THE MOST INSPIRING EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR PERSONAL TRAINERS.
GENERAL
1. What is NASM Optima?
Optima is NASM’s biggest event of the year. It’s our annual industry conference, and 2018 will be our fourth year of hosting this incredible experience. More than 500 fitness professional attended Optima 2017, and we expect 2018 to grow even bigger.
2. When and where is NASM Optima 2018?
Optima 2018 will be held in Scottsdale, AZ, October 11 - 14, 2018, at the luxurious Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch.
3. Is there an age requirement to attend/register for Optima?
You need to be at least 18 years of age to attend Optima. To make sure the event remains the best environment for learning, we invite only those 18 and over to participate.
4. Is it free to visit the Optima expo hall?
Optima expo access is included with your registration. All attendees have the freedom to visit with the select group of Optima vendors. The educational sessions and expo will not be open to the general public.
5. Who will attend?
NASM professionals:
Plus, fitness industry specialists and enthusiasts!
6. What are some of the differences between Optima 2017 and Optima 2018?
7. What should I bring with me to the conference?
This is a fitness conference, first and foremost, so you should wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Many workshops are hands-on and will require movement. You may also want to bring a notebook for taking notes during breakout sessions. It’s always a good idea to bring along a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day and you’re welcome to bring along some snacks as well. We also encourage you to bring your cell phone so you can access the conference mobile app for maps, updates and announcements, and a pocket-sized copy of your schedule. (NOTE: We ask that attendees please be respectful and silence cell phones during breakout sessions.)
HOTEL & TRAVEL INFORMATION
8. Where will the NASM Optima 2018 event be held?
The event will be held at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. The recently renovated resort is both a luxury vacation retreat and an exceptional meeting destination. It is located at 7700 East McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. You can view the resort website here.
9. How do attendees book a room for the event?
We’ve negotiated special hotel room pricing at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Call 800-540-0727 and mention that you’re with NASM Optima or book online by clicking here.
Deluxe rooms are available for $159 per night (plus tax) for either a single or double occupancy (subject to availability). In addition to your room, the following services are included:
10. Does the registration fee include the cost of the hotel, air, transportation, or meals?
Registration fees do not include air, lodging, transportation, meals or other incidental expenses.
11. What does the registration fee cover?
The registration cost covers sponsored morning workouts, session attendance, NASM CEUs, the industry’s top keynote speakers, and access to our exciting vendor expo.
12. Is there a special on airline tickets for registered attendees going to Optima?
We do not have any contracts with the airline carriers for discounted rates.
REGISTRATION & CANCELLATION
13. How much will it cost to attend the NASM Optima 2018 Conference?
2018 pricing is as follows:
14. When does early bird pricing end?
Super early bird closes on April 30th, 2018 and regular early bird pricing closes on June 30, 2018.
15. I’m bringing my spouse/partner. What can they attend?
The Optima event is only open to registered attendees. For attendee guests staying at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, they can enjoy the resort as well as the surrounding attractions, or they can register to join you for the event. For information about great ways to spend your time in Arizona, visit: www.visitphoenix.com or www.experiencescottsdale.com.
16. Are children allowed at the Optima event?
To ensure that the event remains the best environment for learning, we only allow those 18 years or older to register and attend. Children are not allowed at the event.
17. What credit cards can I use to register?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
18. When picking-up my registration package at Optima, what should I bring?
At check in, you’ll want to be prepared with your Optima registration confirmation and ID.
19. What happens if the event is cancelled?
If NASM has to cancel the event, our liability is limited to a full refund of event fees only. NASM will not refund any travel, hotel, or other incidental costs associated with the cancellation of the event.
20. What is the refund policy?
Full refunds are available by written request submitted to nasmcares@nasm.org or by calling NASM Member Services at 1 (800) 460-6276, option 2, on or before August 15, 2018. After August 15, no refund requests will be accepted and no refunds provided.You may transfer your registration, without a fee, by written request sent to nasmoptima@nasm.org and received on or before September 15, 2018. After September 15, no transfer requests will be accepted and no transfers permitted.
21. How do I get an Optima registration receipt?
When you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email as your registration confirmation which will serve as your receipt.
22. When can I check-in at Optima?
We will automatically send this information to all registered attendees when the check-in times are made available.
