Registration
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Who can attend The Summit?
How can I register for The Summit?
How do I register for optional Summit events?
How do I register for The Summit or for optional events when I cannot use the website?
Do I need to pre-register for concurrent sessions?
What does my registration include?
When I arrive at the Summit, where and when can I pick up my registration materials?
What meals are included with Summit registration?
Can spouses attend meals if they are not registered for the Summit?
What is the policy if I need to cancel my registration for The Summit or for an optional event?
I cancelled my registration after April 26, the deadline to receive a refund. Are there any extenuating circumstances by which I could still receive a refund?
How do I contact the registration department at the Council?
When is the Registration Desk open?
HOUSING INFORMATION
Which hotels have a special Summit rate?
How do I make a hotel reservation?
The Gaylord National Resort charges a $15 resort fee in addition to the nightly charge. What does it cover?
I’m thinking of staying in the Washington area for a few extra days. Can I still get the special Summit rate?
What are the hotels’ cancellation policies?
How do I change my hotel arrival and/or departure dates?
I called the Gaylord and the Hyatt Regency and they are sold out of rooms. What other hotels are in the area?
TRAVEL
How do I get to The Summit?
What are the transportation options around the Washington, DC, area?
Will there be shuttle buses into Washington, DC, for evening events?
Will there be a shuttle from the Hyatt Regency hotel in Crystal City?
I would like to drive to the Gaylord. What is the parking situation for The Summit?
GENERAL INFORMATION
When should I arrive at The Summit? When should I depart?
Will I be able to check my email at The Summit?
What is the dress code?
How is the weather in the Washington, DC, area during early May?
Are there any medical or emergency at the Gaylord?
Where is the nearest hospital to the Gaylord?
Are there restaurants near the Gaylord?
How is The Summit different from the other conferences the Council has held?
Why should I attend The Summit?
What are the primary programming issues that The Summit sessions will explore?
Who will be speaking at the plenary events?
I am an exhibitor/sponsor. Can I attend all of the sessions and meal functions?
What if I miss some sessions or would like to hear a session again. Can I purchase recordings of Summit sessions?
Where can I find the handouts that are given out during a session?
What are the mini-Summits that will take place during The Summit?
How do I sign up for a mini-Summit?
What is Capital Region Exploration day at The Summit?
What are site sessions that will take place during The Summit?
How do I sign up to go on a site session?
What is an Advanced Practice Institute?
At what time are the exhibitors available in Resource Central?
How do I purchase audio recordings of Summit sessions?
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Who can attend The Summit?
The Council on Foundations invites individuals and organizations engaged in philanthropy to join us at this historic gathering. The Summit offers a rare opportunity for eligible organizations and individuals to discuss philanthropy’s future with other leaders from around the globe and to take part in programs and activities designed to enhance collaboration and impact. We welcome trustees and staff of U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based private, operating, and community foundations; public grantmaking charities; and corporate funders (foundations and/or giving programs). We also welcome national and regional associations of foundations (and their members); giving circles, philanthropic advisors; government officials and government agency staff; as well as individuals who have a demonstrated record of giving. For further details read the eligibility policy on the Summit website using the Registration Tab.
How can I register for The Summit?
Visit the Summit website, www.philanthropysummit.org. Choose the “Register Now” link or the “Registration” tab on the home page. Register either by choosing the online registration link or by downloading and completing the pdf registration form and mailing or faxing it to the Council at 703-879-0800.
How do I register for optional Summit events?
Register for optional events on the same form that you use to register for The Summit. Please note: After April 28, registration is closed for any optional event that includes a meal.
How do I register for The Summit or for optional events when I cannot use the website?
If online registration is closed, go to the registration desk in Resource Central at The Summit. After April 28, registration is closed for any optional event that includes a meal.
Do I need to pre-register for concurrent sessions?
No, you may attend whichever concurrent session you desire. Arrive early—session rooms often fill quickly.
What does my registration include?
Your registration includes all sessions, events (except those marked “optional” on the registration form), and meals, from the afternoon of Sunday, May 4, through the afternoon of Wednesday, May 7. See www.philanthropysummit.org and Summit at a Glance for details.
When I arrive at the Summit, where and when can I pick up my registration materials?
Pick up your name badge, final program, and other essentials at the registration desk in Resource Central any time after 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
What meals are included with Summit registration?
A full Summit registration includes the opening ceremony on Sunday, May 4; breakfast and lunch plenaries on Monday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 7; and breakfast on Tuesday, May 6. Meals on Tuesday will only be provided to those who attend either of the off-site events that occur during the lunch hour.
