Attendees
Registration & Payment
- How do I register for the conference? Please register for the Conference on SCHED.
- Does Straw Dog participate in Card to Culture? We certainly do. Please email Morgan at [email protected] if you are a Card to Culture member.
- Do you have options for students or low income participants? Yes. Please email Morgan at [email protected] for student or low-income tickets.
- Can I transfer my ticket to someone else? Yes. In SCHED you can transfer your ticket to someone else.
Conference Logistics
- Where and when does the event take place? The Conference takes place on Saturday October 24th at Bay Path University in Longmeadow. Check in begins at 8 am in the Dining Area.
- Will there be a conference app or schedule I can download? You can download the SCHED App and access the schedule from the app or connect through the web version of SCHED (this is the recommended way).
- Is there a recommended dress code? Please wear what you will be comfortable in. October is often chilly, and attendees will need to walk a very short distance between the Dining Area and D'Amour Hall where most of the Workshops will be held.
- Are meals or refreshments included with my ticket? Morning coffee and tea is included, as well as lunch. Lunch will be sandwiches with a choice of salads.
Travel
- How do I get to the venue from the Springfield train station? There are a number of car services, like Uber that you can take from the train station.
- What bus line is the best to get to the Conference? Bay Path University is on the PVTA G5 bus line between Longmeadow and Springfield Union Station (Bay 11). There is a bus stop at Bay Path.
- Is parking available on-site? Yes! Parking is available in lots A and B and accessible spots are available.
Accessibility & Special Needs
- Is the venue accessible to wheelchairs or those with mobility issues? Bay Path University is ADA compliant. For wheelchair users there is an elevator in both the Dining Area and in the Workshop Building. There is a short distance between the Dining Area and the D'Amour Hall where most workshops will be held.
- Can I request special dietary accommodations? Yes. On the registration form please note any allergies or dietary restrictions so we know what to request.
- Who should I contact for any additional accommodation requests? For additional accommodations please email Morgan at [email protected]. We will do our best to accommodate your needs, however we may not be able to accommodate all requests, or requests made too close to the date of the conference.
Networking & Sessions
- How do I schedule or sign up for specific sessions? Once you register you can make your workshop selections.
- Is there a networking lounge or reception? This year we have a longer lunch for networking, talking with local publishers, and chatting with friends.
- Will I have access to a recording of Essie Chamber's keynote after the conference? Yes. The keynote speech will be broadly available the week after the conference.
Code of Conduct
- Does the conference have a code of conduct? Straw Dog Writers Guild and the WriteAngles Conference stand firmly in support of free speech, but against hate speech. Our writing community is one in which we support each other.
- Who should I contact if I experience or witness inappropriate behavior? If you witness illegal or inappropriate behavior please contact a Conference volunteer. They will have a yellow lanyard.
Speakers
Session Logistics
- How long are the speaking slots and what format is expected? Workshops are 75 minutes long, including a short Q&A for the session.
- What should I do if I have handouts or readings I want attendees to do in advance? You are welcome to bring handouts. The conference is not able to make copies for your workshop. Through SCHED you should be able to attach readings or PDFs to your workshop, and message attendees who have signed up for your workshop. However, please understand that not all attendees will do prereading.
- What audiovisual equipment will be provided? All workshop rooms, except the Atrium, have access to computers and projectors.
Promotions & Materials
- How can I promote my session to attendees? If you share any social media posts about your workshop or the conference with Morgan at [email protected] she will share those posts to our social media.
- Can I distribute handouts? You are welcome to distribute handouts or attach workshop materials to your session through SCHED.
- Can I sell my books at the Conference? At lunch workshop leaders will have a table at which they can sell books. There is not enough time between sessions to sell books in the classroom.
Post-Event Questions
- Can I get attendee feedback from my session? Yes. If you would like attendee feedback from your session please let Morgan know at [email protected]. She will email you attendee feedback for your sessions.
Getting Involved in the 2027 Conference
Volunteering for the 2027 Conference
- How can I be part of the conference planning? Email Morgan at [email protected] if you would like to be part of the 2027 Conference planning committee.
- There will be a lunch table for participants who would like more information about joining the conference planning committee.
- How do I apply to be a workshop leader for the 2027 conference? In the spring of 2027, Straw Dog Writers Guild shares an open Call for Proposals. If you follow our social media or receive our newsletter you will be able to submit a proposal to be a workshop leader in 2027.
