2023 AFERM Summit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Click on a question to see the answer.

Why am I being redirected to the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) website to complete my registration for the 2023 AFERM Summit?
AFERM signed an agreement with AGA to cross-service registration support for this year’s AFERM Summit. If you experience any issues during the registration process, contact either meetings@agacgfm.org (AGA’s dedicated support e-mail account) or summit@aferm.org (AFERM’s dedicated support e-mail account).
What is my AGA login name? What is my password?
Your login is your AGA ID; whether you are an AGA member or not, you received an ID by attending any of AGA’s past trainings.

Forgot your username or password?  Click on the username or password to reset.

If you have not attended an AGA training event before, click here to create an AGA account.

I am the purchase card holder, how do I register the participant for the Summit?
If you are the purchase card holder, you can register the participant for the AFERM Summit. Please follow the instructions below to register someone else.
  1. Start here on AFERM’s website and click on the appropriate Member or Non-Member Registration button under the “Registration Instructions” section to be redirected to AGA’s registration site.
  2. Sign into your “My AGA Sign In.” If you don’t have an existing account with AGA, you will need to create one, click here to create an AGA account for yourself. Shortly after creating an account, you will receive an AGA username and password. Use these credentials to login to “My AGA Sign In.”
  3. Once signed in, click on “Register Someone Else” on the bottom of the page to search for the participant using their first and last name. If you experience any issues during the registration process, contact either meetings@agacgfm.org (AGA’s dedicated support e-mail account) or summit@aferm.org (AFERM’s dedicated support e-mail account).
What if the AFERM Summit participant is not an AGA member or does not have a login account with AGA?
Create an account for the participant (just like you would for yourself). Thereafter, you are able to search for the participant’s name and register him/her online.
I don’t get it. Why don't I see the member price on the AGA website?
You will need a to login to the AFERM website, using your AFERM member information to see the members-only link. Please visit the Summit page and click on the button next to the member pricing.

Please make sure your registration is priced correctly before completing checkout. After you have submitted and received registration confirmation, refunds will NOT be granted if the non-member registration link was used.

How will I know that AFERM has received my registration completed on the AGA website?
If you are the purchase card holder and you followed the instructions to register “someone else,” you will receive a receipt of the purchase and a copy of the participant’s registration confirmation via email once the registration is completed. The participant will only receive the registration confirmation.

If you registered yourself, you will receive a receipt of the purchase and a registration confirmation via email once the registration is completed.

If you did not receive registration/receipt confirmation emails as shown above, your registration process was not completed. Please contact either meetings@agacgfm.org (AGA’s dedicated support e-mail account) or summit@aferm.org (AFERM’s dedicated support e-mail account).

For completed registrations, AFERM will receive registration reports from AGA to audit, so no details are overlooked.

Will AFERM (or AGA) confirm my registration status prior to the AFERM Summit?
Once your registration is complete, you will receive a registration confirmation email from AGA. Please check your junk and spam folders if you did not receive this email. You can also verify your attendance by logging into My AGA and selecting “My Upcoming Events.”

You will receive a second email with detailed information before the training. If you are registered to attend in person, you will receive this email approximately two weeks before the event. If you are registered to attend virtually, you will receive this email approximately one week before the event.

How can I get a receipt for my registration?
If you registered yourself, you should have received an email confirmation, as well as the receipt. If someone else registered you, you should have only received the email confirmation of your registration. The email confirmation will also show the registration rate which can be used as a receipt.

Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox. The email should be coming from agamembers@agacgfm.org.

What if my organization is submitting a purchase order or paying via check for my registration?
Please fill out this form and send it to summit@aferm.org to process your registration via PO or check.
Is there a hybrid option (combination of virtual and in-person participation)?
Hybrid registration (combination of in-person and virtual participation) is not permitted. Select your one (in-person or virtual) preferred participation format when registering for the Summit.

Please see below about switching your registration if you change your mind regarding participation format.

