Have a question about NCDD 2023? Look no further! We’ve compiled all of the most frequently asked questions for you here.
Who attends NCDD conferences? Is it for me?
The short answer is that NCDD events bring together current and future leaders and innovators who utilize highly participatory practices like dialogue and deliberation in order to help people work together to solve their most challenging problems. Our attendees are a wonderful mix of practitioners, consultants, academics, community leaders, public administrators, funders, non-profit organization leaders, artists, activists, and students — all of whom are involved in public engagement, community problem solving, or conflict resolution work.
Dig deeper on this question on our Who Attends? page.
What’s the best way to stay updated on the conference?
Subscribe to our Conference Updates Listserv by sending a blank email to NCDD-Conference-Updates-subscribe-request@lists.thataway.org.
And, watch for posts about the conference on the NCDD blog by checking the NCDD 2023 tag.
What’s the conference agenda?
The conference agenda is now available on our Schedule Page.
Registration begins Friday morning October 13th and the opening plenary launches at 10am, and with the conference closing Sunday October 15th at 3:30pm. And we have several pre-conference sessions on Thursday, October 12th.
Also check out the About NCDD’s Events page for more details (and a bunch more great links) that will help you understand what our conferences are all about.
How much is registration?
The regular registration fee is $580. NCDD members save $100 off the regular registration rate ($480 rather than $580).
We also have a limited number of discounted registrations (just $300!) for full-time students, so now’s the time to register if you’re a student. After you register, you can send verification of your full-time student status to joy@ncdd.org.
Register today at tinyurl.com/NCDD2023reg to secure your spot!
Group registration discount
If you’re registering a group of 4 or more people, send a quick email to NCDD’s Executive Director, Courtney Breese (courtney@ncdd.org) to see if we can offer you a further discount. We love groups!
What are the fees on the registration form?
The Flipcause Platform automatically passes fees on to the purchaser, at a rate of 5%. If these fees are a concern, on the first page of the checkout you have the option to uncheck the box "I would like to cover the processing fees" at the bottom, which will pass on the fee to NCDD at a lower rate (1.5%). We cannot change this set up but want everyone to have the option to de-select the added fee if it is prohibitive to you. If you have any questions please contact courtney@ncdd.org.
How can I get the NCDD group rate at the conference hotel?
The conference is taking place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter. Our group rate has closed, but you can still get a great deal! Please book your room here: Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter - NCDD 2023 Room Block.
Alternatively, you may book by phone by calling 866-846-7573 (toll free) between the hours of 7:00am- 11:00pm EST and using group code "TAD," or by logging on to www.cpravinia.com and using code "TAD."
Find a Roommate and Split Costs!
With ticket sales flying and the discounted hotel room block pricing still available, people have been been asking about trying to find hotel roommate. We wanted to offer space for conference attendees to use for coordinating NCDD2023 connections – whether it be to find a roommate, organize rideshares, or whatever else you need. We've created a Google doc for coordinating information for attendees to use - CLICK HERE for the NCDD2023 Attendee Logistics Coordinating Doc.
How can I cut costs associated with attending the conference?
We know attending a national conference is an investment. Attendees at our past conferences will tell you it’s well worth it. We hope it’s an investment people who consider themselves part of the dialogue and deliberation community will make a point of making — especially since NCDD conferences are only held every two years and we keep costs as low as possible for attendees.
That said, there are some things you can certainly do to cut costs…
Where can I find travel details for the conference, like ground transportation?
Check out our Travel & Lodging page for details on ground transportation options and much more.
What are the specific start and end times for the conference?
We’ll begin at 10am on Friday, October 13th (with registration open at 8:00am), and we’ll go through Sunday, October 15th until 3:30pm. We also have pre-conference activities the day and evening before the conference (on the 12th) as well, so we strongly suggest you arrive on the morning or afternoon of the 12th if you’re flying in.
What is the conference theme?
Our conference theme for 2023 is Our Return: Reconnect, Reflect, Renew, Recommit.
The return of the National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation could not come at a more critical time. Civic life, community cohesion, and democracy need revitalization. In gathering together, attendees will explore how to address the struggles we are experiencing - as individuals, communities, and in various institutions and levels of governance - and come together to lift up the work that is helping, and make important commitments to what each of us can do going forward.
Join us as we:
I was selected to present at the D&D Showcase. Got any advice for me?
First off, congratulations! Being selected as a D&D Showcase presenter is a high honor for conference participants. Showcase presenters are asked to prepare and bring a simple poster/display and additional informational materials to help people become familiar with the program, tool, concept, or project they’re presenting. Check out our 2018 showcase for inspiration!
