Frequently Asked Questions
  • Documentation
    • A valid passport is required for travel to Ireland. It must be valid through your return travel date, but we recommend six months’ validity beyond travel dates.
    • All passenger names (first, middle and last names) on airline tickets/e-tickets must match your passport exactly, or the airlines will deny boarding. Suffixes (Jr., Sr., III, etc.) are not required.
    • Any changes after ticketing may result in additional fees and penalties. 
    • Non-U.S. citizens should contact their consulate to determine the necessary documentation.
    • Travel with photocopies of your travel documents and passport in case the originals are lost or stolen. Leave a copy of your passport at home as well.
    • Entry into any foreign country can be denied if you have a criminal background. Please check with the country’s consulate or embassy.
    • Important note for married people or anyone who has changed their name: If your maiden/former name is on your current passport, you must make sure your airline ticket has the same name. The name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport.
  • State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) 
    STEP is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We strongly recommend that you enroll in this free program before departing for your international destination. Enrollment benefits include:
    • You’ll receive important information from the embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
    • It will be easier for the U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency, whether it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.
    • It will be easier for family and friends to get in touch with you in an emergency.
    • The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, is another resource. Visit their Planning Your Travel page to learn more.
  • Airport check-in and boarding
    • To avoid being denied check-in or boarding:
      • You and your luggage must be checked in with the airline at least 60 minutes before flight departure. You may be able to check in online and prepay baggage fees; visit your airline’s website for information. 
      • You must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before departure.
      • We recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before flight departure to allow for long lines and delays. 
    • Airline websites and travel apps are useful for checking flight status and receiving notifications. The day before your scheduled departure, be sure to verify your departure time and gate with the originating airline listed on your itinerary.
    • The GEM Club mobile web app Itinerary includes your flight information and confirmation number(s), to use as a reference at check-in.
    • Visit the TSA website for more information.
  • Checked luggage fees
    • Baggage fees vary by airline and frequent flyer status. Contact your scheduled airline for up-to-date information.
    • All luggage fees incurred will need to be paid by you at airport check-in; however, you may be reimbursed according to Labcorp’s T&E policy.
  • Flight delays
    Once you check in, the reservation is in the hands of the airline. If your travel is interrupted or canceled while you are at the airport, please get in line at a ticket counter or service desk. Once your new flights are booked, please inform GEM Club Program Headquarters of the new flight information. While in line, if you’d like assistance with possible flight options, call GEM Club Program Headquarters at 847-252-5919 (press 2 for Air). If you call outside business hours, you will have the option to be forwarded to one of the travel air specialists for assistance.
  • Luggage identification
    Securely attach the GEM Club luggage tags you receive in the mail to each piece of luggage you are checking. We also recommend enclosing within your luggage a business card, as this may help the airline identify your bag if the outer tag is detached in transit. Lost or damaged luggage is the sole responsibility of the airline. 
  • Packing tips
    • Many international carriers have weight restrictions. Please check the airline’s website directly for specific information.
    • One carry-on bag and one personal item (laptop, purse, camera bag) are permitted per person. The carry-on bag may not exceed 9” x 14” x 22” and must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
      • Carry some toiletries and a change of clothes in case your luggage is delayed.
      • Prescription drugs, in their original containers, should also be in your carry-on luggage.
      • Be sure to carry your valuables on you or in your carry-on bag.
    • Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes are limited to travel size (3.4 ounces or less, each) and must fit in ONE quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag. More information on what you can bring.
    • The TSA requires that your luggage be unlocked, or you may use TSA-approved locks, which are available where travel goods are sold.
    • For the most up-to-date information, visit the TSA website and your airline’s website.
    • Remember to set aside a little extra room in your suitcase and/or carry-on for souvenirs and gifts of appreciation from your Labcorp hosts - you’ll be glad you did!
  • Verify departure time
    The day before your scheduled departure, be sure to call or check the airline website (phone numbers and websites listed below), or use the airline’s mobile app, to verify your departure time and gate. You may consider checking again before you leave for the airport on the day of departure. 

