A: For the first time, our national conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. At SiX, we know that states have long been on the front lines of protecting and advancing our most fundamental rights, and it's fitting that we should gather at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history in a city known as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement and a state that has been so consequential in strengthening our democracy from the frontlines. We’ll also be marking 10 years of working with state legislators to advance bold, people-centered change to create an equitable, resilient, healthy, and prosperous future for all. We hope you’ll join us and hundreds of state legislators, national and state movement partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate, strategize for bold policy wins, and build community!

This year’s conference, Irresistible Futures: Moving from Impossible to Inevitable, reflects our vision at SiX for a future where all people have power and agency over their lives. At SiX, we believe that legislators are uniquely positioned to bring that future to bear, from the states outward, through deep collaboration with the communities they represent.

A: The SiX National Conference is the largest gathering of state legislators, state-based movement organizations, and national organizations working to build and shift power and advance progressive policies in the states.

To maximize space for relationship building across state lines:

Registration for the SiX National Conference is not open to legislative staff. If you are legislative staff with a specific need or request, please email helpdesk@stateinnovation.org.

National and state-based partner staff are welcome and encouraged to Register.

We’re hosting the 2024 SiX National Conference at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The address is 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.

A: Attendees are required to pay a registration fee of $575 to attend the conference. Attendees are responsible for both arranging and covering the full cost of their own travel to and from Atlanta, GA, as well as their own lodging.

A: In general, all conference expenses are non refundable.

If you are inquiring about a registration fee refund, please e-mail info@sixconvenings.org

If you want to request a refund for your hotel and lodging, please follow the policy and instructions provided to you by the hotel.

If you want to request a refund for your airfare, please follow the policy and instructions provided by the airline you booked with.

A: SiX believes cost should not prohibit participation in this movement and may offer travel packages available for a limited number of state legislators and state-based partners who require financial assistance to attend. Staff from national organizations, foundations, or consultants are not eligible for scholarships.

A: Please contact info@sixconvenings.org.

A: In most cases, attendees are responsible for both arranging and covering the full cost of their own transportation to and from Atlanta, GA, as well as their own lodging.

Upon successful registration, SiX will provide confirmed attendees with a link where they may reserve and pay for a hotel room at the conference venue from the SiX hotel block.

A: The conference will officially kick-off on the afternoon of December 11, 2024. We recommend arranging your travel to arrive at the event venue, located in central Atlanta, GA, no later than 1 p.m. ET on December 11, 2024. The first session will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.

The conference will officially conclude on the afternoon of December 13, 2024 with the final session ending at approximately 12:30 PM ET that day. If traveling by air or train, we recommend arranging your departure from Atlanta, GA for no earlier than 4:00 PM ET to ensure ample time to travel from the conference venue to the airport or train station.

A: While a passport is not required to fly or travel by train to Atlanta, GA from a domestic origin within the United States, airlines will require you to show proof of a legal identity document such as a passport, license, or state issued I.D. card. You are responsible for securing your necessary travel documentation.

A: Ground transportation will not be provided or covered in cost by SiX.

Please make your own arrangements to arrive at your departure airport approximately 3 hours in advance of your departure flight.

Once in Atlanta, GA, attendees may plan to utilize Atlanta’s public transportation system to arrive at the event venue or may arrange their own ride-share, taxi and/or pick up/drop off between their airport and hotel.

We recommend that you visit the following websites to learn more about nearby ground transportation options for the city.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Greyhound Bus

Subway Station: Peachtree Center MARTA station

Train Station: Civic Center (N2) MARTA rail station

A: The conference will be held in Atlanta, GA. If you plan to drive a personal vehicle to the hotel and venue, daily parking at the hotel and conference venue will be at your own expense.

If you utilize public transportation, ride-share, taxi or are dropped off to and picked up from the conference conference, the cost of public transportation, ride-share, taxi and/or fuel will not be covered by SiX.

A: In most cases, attendees will be responsible for both arranging and covering the full cost of their lodging in Atlanta, GA. Upon successful registration, SiX will provide confirmed attendees with a link where they may reserve and pay for a hotel room at the conference venue from the SiX hotel block.

Conference attendees are encouraged to take advantage of this room block.

Details about the hotel and venue will be communicated closer to the conference date and should be treated as confidential information to ensure the safety and comfort of all conference participants.

A: SiX will not provide per diem or reimbursement for personal travel expenses. A welcome reception on December 11, breakfast, lunch, and an evening reception on December 12 and breakfast on December 13 will be provided by SiX to all attendees.

