2023 Annual Conference FAQs

Please see the following list of Frequently Asked Questions to best assist you with the registration process and any additional questions regarding GFOA’s 117th Annual Conference, May 21–24, 2023, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

Membership, Registrations, and Substitutions

Register online for fastest processing, click here. If you are registering a group or are not able to register online, please visit the group registration page for instructions, click here.

Sign up and pay by January 27, 2023, to take advantage of the first early registration discount. For the second early registration discount, sign up and pay by March 17, 2023.

Please note if you have an outstanding balance on any conference registrations or ticket orders, only credit cards will be accepted onsite. Additionally, your registration must be paid in full to receive your conference badge and access to sessions.

Only individuals listed as members of GFOA are eligible to receive the member rate, but we do allow for a one-for-one substitution for government entities if one of your members cannot attend the Annual Conference—just mark the information in section 1 on the conference registration form. It is also easy to add individuals to your government’s membership by submitting the membership application.

Membership in a state or provincial association does not transfer to national GFOA membership. GFOA members receive discounted rates, and if you join today you can take advantage of the lower member rate as well as receive $25 off your conference registration fee. Please visit GFOA’s membership page to read about fees; you can join by entering the new member fee on the conference registration form. If you have any questions about membership, please contact GFOA's membership department.

At this time groups of individuals cannot be registered together online, but please submit the group of registrations together with payment via e-mail. Visit the annual conference group registration page for instructions and to download the form.

Receive a 10 percent discount on your conference registration if three or more people from your jurisdiction are attending the annual conference (registrations must be submitted and paid together). This discount does not apply to preconference seminars.

Complete the conference registration form.

We offer multiple ways you can register for the conference, but we do not accept registrations over the phone. Please use the method that best works for you. For fastest processing, register online using GFOA’s eStore. If you are registering a group or can not register online you can submit the conference registration form (and group registration form if needed) via e-mail.

Yes, when you’re registering for the conference using GFOA’s eStore, please select the “Pay Later” option and enter “Check” and the check number in the P.O. field (i.e., Check #XXXX). Please mail your check then to GFOA, 203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2700, Chicago, IL 60601.

Please note if you have an outstanding balance on any conference registrations or ticket orders, only credit cards will be accepted onsite. Additionally, your registration must be paid in full to receive your conference badge and access to sessions.

Yes. Please keep a watch on your email as a copy of the confirmation and invoice will be sent to the registrant only as a PDF attachment.

No fee for cancellations received before April 14, 2023.

Cancellations received between April 15, 2023, and May 09, 2023, will be refunded, less a 50 percent service fee.

No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after May 10, 2023.

No. If you have received a past credit, we ask that you please complete the conference registration form to submit to GFOA. In the fee section, please reference the past credit.

Badges will be available to be picked up on-site at the conference registration desk at the Oregon Convention Center.

The conference registration desk will be open during the following times:

Friday, May 20 - 11:00am–4:00pm

Saturday, May 20 - 7:00am–4:00pm

Sunday, May 21 - 8:00am–4:00pm

Monday, May 22 - 8:00am–4:00pm

Tuesday, May 23 - 8:00am–4:00pm

First-Time Annual Conference Attendee Scholarships

GFOA encourages national GFOA active government members who are first-time conference attendees to apply. Associate (private-sector) members are not eligible for the scholarship. Membership in a state or provincial association does not transfer to national GFOA membership. Not a GFOA member? Sign up here today. *The deadline to apply for the 2023 First Time Attendee Scholarship was March 10, 2023. The application window is now closed.

The scholarship will be awarded in the amount of the conference registration fee to participate in the 117th Annual Conference, May 21‒24, 2023, in Portland, Oregon. Scholarship recipients are responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses.

The scholarship does not include registration for preconference seminars. GFOA’s preconference seminars provide an opportunity for attendees to get in-depth training on topics vitally important to finance officers. Come to Portland on Friday, May 19, 2023, and/or Saturday, May 20, 2023, and multiply the benefits you’ll get by signing up for these educational  offerings. Click here if you are interested in registering for a preconference seminar.

Yes! We believe the in-person Annual Conference is a unique experience. Participation in the 2020 or 2021 Virtual Conference does not impact your eligibility for the scholarship.

There is no limit on the number of applicants per agency. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the scholarship to apply.

Fifty scholarships will be awarded per state/province.

The deadline to apply for the 2023 First Time Attendee Scholarship was March 10, 2023. The application window is now closed.

To help us plan ahead, we encourage you to send in your application as soon as possible. The scholarship applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through March 10, 2023, or until that state/province reaches its allotment of scholarships. The application window is now closed.

An application is complete when all parts of the form have been filled out and your form has been received by GFOA.

You will be notified within a week of applying if you have been selected to receive this year’s scholarship.

Guests

If you have any guests to register, please email their name to badges@gfoa.org and indicate if they are a child or young adult under 21. You may also list your guests on the conference registration form. Pre-registration of guests is free.

Please note: onsite guest registration will incur a $25/per badge fee.

It’s easy to reserve badges for your guests. If you are already registered for conference, email badges@gfoa.org with your guest's names. If your guests are children/young adults under 21, please list their age. There is no fee to register guests or children before arriving at the Annual Conference.

