MRI Services

We offer Web-based Conference, Meeting and Event Registration via an internal system. Refer to the information below to learn more about these services.

The Materials Research Institute has constructed a web-based conference, meeting and event registration system. Examples of where it has been used include Materials Day and major conferences with up to 500 participants - handling both the abstract submission and registration process.

This system is available for use by any MRI center, facility or faculty member or by other units within the University with the approval of the Director of MRI. This system is fast, secure and easy to use and can significantly reduce the amount of staff time needed for processing registrations as well as ensure the accuracy of the registration process.

Some key features of the registration system:

It is web-based. Registrants can complete registrations anytime day or night from anywhere in the world, knowing immediately that their registration was completed successfully.
The system utilizes Secure Socket Layers technology to protect information that is sent over the Internet.
When a cost is involved with the registration process, credit cards (MasterCard, Visa and American Express) can be used for immediate on-line payment in a secure environment. This is made possible through the use of Penn State's AIS eCommerce system. It should be noted that credit card information is not maintained in the MRI system after the card has been charged.
Special registration options can be accommodated such as sessions attending, poster or paper title submission, support file (abstracts or poster) uploads, special dietary requirements, audio/visual or IT needs, etc., but please keep in mind customization takes time and because of systematic limitations, we may not be able to accommodate all of your requests.
An abstract submission and program building option is offered to assist with building your program.
Upon request, certain limitations can be imposed on the number of registrations or paper, poster or abstract submission. Moreover, registrations can also be "by invitation only" depending on the needs of the particular conference, meeting or event.
We have personnel in place that can assist with the registration process or you can handle that yourself and just use the electronic system.

Things to consider when planning to use the MRI system:

First and foremost, communication and planning is crucial to the successful use of this system. If needed, representatives from MRI can meet with organizers of the conference to determine the needs of the conference and help to shape the event.
The request for the use of the system must allow for plenty of time to establish the conference, meeting or event web site. Please allow at least one month for development, testing and tuning. It is always appreciated when MRI is given more time than not enough. We have to fit your needs with existing priorities, so please allow sufficient planning time.
The URL for a specific conference registration, meeting or event will follow the pattern: http://www.mri.psu.edu.conferences/yourconferencename
There will be no exceptions. You can use the MRI web site or you can establish your own web site as the conference home page, but because of the built in database/webpage integration and the credit card processing system, the registration process has to run on our servers and must point to the web address above.
Once the system is operational, changes to the manner in which registrations are collected or changes to the information collected will be approved on a case by case basis.
While MRI has had great success with moving to a web-based system, there are still people who refuse or greatly resist the use of the Internet for processing of credit cards. We recommend that alternative methods are made available to accommodate the needs of those who do not wish to use the web-based solution. We have found that fill-and-print PDF registration forms work well - the completed forms can then be mailed or faxed for processing. However, it is important to note (and you needn't tell this to those who are worried about sending credit card info of the Net) that hand registrations are processed using an identical system to that which is available to the end user.
When collecting registration fees, income will be deposited into a specific MRI account established to handle meeting registrations. At the conclusion of the program, income will be distributed to the organizing unit (minus the bank imposed credit card processing fees). -MRI will not assume financial liability for any meetings. It is our philosophy to run these events at a break even point, income = expenses. We will allow expenses to be charged against the budget we have established, but we will in no instance allow expenditures to exceed available income.

How to get started:

Define the conference, meeting or event that you would like to coordinate.
Contact Bob Cornwall at MRI to determine if your program fits with the MRI system.
Schedule a meeting with MRI (Dan and/or Bob) to work out the details of the registration process. Don't worry about having all the answers - we've done this many times and may be able to provide suggestions to you. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS MEETING MUST BE SCHEDULED AT LEAST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO NEEDING THE SYSTEM IN PLACE.
Market your conference, meeting or event.