The AADE Annual Meeting is the “red carpet event” of the year for diabetes educators. We don’t dress in formal attire, adorn
ourselves with diamonds, or arrive in limousines like they do for the Oscars. However, the experience is priceless.
Speaking of price, how can a member attend on a budget? Here is some money saving ideas worth considering:
- Early Bird Registration: Register by Friday, June 6 and save $100 off of your registration.
- Stay at one of the Official AADE Hotels: They offer special rates for meeting registrants AND staying there will save you another
$100 off of your registration. Room rates range from $89--$189/night (plus tax).
There are a limited number of rooms blocked at these rates, so don’t wait till the last minute to get your first choice.
- Flying—book early: If you will be flying to the meeting, book early—the earlier the better.
In most cases, the closer to the day of travel you book your flight, the more expensive the flight will be. Other
options that may save you money include flying very early in the morning, coach—not first-class, and purchasing a non-refundable ticket.
- Use those reward points: Do you have an airline or hotel membership club card with reward points? If yes, you may want to consider using them for airfare or toward your hotel stay. Don’t have an airline membership club card? Get one!
Then start racking up points now for a free ticket or hotel room in the future.
Belong to AAA or AARP? Check out the discounts they offer as well.
- Share aroom or the ride: I would be willing to bet most of us like to have our own room.
To save money, however, share a room with a friend. If you are willing, consider sharing with 2 or three friends.
Being an only child, the thought of this makes me hyperventilate, but others enjoy the camaraderie. When traveling by car, however, it is not only cheaper to split the price of gas, but is safer as well.
- Meals: One has got to eat! Eating right while on a budget can be a real challenge when traveling. Here is some money saving ideas to consider.
Corporate sponsored events and Product Theaters:
Be on the look-out for corporate sponsored programs. Not only are they educational, but some include a meal. They can be scheduled early in the morning prior to the General Session (6:30 am—7:30 am), during lunch time, or in the evening after the last educational session (Corporate Symposia).
Pack a cooler: If you are driving to the meeting, take advantage of being able to pack as much as you want! Take a cooler and fill it with your favorite beverages, fresh fruit, and snacks. Sometimes healthy snacks are hard to find—and are outrageously priced. You can even keep refrigerated items fresh all week with ice from the hotel—ice machines are still free of charge!