Can spouses attend meals if they are not registered for the Summit?
Yes! You may purchase tickets for meals until April 28 by emailing confreg@cof.org.
What is the policy if I need to cancel my registration for The Summit or for an optional event?
All cancellations (including pre-Summit sessions that require a fee) must be submitted by fax to 703-879-0800 or by email to confreg@cof.org. We cannot take cancellations over the phone. Cancellation fees will be assessed as follows:
Cancellation through March 7, 2008
Full refund minus $100 administrative fee
Cancellation March 8 through April 25, 2008
Refund of 50% of Summit fees
Cancellation on or after April 26, 2008
No refund
We cannot offer refunds for optional events after April 28.
I cancelled my registration after April 26, the deadline to receive a refund. Are there any extenuating circumstances by which I could still receive a refund?
Please send the request by fax to 703-879-0800 or by email to confreg@cof.org. We cannot guarantee a refund, but management will review the cancellation request afterThe Summit.
How do I contact the registration department at the Council?
Call our hotline at 703-879-0750, e-mail to confreg@cof.org, or fax to 703-879-0800.
When is the Registration Desk open?
Registration Desk Hours | |
| Saturday, May 3 | 7:00am-7:00pm |
| Sunday, May 4 | 7:00am-7:00pm |
| Monday, May 5 | 7:00am-7:00pm |
| Tuesday, May 6 | 7:00am-6:00pm |
| Wednesday, May 7 | 7:00am-2:00pm |
HOUSING INFORMATION
Which hotels have a special Summit rate? How do I make a hotel reservation?
Rooms are available at the hotel at which The Summit will be held, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, on the Potomac River, just outside Washington, DC. An additional block of rooms is available at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. The reserved blocks of rooms will be offered at special Summit rates until March 20, 2008. However, ROOMS MAY SELL OUT BEFORE MARCH 20. After March 20, rooms at the Summit rate will be subject to availability.
To make a registration and receive the Summit rate, call one of these two hotels and identify yourself as an attendee of The Summit. Your hotel will send you a confirmation of your registration. PLEASE NOTE: If you are booking more than 10 rooms (for example, you are registering for a group), you first must get approval from the Council. Email confreg@cof.org or call the registration hotline at 703-879-0750 before March 20.
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
$265 single/double occupancy plus $15 daily resort fee
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
Phone: 301-965-4000
Fax: 301-965-4098
Hyatt Regency Crystal City
$270 single/double occupancy
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA, 22202
Tel: 703-418-1234
Fax: 703-418-1289
The Gaylord National Resort charges a $15 resort fee in addition to the nightly charge. What does it cover?
- Wireless internet access in each guest room
- Wireless internet access in atriums, restaurants and lobbies
- In-room high speed internet access
- Local phone calls up to 20 minutes ($.10 per minute thereafter)
- Toll-free phone calls up to20 minutes ($.10 per minute thereafter)
- Access to the fitness center at Relâche, the Spa at Gaylord National
- Daily newspaper delivered to your guest room
- Bottled water (up to 2 bottles provided daily)
I’m thinking of staying in the Washington area for a few extra days. Can I still get the special Summit rate?
The hotels are offering the Summit rate to conference participants for the three days before and the three days after The Summit, based on availability.
What are the hotels’ cancellation policies?
Gaylord Cancellation Policy: Your one-night’s deposit will be forfeited as your cancellation fee if you cancel your reservation less than 45 days prior to your scheduled day of arrival. If, after check-in, you change your departure date to an earlier date, the Gaylord will assess you an early departure fee of $50.00
Hyatt Cancellation Policy: If you cancel after April 2, 2008, (30 days prior to arrival) you will be charged for one night and tax.
How do I change my hotel arrival and/or departure dates?
Call the hotel directly. The Council does not make any changes to hotel reservations.
I called the Gaylord and the Hyatt Regency and they are sold out of rooms. What other hotels are in the area?
If the Summit hotels should sell out, we may post additional hotels on www.philanthropysummit.org. You may also locate a hotel on your own.
TRAVEL
How do I get to The Summit?
Three international airports serve the Washington, DC, area:
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport 410-859-7111
Ronald Reagan/Washington National Airport 703-661-2700
Washington-Dulles International Airport 703-661-2700
Airport Ground Transportation: Each airport offers shuttle and taxi service to and from most major destinations and hotels. Check out “Travel” under the Registration tab on the Summit website, www.philanthropysummit.org, and visit your airport’s website.