If I am unable to attend the Summit, can I send someone in my place?
If you have registered but are unable to attend the Summit, you may designate another person to take your place. A written email request to summit@aferm.org must be completed by the registrant by Nov. 15, 2023 to transfer registration to the new attendee. Please state your name in the email along with the name and email address of your substitute.

**Membership status is not transferable. Additional fees may be required, depending on the substitute’s membership status.

Can I switch my registration from In-Person to Virtual or vice versa?
  • Changing From Virtual to In-Person Attendance: You may switch to in-person participation at no cost until November 15, 2023. Submit your request to summit@aferm.org; phone calls will not be accepted. After November 15, all paid registrations will incur an additional $100 processing fee.
  • Changing From In-Person to Virtual Attendance: If you are unable to attend the Summit in-person, you may switch to virtual participation at no cost until November 15, 2023. Submit your request to summit@aferm.org; phone calls will not be accepted. After November 15, all paid registrations will incur an additional $100 processing fee.
Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my registration?
Refunds, less a $100 processing fee per registrant, will be granted for requests received in writing to summit@aferm.org by Nov. 15, 2023. Refunds will not be granted after this date. No-shows are responsible for full payment.
  • PO/SF-182 payments — AFERM does not permit refunds nor cancellations of registrations submitted with a PO/SF-182 payments.
I already checked out, but I used the non-member registration link. What should I do?
Unfortunately, we cannot process refunds and/or adjustments for using the non-member registration link. Please see registration instructions here.
What happens if there is a federal government shutdown?
At present, the federal government’s continuing resolution expires on November 17, 2023. The Summit will proceed as planned, if a budget is enacted or an additional continuing resolution is approved that expires after November 29, 2023.

If a government shutdown occurs or a continuing resolution is enacted that does not extend through November 29, 2023, AFERM will work with the Convention Center to reschedule the Summit for early 2024. After the Summit is rescheduled, full refunds will be issued, upon request, for those who pre-registered for the November 2023 Summit but cannot attend  on the new dates. Those who register after the Summit has been postponed will be granted refunds consistent with the established AFERM policy. AFERM strongly encourages those interested in attending the Summit to register now…early bird registration ends October 27, 2023!

What is the attire for the Summit?
Business casual attire is appropriate for all conference and training activities. Since conference and break-out session room temperatures vary, we recommend you bring a sweater or jacket to the sessions. Check the Washington, DC weather before you depart for the Summit.
How can I get a copy of speaker slide presentations?
All registered participants will receive a confirmation email prior to the start of the AFERM Summit containing training details. Please note, presentation slides and notes will be available only from speakers who grant permission.
If a luncheon, reception or refreshment break is not sponsored, does that mean it will not be provided?
No. All the meals and food and beverage activities included in your Summit registration package will be provided regardless of whether the meal/break has been sponsored.
What should I do if I have a special dietary request?
AFERM selects lunch menus we hope everyone will enjoy. We realize that some individuals have dietary restrictions and food allergies. Attendees who notified us about food allergies or dietary restrictions that prevent from eating the standard entrée selection are provided with a vegetarian/vegan/kosher meal based as closely as possible on their specific dietary needs. If you do have such needs, please include them in your registration and e-mail summit@aferm.org with any questions.

Due to the large number of attendees, substitutes to the vegetarian/vegan/kosher meal or the standard conference event meal may not be possible. Please make alternative meal arrangements if you have several food allergies or very specific dietary restrictions, as our food and beverage options may not meet your needs.

Where do I go to attend virtually?
AFERM will provide instructions for virtual participants approximately one (1) week prior to the Summit via email and on the Summit website.

What is the COVID safety plan at the Convention Center?
Building staff strive to ensure a safe environment for clients, tenants, employees and guests of the Washington DC Convention Center. Per DC and CDC guidance, masks are optional in all spaces. If you prefer to wear a mask, you are welcome to do so. We ask that you respect others’ choices and  alert a staff member if you have any concerns.

If we missed an FAQ, we’re here to help. Email us with your questions at summit@aferm.org.