Committee Information, Schedules & Registration

Hotel Information

All meetings will be held at The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, LA 73101.

Hotel Reservations:

Please support ASTM International by reserving your sleeping room at our official December Committee Week Hotel and Meeting site.

The discounted rate will be honored until the ASTM block is full, but no later than October 31st, 2022. The ASTM rate is $209 plus tax. You may be charged a higher rate if reservations are received after the cut-off date, or when the block is full. The hotel requires a credit card to guarantee your reservation, once submitted a confirmation number will be provided electronically.

To book accommodations using the ASTM rate, please click here: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel Reservations

The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel has a limited number of rooms at the government per diem rate. Reservations may be made via our online reservation system, using the blue hyperlink above. You must present your ID at the front desk upon check-in.

CANCELLATION/CHANGE POLICY: At the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, notice of cancelation must be received 3 days prior to day of arrival in order to avoid a charge. Failure to do so will incur a penalty equal to the cost of one night's room and tax.

IMPORTANT! ASTM Rates are non-commissionable. If you book your reservation through an online travel agent, they must ask for a non- commissioned ASTM Group Rate. ASTM cannot adjust your higher rate if the accommodations were reserved via an online (Expedia, Trivago, Kayak, etc.) travel agency.

The December Committee Week Hotel provides prime meeting space for your committee meetings, events and activities. ASTM International is legally bound to fill the contracted guest room block and an inability to fill the block will result in severe financial penalties which could affect negotiations and increase costs for future meetings.

INTERNET: The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel offers wireless internet connection for a surcharge of $14.95 daily. Members of the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program will receive complimentary standard in-room internet access during their stay. To sign-up for Marriott Bonvoy or receive further information on the program, please visit: Join Marriott Bonvoy.

COVID-19 Information

ASTM International is committed to the health and safety of our Members and Staff. The Meetings Department will be closely monitoring the guidelines set by the CDC, state and local governments, and the hotel venue to ensure compliance at the time of the Meeting. The Health & Safety Protocols, currently in place, may change prior to our in-person meetings. ASTM International will continue to monitor guidelines and keep our members up to date with any changes in the coming months. To view the current guidelines, please refer to the links below:

CDC COVID UPDATE

STATE COVID UPDATE

LOCAL COVID UPDATE

HOTEL COVID UPDATE

ASTM International encourages Members to self-screen before joining meetings each day for the safety of all and refrain from attending in-person if any symptoms pertaining to COVID-19 arise. ASTM International will follow local guidelines and regulations concerning requirements of COVID-19 vaccinations or negative COVID-19 test results to attend meetings. We encourage mask wearing and social distancing during meetings if not vaccinated.

Pre-Meeting Checklist

Tips for Meeting Preparation:

• Pre-register for Committee Meetings or Symposium/Workshop:
  • Saves time on-site for meeting check-in and badge retrieval 
  • Allows you to pay in advance for voluntary committee activity fees and/or any banquet events 
  • When you preregister online, you will receive emails on committee meetings, final announcements, and other information that will help you prepare for your meeting
  • If unable to pre-register prior to the meeting, registration and payment of fees/events are available on-site
• Review the prior meeting minutes for current committee activities 
• Review Ballot Closing Reports, especially those in which you have a particular interest
• Review posted meeting agendas
• Download material in preparation for the meeting
  • My Schedule (Customize your schedule in an Excel file, highlighting meetings you would like to attend; can be used for multiple committees)
  • MyMeetingsMaterial (Compile a ZIP File of your agendas, minutes, ballot items, closing reports and schedules
• Review Online Training Modules offered prior to the meeting, these can be found on the ASTM Website at this link: www.astm.org/MEMBER_TRAINING
  • Plan to attend Committee Week Training Modules conducted by ASTM Staff
  • Check with your committee's leadership for committee specific training offered during the meeting
• If you need copies made for your meeting or AV support, contact your Staff Manager four weeks prior to the meeting
• Consider inviting a colleague to attend the meeting
• Contact your Staff Manager with any questions you may have.

Transportation and Directions

The hotel is located approximately 14.7 miles/23 minutes from the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Although the hotel does not offer shuttle services, there are multiple options below for transportation.

