Things to Know

Scams Targeting GSA Exhibitors, GSA Members, and Attendees

The Geological Society of America, as with many large trade shows and conferences, has been the target of companies that are contacting GSA attendees and exhibitors offering attendee lists, discounted housing, and other services associated with attending or exhibiting at the GSA Annual Meeting and Convention in Indianapolis.

• Meeting Venue: Indiana Convention Center
• Headquarter Hotel: JW Marriott Indianapolis
• Exhibitor Services:  Corcoran Expositions, Inc.
• Decorator: Freeman
• AudioVisual: Image AudioVisual
• Abstracts: Conference Exchange
• Housing Reservations:  VisitIndy (Passkey System)

Fake Websites

GSA is aware of another website with misleading information on our 2018 Annual Meeting {gsa.20l8conference.com}. This is not a legitimate website, and should be avoided. GSA has put a request in to Google to have this website removed. Always be sure you are on the official website before giving out information.

Attendee List Scam

Companies offering this information or contacting you have many web programs and search methods to eventually reach you via email or phone. Please know we have not had a data breach. These companies keep contacting a wide range of people until they eventually get to someone who responds.  Please do not engage with, purchase or click on any links that look suspicious. Oftentimes responding or unsubscribing to these emails confirms to them that they have reached a valid email address.  If you receive a solicitation from a third party or from any person or business that claims to be an authorized vendor or makes it seem as though they are affiliated with GSA, we ask that you forward the information on to . The companies identified in this scam include, but may not be limited to (business names and email accounts change frequently):

• Demand Generation Executive
• Expo Lead Contact
• Trade shows Lead

Hotel/Housing Scam

The official GSA housing bureau is VisitIndy.  To receive the GSA group rate at each hotel, reservations must be made through VisitIndy and not directly with the hotels.  GSA/VisitIndy will NOT contact attendees directly to solicit new reservations.

Exhibitors or potential attendees associated with an exhibitor are often contacted by fax, e-mail or most often by phone with offers for discounted housing rates. Their intent is to convince you that the offer is made on our behalf or that the soliciting company is a viable alternative to booking through GSA’s room block. They are not authorized to represent GSA, nor do they have access to officially contracted hotel room blocks or rates on behalf of GSA. The companies identified in this scam include, buy may not be limited to (business names and email accounts change frequently):

• EES Rooms LLC: (877) 858-9971
• National Travel Associates LLC: (877) 595-7666
• MBA
• Expo Housing Services
• Global Housing Services Corp (800) 982-1409
• Many of these organizations originate in Nevada, specifically Henderson, NV or have phone numbers associated with a Nevada area code (702)

If you've been contacted about our meeting by a company or individual whom you feel is not legitimate, please let us know at . And please remember to keep your information safe. Never send credit card information by email and only provide personal or financial information to a trusted, secure source.

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Also note …

2018 United States Elections

The 2018 United States elections will mostly be held on Tuesday, 6 November 2018, which falls again this year over the GSA Annual Meeting. If you are a citizen of the United States, we encourage you to register and to vote. While many states have early voting, mail-in voting or absentee voting available, we recognize that each state has its own rules. For your convenience, we provide several links which may help you to determine whether you are able to vote early and attend GSA, or whether you will need to be in your state in order to vote on Tuesday, 6 November. We hope you will be able to vote early and join us in Indianapolis.

• Midterm, State, and Local Elections for 2018
• Absentee and Early Voting

Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)

In 2010, GSA Council voted to bring the 2018 GSA Annual Meeting & Exposition to Indianapolis. Much has happened in the interim that affects the geoscience research community, and we acknowledge that the long-range nature of planning scientific conferences sometimes conflicts with the ability to nimbly navigate a changing political, social, and economic landscape. We understand that geoscientists have a choice in where they choose to present research and network with colleagues, and that members represent a diverse range of legitimate concerns and priorities. We want to make sure that you have the best information available to make an informed decision.

“Indy welcomes all” is a reflection of the city’s ethos and their well-earned, decades-long reputation of providing exceptional hospitality to all visitors.  The state’s amended RFRA now aligns with Indianapolis’ longstanding Human Rights Ordinance protections and the community looks forward to welcoming and serving all visitors, just as they always have. Learn more about Indiana's amended RFRA.

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Another unique opportunity awaits us in Indy. On Saturday, 3 November, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon will take place in downtown Indianapolis.  The starting line will be 1 block from the Indiana Convention Center where the GSA Annual Meeting & Exposition will take place. While this should not impede the majority of our activities on Saturday, it might take you a little more time to get to the convention center in the morning if you are attending a field trip, short course, or have other business that morning.
The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is one of the 20 largest marathons in the US and is an ideal fall marathon for everyone from the first time marathon runner to elite athletes. Starting and finishing at the Indiana State Capitol, the course highlights landmarks and historical neighborhoods throughout Indianapolis. Not a full marathon runner? A half marathon, 5K, and kids fun run are also being planned.

We hope to capitalize on this opportunity to build community and add another fun dimension to the meeting for athletic-minded geoscientists. More information on joining one of the races.

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