    • Attire guidelines
      • Daytime: Casual clothing with comfortable walking shoes is appropriate for your selected tours and activities and the GEM Club Business Meeting. GEM Club winners and hosts should wear team jerseys to the Business Meeting on Friday morning.
      • Evening: Smart casual is appropriate for most evenings. This includes a collared shirt or sweater and long pants, casual dress, and a skirt or accessorized pant ensemble along with a wrap or sweater. For the awards dinner, formal attire such as a cocktail or dinner dress, and a suit and tie are appropriate.
    • Currency/credit cards
      The Euro (EUR) is Dublin’s official currency. For up-to-date exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.
      • We recommend you use your ATM card to receive euros at the official exchange rate. Check with your provider before travel to make sure your card is accepted in Ireland. Purchases made with credit cards will also be charged at the official exchange rate, which is often more favorable at the time of billing.
      • Although American Express, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, we recommend you have a small amount of cash for taxis and tips.
      • Before traveling, notify your credit card company of your trip to avoid fraud alerts or transaction holds. Some businesses may have a minimum charge requirement for card payments, so carrying more than one form of payment is advisable.
    • Destination tips
      • Have the hotel phone number and address with you when you leave to explore the area.
      • Bring photocopies of your ATM and credit cards. In case of loss, replacement will be easier.
      • Leave your original passport and travel documents in your room safe. Carry a copy of your passport with you.
    • Drinking water
      A change in drinking water anywhere in the world can cause stomach distress. We recommend drinking bottled water when you travel. 
    • Expenses
      Personal items such as room incidentals, laundry, in-room dining, minibar consumption and activities not sponsored by Labcorp will be at your own expense. Transportation charges to/from your home city airport and meals on your travel days will need to be paid by you; however, you may be reimbursed according to Labcorp’s T&E policy.
    • Health insurance
      Check with your health insurance provider to understand your coverage in Europe. Any treatments received while in Ireland must be paid for at the time of treatment and filed with your insurance company when you return home.
    • Hosted events
      • Breakfast daily
      • Welcome Reception & Dinner on May 14
      • GEM Club Business Meeting and Team-building Activity on May 15
      • Lunch and Awards Dinner on May 15
      • Hosted Activity & Lunch on May 16 and May 17
      • Divisional Networking Dine-Around Dinner on May 16
      • Farewell Evening Event on May 18
    • Meal allowance
      Euros will be provided to help cover the cost for your meals at leisure including lunch on May 16 and/or May 17 (if not included in your selected activity), dinner on May 17, and lunch on May 18. 
    • Medical information
      Please advise GEM Club Program Headquarters of any medical conditions that may require special attention or treatment, if not already noted in your registration. Bring a copy of any prescriptions you are taking and pack your prescription medicine in your carry-on luggage. We suggest you bring an extra supply in case of an unforeseen emergency. Do not pack medication in your checked luggage.
    • Mobile web app
      We recommend bookmarking this app or adding it to your home screen so it’s easily accessible. We also recommend using the hotel’s complimentary Wi-Fi when using the app to avoid excessive data usage.
    • Name badges
      Name badges will be included in the package sent to you before travel. Name badges should be worn to all planned group functions. They will identify you with your fellow travelers and assist the travel staff in recognizing you easily. 
      • Please note that you should not put your magnetic name badges near credit cards or magnetically encoded room keys, as the magnet on your badge may deactivate these items. Those with pacemakers should also take caution, as the magnets may cause the heart rate to increase. If you are unable to use a magnetic name badge, please stop by the GEM Club Hospitality Desk. The travel staff will be able to provide you with an alternative name badge.
    • Security
      Dublin is considered a low risk and welcoming destination, supported by strong public safety services and a stable security environment. As with any major city, guests should remain attentive to their surroundings, especially in busy areas such as St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, Temple Bar, and public transport hubs. Petty crime—primarily pickpocketing and bag theft—can occur in crowded spaces, so attendees are encouraged to keep personal belongings secure at all times.
      • NOTE – While Ireland’s overall risk level is low, the Corporate Security team will continue to monitor local activity, cyber-related concerns, and any protest activity that could indirectly impact the event. Should you require assistance, emergency services can be reached at 112 or 999, and additional support is available via local Garda stations and onsite hotel security at The Shelbourne.
    • Special dietary requests
      We are happy to help you with special menu requests and any other special needs. Please contact GEM Club Program Headquarters if you did not note your request during registration. 
    • Time comparison
      Dublin is in the Irish Standard Time Zone and does observe daylight saving time. In May, when it’s noon in Dublin, it’s 4:00 a.m. in Los Angeles, 5:00 a.m. in Denver, 6:00 a.m. in Chicago, and 7:00 a.m. in New York.
    • Tipping
      Tips for all services outlined in the itinerary, as well as driver and bellman gratuities, have been prepaid by Labcorp. Tips for optional sightseeing, additional meals, and other services rendered should be handled individually. If a service charge is not already included, it is recommended that you tip 10% on any personal meals and services that are not part of the GEM Club program.
    • Tours and activities
      • Optional group activities are being hosted by Labcorp on May 16 and May 17.
      • Confirmations for your selected activities can be found on the Itinerary tab of this mobile web app. All appropriate tips have been paid to the guides, drivers, and tour staff.
      • Two optional activities will be offered on May 18 and may be booked at your own expense. To reserve your spot, please visit the GEM Club Hospitality Desk on site at The Shelbourne.
        • Garden of Ireland Tour & Lunch (€195 per person based on minimum 10 people) – Just 16 miles south of Dublin lies the County of Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland. The area is famed for its many beautiful formal gardens including Avondale, Powerscourt and Mount Usher and for its stunning and epic landscape. Powerscourt is one of Europe’s great treasures and one of the most beautiful country estates in Ireland.

