Frequently Asked Questions

INCOSE is the International Council on Systems Engineering. Information about the history of the organization, its mission and objectives can be found on the website at www.incose.org.

INCOSE's International Workshop is the event of the year for systems engineers to contribute to the state of the art. Unlike INCOSE's annual International Symposium and other conferences, there are no paper, panel or tutorial presentations. Instead, attendees spend 4 days working alongside fellow systems engineers who are there to make a difference. Systems Engineers at all levels and from all backgrounds are encouraged to engage in working sessions, and contribute their knowledge and experience to take the discipline forward.
Previous INCOSE Workshops

IW2020 is taking place in the Marriott Torrance, California, USA from January 25 to January 28, 2020. The venue provides a cost-effective and accessible location. Observe the published deadlines to benefit from reduced room rates in the conference hotel.

The workshop is open to members and non-members are encouraged to join INCOSE prior to the IW.
Attendance includes food and beverage for lunch, breaks, closing reception and registration materials. Access to some special events will require special registration.
Early registration is encouraged. Although it is possible to register on-site, some limited-availability options may be closed.

You may register either for the full Workshop (four days) or for one or two days. Registration allows unlimited access to plenary session and open meetings (please refer to What is the difference between an open and closed meeting at the IW and IS?), food and beverage for lunch, breaks, and the closing reception, as well as registration materials. Attendance for three days will be treated as a full registration. Guest tickets are available when you register. Please note that this allows guests access to the event space, but does not include attendance of the Workshop sessions or meals and breaks.
INCOSE members are eligible for discounts on the basic workshop registration fees. For the exact registration prices, please check registration page.

Online registration will open in November.
On-site registration is also accepted.
Additional questions about the registration process should be directed to registration@incose.org.

INCOSE encourages participants who will require overnight accommodations to stay at the conference hotel.

INCOSE values transparency in all its actions and activities. An open meeting is one in which you can just drop in and start contributing to the work of the participants - in true workshop style. Closed meetings are those with a focused agenda and an audience qualified to address the agenda. In many cases, you can reach out to the chair of a meeting in advance - either to join the group or to observe. In some cases, it may be inappropriate; for example, the CAB is for corporate members; the CAG is the advisory group for Certification discussing sensitive topics where the meeting must be closed to protect the integrity of the process and the certification.

Passport & Visa
Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit. Visitors planning to visit or attend a meeting will most likely apply for a B-1 visa. Visa applicants are advised to apply as soon as they decide to travel to the United States and at least 3 to 4 months in advance. All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers will be required to have a machine-readable passport (MRP) in order to enter the United States without a visa. As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department now requires that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible. Contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for details on visa application procedures at that location.

ESTA - Latest information for VWP travelers
ESTA is a fully automated, internet-based electronic system for screening Visa Waiver Program VWP passengers before they begin travel to the United States.
Effective since January 12, 2009, ESTA is mandatory and all VWP travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP.

International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements and will be required to pay an administrative fee.

More information can be found at:
www.cbp.gov/travel/
www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta

Disclaimer
The information is provided as a courtesy but is subject to change. If you are uncertain of your personal status, please contact the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.