FAQ | NAAEE Conference

General Conference & Research Symposium

When and where will the 2022 NAAEE Conference and Research Symposium be held?

The 51st Annual NAAEE Conference and 19th Annual Research Symposium is a hybrid conference, with both in-person and virtual programs. The in-person conference will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the Westin La Paloma Resort. The virtual component will be held online.
Events will take place between Monday, October 10, and Saturday, October 15.
The Annual Conference begins with an evening opening welcome and keynote address on Wednesday, October 12, and runs through 2:00 PM Saturday, October 15.
The Research Symposium will be held on Tuesday, October 11, and Wednesday, October 12.
Optional half-day workshops (requiring separate registration) will be held on Monday, October 10, through Wednesday, October 12. There will be both in-person and virtual options.
eePRO Group meetings and affinity group networking meetings will be held throughout the week.
Special sessions and networking opportunities will be scheduled throughout the week.
Most sessions will be scheduled between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. (Note that most of Arizona, including Tucson, does not observe Daylight Saving Time.)

What's the difference between the Conference and the Research Symposium?

For five decades, NAAEE has convened one of the leading annual conferences for environmental education professionals, designed to promote innovation, networking, learning, and dissemination of best practices.
The annual Research Symposium, held in advance of the conference, attracts new and established researchers to examine in-progress EE research, explore the current state and future directions of environmental education research, and advance the use of practices proven to be effective.
Concurrent sessions for the conference and Research Symposium are selected through independent review processes with different criteria. Each respective Call for Presentations includes details about this year's priority topics, session formats, and tips for submitting proposals.
There are separate registration fees for each event.

How can I verify my attendance?

You can request a letter verifying your conference and/or Research Symposium attendance by signing up on the sign-up sheet at the Information Station.

Letters will be sent to individuals via email by October 30, 2022.

Individuals can request one of three letters:

· Conference

· Research Symposium

· Conference and Research Symposium

When is the Conference Exhibit Fair?

October 12–14, Location: Canyon I and Canyon III

There are both in-person and virtual exhibits. All exhibitors are listed in the app. Virtual exhibitors will be monitoring their booths for questions and chat, and many will be online during the Exhibit Luncheon

Exhibit Hours:

Wednesday, 5:00–6:30 PM

Thursday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM including Exhibit Luncheon

Friday, 9:00 AM–2:30 PM

The exhibit hall will be closed during the plenary sessions on Thursday and Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Exhibitor Move-In: Wednesday, 12:30–4:30 PM

Exhibitor Move-Out: Friday, 2:30–5:00 PM

The NAAEE exhibit pavilion is outside the hall in the Canyon Foyer.

What meals are included in my registration?

Research Symposium registration includes lunch on Tuesday, lunch on Wednesday, and a light reception on Tuesday evening.

There is a coffee break on Tuesday morning in the Grand Pavilion and on Wednesday in Sonoran.

Conference registration includes the opening reception (heavy hors d’oeuvres), the exhibit luncheon on Thursday, the Chillin' at the Chul event on Friday (heavy hors d’oeuvres), and the awards luncheon on Saturday.

Coffee breaks are provided each morning at around 10:00 AM in the exhibit hall and nearby foyer.

Is there a Nursing Room at the venue?

Time: Any time Location: Ironwood

Nursing mothers are welcome to use the Ironwood room for private nursing.

The Ironwood room is located on the mezzanine level (opposite the wing with the Cottonwood and Palo Verde rooms).

If the door is shut, please knock before entering. The door does not lock.

There are several chairs in the room along with a refrigerator where mothers can store labeled containers of milk.

Where is the gender-neutral bathroom?

Restrooms are located on all three floors of the venue. There is a gender-neutral bathroom on the Terrace level. Please follow the signs from the NAAEE Exhibit Pavilion.

Will there be a raffle?

Raffle tickets will be sold Wednesday through Friday and winners will be announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony on Saturday. While we would love for you to join us on Saturday, you do not need to be present to win.

We will sell raffle tickets at our merchandise sales desk, at the NAAEE pavilion, and at Tohono Chul on Friday night. Cash or credit card accepted.

Tickets cost $5 each, or $20 for 5.

Where can I get conference swag?

Stop by the NAAEE merch desk to purchase cool mugs, t-shirts, and more. Or check out our online conference bookstore on the Acorn Naturalists website.

What if I need additional help or information or help with the events?

If you are joining us in person in Tucson, please stop by the Information Station next to the registration booth. If joining us virtually, write info@naaee.org.

Are hotel shuttles provided?

Shuttles: Westward Look and Embassy Suites

The Westin La Paloma is providing shuttle service between the Westin, the Westward Look, and the Embassy Suites hotels. The shuttle will cycle regularly, stopping at the front entrance of each hotel. In some cases, the bus will serve both hotels; in others, there will be direct shuttles from each hotel.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM; 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Wednesday, October 12

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM; 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Thursday, October 13, 2022

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

La Paloma will also be providing shuttle service to downtown Tucson between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM and will drop guests off after the event at the Embassy Suites and Westward Look.

Friday, October 14, 2022

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 15, 2022

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Shuttles: Hampton Inn

Shuttle service between the Westin La Paloma and the Hampton Inn is limited, with two morning and two evening rounds of transportation.

Service is first come, first served and requires sign up at the Hampton Inn's front desk. We recommend that others share ride services such as Uber and Lyft at about $6 per trip.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Depart Hampton Inn: 7:30 AM and 8:15 AM

Depart Westin La Paloma: 5:15 PM and 5:45 PM

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Depart Hampton Inn: 7:30 AM and 8:15 AM

Depart Westin La Paloma: 5:15 PM and 5:45 PM

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Depart Hampton Inn: 7:30 AM and 8:15 AM

Depart Westin La Paloma: 5:45 PM and 6:15 PM

Friday, October 14, 2022

Depart Hampton Inn: 7:30 AM and 8:15 AM

Depart Westin La Paloma: 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM

Registration

When can I register?

Registration is open! Register here

How much is registration?

There are separate registration fees for the Annual Conference and the Research Symposium.

Are there any discounts available?

NAAEE members receive a discount on registration fees.
Students and retirees receive a discount on registration fees.
NAAEE offers several scholarships to help with registration fees. The application deadline has passed.
Individuals can volunteer at the in-person conference to earn reduced registration rates.
Attendees can save $200 off full in-person conference registration by volunteering for eight hours over the course of the conference. Interested? Contact us at conference@naaee.org. Volunteer registration opens in late July; watch our website and social media for an announcement.

Where should I stay?

Information about the venue and lodging is posted here:

Information about booking hotel rooms at the conference block rate