FAQS

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2019 APOLLO 50th GALA EVENT

Please scroll down to find answers about Tickets, Hotel, Reservations & Transportation, the Event and the Auctions.

TICKETS

1. How do I buy Tickets?

For now, tickets are sold on an invitation-only basis. To make a purchase, you will need the promo code. It is possible some will be released for public sale early 2019.

4. What is the difference between ticket categories?

The tickets are arranged according to the event seating plan.

See tickets page for the detailed differences.

7. Is it possible to upgrade my ticket at a later date?

Subject to availability, if you wish to upgrade your ticket you can do so by emailing us at gala@aldrinfoundation.org – your credit card will be charged the upgrade fee and you will be sent an automated confirmation.

10. If I am purchasing an Educator/Military discounted ticket, what documentation is required?

At the time of purchasing a ticket, you will need to email us proof of current or former employment to gala@aldrinfoundation.org. If you do not send this information, we reserve the right to cancel ticket(s). There is a 2-ticket maximum per individual purchase.

2. How do I register to be notified if some tickets become available for PUBLIC purchase?

Email gala@aldrinfoundation.org to register your interest.

5. What do the tickets include?

Visit the tickets page for a detailed breakdown of inclusions.

8. Can I buy additional tickets and still be seated with all my guests?

Subject to availability you can of course purchase as many tickets as you like. When purchasing tickets you will need to be sure to include your Party Name when prompted and we will do our best to seat your guests together.

3. How many tickets are available for purchase?

Only 152 tickets are available in total for sale. Very limited number of diamond and platinum.

6. What happens when I buy a ticket online?

You will be sent an automated email confirming the purchase of your tickets and will be given full details of when/where to meet to collect your Welcome Pack and transportation to the event. You will not be sent a printed ticket so keep your email receipt as proof of purchase. At the time of booking, you will be prompted for your guest names and their registration details, although you can add these later. (We will send you a reminder.)

9. Is it possible to cancel my ticket and be reimbursed the full fee?

All ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds/exchanges except for unforeseen circumstances (on a case by case basis.) When tickets have sold out, and assuming we have a waiting list, we can offer your tickets to those awaiting availability and issue a reimbursement.

HOTEL, REGISTRATION and TRANSPORTATION

1. What hotel should I book?

You will be sent local hotel information at the time of ticket purchase.

We recommend preparing to book for Monday, July 15, 2019, through Wednesday, July 17, 2019, as early check-ins will only be offered subject to availability.

Most local hotels have 4 pm as their check-in time which may leave you a little tight on time on Tuesday.

4. Can I park at the Registration Point and leave my car there during the event?

Yes, nearby parking is possible.

7. How does transportation to the venue work?

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex buses will transport all guests from the Registration Point for the evening events and back. VIP Ticket guests will depart first and Gala Guest ticket holders will depart approximately one hour later.

At the end of the event, all guests (all ticket categories) will depart at the same time, 10 pm, arriving back at the Registration Point approximate 10:45 pm.

Buses will leave promptly and we are not able to accommodate late arrivals.

NASA requires that all guests go through security at the hotel prior to boarding buses.

10. Can I drive myself to Kennedy Space Center?

Due to Federal Regulations, being on a government property, out-of-hours event when Kennedy Space Center is closed to the public, civilians cannot drive themselves, nor park at the venue. Strictly only NASA vehicles may access the venue out-of-hours. The only exception is for NASA-Badged individuals.

2. Is there a discounted hotel rate for gala guests?

Yes, we have negotiated a discounted rate for our guests. You will be sent a personalized booking link at the time of ticket purchase.

The cut-off date for this discounted rate is May 31, 2019.

5. What does my Welcome Pack include?

It will include your personalized badge, your table number, an event program, sponsor promotions and information about the auction.

8. How long is the journey from the Registration Point to the gala venue?

45 minutes.

3. How, when and where do I register to receive my Welcome Pack?

Upon purchasing your ticket, you will be sent the address of the Registration Point. This will be at a venue 45 minutes from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The Registration Desk will be open from 12pm–5pm on the day of the event Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

We recommend you and your guests arrive well before your allocated time of departure to avoid lines.

6. Can I access the event without a personalized badge?

You will be denied access to the venue without a badge.

Each guest will need to register online to ensure their name is on their badge.

You will be given details upon purchase.

For group bookings, your name badge/passes will be issued in one package.