A: In most cases, attendees are responsible for both arranging and covering the full cost of their lodging in Atlanta, GA. Conference attendees, even those who reside in Atlanta, GA, are encouraged to stay onsite at the conference hotel and venue. However, where you stay is at your discretion.

A: Families and guests are welcome to join you during your travels at your discretion. Please keep in mind that all official conference spaces, meals, and events are only available to registered attendees.

A: During most of the conference, the dress code will be business casual. We encourage you to pack attire suitable for the events and conditions listed below, and also keep in mind additional items you should pack, as follows:

Optional conferencing may be available such as walking tours in and around downtown Atlanta, GA. If you believe you may participate in this optional conferencing, please pack comfortable attire and footwear that you can move in.

Laptop or smartphone that connects to wifi, if possible. While this is not a mandatory requirement, and we generally encourage participants to be device-free during workshops and plenaries, there may be a few sessions where your laptop and/or smartphone will be useful. We will notify you in advance of each session if this is the case.

In December, Atlanta typically experiences average temperatures ranging from around 34°F to 52°F. A warm jacket and footwear, as well as a rain-jacket and/or umbrella for any down-time you may spend moving around the city is advised. Due to unpredictable weather and fluctuating temperatures, we recommend packing layers for your stay in the city.

The conference will occur indoors and hotel and venue temperatures may vary. As such, you may wish to pack layers, such as a sweater, scarf or light jacket.

The hotel has a fitness studio and indoor pool. You may want to pack exercise attire if you plan to stay onsite at the hotel and venue and would like to utilize these amenities.

If you plan to stay onsite at the hotel and venue, please note that the hotel will provide basic toiletries, towels, bedroom linens and pillows for use through the duration of the conference. Make sure to bring toiletries such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, razor, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine sanitary products (if applicable), sunblock, insect repellent, medications and any other items you wish to have to ensure your comfort.

A: Yes. The hotel and venue does offer a laundry and dry cleaning service. However, please note that using this service would be at your own expense.

A: The hotel offers standard security.

A: State Innovation Exchange does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military discharge status, citizenship status or source of income or any other protected status. State Innovation Exchange will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure you can fully participate in the conference. Accordingly, please ensure you provide details on how we can accommodate such requests in your registration form, or please email info@sixconvenings.org with more information so that we can work with you and our hotel and venue partner to meet your requests to the best of our ability.

A: In the event of an emergency, dial 911 from your mobile telephone to be connected to the local police, ambulance, and fire department and contact a SiX and/or Weymouth Watson staff member as soon as possible. The event organizers and hotel will have basic first aid kits onsite. While at the hotel, please visit the front desk of the hotel, or use your in room phone to make an internal hotel call to the front desk. In addition, there are pharmacies located nearby the hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA. Please ensure you pack a sufficient amount of any relevant medications for the duration of the conference.

A: The below dietary information applies to National Conference meal offerings occurring at the main event venue.

Dietary preferences and requirements will continue to be taken into account while the convening's menus are being created, and we will ensure there are delicious options for everyone to enjoy during each meal.

Please note most meals will be buffet style and ingredients will be listed at each meal. We will make a significant effort to accommodate participants with food allergies.

If during registration you submitted dietary preferences and requirements, they have been shared with the hotel and venue by event organizers.

If during registration you did not submit dietary preferences and requirements and would like to, please e-mail info@sixconvenings.org.

Please note the following regarding common dietary preferences and requirements:

Pork:

Meals at the convening do not include pork or any pork product.

Red Meat:

Meals at the convening do not include red meat.

Gluten-Free:

The kitchen on site will provide gluten free options with all menus, for those attendees who have indicated a gluten-free dietary requirement during registration.

Dairy-Free:

The kitchen on site will provide dairy free options with all menus, for those attendees who have indicated a dairy free dietary requirement during registration.

Vegetarian and Vegan:

The kitchen on site will provide vegetarian/vegan options with all menus, for those attendees who have indicated a vegetarian/vegan dietary requirement during registration.

Allergies and Restrictions:

Allergens and restrictions may be included in our menus, but we will always have options that fit your dietary needs and all ingredients will be listed. If you have a severe allergy that is reactive towards odor or the vicinity of the allergen and did not note this in your registration, please e-mail info@sixconvenings.org right away to notify us. We will be able to provide you a separate meal and a separate space to eat, if desired. Event organizers have shared any allergies that were submitted during registration with the hotel and venue, directly.

