International Travelers

The Academy welcomes our international attendees to the AAA Annual Convention 2027.

To get the most detailed information on traveling to the United States from your country, please visit the U.S. Department of State International Travel website.

The AAA Annual Convention 2027 will be held at America’s Center Convention Complex located in St. Louis, MO at 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.

For maps and more information on transportation options around the city, please visit here.

Invitation Letter

Invitation letters will be provided to you automatically after completing the AAA Annual Convention 2027 registration. If your country requires an invitation letter prior to purchase of registration, contact us with the following details of those requesting a visa:

• Full Name
• Gender
• Date of Birth (MM/DD/YY)
• Passport Number
• Company Name
• Company Role
• Company Address
• City
• Zip
• Country
• Phone Number

Invitation letters will be sent via email in PDF format unless otherwise specified.

Visa Information

Steps in obtaining a visa to attend the AAA Annual Convention 2027:

• Review your visa status and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.
• Review the visa wait times and information for interview appointments and visa processing at each embassy and consular section worldwide available on our website. Visit the embassy or consular section website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule an interview appointment, pay fees and any other instructions.
• Plan on an interview, as well as quick inkless fingerprint scans at the U.S. embassy or consulate, which is required for most visa applicants. Some visa applications require additional administrative processing, which requires some additional time. Applicants are advised when they apply.

More information on obtaining a visa can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.

The Academy recommends the following guidelines for obtaining a visa for entry into the United States:

• Apply early! The visa application process takes three to four months to complete. Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application. If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
• Provide a letter of invitation. See information on invitation letters above.
• Once you have completed your convention registration online, you will automatically be emailed an invitation letter. If you are unable to obtain a visa to attend the AAA Annual Convention 2027 you may request a full refund of your registration fees.
• Send requests to us.
• Provide evidence that you intend to return to your country of residence; applicants should provide proof of “binding,” or sufficient, ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of:
  • Family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence
  • Property ownership
  • Bank accounts
  • An employment contract or statement from an employer stating that the position continues after the meeting

Getting Around

For more information on transportation options around the city, please visit here.

Hotel Reservations

You have a choice of where you stay when you attend the AAA Annual Convention 2027, but when booking through the official housing block you are supporting the American Academy of Audiology and the AAA Annual Convention 2027.

The Academy works with the hotels and convention center to secure discounted hotel room rates for our attendees. Additionally, the group bookings help us negotiate discounted rates at the convention center, which, as a non-profit organization, we pass on to our meeting attendees though lower registration fees.

The Academy makes every effort to keep expenses for participants as low as possible, but without your support, the Academy faces financial penalties for unused sleeping rooms. If AAA Annual Convention 2027 does not achieve a minimum number of overnight accommodations, we must pay penalties, and in turn the price of event registration fees may increase in future programs. The importance of reserving your hotel room using the approved housing blocks cannot be stressed enough. So, when you reserve your room, we urge you to use the official AAA Annual Convention 2027 housing block to help us provide affordable rates for this and future meetings.

Top reasons to book your room within the Official Housing Block

• We monitor rates to ensure that you receive the lowest rate available at the approved event hotels.
• Networking: Stay where other attendees are staying.
• As your plans change, you can update your reservation without penalty prior to check-in.
• Book your hotel room now and pay for it later.
• Outstanding customer service agents waiting to assist you.
• The Academy gets credit for the room which allows rates to stay low for future events.

Reservations made by unaffiliated organizations may be illegitimate, have unreasonable cancellation or change penalties, or be completely non-refundable.

Official Hotel Provider

Maritz is the Official Hotel Provider for AAA Annual Convention 2027.

For more information about AAA hotels in St. Louis, click here.

Time Zone

St. Louis, MO is located in the Central Standard Time Zone (CDT). Click here for time zone Information.

Weather

April in St. Louis offers a mild and pleasant climate. Average daytime highs range from the mid-60s to low 70s °F (18–22°C), while overnight lows typically fall between the mid-40s and low 50s °F (7–11°C).

Attire

Convention attire is business casual. Meeting room temperatures can vary considerably throughout the day; a light jacket or sweater is suggested. Convention attire is business casual. Meeting room temperatures can vary considerably throughout the day; a light jacket or sweater is suggested.

U.S. Business Hours

St. Louis, MO is in the Central Time Zone.

Generally, business offices are open on weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and government offices are open from 8:00 am until 4:30 or 5:00 pm. Stores are open six days a week, Monday-Saturday, with many also open on Sunday. Department stores are generally open until 9:00 pm. Discount stores and supermarkets are often open later than other stores, and some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Banks are usually open on weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, occasionally a bit later on Fridays, and sometimes on Saturday, with earlier closing times. There is 24-hour access to automated teller machines (ATMs) at most banks, as well as in many shopping centers and other outlets.

Electricity

The electricity used in the United States is standard electricity, which is 110 volts. European appliances brought here will require a voltage transformer.

Tipping

Tipping is voluntary; gratuities generally are not automatically added to the bill. For larger groups, some restaurants may add the gratuity to the bill. Here are a few tipping guidelines:

• Waiters are usually given a tip of 15%-20% of the bill
• Taxi drivers usually receive 15%-20% of the fare
• Bellman, skycaps, and porters are usually tipped $1-2 per bag