23. I have a question about registration, who can I call?
If you haven't registered yet, you can reach out to our NASM Program Advisors at (800) 460-6276, option 1. If you're already registered, you can call NASM Member Services at (800) 460-6276, option 2 to have your questions answered.
24. How do I modify my registration or sessions?
You can modify your registration by clicking on the link in your confirmation email or by clicking “Already Registered?” anywhere on the Optima website. You’ll be asked to put in your email and confirmation number to pull up your registration details and, from there, you can click “Modify” to make any adjustments. Just be sure to click all the way through and hit “Submit” once you’re done making your changes. You should receive a “Modification Confirmation” email shortly after submitting your changes.
25. What is the last day I can modify my selected sessions?
We encourage attendees to make their final session selections as early as possible since sessions do fill up. However, changes can still be made up until 24 hours prior to the start time of the session.
SESSIONS & SPEAKERS
26. Who will be speaking and presenting sessions at Optima 2018?
NASM will have some of the best presenters and speakers in the industry at the conference.
27. When do attendees sign-up for sessions?
You can start making your session selections during the registration process. You can always log back in and update your selections as the event gets closer.
28. Can people bring their own equipment to use during sessions when working out?
Your safety is a big priority. To make sure workouts and exercises are done safely and properly, we ask that you use the equipment that Optima provides in the session(s).
29. Will the speakers provide handouts during the sessions?
Each speaker has a unique plan for their presentation, so each session will be different. Speakers may or may not provide some form of hand out for their session. We recommend that you bring a notebook to take notes during your sessions.
NOTE: Power point presentations will not be provided.
30. Are there places to change and/or shower between classes?
If you are staying at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, the sessions are scheduled in spaces that are convenient for visiting your room whenever you need. There are many bathrooms available for changing, as needed, at the resort.
31. What if I miss one of my sessions, can I join a different session?
There will be room monitors outside of each session that can help you determine if you’ll be able to join a session. If a session is full, you cannot join as a “walk-in”.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)
32. What are CEUs and why are they of value?
Another reason to attend Optima 2018 is to earn CEUs. CEUs are continuing education units (sometimes called credits) utilized to keep certifications current. NASM-CPTs are required to earn 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) of approved continuing education every two years, as well as maintain current CPR/AED status. The Optima CEUs also may apply to certifications offered by other providers or may satisfy licensing requirements for certain professions – please check with such other providers and licensing agencies.
33. Which organizations accept the CEUs offered at Optima?
Besides NASM, many other fitness-related certifying or licensing organizations may accept the CEUs you earn at Optima. Each organization has its own guidelines and procedures, ranging from automatic approval to a review via a petitioning process. Please check with those organizations for their guidelines and procedures for approving continuing education and awarding CEU values.
34. How many CEUs can I earn at the event?
We are anticipating attendees can earn up to 1.6 CEUs at the main Optima conference, depending on the sessions selected and attended, however this is subject to change. There are also pre-conference sessions that will be an additional registration option (and fee) where you can earn up to .4 additional CEUs.
35. How many CEUs are offered for each session?
Depending on the sessions you select, the length will determine the CEU value. Every 60 minutes of instruction is awarded 0.1 CEU by NASM. Please note, other organizations may credit the continuing education units differently.
36. Will I receive CEUs for completing the pre-conference sessions (Thursday, October 11th)?
Attendance at the pre-conference sessions on Thursday will earn the attendee .4 CEUs by NASM. Please note, other organizations may credit the continuing education units differently.
37. Do workouts qualify for CEUs?
An event in this industry just wouldn’t be complete without a workout, however no CEU value is associated with them. Workouts do not qualify for CEUs.
38. “I’m working toward my NASM-CPT certification, will the CEUs earned at Optima be applied, even if I’m not done with the program?”
If someone is not a currently credentialed, either with the NASM-CPT or a certification or license from another organization, he/she will not earn any CEUs, nor can Optima CEUs be retroactively applied once for a later-earned certification or license.
39. How do I know how many CEU credits are assigned to my scheduled session?
The schedule will list the CEU credits for each session.
40. How do I get the CEUs for the sessions I attend?
While checking-in at Optima, you will receive a certificate of attendance form. Your Optima session registration form will include additional details about how to obtain CEU certificates.
41. What do I do if I lose my certificate of attendance form after the conference? Can I get a replacement?
If you misplace the form, you can call Member Services at 1 (800) 460-6276, option 2 to request a replacement copy.