If during registration you submitted dietary preferences and requirements, they will be shared with the hotel and venue by event organizers. If during registration you did not submit dietary preferences and requirements and would like to, please e-mail info@sixconvenings.org.

A: Onsite prayer facilities will be available by request, with requests required by or before November 10, 2024. Accordingly, please ensure you provide details on how we can accommodate such requests in your registration form, or please email info@sixconvenings.org if you would like to request further information so that we can work with you and our hotel and venue partner to meet your requests to the best of our ability.

A: Language interpretation will be available only upon request, with requests required by or before November 10, 2024. Should you require sign language interpretation please email us immediately at info@sixconvenings.org with more information so that we can work with you and our hotel and venue partner to meet your requests to the best of our ability.

A: Yes. Accordingly, please ensure you provide details on how we can accommodate such requests in your registration form or email us at info@sixconvenings.org with more information so that we can work with you and our hotel and venue partner to meet your requests to the best of our ability.

A. An onsite lactation room will be available by request, with requests required by or before November 10, 2024. Accordingly, please ensure you provide details on how we can accommodate such requests in your registration form, or please email info@sixconvenings.org if you would like to request further information so that we can work with you and our venue partner to meet your requests to the best of our ability.

A: In the weeks before the conference we will be sharing exciting updates about the conference, including an overview of the schedule at the conference. Please be sure to check your email and the event website frequently for these updates.

A: We’re so sorry to hear you are unable to participate in this year’s conference. We are unable to offer deferred enrollment but hope you may be available to join next time. Participation in the conference is non-transferable.

A: Yes. The conference agenda will include space to ensure you may schedule your own non-conference related meetings and/or may arrange for your own down time or sightseeing. Common areas will also be provided where attendees can gather together informally between sessions or where attendees can take time alone to decompress or step aside to attend to responsibilities.

Please keep an eye on the conference schedule webpage so that you may plan your time accordingly.

A: Attendees are strongly encouraged to participate in the full conference. Attendees that have received a scholarship from SiX must agree to attendance requirements as a part of their scholarship.

A: We ask that you abide by the Communications Guidelines you have agreed to in your registration form regarding media inquiries around this conference. Please notify Eme Crawford, our Senior Director of Communications at eme@stateinnovation.org and info@sixconvenings.org before engaging with or responding to any verbal or written inquiry from any member of the media and we will be happy to assist you. This includes but is not limited to television, newspaper, magazine, radio, phone, digital, social media and blog requests.

A: We ask that you abide by the Communications Guidelines you have agreed to in your registration form.

A: We ask that you abide by the Communications Guidelines you have agreed to. Remember, please do not write articles for press distribution or publish content about the conference (blog posts, articles, longer posts on social media, etc.) without first sending to Eme Crawford, our Senior Director of Communications at eme@stateinnovation.org and info@sixconvenings.org.

A: Neither a cell phone nor a laptop is required to participate in the conference, although you are welcome to bring your personal electronic devices with you if you so desire.

While this is not a mandatory requirement, and we generally encourage participants to be device-free during workshops and plenaries, there may be a few sessions where your laptop and/or smartphone will be useful. We will notify you in advance of each session if this is the case.

Please note that you may not have access to your personal electronic devices during all sessions. Please note that the SiX, as well as our delivery partners, are not liable for loss or damage to your personal electronics.

A: Attendees are encouraged to travel with a reusable water bottle to use throughout the conference to minimize waste. When on site or in hotel rooms, attendees are encouraged to support our efforts to recycle materials including but not limited to, coffee or tea cups and grab and go lunches.

Additional efforts toward sustainability will be implemented during the conference to include:

Floral arrangements will be repurposed each day, and when possible, donated following the conference

Whenever possible, signage will be digital in nature, or rented, to minimize single-use signage

Whenever possible, conference structures will be rented or made from materials that can be repurposed, recycled or reused

A: The hotel currently implements the following green initiatives:

Single stream recycling system

Linen-less tables in meeting spaces

Linen reuse program in guest rooms

Room keys made of 50% post consumer content

Recycled meeting pads and pens provided in all conference spaces

Water coolers in meeting spaces

Reclaimed water used for in-house laundry

1.28 gallons per flush toilets in guest rooms

Automatic sensors on all public area plumbing fixtures

Distribution of daily “green” tips to hotel staff

Light bulb and battery recycling program

Energy-saving fluorescent lighting