Know Before You Go

Local transportation to Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress from Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 18 miles from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort. 

Ground Transportation 

There is not a complimentary hotel shuttle from the Orlando International Airport to the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort.

All ride-share companies (such as Uber, Lyft, and Wingz) may pick up passengers on the Arrivals Curb at Terminal A (Level 2), and on Level 3 between 9pm and 2am, and drop-off is available right outside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress front doors.

Self-parking: Self-parking is available at the Hyatt for $34 plus tax/day and valet parking is provided for $49 plus tax/day.

Additional information on parking and transportation at Orlando International Airport.

Presenters: AV, Bring your Laptop

Computer projectors will be available in every session room. You must bring your own laptop (or plan to share with another presenter) and AC power adapter. Mac users, don’t forget your own HDMI adapter (i.e., dongle). Technical assistance will be available for any AV problems.

Courtesy to Speakers

During sessions, please silence all cell phones and other devices. Also note that the use of cameras and recording devices is prohibited unless you have received prior permission from the speaker.

Conference Check-in

Conference check-in, including badge pick-up for attendees, speakers, VIPs, and guests, and a full-service registration desk, are located on the Convention Level of the Grand Cypress Regency on Sunday 7am-5pm, Monday 7am-5pm, and Tuesday 7am-3pm.

If you already registered, you may print your badge and pick up your conference materials. You will be required to enter your last name to check in. Once you have confirmed your registration, your badge will print out. Please proceed to the adjoining area to pick up your lanyard (sponsored by Gurobi) and conference materials.

Badges are required for conference sessions, meals, and all meeting events, including the Edelman Gala. All attendees, including speakers and session chairs, must register and pay the registration fee. Lost badges can be replaced at the Conference Check-in desk for a nominal fee.

Download the “INFORMS Meetings” mobile app

Note: The 2024 INFORMS Analytics Conference event will be available to access in the mobile app on or around April 2. Registered participants will receive an automated email once the event is available in the mobile app.

Download the INFORMS App here:

The conference schedule, presentation and exhibit details, attendee directory, and maps can be found on the mobile app. To download, visit the Apple Store or Google Play Store and search for “Engagefully.” Once installed, open the app and search for “INFORMS.”

To access the Analytics Conference, click on Conferences, select Upcoming, then select the 2024 INFORMS Analytics Conference.

When you view the conference schedule, you can browse through presentations and events or search for specific speakers/keywords. As you find events/presentations that interest you, click on the checked calendar icon to add it to your schedule.

Post and share photos in the Social Timeline!

Have your phone ready when networking and visiting the exhibits! Scan QR codes to capture contact information of those you meet. Stay connected during and after the Analytics Conference.

Note: Only the information in your mobile app profile is shared. The mobile app scan does not access other data on your phone or anything outside the Engagefully app.

New this year!

Sunday, April 14

Resume Reviews: As an attendee benefit, INFORMS is providing a free resume review service. This benefit is available only to early-career conference attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees had the opportunity to upload their resumes and schedule an appointment in advance, but there may still be the ability to sign up for open slots on-site. Contact Tom Fink with questions.

SFWY: Safe for Work (seated) Yoga Session

Rising Analytics Professionals Workshop: Designed especially for those new to the analytics profession, including students and those transitioning careers. Sessions include a soft skills workshop, followed by a panel of professionals at different stages of their careers who will lend their insights on how you can excel in your analytics journey. Registration not required but encouraged.

Advanced Analytics Professionals Panel Discussion: An interactive forum to address the career needs of those that have been in the workforce for a couple of years but are not yet at an executive-level. Hear from professionals who have just advanced into a mid-career position, those settled in the position, and those transitioning out. Learn about their career progression, portfolio needed for advancement, and other ways to grow your network, featuring:

• Melanie Barker, Simulation Software Consultant, Rockwell Automation
• Neil Nanisetty, Lead Data Scientist, NBC Universal Orlando Parks & Resorts
• Patricia Randall, Director, Princeton Consultants
• Wei Yuan, Manager, Decision Science, The Walt Disney Company

Networking Reception: There will be a Networking Reception immediately following the Rising Analytics Professionals Workshop and Advanced Analytics Professional Workshop on Sunday evening from 6-7pm.

