WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
If you need more information, please contact a member of the GEO Team.
During the event, all GEO Staff and Volunteers will be wearing bright red EVENT STAFF badges.
JW Marriott Austin Hotel
110 East 2nd Street,
Austin, Texas, USA, 78701
The closest airport near JW Marriott Austin is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). AUS is located approximately 6.6 Miles from the hotel.
Check-in: 15.00 PM, Check-out: 11.00 AM
The conference agenda is published on our website and on the event app (coming soon).
ISSUER ATTENDEE ARRIVALS
For all issuers, the conference begins at 9.00 AM on Tuesday 21 April.
Issuer Council meeting attendees are asked to join a little earlier at 8.30am.
PROVIDER/NON-ISSUER ATTENDEE ARRIVALS
For all other attendees the conference starts at 11:00 AM on Tuesday 21 April on Level 4.
ALL-ATTENDEE CHECK-IN
All attendees can check in and collect their badge from 12:00 PM on Monday 20 April and each morning from 8am in the JW Grand Foyer on Level 4.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ATTENDEE BADGE TO ALL CONFERNCE SESSIONS AND EVENTS
GENERAL DRESS CODE
Business / Business casual
Due to varying temperatures in the meeting rooms, we recommend that you bring a jacket or sweater to all sessions.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Casual (including jeans)
Our opening night party will be relaxed - please wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
25TH ANNIVERSARY GEO AWARDS
Silver theme (black tie optional)
For the awards gala, you can choose to wear black tie, formal, or smart dress. In celebration of our 25th anniversary, we invite you to add a touch of silver to your outfit!
A web-based version of the GEO Austin event app will be available to access at this link.
You can also download the app to your device by searching for the 'GEO Austin 2026' in the Apple App Store and 'GEO’s 26th Annual' in the Google Play Store.
Once you have accessed the app, enter the email address that you registered with and hit continue. You will receive an email with your passcode.
NOTE: This passcode will NOT change, and you will be able to use the same code whenever you login.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
You can use the app to:
- View the agenda and speakers
- Review session materials
- Create your own personal schedule
- Message attendees
- Share photos
- Rate sessions
- Play to win prizes...and more!
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
Get your game on in the mobile app and join us in a little friendly competition during the event!
Find as many answers as you can - those with the most points have a chance to win our top prize:
A FREE PASS AND COMPLIMENTARY ACCOMMODATION* AT GEO ANNUAL 2027!
The competition is always tough, so download the GEO AUSTIN EVENT APP and get started as soon as you can! The competition closes at 12pm on Thursday 23 April.
*In the conference hotel for the duration of the event only.
All attendees seeking to earn credits must scan into each session using the QR code on the screen at the start and complete the session rating at the end of each qualifying session.
GENERAL CREDITS
To self-serve continuing education credits, please visit your relevant online provider:
- CEPI Connect for Certified Equity Professionals
CPE CREDITS
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are eligible to receive CPE credit for attending and participating in GEO's live panel sessions. Roundtable sessions do not quality for CPE credits.
If you have registered a guest for a special event, please collect their tickets at the GEO Help Desk at registration in the JW Grand Foyer on Level 4.
To purchase special event tickets, modify your registration HERE.
If you or your guest can no longer attend a special event, please let the GEO team know and drop any redundant guest tickets at the GEO Help Desk in the JW Grand Foyer.
During the event, dedicated high-speed wireless internet access is available in and around the meeting space area.
Access details will be provided closer to the event.
We encourage you to share photos and comments before, during and after the conference!
VIA THE EVENT APP
Post your photos and comments in the activity feed of the mobile app to engage with your fellow attendees.
ON SOCIAL
Be sure to tag your social media posts using #GEOAnnual and mention @Global Equity Organization to share your experience with the wider share plan community
All vendor exhibits will be located in the JW Grand Ballroom on Level 4, which opens at the following times:
TUESDAY, 21 APRIL - 11.00 AM
WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL - 8.45 AM
THURSDAY, 30 APRIL - 11.45 AM
The follwing items are included in all GEO conference tickets:
- Access to all sessions including keynotes
- Lunch and refreshment breaks
- Opening Night Party
- GEO Awards
- High-speed wifi
- CPE credits -scan in and answer the question at the end of each session to qualify
No RSVP is needed for our special events—only guests of attendees and those attending bonus events require a ticket for entry.
