At NCFR, we strive to make the conference experience not just edifying but also enjoyable and comfortable. Several key services and options related to conference participation are listed here.

Registration Desk Hours

Pick up your registration materials — including your badge to wear throughout the conference — and get other general conference information at the registration desk. Hours:

• Monday, Oct. 31 — 2 to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 1 — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 2 — 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 3 — 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 4 — 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 5 — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Anyone participating in the conference must be recorded in our system and wear a conference badge, so please stop at the registration desk to pick up your badge and materials upon arrival! This includes all registrants, visitors to see an award presentation, guests attending receptions only, exhibitors or those staffing a University Receptions table, etc.

Child care

For parents seeking supervised care for children traveling with them, the Hilton Downtown Minneapolis has provided a list of its preferred child care providers (PDF). Individuals are responsible for making their own arrangements with a provider if they wish.

(NCFR does not manage any arrangements, reservations, or contacts with the provider and assumes no responsibility or liability related to participants' child care needs.)

Family room

A non-staffed, designated room near restrooms is provided for family time with children. The space includes comfortable seating and table and chairs, as well as a privacy curtain for mothers who would like to nurse. Location: Third floor, Board Room 1

All-gender restrooms

NCFR's identification of all-gender restrooms at its annual conference is intended to make public restrooms in our host hotel more welcoming and safer for transgender, gender expansive people, and those who need restroom assistance.

Two multi-stall restrooms on the third floor of the conference hotel will be marked as "all gender" with NCFR's signage. In addition, signage will describe the facilities in these restrooms.

Our goal is to provide a safe and accessible environment for all people attending our conference.

Accommodations for disabilities

The Hilton Minneapolis and NCFR want to insure that all may fully participate in the conference. For needs related to guest accommodations, contact the hotel directly.

Reasonable accommodations for disability can be provided for participation in conference sessions. Requests should be made in advance to NCFR. If you have questions, contact NCFR at 1-888-781-9331 or email Judy Schutz with requests as early as possible.

NCFR and hotel staff cannot provide personal assistance/aide services.

American Sign Language

American Sign Language interpreters will be provided at each of the four plenary sessions.

Conference Code of Conduct

NCFR is committed to providing a safe and collegial meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and free expression of ideas without harrassment, discrimination, and hostile conduct, as well as equal opportunity and treatment for all its conference participants. This same commitment is expected of all conference participants.

Please read the NCFR Annual Conference Code of Conduct and learn how to report harrassment or unacceptable behavior that occurs at the conference.

Spirituality/meditation room

Location: Third floor, Directors Row 4

Quiet space available Wednesday through Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m. each day.

NCFR's Religion, Spirituality, and Family Section will host a group meditation time in this room Thursday and Friday, 7:10-7:40 a.m.

Vegetarian and gluten-free food options

Receptions and catered events include vegetarian and gluten-free selections.

WiFi

WiFi is available in conference meeting spaces. Bandwidth is limited; please disconnect devices not in use.

 

SSID: NCFR16
Password: families

Cyber Cafe

Computer stations and printing in the Cyber Cafe, sponsored this year by Wheaton College Graduate School, will be available beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Location: Third floor, Board Room 2

The Gathering Place

The Gathering Place — open beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday —

is not just a great informal place to get together with colleagues and friends, but this year will be located near poster sessions and affiliate exhibit tables. Location: Third floor, Salon D. Sponsored by Montclair State University.

Conference photography and video

Registration or attendance at the NCFR Annual Conference constitutes an agreement by the registrant/participant for NCFR use and distribution (current and future) of his/her image or voice in photographs, video, and audio.