Washington, DC, from May 1 through May 10 (three days prior to the Summit start date and three days following the end date). To book your reservation, call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Please be sure to refer to Convention Fare Code X37Q-923 when making your reservation. Discounts do not apply when making reservations online. This offer is not valid on the Auto Train. The offer is valid on Amtrak Regional and Acela service for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts. The offer is valid with sleepers and business class, or first class seats with payment of the full applicable accommodation charges.
What are the transportation options around the Washington, DC, area?
Metrorail is the multi-line public transit rail system that connects Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Metrorail offers visitors the convenience of visiting the area's attractions and monuments without the hassle of parking and traffic. Metrorail's Blue, Orange, and Green lines service Prince George's County. For Metrorail or Metrobus information and schedules, call 202-637-7000 or visit www.wmata.com.
Amtrak provides passenger service from Washington, DC, to New York City with intermediate stops, including the Capital Beltway Station in New Carrollton. For information and schedules, call 1-800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.
Maryland Transit Authority provides commuter bus and MARC (the Maryland Rail Commuter line) service throughout the region with stops in Washington, DC. For information, call 1-800-543-9809 or visit www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc.
Will there be shuttle buses into Washington, DC, for evening events?
Organizations that are planning activities outside the Gaylord property will make their own travel arrangements. The Council will not provide shuttle service for attendees off the Gaylord property.
Will there be a shuttle from the Hyatt Regency hotel in Crystal City?
The Council will operate a shuttle stopping at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Crystal City Metro stop and the Gaylord Resort. In the morning and evening, the bus is scheduled to leave on the hour and half hour from the Hyatt starting at 6:30 a.m. (Saturday, May 3 through Wednesday, May 7). In the late morning and afternoon the bus will operate hourly. In the evening, the last bus will leave the Gaylord at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday; 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. At the Gaylord, the bus will load and unload at the porte cochere located near the Maryland Ballroom. PLEASE NOTE – due to rush hour and construction projects in the area, this schedule may vary.
I would like to drive to the Gaylord. What is the parking situation for The Summit?
There will be plenty of parking. The lot at the Gaylord will have 2,600 parking spaces. The cost for daily parking is: Self Parking, $19; Valet, $23.
GENERAL INFORMATION
When should I arrive at The Summit? When should I depart?
Arrival depends upon your Summit itinerary and registration. Some pre-Summit events begin as early as Friday, May 2—check your registration form and the Summit website, www.philanthropysummit.org. “Welcome to The Summit” activities begin Sunday, May 4, at 3:45 pm and include entertainment, and food from around the world, and technology and services provided by exhibitors, The opening ceremony begins at 7:00 pm and concludes with fireworks. The Summit registration desk opens Saturday, May 3. We will have other registration provisions in place if you are attending preconference activities that begin prior to the opening of the registration desk.
When choosing a departure time, keep in mind the Advanced Practice Institutes that take place on Wednesday, May 7, following the lunch plenary. These provocative and intensive sessions are up to three hours in length and end by 5:00 p.m.
Will I be able to check my email at The Summit?
Yes. Visit the Cyber Café in Resource Central. Wireless internet access is also available if you have your own laptop.
What is the dress code?
Business-casual dress is recommended for The Summit. Because meeting room temperatures can vary, we recommend that attendees bring jackets or sweaters. Also, we recommend comfortable shoes because the Gaylord National Resort and Summit activities offer many opportunities to walk around. Outdoor temperatures are variable in early May and may require warmer clothing if you are taking part in site sessions or mini-Summits.
How is the weather in the Washington, DC, area during early May?
The Washington, DC, Cherry Blossom Festival will have recently ended. The temperature in the early spring averages in the low 70s, and is quite variable. A good website to refer to is: http://wrc.weatherplus.com.
Are there any medical or emergency at the Gaylord?
The Gaylord has Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) on site at all times.
Where is the nearest hospital to the Gaylord?
Fort Washington Medical Center
11711 Livingston Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
301-292-7000
Are there restaurants near the Gaylord?
The Gaylord Resort and the National Harbor development has several dining options. The local Summit host committee is creating a dining guide that will feature some great regional options. Check the Summit website under “General Information.”
How is The Summit different from the other conferences the Council has held?
The Summit is more than a conference. It’s a singular opportunity to come together with your colleagues from across the country and around the world as one great movement with a shared mission—advancing the common good. Whether you’re brand-new to philanthropy or have years of experience, from a small family foundation, a medium-sized community foundation, or a large independent or corporate program, from a rural area or a big city, The Summit offers cross-sector and sector-specific learning and networking opportunities.
