HOPE Summit FAQs

What are the dates of the conference?
Friday, May 5 – Sunday, May 7, 2023

Where is the conference taking place?
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel
5701 Marinelli Drive, Rockville, MD 20852

Is there a virtual option for this conference?
At this time, all participation for the HOPE Summit is in person. Some sessions will be recorded. If you are looking for a virtual option, please consider our International Lung Cancer Conference taking place virtually Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, 2023. Find more information here.

Is there a vaccine or mask requirement to attend this conference?

Vaccine requirements: LUNGevity Foundation requires that anyone (patient, caregiver, staff) attending the 2023 HOPE Summit provide proof of vaccination that shows that the attendee has received the primary series of vaccines (as recommended by the CDC) plus at least one additional booster – this means a series of two Moderna or Pfizer vaccines plus one booster or an initial JNJ vaccine plus one booster. Your vaccination card must document receipt of at least one booster. Unfortunately, there will be no exceptions (including for medical reasons).

While we fully respect an individual’s decision not to be vaccinated, we have been advised by scientific experts that for public health, in this case the large gathering of potentially immune-compromised people, it is essential that we require the group of people gathering to be vaccinated in this way. It is our intent to create as safe an environment as possible for all who attend. If you want to check if you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you can go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Testing requirements: All attendees will need to take a COVID-19 test 24 hours prior to their arrival at the HOPE Summit and have a negative result.

Masking requirements: Masking is mandatory except during meals or presentations, in case you are a speaker or a panelist.

What is being done on-site to keep me safe?
In an effort to keep all of our attendees as safe as possible during the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we will do the following throughout the conference weekend:

• Perform daily wellness checks
• Requires that anyone (patient, caregiver, staff) provide proof of vaccination that shows that they have received the primary series of vaccines (as recommended by the CDC) plus at least one additional booster – this means a series of two Moderna or Pfizer vaccines plus one booster or an initial JNJ vaccine plus one booster. Your vaccination card must document receipt of at least one booster. Unfortunately, there will be no exceptions (including for medical reasons).
• Require all registrants to share proof of negative test prior to arrival
• Masks will be required during the conference
• Rapid antigen tests will be available onsite if you develop symptoms
• Make it easy for each of us to communicate our comfort level with personal contact. We will implement a system of color-coded lanyards on name tags: green means "I’m comfortable with a handshake or hug," yellow means "Let’s stick to an elbow bump," and red means "Let’s maintain a six-foot buffer"
• Anyone uncomfortable eating in an open area may have a boxed meal in their room.

What is the meeting schedule?

Friday, May 5
1:00-5:00 pm - Patient Resource Fair and Demonstrations
5:15 pm - Newcomers Reception
6:30 pm - Welcome Reception

Saturday, May 6
7:00-8:45 am - Early Morning Exercise and Breakfast
9:00 am – 4:15 pm - Conference Sessions
4:30 pm - Group photo
6:30 pm - Dinner options

Sunday, May 7
8:00 - Breakfast with a separate breakfast for caregivers
9:15 am – 1:00 pm - Conference Sessions

Who goes to the conference?
HOPE Summit features sessions for patients/survivors as well as special sessions designed just for caregivers.

HOPE sessions, intended for patients with lung cancer, survivors at all stages of the disease, and their caregivers, provide educational information, resources, and guidance that patients, survivors, and caregivers need to improve their quality of life and live well with lung cancer.

Is there a fee to attend?
There is no fee to attend. You will be responsible for your hotel accommodations and travel to and from Bethesda, MD. IF you are a first-time attendee, you can apply for a travel grant; or anyone can participate in the Survivor Challenge to fundraise in order to receive travel accommodations.

How do I register?
Reserve your spot here.

How can I make a hotel reservation?You can make your hotel reservations at our special group rate of $175 per room per night through Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 6 pm ET here.

What’s the nearest airport to the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel?
National Airport (DCA) is located about 23 miles from the meeting hotel. Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located about 25 miles from the meeting hotel.

Is there a METRO station near the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel?
Yes. North Bethesda (formerly White Flint) METRO station (Red Line) is located 0.2 miles from the hotel.

Is there parking at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel?
Yes, the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel offers parking at a rate of $19/day.

I have raised $1,500 or more as part of Survivor Challenge or received a travel grant. How will my travel reservations be made?
Travel grantees and Survivor Challenge participants will have their air/train reservations booked through LUNGevity’s teaming partner, Capital Meeting Planning (CMP). If you fall into one of these categories, you should have received (or will be receiving) details from CMP. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Hines via email: LUNGevity@cmpinc.net or by phone: 703-536-4996.

Guest rooms at the Bethesda North Marriott are available on a first-come basis. Therefore, we encourage you to make your reservation immediately. You will be asked to provide a credit card when making your hotel reservation. Your card will not be charged. Rather, it is required to guarantee your reservation.

What meals are included with the conference registration fee?
Light fare will be provided during the Patient Resource Fair and Welcome Reception on Friday, May 5. Breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, and dinner will be provided on Saturday, May 6. Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks will be provided on Sunday, May 7.

Who do I contact if I’m interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor?
For Patient Resource Fair and sponsor opportunities, please contact Diana Aldecoa, LUNGevity’s Vice President of Event Planning, via email: daldecoa@lungevity.org.

Who can I contact for additional information?
All questions about the Survivor Challenge, travel grant, or registration can be addressed to Nikole Ventrca via email: nventrca@lungevity.org.

All logistics-related questions can be addressed to Diana Aldecoa, LUNGevity’s Vice President of Event Planning, via email: daldecoa@lungevity.org.