Know Before You Go

Important Pre-Arrival Information for GWI 2024

We are so excited to welcome you at NACAC’s Guiding the Way to Inclusion conference beginning Tuesday, July 30. This page includes important attendee information. Be sure to read the entire page.

The conference location is:
Hyatt Regency New Orleans 
601 Loyola Ave.,
New Orleans, LA 70113

Please ensure you have received confirmation from the Hyatt Regency Hotel if you are staying on site.

Check In
You will need to check in to receive your badge, and you must wear your badge for the entirety of the conference. The check-in desk will be on the 2nd floor in the Empire Foyer.  

Guide to GWI
We are thrilled you will join us at NACAC’s Guiding the Way to Inclusion conference in New Orleans! Check out this guide from our GWI faculty for attendees. 

Conference App:
All attendees are encouraged to download the GWI Conference app to view schedules, maps, session descriptions, small group assignments and more! Please search for “NACAC Events” in your app store.  

View more information about the GWI Conference app and download it here:
Android
iOS

We will periodically send out push notifications through the app that could contain GWI updates and changes in session times. Please make sure you have push notifications enabled for the GWI Conference app so that you do not miss these important announcements.

Session Schedule: 
Session seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To plan your conference experience, check out the
 schedule before arriving.  

Welcome Reception:
The reception will take place on Tuesday, July 30 at 5:30 PM on level 2 in Empire Foyer Space. Reception will include hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar (credit cards also accepted). All attendees will be provided with one drink ticket during badge pickup/check-in. Drink tickets cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

Dress Code:
Attire at Guiding the Way to Inclusion is business casual. Wear comfortable shoes. We recommend dressing in layers as air conditioning is difficult to regulate in large facilities. Rooms may be overly warm or cool. 

Handouts and Presentations:
All attendees will receive access to conference materials (slides and handouts) after the conference via the mobile app. Please bring a notebook for note taking. 

Hydration:
Bring a water bottle with you. With high temperatures, it is important to stay hydrated. Built in water stations are location on level 2. 

Small Groups:
Your small group is indicated in the mobile app. 

NBCC/Continuing Education Credits:
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has been approved by National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5242. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NACAC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

CE-Eligible education sessions have been clearly marked in the GWI app. They can also be found through the ‘Search’ function. To claim continuing education credits for eligible sessions you must complete the session evaluation in the mobile app (NACAC Events) for each session you attend. Detailed instructions can be found through the app’s ‘Information’ page. Please note that access to the app expires on Wednesday, September 4 at 11:59pm (ET). All CEs and the certificate must be downloaded before then.

Health and Safety Guidelines:
NACAC is committed to the health and safety of our employees, members, attendees, exhibitors, service partners, and the students and families we help support. Due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help mitigate further spread of the virus, NACAC has implemented the following Health and Safety Policy and Guidelines for in-person events.

Accessibility and Special Requests:
If you require assistance to fully participate in GWI, please know that your information has already been accounted for if you indicated your requirements during registration.

Video Protocols and Permissions: 
By registering for the conference, you acknowledge that no videography or live streaming is permitted during the conference. You also grant NACAC permission to photograph you at the conference and distribute (both now and in the future) your image in photographs and electronic reproductions of events and activities. Presentations provided online may not be used or reproduced for other educational materials.

Getting Around New Orleans:
New Orleans is serviced by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport(MSY). MSY is home to 16 airlines, including all major domestic carriers, offering nearly 50 nonstop destinations. The airport is 14 miles away from the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. A taxi ride will cost around $36.

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans is located in the New Orleans Central Business District, close to many attractions and fine restaurants, and a short distance from the famous French Quarter, with it’s nightlife, entertainment, and dining options. The city boasts a wide range of cultural arts, music, and attractions to explore.

New Orleans is a very walkable city, but there are plentiful taxis, rideshares, and public transportation options available, including the famous streetcar.

GWI Preconference Workshop: Equity Leadership Institute

We’re excited that you will be joining us for our Equity Leadership Institute preconference workshop next week in New Orleans.

The Equity Leadership Institute (ELI) is an opportunity for college admission officers to learn and understand what it takes to be transformational leaders. The institute will be a convening of diverse practitioners who aim to understand the hidden curriculum of leadership as they aspire to ascend to Director and Dean positions. We’ve put together some important information to help you with your experience on site.

Date and Time:
Monday, July 29
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CDT

Location:
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
601 Loyola Ave.,
New Orleans, LA 70113

Schedule:

Time (CDT) Description Location
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Check In Empire Foyer
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Welcome Strand 10
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Opening Session: 
The state of the college admissions leader in 2024
Strand 10
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Session #1:
Attacks on DEI: Leading in a time of tumultuous change and anti-bipoc backlash
Strand 10
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Session #2:
Enrollment Management: What has it been and where is it going?
Strand 10
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Session #3:
Human Resources: hiring, firing, org charts, culture change, and all the stuff they never told you
Strand 10

Check In:
You will need to check in to receive your badge, and you must wear your badge for the entirety of the preconference workshop. The check-in desk will be on the 2nd floor in the Empire Foyer. You will use this same badge to attend the rest of the Guiding the Way to Inclusion conference.

Conference App:
All attendees are encouraged to download the GWI Conference app to view schedules, maps, session descriptions, small group assignments and more! Please search for “NACAC Events” in your app store.

View more information about the GWI Conference app and download it here:
Android
iOS

We will periodically send out push notifications through the app that could contain GWI updates and changes in session times. Please make sure you have push notifications enabled for the GWI Conference app so that you do not miss these important announcements.

Dress Code:
Attire at the Equity Leadership Institute preconference workshop is business casual. Wear comfortable shoes and we recommend dressing in layers as air conditioning is difficult to regulate in large facilities. Rooms may be overly warm or cool.

If you have any questions, please contact pd@nacacnet.org.

This workshop is made possible by