Frequently ASked questions
Who is organising the Conference?
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GEMS Event Management Australia is the Professional Conference Organiser engaged to assist in the management of the franc.2025 Conference. GEMS are members of the Australian Business Events Association and the Professional Conference Organisers Association. Further information on our company is available at www.gemsevents.com.au.
Who should attend the Conference?
- All levels of government, with interests in environmental management, planning, hydrology, construction, education, drainage, engineering and research
- Civil and consulting engineers
- Surveyors and urban planners
- Universities and research institutions
- Manufacturers
- Service industries to the environment, stormwater and the water quality industry
What are the Conference dates?
The Conference will be held on Wednesday, 15 and Thursday, 16 October 2025 at the Mercure Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
How much does it cost to attend?
Full details of the delegate fees are available on the ‘Pricing’ page of the website.
Can I share my full Conference registration with another person?
Splitting of full conference registrations is not allowed. If you only wish to attend one day of the Conference, please register for the day you wish to attend. Note: social events are not included in day delegate fees.
Can I just attend one session on one day of the Conference?
No, delegates cannot register to attend a single session or a half day session. The minimum registration duration is a day registration. Please refer to the ‘Pricing’ page for registration package options.
Can I cancel my registration?
All cancellations must be advised to GEMS Event Management Australia in writing by email before the cancellation can be processed. Cancellations will not be deemed to be received until you have written confirmation from GEMS Event Management Australia. If you have not received acknowledgement within five (5) business days, please contact GEMS Event Management Australia on +61 2 9744 5252. If the cancellation is not received in writing, the registration fees will not be cancelled and full registration will still be payable.
What is the cancellation cut-off date?
Cancellations received in writing by the Conference Organisers by Monday, 1 September 2025 will be accepted and all fees refunded less an AUD$125 administration fee.
Cancellations received after this date cannot be accepted and will not be refunded, however, transfer of your registration to another person is acceptable. The full name and address details of the new delegate must be advised in writing to the Conference Organisers prior to the Conference. Online registration received by GEMS Event Management Australia are considered to be confirmed by the delegate. No tentative bookings will be accepted.
If I need to cancel my registration after the cancellation date, can another person from my organisation attend in my place?
Yes. Such changes must be advised to GEMS in writing by email by no later than 5 working days prior to the commencement of the Conference.
Can I get a refund if I do not attend the Conference?
No refunds will be made for non-attendance at the Conference and any unpaid registration fees will still be payable.In the case of medical emergency which has caused a registered delegate to not attend the Conference, the Conference Organisers must be provided with a medical certificate or appropriate documentation before any refund will be considered. Where the Conference Organisers are advised of a situation after the Conference, and a refund is deemed to be appropriate, the delegate must still pay the administration fee along with any catering charges incurred as a result of their registration for all catering events at which they were scheduled to attend.
Can I register after the registration closing date?
Registrations for franc.2025 will close at midnight on Thursday, 1 September 2025 in order to finalise all arrangements for the Conference. Late registrations may be accepted for the Conference after this date by contacting GEMS Event Management Australia and a late fee of AUD$50 will be applied. Delegates who choose to register onsite will be required to pay for all related costs immediately, by cash or by credit card. Receipts will be sent to the delegate concerned after the Conference. The Organisers cannot guarantee that delegate collateral provided by sponsors and exhibitors, will be available to late registering delegates and there is a risk that social program functions may be fully subscribed.
Do the registration fees include insurance?
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind for delegates. It is strongly recommended that participants take out their own general travel insurance. It is suggested that the insurance policy should also cover loss of fees/deposit, airfares, accommodation charges, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal property and repatriation expense.
The insurance should cover loss arising from the cancellation of the Conference by the organisers or a person’s inability to attend due to any reason whatsoever. No responsibility is taken by the Conference Organisers for any person not holding insurance.
How do I get to the venue?
Please visit the 'Venue' page of this website for full details
Is the Venue Fully Accessible?
Yes. However, if you have accessibility requirements, please notify the organisers by indicating your requirements on the registration form to ensure that your needs are catered for.
Disclaimer
In the event of industrial disruptions, GEMS Event Management Australia Pty Ltd and Stormwater NSW cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by delegates. The program is correct at the time of printing, but the organisers reserve the right to alter the program as is deemed necessary.
Liability
Stormwater NSW or GEMS Event Management Australia Pty Ltd shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered delegates of the Meeting. Delegates should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.
franc.2025
Key Dates
Early Bird Registration Open
Thursday, 29 May 2025
Early Bird Registration Ends
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Standard Registration Open
Friday, 1 August 2025
Standard Registration Closes
Thursday, 9 October 2025
Conference Opens
Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Conference Closes
Thursday, 16 October 2025