Services & Accommodation

The Geological Society of America strives to create a pleasant and reward experience for every attendee and is committed to providing universal access to our meeting.  Below you will find specific information on a variety of topics to assure your needs are met. If you have other requests that are not addressed below, please feel free to contact us to see if your accommodation can be met.

If you would like to talk with someone to request disability accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreters, alternative formats) please check the box during the registration process and a GSA staff member will follow up with you. Advanced notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Dietary

If you have dietary considerations and have registered for a ticketed event, field trip/tour or short course/ workshop that includes a meal, please check the Dietary box during the registration process. If needed, a GSA staff member will follow up with you. Advanced notice is necessary to arrange for some dietary needs.

GSA works with each venue to make sure there are gluten free (GF), vegan (V), and vegetarian options available at all concessions. We will have concessions available at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) where you can purchase food/beverage. Please let the staff at the concession know if you have a special dietary request if you do not see anything available to order. They should be able to direct you to a location where they have GF, V, and vegetarian options.

If you are registered for an event that includes a meal (events listed below)

  1. You checked the Dietary box on the registration form (GF, V, or Vegetarian)*: We will have a special meal for you at the event. Once you check in for the event please let the GSA representative know of your special meal request and he/she will assist you.
  2. You checked the Dietary box on the registration form (Other)*: The GSA Meetings Dept. will follow up with you for specific details. If there are any additional costs to provide this meal we will let you know the cost before ordering anything specific.
*For Ticketed Event, Field Trips, and Short Courses:
All dietary requests for special meals must be submitted to GSA by 18 October. If you submit your request on or after 18 October, we cannot guarantee the availability of a special meal.
GF, V, and Vegetarian sample menu for catered events at ICC

Plated:  Mediterranean Lentil Cake, Roasted Peppers, Haricot Verte & Fennel Salad, Herbed Creamy Tofu
Box Lunch:  Grilled Garden Vegetable Sandwich with marinated sun-dried tomatoes, crisp arugula, and a black olive and artichoke tapenade on a gluten free bun; includes whole fruit, a crispy snack & cookie

GF, V, and Vegetarian sample menu for catered events at JW Marriott

Plated:  Marinated Tofu served with a Red Pepper Coulis, (will also include a starch and vegetable)
Box Lunch:  Mixed Green Salad – Cucumber, Tomato, Carrot, Crouton served with Three Bean Compote

Self-Care Room

This multi-purpose room can be used for nursing mothers, a lactation room, a nap room, etc. The room is located on the second floor of the Indiana Convention Center, CS01. The room will be available Fri.-Wed., 2-7 Nov., 7 a.m.-7 p.m. There is also a women's restroom available that is equipped with nursing mothers' needs which includes a comfortable, private area with electrical outlet. This restroom is located at the corner of Crossroads and Hoosier Corridors.  

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ICC Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide

Indiana Convention Center Accessibility Guide

Assisted Hearing Devices

GSA has assisted hearing devices available for use during the meeting. Please visit the Annual Meeting Staff Office in ICC to check one out. All you’ll need is an ID.

CART Captioning

For the second year, GSA will be offering Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) on one of the two screens in the Sagamore Ballroom 5. This service is being used for most of the Keynote Pardee technical sessions and for all of the lunchtime Feed Your Brain events. If you would like to use CART during your presentation, please contact Nancy Wright prior to 25 October.

Child Care

Child care is available … and more! Bring the Family!

Animals

Animals are not allowed in the facility unless they are Service Animals (recognized as such under titles II and III of the ADA.)