FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For HMA 2008 Delegates

1. ACCOMPANYING PERSON(s)
a. How much do I have to pay for accompanying person(s)?
b. Can my spouse join the awards dinner (or other activity)?

2. AGENDA

3. CEO FORUM
a. What is the CEO Forum?    
b. Are non CEOs allowed to attend the CEO Forum?

4. CONFERENCE AGENDA AND PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
a. What are the features of the Conference?
b. What is MOM? 
c. What is CEO Forum?
d. What is a Pre-Conference Seminar?
e. What are the agenda / Schedule of activities?
f. When do I need to be in Manila ?
g. What are the detailed topics and program?
h. Who are the speakers?

5. PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINARS

6. COUNTRY INFORMATION
a. What is the climate in Manila , Philippines ?
b. Do I need to apply for a VISA to enter the Philippines ?
c. Will you send me necessary invitation letters for my VISA application?
d. Currency i. What is the unit of currency in Philippines ? ii. Where can I get my money changed?

7. DELEGATE INFORMATION
a. How many participants are expected to attend the Conference?
b. Can I get a list of attendees of HMA 2008?

8. DRESS CODE

9. SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

10. EXCHANGE RATE

11. EXPO
a. Who can exhibit?
b. What are the rates for exhibition space?
c. What is the Expo Networking Pass?

12. FEATURES OF THE CONFERENCE

13. FEES AND DISCOUNTS

14. GENERAL INFORMATION
a. When is the event to be held?
b. Where will the event be held?
c. Meal Preference i. What kind of meals do you serve? ii. Are Halal/Kosher/Vegetarian meals available? iii. Can I order other special meals?
d. Who can I speak to for more information on HMA? 
e. Can I have a map of the location?
f. Other useful links/information

15. HOTEL AND AIRLINE INFORMATION
a. Where can I stay during the Conference?
b. How much do I have to pay for the accommodation?
c. Is my hotel reservation confirmed?
d. Is it ok if we are 3 in a room?
e. Can you give me rates of the alternative hotels? (See 15a)
f. How do I get from the airport to the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel?
g. How much is the taxi, limo, bus, etc. rate? (See 15f)
h. How much is the cost of airline ticket?

16. CONFERENCE BAG AND NAME TAG – HOW DO I GET THEM?

17. MEAL PREFERENCE

18. MOM - WHAT IS IT?

19. PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

20. PROGRAM21. REGISTRATION
a. How much is the Conference fee?
b. What does the Conference fee cover?
c. Is there any discount for group registration?
d. How much do I have to pay if I don’t attend all the sessions?
e. Are there any other fees that I have to pay?
f. How do I pay the delegate fees?
g. Can I pay the registration fee onsite?
h. Is the registration for the Conference transferable? 
i. Am I allowed to obtain a refund if I were to cancel my booking?
j. Do you provide complimentary (fellowship) registration?
k. Can you please extend the deadline for payment?

22. SCHEDULE

23. SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
a. How far is the nearest shopping and entertainment district?

24. SPEAKERS
a. Who are the speakers?
b. Where do I get the speeches and presentations of the speakers?
c. How can I contact the speakers?
d. Can I have the opportunity to speak / present in this conference?

25. REFUNDS & SUBSTITUTES
a. Am I allowed to obtain a refund if I were to cancel my booking?
b. Is the registration for the Conference transferable?   

ANSWERS:
1. ACCOMPANYING PERSON(s)

a. How much do I have to pay for accompanying person(s)?      
The special rate for accompanying persons is US $250 (PHP 11,250) per accompanying person. This covers two lunches as well as the Grand Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner but does not include access to the conference sessions. You may also choose to bring an accompanying person to one or a few social functions only. In which case, you only need to pay for the additional meal. Rates are listed below.  

  We do not have any pre-arranged special programs or tours for accompanying persons.  

b. Can my spouse join the awards dinner (or other activity)?            
Yes, there is an accompanying person rate of US $250 (PHP 11,250) inclusive of lunches, coffee breaks, Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner (however, not the sessions). Should your spouse just wish to attend only a specific activity (e.g. Awards Dinner), we can arrange this for you at a nominal cost. Kindly inform us before the event as seats are limited.  

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2. AGENDA
Please refer to #4d (Conference Agenda and Program of Activities)  

3. CEO FORUM

a. What is the CEO Forum?                
The CEO Forum focuses on a critical management issue facing CEOs. Only very senior management members of hospitals may attend. The Forum offers CEOs an opportunity to interact, share with each other and learn from experts specially invited for the purpose. This year find out what experts have to say on topics like: A debate on “Physicians are better equipped to run a hospital than lay professionals?” · What CEOs need to know about Mergers & Acquisitions in Healthcare – what is available, how they can benefit.  

b. Are non CEOs allowed to attend the CEO Forum?           
Yes, but only if space permits and for a limited number who reserve a seat early enough. In addition they need to sit in an “outer” circle.  

