Travel Information

AILA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff. To promote a secure and welcoming space for our attendees, AILA will have an increased security presence at our conference. Specifically, there will be additional security personnel monitoring people coming in and out of the conference space and additional security personnel in the conference areas and at the Saturday Night Party. All participants are expected to follow all stated meeting and event instructions and guidelines to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality.  

Before the Conference 

• Download the AC23 App so you can receive important conference notifications, find a conference buddy, ask for help, and report issues to AILA staff. 

Emergency Communications (onsite) 

Attendees will be notified of any emergency situations via push notifications from the AC App.  Announcements will also be made in the session rooms if applicable. 

Emergency Instructions 

• Fire Alarm:  Evacuate the building if instructed. Do not use elevators. 
• Minor Illness:  Contact AILA staff on site.* 
• Protest:  Contact AILA staff on site.*  
• Minor Threat: Contact AILA staff on site.* 
• Major Illness: Call 911.
• Major Threat: Call 911. 

*If it is a nonemergency/minor threat and you are unable to locate AILA staff on site, please send a notification via the AC App and/or report the issue at an AILA Information Desk (one is located in the Ballroom on Level 2 and one is located in the Exhibit Hall on Level 1).  

Medical Safety  

• Remember to bring any essential medications including prescriptions. 
• If you feel ill or see someone who needs medical assistance, call the Hotel Operator or 911. They will be able to assist you or arrange for other emergency assistance.
• Minor Illness: Contact AILA staff on site or call the hotel operator for assistance.
• Major Illness:  Call 911. 

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center 

• The hotel’s security staff is trained in CPR, first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and disaster preparedness. 
• The hotel has first aid kits on site.
• Emergency phone numbers:
  • From your hotel room, dial 33 from the hotel phone or call 911 from any phone.
• Nonemergency phone number:
  • From your hotel room, dial 62080 or the operator from the hotel phone.
• Nearest emergency medical facilities:
  • Urgent Care 24/7, 2940 Mallory Circle, Celebration, FL, 407-698-3330
  • AdventHealth Celebration Hospital, 400 Celebration Place, Celebration, FL,407-303-4000, open 24 hours
  • Ambulance: 911 (Osceola Fire Dept) 

Disney Resorts 

• Emergency phone number:
  • Call 911 from any phone.
• Nonemergency phone number:
  • Push Front Desk button on your room phone.
• Nearest medical facilities:
  • AdventHealth Celebration Hospital, 400 Celebration Place, Celebration, FL,407-303-4000, open 24 hours
  • AdventHealth Centra Care Walk-in Urgent Care Center at Lake Buena Vista, 12500 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL,407-934-2273, open 24 hours, complimentary transportation is available. 

General Safety Suggestions 

• See something, say something: We ask that all attendees report any questionable or concerning activity to AILA staff so that they can take immediate action. No concern is too small. If you see something, say something.  
• Study the area: Know the safest route before you leave and identify areas you don't want to enter. If you are unfamiliar with the area, ask the hotel front desk, bell staff, or valet for guidance.  Once you are at your destination, it’s important to stop, look, and listen to assess if the area is safe. 
• Don’t walk and text: Always remain alert to your surroundings and the people nearby. 
• Remove your badge: Remove your badge when you leave the meeting area.  Badges are signs you are from out of town and might make you an easy target.
• Scan the environment: Look for well-lit streets and areas where you feel safe. Use the AILA shuttles for transportation to and from AILA events.
• Buddy system: Walk in groups, especially at night. If you're in a social setting, ask to go with a fellow attendee and let them know you would like to leave together. Periodically check on each other and agree on departure times.
• Walk confidently: Be alert when moving around a facility. Notice who passes you and who is behind you.
• Elevator: Check the elevator before entering. Wait for the next elevator if there is a person who appears suspicious. If a suspicious person enters the elevator, get off at the next floor.
• Backup identification: Be careful leaving valuables, purses, and especially IDs in meeting and hotel rooms. Travel with a second official government-issued ID such as a passport stored in a separate location. At a minimum, make a copy of your driver's license or take a photo with your phone, so if it is lost, officials could use the information to check databases.
• Most importantly: trust your gut! If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it! Don’t worry about being polite or hurting someone’s feelings; your safety is number one. 

Help Others Feel Safe 

• Keep an eye out for others, especially if someone looks to be alone and/or uncomfortable. Ask what you can do to help them, or just say hi and introduce yourself. Let’s work together to make everyone feel safe and welcome!  
• Be mindful of yourself and your surroundings. This is especially important when consuming alcohol, experiencing jet lag, and/or dealing with lack of sleep due to a rigorous schedule.  

Rideshare/AILA Shuttle Safety 

• Before getting into a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft, check the license plate number and confirm your driver’s location in the app. 
• Make sure you take the correct AILA shuttle.  The AILA shuttle coordinator will have a handheld sign or you can look for the sign on the window next to the door. 

Social Event/Drinking Safety  

• Please drink responsibly. AILA has the right to deny service to participants for any reason and may require a participant to leave the event.
• Use the buddy system (and have a mutually agreed upon plan for the event). Make sure someone knows where you are, what your plans are, and when you’re safely back in your hotel room. 

Fire Safety  

• Escape route: Look around the meeting room or event location and note the nearest exits.