Once on site, guest registration will incur a $25/per badge fee.

We encourage your guests to attend the Sunday Welcome Reception. Please go ahead and register them so they can receive a badge to access the event.

Preconference Seminars

Preconference seminars are designed to give participants a more in-depth look into current issues before the conference even begins! GFOA’s preconference seminars also offer a great opportunity for you to earn additional CPE credits. This year’s preconference seminars will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023, and Saturday, May 20, 2023. Learn more here.

Sign up and pay by January 27, 2023, to take advantage of the first early registration discount. For the second early registration discount, sign up and pay by March 17, 2023.

Click here for details on this year’s offerings, CPE credit awarded, and to register.

Taking an afternoon session on Friday or Saturday?

An afternoon snack will be available in your session room.

Taking a morning session on Saturday?

A continental breakfast will be available in your session room.

Taking a morning and afternoon session on Saturday?

Enjoy a continental breakfast and afternoon snack in your session room, as well as a grab-and-go lunch.

No, the discount only applies to the Annual Conference registration fee.

They are being held at the following address: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97232.

Yes, there is a fee to attend each preconference seminar.

Conference Sessions

Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon, 97232.

More than seventy sessions will be available.

The general session begins at 1:00 pm on Sunday. Sessions conclude at 12:10 pm on Wednesday.

It is possible to earn more than 20 continuing professional education (CPE) credits at GFOA’s Annual Conference. Additional CPE credits can be earned by attending one or more of GFOA’s preconference seminars.

GFOA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

No, delegates do not need to select the sessions they want to attend in advance.

This year’s keynote speakers have not yet been announced. Keynote presentations will focus on delivering a perspective about current events, public finance knowledge, and essential leadership skills that can benefit all finance professionals. Stay tuned to gfoa.org/conference for announcements.

All attendees will receive access to session audio recordings to listen to on demand through GFOA’s learning management system (LMS). (CPE credits cannot be earned for listening to recorded sessions). Recordings will be available by July 1, 2023.

Sponsoring and Exhibiting

If you are interested in exhibiting, click here to access the contract and floorplan. If you have a company to suggest that you think would be a great exhibitor for GFOA’s Annual Conference, please email conference@gfoa.org.

Sponsorship is a great way to get your company noticed beyond the Exhibit Hall floor. Click here to view this year’s opportunities and pledge form. If you have a company to suggest that you think would be a great sponsor for GFOA’s Annual Conference, please email conference@gfoa.org.

Housing

Portland Connections Housing is the ONLY official housing company for this event and will not contact attendees directly to make a reservation. Booking through GFOA’s official housing provider will ensure that attendees receive the GFOA discounted rate and are working with a reputable company and that credit card information is secure. Click here to access the housing reservation portal.

Transportation

No, transportation between the airport and hotels is not provided. There are a number of ways to get to and from the Portland Airport. Transportation options include the MAX Light Rail, taxicabs, ride-share services, and shuttles. A one way trip via taxi or ride-share services take between 20–40 minutes. Learn more about transportation options here. See Portland neighborhood maps here.

Yes, all attendees will receive a complimentary TriMet pass valid on all forms of public transportation through the duration of the event. You will receive your TriMet pass during check-in at the conference registration desk. Learn more about riding the TriMet MAX Light Rail here.

Yes, there is onsite parking available for a fee in the convention center's underground garage. Click here to view parking maps for the center and surrounding area and a directory of bicycle parking options.

Airline Discounts

No, with lower fares, group discounts are not available.

GFOA Events

Yes, the Welcome Reception to kick off this year’s conference on will be held on May 21, 2022, in the Oregon Convention Center. Enjoy an evening of relaxing and networking with colleagues and friends. The reception is complimentary, and registered attendees, guests, sponsors, and exhibitors are encouraged to attend.

Yes, the Conference Closing Night Event takes place Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. and admission includes live entertainment, food, and drink. Click here to purchase tickets and get ready to enjoy a night of entertainment with your peers.

You must be registered for conference to purchase an event ticket. Check back for more details.

About Portland

Click here for recommendations and city information provided by Travel Portland. Stop by the Travel Portland Information Booth while attending the conference to learn more.

Springtime visitors to Portland will experience mild weather, averaging in the sixties and seventies.  For the latest weather information, go to weatherchannel.com.

General Inquiries

Lunch will be provided on Monday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 23 to all registered delegates, but not to exhibitors and guests.

We recommend wearing business casual attire and comfortable shoes.

By attending this conference, your photo is subject to be taken and used for various promotional purposes, including posts made on social media during the event.

Stay up-to-date on current developments by visiting gfoa.org/conference.

Click here to join GFOA's Annual Conference Member Community. In this community, you'll be able to engage with fellow attendees, ask questions about the conference, and get updates leading up to Portland. This community is for active government members of GFOA. You can sign in by using your GFOA username and password.

Yes, on Wednesday, May 24, there will be complimentary luggage check available from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in C120 of the convention center.

Yes, please contact Mat McCann at McCann's Medical for assistance online or at 503-970-1966.

We’re happy to assist you with any additional questions you may have on this year’s event. Please contact us.