ALL ATTENDEES
Tuesday, 21 April
- Opening Night Party
| 17.00 PM – 22.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- GEO Awards
| 19.00 PM – 22.00 PM | Lone Star Ballroom, Level 3 - GEO Awards After Party
| 22.00 PM – Late | Edge Rooftop, Level 5
CHAPTER LEADERS
Monday, 20 April
- Chapter Leader Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
GEO FELLOWS
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- First Timers, Future Leaders and Fellows Breakfast | 8.00 – 9.00 | Venue to be confirmed
- GEO Awards – Reserved Tables | 19.00 – 22.00 I Lone Star Ballroom, Level 3
ISSUER ATTENDEES
Tuesday, 21 April
- Issuer Advisory Council Meeting | 8.30 AM – 9.30 AM | Venue to be confirmed
- Issuer-Only Connect and Collaborate 9.30 AM – 11.00 AM | Venue to be confirmed
FUTURE LEADERS
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday, 22 April
- Class of 2024 Wrap Party | 19.00 PM – 20.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
FIRST TIMERS/NEWBIES
Wednesday, 22 April
First Timers & Fellows Breakfast | 8.00 AM – 9.00 AM | Venue to be confirmed
Don't forget to wear your Fellows pin or stick a bee or two to your lanyard on registration!
GEOelevate
Monday, 20 April
- Fellows, Future Leaders & Elevate Happy Hour | 17.00 PM – 18.00 PM | Venue to be confirmed
Sessions will not be recorded but you will find copies of the presentation slides on GEOlearn and in the event app.
GEOfit Club is open to everyone - meet at the allocated meeting point (to be confirmed) at 7am if you fancy a walk, jog or a run each morning of the conference.
CPE is closely audited and we must provide evidence that you have attended the whole session for you to qualify for credit.
To qualify, you must:
- Scan the QR code at start of each session
- Find the session in your event app and tap 'Checked in - would you like to check-out?' (this is time stamped).
Note: Sessions less than 50 minutes, including roundtable and focus topic sessions, do not qualify for CPE credit.
✔️ A donation of a new pair of socks to help Prague's homeless
✔️ An outfit for the 25h Anniversary GEO Awards
✔️ Notebook or tablet for jotting down those brilliant ideas
✔️ Chargers and power bank (because outlets are gold)
✔️ Comfortable shoes – your feet will thank you
✔️ A go-to sweater or jacket – meeting rooms have a mind of their own
✔️ An open mind and your best networking smile 😄
SPONSOR AND EXHIBITOR FAQ
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your booth, exhibit materials or sponsorship activations, please contact Kate Scorer from the GEO team.
MOVE-IN
Monday, 20 April 12:00 PM - 17:00 PM
MOVE-OUT
Thursday, 23 April 15:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Our sponsors and exhibitors are able to collect and access a list of leads during the conference. All attendees with your company have scanning permissions.
- Open the event app and click on the 3-line menu in the top left corner to reveal the app menu.
- At the top of the menu, click the Lead Retrieval button and choose Scan QR to start scanning badges. Note: All attendees have a unique QR code on the front of their badge.
- Answer the lead information questions and click Done. You can then continue to scan leads or view your scanned contacts.
- To download your leads report:
• Visit the Austin 2026 event app
• Login with your email address and passcode
• Click Lead Retrieval on the top left of your screen and click Export.
You can choose to download an Excel file or send the report by email at any time. Contact Mary Potter for details and training.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON
Time is reserved for companies to host client events on Monday 20 April from 19.00 PM
All vendor exhibits will be located in the JW Grand Ballroom on Level 4. The exhibit hall opens at the following times:
TUESDAY, 21 APRIL - 11.00 AM
WEDNESDAY, 22 APRIL - 8.00 AM
THURSDAY, 23 APRIL - 8.45 AM
Your booth should be manned during all refreshment and lunch breaks.
Visit the Sponsor and Exhibitor section of the GEO Austin Event App Guide to find out how to make the most of the app, including
- LEAD SCANNING AND RETRIEVAL: Scan attendee QR codes, rate interest, add notes, and export detailed lead records instantly.
- REPORTING AND ANALYTICS: Track booth visits, scans, and link clicks in real time. Access and export comprehensive activity reports.
- ENHANCED ONLINE PROFILE: Showcase products, documents, videos, and links, creating a central engagement hub.
- ONLINE BOOTH EDITING: Customize your digital booth to enhance your online presence directly within the app.
EVENT APP GUIDE COMING SOON