Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?

A: Each PJ Library community is eligible to send one program professional and one “friend” of your local community’s PJ Library program*. “Friends” could be a colleague from a Jewish partner organization which you already have a great working relationship with, or one you hope to work more closely with in the future. Consider your connections with Jewish day camps, Jewish day schools or the JCC. 

*Small communities are eligible to send up to 2 people

Midsize communities are eligible to send up to 3 people

Large communities are eligible to send up to 4 people

Parent Connectors, Parent Ambassadors, PJ Library team members and Supervisors are all welcome to attend, space permitting. If you would like to bring additional colleagues or parent leaders, please complete this waitlist form as soon as possible. We will reach out to each professional starting Monday, March 13 with more information. Please reach out to your engagement officer with questions or to strategize who best to include from your community. 

The New York Partnership Network attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Alison Goldberg with questions. 

International program professionals' attendance is by invite-only. Please reach out to Rachel Kozupsky with questions. 

Q: WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?

A: The gathering will take place at the Marriott Springfield Downtown Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Monday, May 1, 2023, with programming ending at 1:45 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. We recommend booking your return flights for after 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

Q: WHAT ARE THE HGF CONFERENCE STATEMENT OF VALUES?

A: The HGF is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all 2023 PJ Library International Conference participants. We embrace learning from different perspectives, encourage the exchange of ideas, and believe in hearing from all voices because it strengthens our conversation and advances our work. PJ Library strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For inquiries about accessibility, please contact conference@pjlibrary.org.

Q: WHAT ARE THE COVID-19 POLICIES?

A: The Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of our employees and community program professionals. As we move forward with planning our in-person gathering, we will continue to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CDC guidelines, and local health authority requirements and adapt our protocols accordingly. Please click here to read the current COVID-19 policies required to attend the gathering.

Q: WHAT ARE THE COSTS TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?

A: HGF will provide Kosher meals from Monday dinner through Wednesday lunch and a private hotel room for each guest on Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2. Attendees will be responsible for travel expenses from their home community to the hotel in Springfield, MA including any additional nights at the hotel.

Q: HOW DO I BOOK A ROOM AT THE MARRIOTT SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN?

A: HGF will make ALL hotel reservations. On your registration form, please indicate each night that you need to be booked. HGF will cover the cost of a private hotel room for each guest on Monday and Tuesday nights. *Attendees will be responsible for paying $149 plus applicable taxes for each additional night at the hotel.

Q: WILL THE MEALS BE KOSHER AND WHAT WILL THE MEALS LOOK LIKE?

A: All meals will be certified Kosher and prepared by a local kosher catering company under supervision of Crown K Lemehadrin, Rabbi Aaron Hamaoui, from Monday dinner to Wednesday lunch.

We will be having meal topic tables at breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday. These are a great opportunity to learn from your peers around shared interests and successful initiatives. Or you can sit at one of our other tables for quiet reflection.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

A: The dress code is "casual meets business casual." This means leave your suits, ties, heels, flip flops, and shorts at home. Jeans, khakis, comfortable shoes, and sneakers are welcome. The rooms can get chilly, so don't forget a sweater. Need assistance picking out your outfits? Reach out to engagement officers Lori Hoch Stiefel (413-316-0216) or Jessica Korsunsky (201-783-4842)—your very own personal clothing assistant hotline!

Don't forget to bring a reusable water to refill at water stations, a tote bag to carry your swag, some business cards for networking, and cash for tipping hotel room cleaning staff.

Q: HOW DO I SIGN INTO THE BIZZABO WEBSITE OR APP TO UPDATE MY PROFILE (HEADSHOT/BIO)?

A: One way to log into Bizzabo website is to go to the Community tab where it will prompt you to login with your email or your ticket number (which can be found on your registration confirmation email.

1. Login in with your email address. This will send you an email with a secure link to click on to auto-login.
2. Login with your ticket number.
3. Enter your email and your ticket number. This will automatically log you in.
4. Click on the profile image at the top right and select edit profile.

