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?
We will require all registrants to provide proof of full vaccination status, as defined by the CDC at the time of the conference: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters | CDC. This includes the primary vaccinations and a bivalent booster. Please refer to the CDC link for more information on up-to-date vaccine status. We will require proof of negative COVID test 24 hours before arrival. The test can be either a PCR or a rapid antigen test. If testing at home, ensure that your test is within the expiration date.

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
• Require all registrants to share proof of full vaccination status, as defined by the CDC at time of conference
• 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.