Monday, April 15 & Tuesday, April 16

New tracks:

• The Analytics Ecosystem: Analytics projects have many moving pieces beyond the models themselves. This track will discuss infrastructure, data delivery, data governance, and the rest of the analytics tools and technology stack that support data projects. By using the right kinds of tools and technologies, we can help analytics projects be more reliable and successful. During this track, industry leaders will explain how engineering, architecture, and data delivery through visualization or other applications complement the models that drive decisions. This track provides a robust survey of the analytics ecosystem.
• Business Administration: In the age of digital technology, internal operations within organizations have come a long way. From transitioning from paper to computer systems to using those system for more detailed analysis to furthering the analysis with machine learning and artificial intelligence, Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting, and Finance functions have come a long way. Industry leaders will talk about the new age in which organizations are making data-driven decisions using analytical modeling and decisions science approaches to further internal operations.
• Game Theory & Strategy: Game theory is used to help produce the ideal decision given a set of constraints and the potential actions of other participants in the “game.” Some games have two parties with similar goals that are close to zero sum (such as sports), whereas some can involve more parties with the idea of multiple parties coming out ahead (business deals and international trade). This track has applications ranging from determining whether to enter a new market, creating an advertising strategy, or deciding whether to “Go for 2” in the fourth quarter of a football game. This track will go through different scenarios in which analytics enhances game theory and strategic decision-making.

Session on Public Affairs & Advocacy in the Analytics Landscape

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) Prep Sessions:

• Overview of the CAP Program
• Practice Exam Question session

Conference Photos

View photos updated throughout the Conference in one of three places: the Social Timeline in the mobile app, conference homepage, or directly on INFORMS Flickr. Share your own conference pictures with on X and Instagram using #2024Analytics.

Exhibitor Workshops on Sunday

11am-4:45pm
Windsong 1-4

There are 11 technology companies offering workshops on Sunday, at no additional cost to conference registrants. If you haven’t signed up yet and would like to attend, come by the INFORMS Conference Check-in desk to see if space is still available. Companies and details can be found here.

Conference Exhibitors

Sunday, Welcome Reception, 7-8:30pm
Monday, 9am-4pm
Tuesday, 9am-4pm
Porticos East & West

Visit the 21 software companies and institutions on-site. View a full list of exhibitors and hours here.

Conference Sponsors

View a full list of sponsors here.

Need coffee or tea? Stop in Porticos East & West (across from the Grand Cypress Ballroom) for a “cuppa” on Monday and Tuesday, 10-10:30am and 2:45-3:35pm. Sponsored by AMPL.

Need a current/fresh/updated photo for business or personal reasons? Stop by Booth 103 to get a professional headshot taken on Monday or Tuesday, 9am-4pm. This service is sponsored by FICO.

Want to play a quick game of hoops? Stop by Booth 304 to play Pop-a-Shot. Sponsored by GAMS.

Conference Meals

Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Monday and Tuesday in the Grand Cypress Ballroom. Please note that breakfast and lunch will not be served on Sunday.

Poster Sessions 

Monday and Tuesday, 7am-4pm
Windsong Foyer

Posters will be on display all day Monday and Tuesday. Stop by between sessions and during breaks to see the latest research. Prepare to ask questions of the authors during the afternoon dessert receptions.

Don’t miss this competitive analytics poster competition among practitioners and students, offering an inside look at analytics work across a wide range of industries, problems, and solutions! Different posters will be available each day and a full listing of posters can be found on the mobile app. Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 16, after the last poster session has ended. This year’s poster competition is sponsored by Purdue University and features a total of $10,000 in prizes! For more information on this year’s poster competition, click here.

Poster Presentations and Dessert Receptions

Monday and Tuesday, 2:45-3:35pm
Windsong Foyer

Poster authors will be standing by to answer your questions about their research. Grab a beverage or snack. The Monday and Tuesday dessert receptions are sponsored by Kennesaw State University.

Edelman Gala & Banquet

Monday, 7-10pm
Grand Cypress Ballroom

This celebration on Monday evening will honor the very best in advanced analytics and operations research, as we salute the 2024 finalists and announce the 2024 winner of the Franz Edelman Award. Winners of the INFORMS Prize, Daniel H. Wagner Prize, UPS George D. Smith Prize, and the inaugural Early Career Practitioner Award will also be recognized. Attendance at the banquet is included for full conference registrants. A number of tables close to the stage will be reserved for Edelman Committee members, judges, coaches, finalist teams, and sponsors. All other tables are available for open seating. Come celebrate with your colleagues!

What to Wear

Dress during the day and for the Sunday receptions is business casual. For the Edelman Gala on Monday evening, the dress is semiformal, such as one would wear for fine restaurant dining (e.g., jacket and tie or dress). We recommend that you check the weather online before traveling. In addition, hotel meeting rooms are often chilly, so plan to wear a sweater or light jacket. Learn more about what to expect from the weather.

INFORMS Center

Booth 408

This dynamic space is the hub for all of your 2024 INFORMS Analytics Conference activities. Meet INFORMS staff, check out INFORMS swag, get your “This is my # Analytics Conference” button, network with fellow attendees, and make sure you are making the most of your INFORMS member benefits. Visit the INFORMS video booth (across from the INFORMS Center) and share your story for our “Member in a Minute” series, or share your experience at the conference or with other INFORMS offerings.