          For lunch, we will stop at the Wicklow Heather Restaurant in Glendalough. Tucked away in the corner of the restaurant lies a room filled with special editions of many of the most famous works by prominent Irish authors. Some say that Ireland’s greatest contribution to arts and culture is its literature, and the Wicklow Heather’s exceptional collection certainly showcases the rich body of work created by the country’s literary giants.

          First editions of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and James Joyce’s Ulysses (still in its original wrapping) are some of the crown jewels in a broad collection celebrating Irish authors, as well as poets and playwrights such as W. B. Yeats and Samuel Beckett.

          After lunch, you’ll head to the countryside to visit the ancient 6th century monastery founded by St. Kevin.
        • Malahide Castle Tour & Lunch (€185 per person based on minimum 10 people) – Located in North County Dublin, Malahide Castle spans 250 acres of picturesque parkland in the charming seaside town of Malahide. Both a fortress and a family residence for nearly 800 years, the castle showcases an engaging blend of architectural styles. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 until 1973, and the house remains furnished with exquisite period pieces and an extensive collection of Irish portrait paintings, many on loan from the National Gallery.

          The castle’s Great Hall chronicles the Talbot family’s legacy, with generations of portraits reflecting centuries of Ireland’s vibrant and sometimes turbulent history. Though the castle has seen many additions and alterations over time, the surrounding parklands have remained largely unchanged, preserving an authentic sense of the past.

          Following your guided visit, enjoy a short ride into Malahide Village, where you’ll relax over a two-course lunch in a local restaurant.
      • If you would like information on booking additional tours on your own, you may reach out to Wallace Travel Group at tours@wtg.ie
      • Local guides will be available at the GEM Club Hospitality Desk for information and questions throughout the program.
    • U.S. Customs
      You will pass through customs in the first U.S. city upon your return. You are allowed duty-free purchases of $800 per person. Be sure to keep receipts for all purchases. Articles purchased at a duty-free shop are only duty free for the country in which they are purchased, are subject to U.S. Customs duty and should be included in your list of purchases. We recommend you pack your purchases in your carry-on for easy inspection on your return trip home.
    • Weather
      In mid-May, Dublin is in the midst of spring, offering mild weather. Daytime highs of 57-63° F (14-17° C) and nighttime lows of 45-50° F (7-10° C). Click here for additional weather information.
    • Your GEM Club Program Headquarters Travel Staff
      We look forward to meeting you and assisting you in any way possible. Throughout the program, travel staff will be available at the GEM Club Hospitality Desk or via the virtual Help tab in the mobile web app.