- How do you select which proposals get accepted? The Conference has a volunteer committee that evaluates workshop proposals based on participant requests, clarity of proposals and workshop leader credentials.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Sponsorship Packages
- What sponsorship levels are available? Corporate sponsorship levels are available HERE and individual sponsorship levels are available HERE.
- What are the main benefits of each package? Sponsors will be featured on our social media, in our newsletter, highlighted on our website and featured at the conference on print materials and in our conference slideshow.
- Are there any add-on opportunities (e.g., sponsored sessions, coffee breaks)? Interested sponsors at the Frederick Douglass level and above are welcome to have a table at the conference in the dining common where the Keynote speaker will present, where participants will have time to network during the lunch break, and where the open mic will conclude the conference. Please email Morgan at [email protected] for more information.
- How will my sponsorship be promoted before and during the event? Sponsors will be featured on our social media, in our newsletter, highlighted on our website and featured at the conference on print materials and in our conference slideshow.
- Will my logo be featured on signage, the website, or marketing materials? Conference sponsor logos will be featured on the website, shared over social media, and in the newsletter.
- What are the payment terms and methods? Payments can be submitted HERE or sent by check to our Treasurer. Please contact Morgan at [email protected] for more information.
- Is a deposit required to secure the sponsorship? Yes.
- Are there any deadlines for submitting artwork or promotional content? Logos and links for the website, social media and the newsletter can be submitted at any time. The deadline for print materials is October 5th.
- Will I have access to attendee contact lists? While we are not able to share the contact information of our attendees, we are happy to include sponsor information in our pre and post conference emails for Frederick Douglass level sponsors and above.
- Can I attend networking sessions or speaker events? Yes! Frederick Douglass level sponsors and above are welcome to attend the Keynote Speaker’s address, or the conference in whole or in part. Please contact Morgan at [email protected] for more information.
- Are there dedicated sponsor-attendee connection opportunities? We have designated the check in from 8-8:45, lunch from 12:30-2 and the open mic from 5-6 as networking opportunities.
Venue & Logistics
Location & Directions
- Where is the venue located? Bay Path University is located at 588 Longmeadow Street in Longmeadow Massachusetts. The WriteAngles Conference will be held in the Blake Student Commons and D'Amour Hall.
- How do I get there by public transportation? Bay Path University is on the PVTA G5 bus line between Longmeadow and Springfield Union Station (Bay 11). There is a bus stop at Bay Path.
- Is parking available and is it free or paid? Parking in lots A and B is free. There are accessible parking spots available.
- Is free Wi-Fi available? Yes. The code will be available at the conference.
- Are there on-site dining options or nearby restaurants? Coffee, tea and water will be available throughout the conference and lunch will be provided.
- Is the venue wheelchair-accessible? Yes. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
- Are there hearing assistance devices or other adaptive services? We are not able to offer hearing assisted devices or microphones for all workshop leaders.
Ticketing & Registration
Types of Tickets
- What ticket categories are available? We offer tickets for Straw Dog Writers Guild members at a reduced rate. We also offer tickets for nonmembers at the full rate. Through a grant from the Markham Nathan Fund for Social Justice we are able to offer tickets at a reduced rate for Card to Culture participants and for participants who would not otherwise be able to attend. Please email Morgan at [email protected] for those options.
- Do you offer student rates? Yes. Please email Morgan at [email protected] for that option.
- How can I pay for my ticket? It is easiest for us if you pay for your ticket through SCHED. However, if you need to pay by check please contact Morgan at [email protected] for more information.
- When do I receive my registration confirmation? You should receive a confirmation email from Sched almost immediately after registering.
- What should I do if I haven’t received my confirmation email? Check your Spam folder and make sure that you have whitelisted emails from sched.com.
- What is your refund policy? Under most circumstances we are not able to refund tickets, however you can transfer your ticket through SCHED.
- Can I transfer or resell my ticket if I can’t attend? You can transfer your ticket to another person if you are unable to attend.
- Is there a deadline for refunds or transfers? There is no deadline for transfers.
Contact & Additional Support
General Inquiries
- Who can I contact if I have general questions about the event? Please email Morgan at [email protected].
- What should I do if I encounter technical issues during registration? Please email Morgan at [email protected]
