FAQs
General
Is the convening open to the general public?
No. The convening is only open to representatives from grantmaking entities or philanthropic support organizations (i.e., board members, staff, grant advisory committee members, etc.). If you have a specific question about your own eligibility please contact Stephanie Martinez.
Is there a dress code for the convening?
Business or business casual attire is suitable for GCIR convenings. The inside temperature in the conference rooms will get cold, so we recommend bringing a jacket, shawl or warm layer; the weather in Atlanta in March is also quite cold.
My foundation would like to sponsor the convening - how do we do that?
Thank you for considering sponsorship of the convening! Please contact Harmony Hayes for more information.
Registration
What are the registration periods for the convening?
Early Bird opens: November 25, 2019
Regular opens: January 1, 2020
Late opens: February 8, 2020
One-day opens: November 25, 2019
What does registration cover?
Registration covers all pre-programming and convening sessions, and breakfast and lunch at the convening venue. Participants will need to cover their lodging and travel costs.
What is the registration cancellation deadline and policy?
Cancellations received before end of day on February 3, 2020 will receive a partial refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after February 3, 2020 are not eligible for a refund.
For all cancellations please email Stephanie Martinez.
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
If your plans change, your registration may be transferred to another individual within your organization no later than Friday, February 28, 2020.
For all transfers please email Stephanie Martinez.
Travel and Accommodation
What airport should I fly into?
We recommend that you fly into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), located 11 miles from the convening location at Hyatt Regency, Atlanta.
What time does the convening start on Wednesday and end on Friday? Time consideration when booking travel?
The convening starts at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday with a networking lunch; it ends on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Please note that there are site visits offered from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., before the convening begins on Wednesday. We recommend that you book tickets out of ATL no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on Friday to give you time to reach the airport.
Does the convening provide hotel rooms?
The convening has a block of discounted rooms at our conference hotel – the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel here.
Does the convening provide meals?
The convening provides the following meals to all those registered for the full conference:
Wednesday March 11 – Lunch
Thursday March 12 – Breakfast, Lunch
Friday March 13 – Breakfast, Lunch
All meals include vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Halal and Kosher meals are available upon advance request when you register.
Accessibility
GCIR aims to make our gatherings as accessible as possible. To request accommodations please contact Director of Operations, Harmony Hayes, 707.313.5367 ext 105.
Accessibility information for 2020 convening locations
Programming
Are the site visits and pre- or post-programmng included in registration?
Yes, site visits and pre-programing are included in registration; however, there are limited seats for site visits, and you will need to indicate which events you are attending separately.
Where can I find more information on the panels and speakers?
Information on all convening programming can be found on the agenda tab.
Where can I give feedback about the convening?
During and following the convening, we will be asking for feedback via the mobile app and email.
Social Media and Mobile App
What is the best way to stay informed of convening updates, information, and important dates?
Convening updates will be made on the mobile app, once it launches in early 2020. Until then, the best way to stay informed will be through email and on our website.
Is there a hashtag for the convening?
Thanks for tweeting/instragramming about the convening! Our official hashtag is #GCIR2020; give us a follow @gcirtweets on Twitter.
What is the convening app and how do I download it?
Access the entire convening, from agenda and schedules to speaker bios and live polling using the convening mobile app. Launching in early 2020, the app will contain the entire conference program, including room locations, presenter information and notifications on any room changes or schedule updates. You can also connect with colleagues, view social media conversations tagged #GCIR2020, and give feedback on the convening. An email to download the app will be sent to all conference registrants.
Health and Safety
How is GCIR ensuring health and safety, particularly with regards to COVID-19?
As we prepare for GCIR2020 next week, your health and safety is our top concern. We are closely monitoring the potential impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the City of Atlanta. Rest assured that we are taking every precaution to provide a safe and healthy environment at the convening and will follow any new guidance from public health authorities.
Currently, there are no restrictions on domestic travel to or from Atlanta, and there are no recommendations from the city of Atlanta to avoid large gatherings. Based on the current public health guidance, we are committed to moving forward with the convening. Please take the time to review the following onsite support plan and public health recommendations for personal vigilance. We will keep attendees posted on any new guidance from public health authorities at the convening through our mobile app.
As of March 7th, the CDC issued the following assessment: “For most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low. This virus is not currently widespread in the United States." Read the complete Situation Summary.
What steps are being taken at the conference site?
At this time, specific measures in place at Hyatt Regency Atlanta include:
- Placing hand sanitizers in various public areas within the hotel
- Routinely cleaning and disinfecting public area surfaces every 2 hours, including thorough disinfecting of bathrooms in public spaces
- Implementing additional cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces in Guest Rooms, including door handles, work surfaces, bathrooms, etc.
- Checking guests’ well-being during the check-in/registration process
What will the hotel do in the event of a guest potentially having COVID-19?
In the interest of all guests and colleagues, if a guest raises concerns they could potentially have COVID-19, Hyatt Regency Atlanta also may take additional measures, including, but not limited to:
- Report the case immediately to local health authorities
- Seek immediate, appropriate local medical attention for the guest
- Ensure the guest is safely relocated to a medical facility to receive appropriate medical attention
- Initiate additional high-touch cleaning throughout the hotel
- Remove the guest’s room from reservations inventory
- Isolate items coming out of that room until there is a determination on the diagnosis
- Work with governmental health agencies to further assess the situation and take necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues
How can you reduce risk for yourself and those around you?
Following are recommendations for personal vigilance to ensure minimal contact with potentially ill individuals, based on health and safety guidelines established by public health officials:
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid sharing drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, dishes, towels or other items. Wash these items thoroughly with soap and water after use.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible.
- Practice other good health habits: clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces especially when someone is ill.
- Refrain from shaking hands with colleagues and “bump elbows” instead.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Harmony Hayes, GCIR’s Vice President of Operations, at [email protected] if you have questions or concerns.
Credit: We are indebted to PEAK Grantmaking for sharing a template via the United Philanthropy Forum for response and planning in responding to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