9. Are there any restrictions with accessing Kennedy Space Center?

Due to Federal Regulations, passport details for all foreign national visitors and anyone born outside of the US must be sent to NASA Protective Services one week prior to accessing any event site on Federal property. We will therefore require: Visitors full name, date of birth, country of birth and passport number. Failure to send this information in advance will result in denial of access. You will be sent a reminder well in advance.

THE EVENT

1. What is the dress code?

The dress code is Golden Galactic – a spacey interpretation of black or white tie. Many guests will dress in a black or white tie, but many will choose to embrace a more cosmic theme – a prize will be given to the most creative interpretation and the winner will be presented with an award on stage. The venue is air-conditioned, we, therefore, recommend a jacket or shawl for warmth.

4. What are the timings of the event program?

You will be emailed the exact timings one month prior to the event.

7. How will I get my Apollo era photo?

A link to a website will be sent to you maximum one week after the event. From there you can download your photo in a high-resolution format.

10. If I have a Gold Ticket, can I attend the after-show party and VIP breakfast?

Admission to these events is strictly for Diamond and Platinum badge holders only.

Entrance will be denied to anyone not wearing a relevant badge.

2. What will the weather be like?

A humid and high of 90 degrees outside.

5. Who will be in the ‘Apollo Era Photo’ and where/when will it take place?

The Apollo era photograph is for Diamond and Platinum Ticket holders only and will take place upon arrival under the Apollo 11 patch at Kennedy Space Center. The photograph will likely feature Apollo and/or modern-day astronauts, unsung Apollo heroes or Apollo children – the final line-up will be announced one month prior to the event. We are reluctant to confirm names in advance as attendance is subject change at any time. The line moves quickly and we regret this is not an opportunity to linger and chat with the astronauts. The VIP Drinks Reception, after-show party and VIP breakfast are more suited to this.

8. Can we request astronaut autographs and individual photographs?

We request that guests respect the privacy of the astronauts and uphold the no-autograph policy that is put in place for this event.

3. What about any dietary requirements?

At the time of booking, you will be prompted to mention any dietary requirements you have. We will be offering vegetarian options for all three courses.

6. Which astronauts have featured in previous gala photos?

Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, Walter Cunningham, Rusty Schweickart, General Tom Stafford and Harrison ‘Jack’ Schmitt.

9. Which astronauts and notable names will attend?

This information will be posted in the NEWS section.

AUCTIONS

1. How do the auctions work?

We will have a brief but electrifying Live Auction during the event and a Silent Auction that will run online until 09:00 PM.

4. When will the auction lots be viewable?

The Silent auction lots will be added to the site from May 2019 onwards.

It will go live for online/mobile bidding by end June and will close at 09:00 PM Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

7. Are Proxy Bids possible?

If you want to bid in the live auction but can’t make it to the event, you can submit a proxy bid.

While it is possible to register for Proxy Bidding right up until a couple of hours before the event, we would recommend doing so well in advance.

Register via www.501auctions.com/XXX The expert 501 Auctions team will support your needs to bid remotely.

Please refer to www.501auctions.com/XXX for detailed instructions on Proxy Bidding.

2. How does the Live Auction work?

Most of the Live auction lots will be showcased on www.501auctions.com/apollo50thgala at least 2 weeks before the event, although some may remain confidential until the event itself.

5. How do I bid for Silent Auction lots?

Register for an account on www.501auctions/XXX

We recommend that all individual guests register. Guests will be sent reminders to do so.

8. When will I be given my auction lot?

Where possible, auction lots will be packed up and given to each recipient in bags at the end of the gala evening. If guests attending the gala wish to have them shipped later that week, at additional cost.

All costs incurred will be added to the winning bid’s registered account.

Winning bids that have been won by proxy will be shipped within 1 week of the event.

All shipping costs will be added to your account and payment taken in advance of shipping the item.

3. How does the Silent Auction work?

The Silent auction will have approximately 40 lots, which will be hosted on www.501auctions.com/apollo50thgala.

At the Gala, we will use mobile bidding exclusively.

We recommend you arrive with your smartphone fully charged, although we will have a charging station available. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can still place a bid at the Gala; we will have staff with iPads available to assist you.

If you are outbid, you’ll receive an email and text message (US and Canadian phones only) notification. For other countries’ phones, you will just receive an email.  For further details refer to the Auction Rules page of the auction website.

6. How do I bid for Live Auction lots?

All guests who are registered at the event can bid by raising their hands during the auction itself. We will have Auction Spotters on site to help you with the entire bidding process and to confirm your bid.

A bid acknowledged by the auctioneer is a legal contract to purchase the item. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the event of any dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has sole and final discretion.

For further details refer to the Auction Rules page of XXX