4. CONFERENCE AGENDA AND PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

a. What are the features of the conference?
HMA features a wide array of events, from learning to networking to simply leisure and fun activities. In two-packed days you will: Choose from 40 Special Interest Sessions and seven  Plenary Briefings

• Learn new skills in the management of different hospital departments and units
• Join facilitated sessions called Meeting of Minds
• Enjoy a cultural show at the Welcome Reception
• Participate in the gala ceremonies of the Asian Hospital Management Awards
• Visit the Hospital Trends Expo of collaborative win-win partnership and projects

Other elements of the event are as follows:

• Power Dinner for HMA Gurus (Presenters)
• Four pre-conference seminars
• Internet café
• Message Center
• Massage and Spa
• Photo Gallery

b. What is MOM?  (Please refer to #18)  

c. What is CEO Forum? (Please refer to #3)  

d. What is a Pre-Conference Seminar?            
There will be four full and half-day seminars offered on Wednesday, September 24. These are on topics not covered in the regular agenda of the conference.  In depth pre-conference seminars are on Understanding the Joint Commission International Standards, The Johns Hopkins Health Leaders Forum: Strategic issues of Leadership and Performance Improvement in today’s environment, Interpersonal Communication Competencies Description, No Hospital – No Mission. Designing and Implementing the Proper Measurement and Assessment Tools (MAT). Please refer to #5 for the details of these preconference seminars.  

e. What are the agenda / Schedule of activities?            
The main conference starts on Thursday, September 25 and ends with a gala dinner and ceremonies of the Asian Hospital Management Awards on Friday, September 26. The optional pre-conference day is on Wednesday, September 24. The schedule is below.  

  f. When do I need to be in Manila ?            
All participants are encouraged to arrive in Manila by Wednesday, September 24 at the latest, as the main conference starts at 9:00 AM on Thursday, September 25. You may also want to arrive a day early so you can attend one of the optional pre-conference seminars on Wednesday September 24, for a nominal fee, or simply to enjoy the city.  

g. What are the detailed topics and program?            
There are 40 topics from eight tracks for HMA 2008. It cannot be helped that there are some overlap in topics and tracks.
Please Click here to view the topics.  
Please Click here to view the list of Pre-conference Seminars.  

h. Who are the speakers? (Please refer to #23)  

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5. PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINARS

1. Understanding the Joint Commission International Standards (Full day Session)
This session provides a broad overview of Joint Commission International as well as the process and methodology behind international accreditation. Sessions include the International Patient Safety Goals, the accreditation process, the evaluation process and decision rules, and an overview of the JCI hospital and primary care standards.

Facilitators (Speakers): Dr. Paul Chang, Managing Director-Singapore Office, Joint Commission International, and Dr. Paul VanOstenberg, Joint Commission International

Rates: Non-HMA Overseas delegates - US$ 160 / HMA Overseas delegates – US$ 110
Non-HMA Local delegates – Php 4,750 / HMA Local delegates – Php 3,750  

2. The Johns Hopkins Health Leaders Forum: Strategic issues of Leadership and Performance Improvement in today’s environment (Half day Session)

• Leadership in Healthcare, (Harris Benny, CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine International)
• Bringing your hospital to the new millennium: practical approaches to change and innovation (Michael Heindel, CEO, Tawam Hospital )
• Unit based change: improving your hospital one unit at a time (Liz Von Kessler, Director Clinical Product Development, Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Emilio Williams, Consultant, Johns Hopkins Medicine International)

Rates: Non-HMA Overseas delegates - US$ 110 / HMA Overseas delegates – US$ 75 Non-HMA Local delegates – Php 3,250 / HMA Local delegates – Php 2,500  

3. Interpersonal Communication Competencies Description (Half day Session)
Speaker: Dr. Bob Beaudoin, Professor, University of Connecticut

Description: Managing the Communication Process (Barriers & Solutions), Active Listening Exercises, Feedback & Disclosure Skills, Dynamic Communication Styles, Reading People & Applications to Improved Personal & Professional Relationships

Rates: Non-HMA Overseas delegates - US$ 110 / HMA Overseas delegates – US$ 75
Non-HMA Local delegates – Php 3,250 / HMA Local delegates – Php 2,500  

4. No Hospital – No Mission . Designing and Implementing the Proper Measurement and Assessment Tools (MAT). (Half day Session)
Speaker: Prof. Norman Moore, Professor, University of Connecticut

Description: The purpose of this seminar is to provide healthcare managers with the proper quantitative measurement and assessment tools and the qualitative skills needed for implementation. Many hospitals are caught in the trap of focusing on only a small set of financial measures, usually related to costs. This leads to short-term, dysfunctional behavior. It is a mistake to assume that cost reduction is a key driver of success. Key success drivers, or value drivers in non healthcare firms, should be the focus of the measurement and assessment tools, not cost reduction. Measurement and assessment is valuable only if management can learn from and act on the results. This is why it is important that the MAT be developed using a structural approach. The causal linkages built into the tools enable management to conduct sensitivity analysis, scenario analysis and stress tests. That’s where learning occurs.

Rates: Non-HMA Overseas delegates - US$ 110 / HMA Overseas delegates – US$ 75
Non-HMA Local delegates – Php 3,250 / HMA Local delegates – Php 2,500

To register for any of the pre-conference seminars, please contact Ms. Lei Diansay, Delegate Services Coordinator at email: leidiansay@oiceventsasia.com or Phone number (632) 892-1650.  You may also register online at www.hospitalmanagementasia.com  

6. COUNTRY INFORMATION

a. What is the climate in Manila , Philippines ?         
In September you can expect some rains – but also enough sunny periods to enjoy the city. The Philippines has a tropical marine climate dominated by a rainy season and a dry season. The summer monsoon brings rains to most of the archipelago from May to October, whereas the winter monsoon brings cooler and drier air from December to February. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.  

b. Do I need to apply for a VISA to enter the Philippines ?            
Nationals from countries listed below are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding 21 days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least 60 days beyond the intended period of stay. ·        

Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of 21 days of less: