on Thursday 7/26 from 12–8pm and beginning at 7am on Friday, 7/27 and Saturday, 7/28.
• If you did not have a chance to register ahead of time, please visit our on-site registration counter at the On-site Registration Desk on the Lobby level (registration hours are the same times as above).
• If you are registered at the Professional level and wish to receive CEs, you must sign in and out daily at the CE Desk, located next to the On-site and VIP Check-In Desk, and complete online evaluations after the Conference has ended. You will be receiving evaluation information after the Conference.

Please note: Attendees to the Research Symposium and Hoarding Pre-Conference Training Session will be able to check-in beginning at 8am on Thursday, July 26th.

Thursday Evening Activities

If you’re arriving early for the Conference, Thursday Evening Activities provide an opportunity to connect with other individuals, families, and professionals before the full Conference even begins! We have a number of activities that Conference attendees are invited to participate in on Thursday, July 26, including:

• Learn creative ways to tell your story with The Secret Illness.
• Participate in ERP Bootcamp with Jonathan Grayson and learn how to confront your fears using ERP therapy.
• Get a dose of laughter by attending an HD sufferers comedic performance, Laugh WITH Me, Not At Me: Comedy About Hoarding Disorder.
• Join one of our support groups taking place on Thursday evening from 6:30PM – 9:00PM.

View all of the Thursday evening activities on our online schedule here.

Conference Attire

Conference attendees are invited to dress casually throughout the Conference. Please be advised that the hotel is air-conditioned and it is recommended that you dress warmer than the temperature outside or bring layers.

Food and Dining

Complimentary breakfast will be provided each morning from 7-8am in the hotel throughout the Exhibit Hall. Food is also available for purchase throughout the day at hotel dining outlets. Information about hotel dining options as well as a list of local restaurants is available to view on the hotel website here.

Saturday evening attendees can expect light hors d’oeuvres at the Researcher and Exhibitor Meet & Greet. Light dinner will be served at the Saturday Night Social.

Washington D.C. Attractions

If you have time to explore Washington D.C., there are a variety of wonderful attractions to enjoy – many of them free! To learn about some of the top free and paid D.C. attractions, visit the Conference page on the Washington D.C. Tourism website here.

Transportation & Parking

DC has plenty of transportation options for getting around the city.

• Metrorail & Metrobus: Metrorail and Metrobus are the most convenient ways to get around DC, with Metrobus providing connections for locations not serviced by Metrorail. Metro operates from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekends.
• Taxis: Taxi service is plentiful and economical in DC. Taxis use a metered system just like every other city in the country. All taxis also accept credit and debit cards as payment, as well as cash. You can also download the DC Taxi Rider app for your iPhone or Android, which allows you to choose from a regular, large, or wheelchair-accessible taxi, see a fare and time estimate before you hail the cab, and pay either through the app or in the vehicle.
• DC Circulator: The DC Circulator bus is incredibly affordable at just $1 per ride, and travels along six specific routes designed for easy-on, easy-off access at points of interest throughout the District. Schedules for every route are available here, and buses run every 10 minutes.
• Parking: If you are driving there is parking available at the hotel. Daily valet parking at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park costs $50 USD per vehicle, per day; On-site self-parking is $45 per vehicle, per day (rates subject to change).

To learn more about transportation options, visit our conference website here.

We Have an App For That!

Don’t forget to download our FREE smartphone app for the 2018 Annual OCD Conference! You can download the free app for your iPhone or Android device to have the entire schedule, room locations, speaker bios, exhibitor list and other information at your fingertips all weekend. Find the app in the App Store for iPhones and iPads or the Google Play store for Android devices, and download for free!

We look forward to seeing you at the 25th Annual OCD Conference!