Question 1

What are the dates and what is the schedule?

Accepted Answer

We’ll be in San Juan, Puerto Rico from November 5-8, 2023! 
If you can’t join us in-person and are planning to participate in the GIA Summer Series: Virtual Track, be sure to save the dates: July 19, August 23, September 20, and October 4.

Question 2

When should I arrive and depart from San Juan?

Accepted Answer

We highly recommend arriving on Saturday, November 4 – to take advantage of preconference day – and departing no earlier than the afternoon of Wednesday, November 8 – to fully experience the closing night party and the final keynote performance!

Question 3

How do I register? Do I need to register for preconference sessions separately from my conference registration?

Accepted Answer

At this time, registration for the in-person conference in Puerto Rico is officially sold out. 
We invite you to join us for the GIA Summer Series: Virtual Sessions which you can register for here. Registration for the full conference includes access to the Summer Series. All preconference sessions will be held on Sunday, November 5 and need to be registered for individually as an “Add On.”

Question 4

Who is the guest fee for?

Accepted Answer

If capacity allows, registered conference attendees are welcome to bring a guest, provided the individual is not ineligible to participate based on conflict-of-interest policies. Guests can attend the Newcomers’ Reception, Opening Reception, and Closing Reception. Conference plenary sessions, meals, and breakout sessions are not open to guests.

Question 5

How can I save money on my registration?

Accepted Answer

All GIA members receive access to discounted rates for individual and group registrations. So, the easiest way is to become a GIA member! If you are interested in signing up for membership and the 2023 Annual Conference, contact Zoë Willams at zoe@giarts.org.

Question 6

Where is the conference hotel and how can I make reservations?

Accepted Answer

The conference will be held at the iconic Caribe Hilton. Due to the overwhelming number of registrants, the conference hotel, Caribe Hilton, is now sold out as well as the overflow hotel, The AC Hotel San Juan Condado. There is a chance that rooms may open up as attendees plans change.

We recommend the following hotels in the area:

Distrito / Convention Center
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
Aloft San Juan
 
Condado Area
AC Hotel San Juan Condado
O:LV Fifty Five
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

Miramar Area
Don Rafa Boutique Hotel & Residences

Old SJU Area (Colonial Look and Feel)
El Colonial 
Palacio Provincial
Decanter Hotel
Hotel El Convento

Question 7

Should I plan to make my own hotel arrangements?

Accepted Answer

Most likely, yes! The GIA team makes reservations for a small number of attendees, typically those who are special presenters, keynote speakers, or facilitators. If this applies to you, you will hear from us directly. If you’re unsure, you can email EK Rice at EK@glooking­glass­creative.net.

Question 8

Who attends the GIA Annual Conference?

Accepted Answer

The GIA Annual Conference is a national convening for arts grantmakers. Conference attendance is open to:
Staff or board members of foundations, public funding agencies, and corporate giving programs
Artists, cultural producers, national partners, and arts advocates
Nonprofit organizations whose primary activity is grantmaking, meet GIA membership eligibility criteria, and are represented by individuals whose roles involve grantmaking, programming, and/or policy

Question 9

I’m a first-time attendee, is there anything I should know to best orient myself?

Accepted Answer

Usually about 30% of attendees are first-time attendees at the conference. The GIA team and our wonderful Board of Directors host a Newcomers’ Reception held on Sunday, November 5 at 6:00pm to help break the ice, meet our team and other first-timers, plan for navigating the conference schedule, and – of course – to build a growing network!

Question 10

What is the policy for covering session costs?

Accepted Answer

Members proposing and organizing sessions pay their own costs associated with attending the conference and are asked to pay the transportation and lodging expenses for their non-member presenters. GIA will pay all membership-ineligible session presenters a $200 honorarium and cover their one-day conference registration.

Question 11

What parts of the conference are recorded?

Accepted Answer

All keynote sessions will be recorded and made available on the GIA YouTube channel following the conference. To preserve the intimacy, integrity, and safety of the breakout sessions, roundtables, and preconferences, we will not be recording any of these spaces.

Question 12

Will a Nursing/Pumping Room be available?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a room will be available for nursing/pumping caregivers. To ensure privacy, only one individual will be allowed to access the room at any given time.

Question 13

Should I bring promo materials? Will there be swag?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is "Nope." In keeping with GIA’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, we do not offer a resource table for the distribution of materials at the GIA conference. GIA makes all conference information available online and encourages conference attendees to communicate news and share documents virtually. To further reduce waste, GIA does not provide conference tote bags or miscellaneous handouts.

2023 GIA Conference

FAQ