PUBLIC TRANSIT:  Travelers taking a flight into the Louis Armstrong International Airport have the option to  commute to the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel via the Jefferson Transit Authority (JET) or Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Using the Airport Entrance Station, travelers can expect about an hour ride in total to the Canal stations for either transit option. The canal stations are about a minute walk to the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. To view more information regarding these options including, schedules, maps and stations, please visit Louis Armstrong International Airport Transportation

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES: From the Louis Armstrong International Airport, taxis, town cars, shuttles and ride share options are all available. Passengers can expect to pay about $25-$50 for a one-way trip to the downtown area, as well as the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. For more information on how to travel around the New Orleans area, please visit: Visit New Orleans Transportation.

RIDESHARING PROGRAM: Transportation Network Providers (TNP), also referred to as a “rideshare” company, provide prearranged transportation through an app, connecting passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire. Lyft and Uber are TNP companies operating in New Orleans, LA. Uber and Lyft offer various discounts for new users. 

PARKING:  At The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, on-site, self-parking is available for $35 daily. Valet service is available for $48 daily.

Training Sessions 

Training Sessions

ASTM staff will provide several training sessions on various subjects to educate and assist officers, members and non-members of ASTM committees. The following topics will be discussed:

ASTM International Orientation (Monday) 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Meeting attendees are invited to a welcome and orientation session. This session will provide a brief introduction to ASTM, its process, electronic tools, and international activities. This is an interactive session and questions are encouraged as we would like attendees to feel comfortable in participating at their standards meetings. Facilitated by an ASTM staff member, this session also provides new and experienced members and visitors a chance to connect at the beginning of the Committee Week.

 Balloting and Handling of Negative Votes (Tuesday) 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This session will inform members on how to effectively move documents through the ASTM balloting process, from initiating a subcommittee ballot through main committee and Society reivew. A review of the role of COS (Committee on Standards) in included. In addition, learn how to get a positive result from negative votes! Special focus on the procedural handling of negative votes throughout the balloting process.

Refreshments will be available at all hour-long training sessions

Complimentary Support Service

ASTM meetings offer on-site services from the ASTM staff. We provide photocopying service, audio/visual equipment, and a members' work area with complimentary internet computers and printers.

ASTM MEMBERS WORK AREA: ASTM will provide computers with internet connections. This area will also be wireless for your laptop computer. You may visit the ASTM website, apply or renew your membership, order publications or check your email. The complimentary wireless service is limited to the members' work area and the meeting rooms.

Committee Voluntary Activity & Event Fees

Voluntary Activity Fees - Several ASTM committees collect a voluntary fee to support activities associated within the committee such as awards, social events, etc. Each committee determines the amount and encourages your contribution. The fee can be paid during registration or on-site. This voluntary contribution is not an ASTM International society fee.

Special Events - If your committee is having an event and collecting fees to attend, you may pay this during registration or on-site. Contact your staff manager or check in with the registration desk for questions or tickets. 

In the event you need a refund please refer to the following policies:

Special Event Fee: A refund for a special event fee, which includes banquet functions and/or committee activity, will be honored only if requested 5 business days prior to the event.

Symposium Fee: A refund of the symposium fee will be honored at least 10 business days prior to the workshop.

Activity Fee: A refund for an activity fee may be requested up to the last day of the event. 

You will see a refund on your credit card statement within 5 to 10 business days.

In order to request a refund, you can click the modify link provided in your confirmation email. Once in your registration you can deselect that fee and select continue and proceed with the modification or you can select “Cancel Registration.”

ASTM Guest Hospitality Breakfast

ASTM International attendees' guests (spouses, significant others, etc.) are welcome to join us for breakfast Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 9:30am in Bistro Roux (2nd Floor) at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

Miscellaneous

Please advise the hotel and ASTM of any disability which will require special attention. The Sheraton New Orleans Hotel is in compliance with ADA standards. For more information about the physical features of the hotel's accessible rooms, common areas or special services relating to a specific disability please call +1 504-525-2500.

For information on ASTM International's products and services, please visit the ASTM website at www.astm.org

Questions

For questions concerning general registration, accommodations, travel, hotel, logistics, etc.  please contact the ASTM Meetings Department at meetings@astm.org.