Why should I attend The Summit?
At The Summit, you will meet colleagues who share the challenges you’ve encountered in your work. You’ll be inspired and energized as you discover the impact foundations can have in an era of instant communication and growing diversity. And you’ll enjoy all of the sector-specific learning and networking opportunities you get each year at Council conferences.
What are the primary programming issues that The Summit sessions will explore?
The Summit sessions will focus on leadership, partnership, and impact in the philanthropic sector. Visit www.philanthropysummit.org and the Agenda at a Glance for specific information.
Who will be speaking at the plenary events?
Please visit www.philanthropysummit.org for the latest information on confirmed plenary speakers.
I am an exhibitor/sponsor. Can I attend all of the sessions and meal functions?
Contact our exhibit and sponsor manager, Paul Ust, at paul.ust@cof.org to confirm what your packet includes. If you are not an exhibitor or sponsor, but you have interest in being one, please visit www.philanthropysummit.org to see how you can participate.
What if I miss some sessions or would like to hear a session again. Can I purchase recordings of Summit sessions?
Yes. You can order a multimedia CD that includes audio recordings of concurrent Summit sessions and plenaries. Simply complete the form in your tote bag or visit the Conference Copy booth. The Summit website, under the Multimedia tab contains a link to the on-line order form. CDs will be mailed approximately four to six weeks after The Summit.
Where can I find the handouts that are given out during a session?
Session handouts and additional resources will be included on the Resource CD located in the tote bag you receive when you check in at the Summit registration desk. They will also be available after The Summit on the Council’s website under Conference Archives.
What are the mini-Summits that will take place during The Summit?
As part of the Capital Region Exploration day at The Summit, a series of mini-Summits will be held off site in Washington, DC at select venues. The mini-Summits will consist of intensive discussions and interactive conversations with topical experts, and lunch. Some of the mini-Summits may also include sightseeing. The mini-Summit themes include philanthropy and education, immigration/migration, disaster/crisis and the media. Visit the Summit website and click on the “Special Programs” tab for details.
How do I sign up for a mini-Summit?
Summit registrants may reserve tickets for Mini-Summits when they register for the Summit.
What is Capital Region Exploration day at The Summit?
Tuesday, May 6 provides an opportunity to visit locations throughout the greater Washington Metropolitan Area—Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Site sessions will provide opportunities to learn how business, government, communities, and the nonprofit sector are coming together in innovative ways to address a wide variety of needs, from health services and child care to urban revitalization and environmental protection. Also, check out the min-Summit learning opportunities in Washington, DC, on the Special Programs tab of the Summit website. Begin the day with a special breakfast plenary sponsored by the Washington Grantmakers Host Committee that includes a discussion hosted by Kojo Nnamdi of National Public Radio.
What are site sessions that will take place during The Summit?
The Washington Metropolitan Region, including Virginia and Maryland, offers many vibrant examples that demonstrate the successful intersection between community need and philanthropic investment. Learn how business, government, communities, and the nonprofit sector are coming together in innovative ways to address a wide variety of needs, from health services and child care to urban revitalization and environmental protection. Talk to community leaders across the region who are creating solutions that work – not only in their communities, but potentially in yours. Review the complete list of Summit site sessions. Check out the Host Activities tab on the Summit website for a complete list of the site sessions.
How do I sign up to go on a site session?
Site session tickets may be picked up at The Summit at the Host Committee Booth outside Resource Central.
What is an Advanced Practice Institute?
An Advance Practice Institute (API) is an intensive session targeted to individuals who share a substantial interest and investment in a specific subject area. Designed to foster intensive, high-level conversations among experienced and knowledgeable colleagues, the APIs deepen participants’ understanding of the subject and practices related to it, and help them identify near- and long-term challenges and opportunities they face, along with implications for their work. The APIs take place on Wednesday afternoon, May 7. Also visit the Summit website under the Special Programs tab for a list of the APIs.
At what time are the exhibitors available in Resource Central?
Exhibit Hours | |
| Sunday, May 4 | 2:00pm-7:00pm |
| Monday, May 5 | 8:00am-7:00pm |
| Tuesday, May 6 | 8:00am-7:00pm |
| Wednesday, May 7 | 8:00am-Noon |
How do I purchase audio recordings of Summit sessions?
The Summit multimedia CD contains audio recordings of over 90 Summit sessions as well as session topical resources. Summit attendees may preorder The Summit Multimedia CD for $129 and save $20. Order forms will also be available on site.