 If you are trying to access the app, you can log in similarly.

1. Download the Bizzabo app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Sign in using your email then either select Magic Link or Ticket Number
3. Signed in, but still don’t see your event?
4. Select the icon on the top left corner
5. Select “Don’t see your event”
6. Enter your email and select Login with ticket number
7. Enter your ticket number
8. Once you are logged in and see the event, select the dropdown on the top left, select My Profile, and click on Edit at the top right.

Q: HOW DO I VIEW AND CUSTOMIZE MY SCHEDULE?

A: Session registration will open end of February/early March for registered attendees. To view your pre-assigned workshops, go to the Agenda and select "My Registered Sessions." You can also customize your schedule by adding meals, plenaries, and office hours to your agenda by clicking on the red chair icon. For changes to your workshops, please contact conference@hgf.org.

Q: HOW CAN I NETWORK WITH ATTENDEES?

A: On the Bizzabo website or app, you can go to the Community page to see the full list of attendees and direct message them. You can also join the private Facebook group where attendees can network, share ideas, and ask questions.

Q: HOW MUCH IS PARKING AT THE HOTEL?

A: Parking is free for all conference attendees. 

The entrance to the Marriott Springfield Downtown parking garage is on E Columbus Avenue. Park on level C for access to the hotel and use the hotel entrance on the far left (NOT the event meeting space entrance). Daily visitors can take the elevator to the 6th Floor and get a parking pass from the registration desk. Overnight guests, take the elevator to the Lobby and let the hotel know that you need parking added to your hotel key card.

When leaving the parking garage:

• Daily visitors: make sure to have your original entrance ticket and the parking voucher (you will need both to exit.) Stay on the right exit ramp for daily parkers and scan your original entrance ticket and when asking for payment scan your hotel parking voucher. 
• Overnight visitors: make sure to have your hotel key card. Stay on the left exist ramp for hotel guests and scan your hotel key card.
• Once the gate opens, there are two exits (Boland Way and E Columbus Ave). If you are going toward 91 South or West Springfield take the Boland Way exit on the right. If you are going toward 91 North or the Mass Pike, take the E Columbus Ave exit on the left.

Q: WHAT IS THE ARRIVAL PROCEDURE?

A: On Monday, May 1, a PJ Library concierge will be at the BDL airport by the Help Desk near baggage claim from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Make new friends by sharing an Uber/Lyft with those arriving around the same time as you. Check out the departing list as well. 

The opening receptions start at 3:30 p.m., we recommend getting to the hotel no later than 3:00 p.m. to allow time for the check-in process. The hotel will accommodate an early check-in if possible; however, if your room is not yet ready, luggage can be stored at the hotel Front Desk. A credit card is required at check-in to have on file for any incidental charges. Please note, the hotel places a $50/night hold onto the given credit card. We recommend using a credit card and not a debit card. Additional room nights beyond Monday, 5/1 and Tuesday, 5/2, will be charged to the credit card you use at check-in. Reminder: The HGF will cover Monday and Tuesday nights at the hotel and parking. Review this hotel list to make sure your requested nights are accurate. 

Once your luggage is stored, head upstairs to the 6th floor for event registration.

Q: HOW DO I REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS?

A: We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you need any accommodations during our three-day event, please contact us at conference@hgf.org. 

Q: I'M NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON. WILL IT BE RECORDED?

A: This will be a hands-on, experiential conference, and as such, sessions will not be recorded. Reach out to your engagement officer to discuss other virtual professional development opportunities.

Q: I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. WHOM DO I REACH OUT TO?

A: Before the conference, please contact us at conference@hgf.org with any questions. 

During the conference, we will have staff on-site to assist with any questions. Visit the registration desk on the 6th floor or contact:

• Jessica Wolfe at 413-351-6183, text/call with registration questions
• Beth Rose at 407-274-5053, text/call with COVID-19 or catering questions