Advice on poster content: We advise Showcase presenters to keep the content on their posters simple and to the point, as participants don’t do much reading during the Showcase. Your poster should NOT consist of large amounts of small type! The major purpose of your poster is to help people discern at a glance what your Showcase topic is about – they should be able to quickly understand your message/topic and determine whether they want to learn more of the details from you or move on to other displays. If you like, your poster could be a visual map that helps you walk participants through the story of your tool, concept, or program. But still, try to keep it visually simple.
Regarding posters themselves: Presenters are welcome, of course, to use whatever kind of poster they like. But we’ve recommended that past Showcase presenters purchase a bi-fold foam board like this one at Michaels ($7), which is 10″ by 15″ closed, and 20” by 30″ open because it fits in most suitcases (you can always cut off an inch or so from the ends if you’re just bringing a carry-on and it’s snug). If you’re a local or willing to ship the board, then you may want to purchase a larger tri-fold foam display board like this one at Staples ($9).
Your poster must be finished and ready for presenting in advance of the conference. If you choose a poster board that’s too large for your suitcase, you can ship it to yourself at the hotel, but it should arrive no later than the morning of Friday, October 13th.
Other considerations: We also recommend that you prepare a physical flier, card, or other handout that participants who stop at your display can take with them when they leave. These materials are a good place to place more detailed information than the poster can hold if you wish, and they are most effective if they have links to more information on your work and details on how to contact you and/or get involved.
In addition to a poster, some past presenters have used a laptop to display a presentation or slideshow that complements their poster and other materials. If you plan to do this, please complete and test your presentation before the Showcase begins. Also, please be sure to have your laptop fully charged before the Showcase begins as we cannot guarantee that your display will be placed near an accessible outlet to plug into. We will not move presenters to accommodate for outlet access. The Showcase will last approximately 90-120 minutes, so we suggest that you use a laptop that is able to run for about as long without plugging in.
Does NCDD have COVID guidelines?
NCDD2023 COVID-19 Guidelines:
The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is a community that cares for one another. As a community, we will continue to look out for and support one another when we gather for NCDD2023. Our conference venue this year is one which provides wonderful outdoor spaces in addition to the indoor conference rooms. This will allow people to meet and network, eat meals, and take breaks in an outdoor environment.
With all of this in mind, we outline the following COVID-19 guidelines for the NCDD2023 conference:
For additional information about COVID-19, including symptoms and preventions, visit the CDC website.
What’s your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your registration, please notify NCDD Office Manager Joy Garman via email (joy@ncdd.org) before September 30th. Your registration fee will be refunded, less a 15% processing fee plus any Flipcause or PayPal fees incurred. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after September 30th, though substitutions can be made at any time. Refunds will be processed after the conference has been held.
I have more questions. Who can I contact for help?
Feel free to contact NCDD Executive Director Courtney Breese (courtney@ncdd.org) with your questions. She’ll filter them to the right person if she doesn’t already have the answers.
The short answer is that NCDD events bring together current and future leaders and innovators who utilize highly participatory practices like dialogue and deliberation in order to help people work together to solve their most challenging problems. Our attendees are a wonderful mix of practitioners, consultants, academics, community leaders, public administrators, funders, non-profit organization leaders, artists, activists, and students — all of whom are involved in public engagement, community problem solving, or conflict resolution work.
Dig deeper on this question on our Who Attends? page.
What’s the best way to stay updated on the conference?
Subscribe to our Conference Updates Listserv by sending a blank email to NCDD-Conference-Updates-subscribe-request@lists.thataway.org.
And, watch for posts about the conference on the NCDD blog by checking the NCDD 2023 tag.
What’s the conference agenda?
The conference agenda is now available on our Schedule Page.
Registration begins Friday morning October 13th and the opening plenary launches at 10am, and with the conference closing Sunday October 15th at 3:30pm. And we have several pre-conference sessions on Thursday, October 12th.
Also check out the About NCDD’s Events page for more details (and a bunch more great links) that will help you understand what our conferences are all about.
How much is registration?
The regular registration fee is $580. NCDD members save $100 off the regular registration rate ($480 rather than $580).
We also have a limited number of discounted registrations (just $300!) for full-time students, so now’s the time to register if you’re a student. After you register, you can send verification of your full-time student status to joy@ncdd.org.
Register today at tinyurl.com/NCDD2023reg to secure your spot!
Group registration discount
If you’re registering a group of 4 or more people, send a quick email to NCDD’s Executive Director, Courtney Breese (courtney@ncdd.org) to see if we can offer you a further discount. We love groups!
What are the fees on the registration form?
The Flipcause Platform automatically passes fees on to the purchaser, at a rate of 5%. If these fees are a concern, on the first page of the checkout you have the option to uncheck the box "I would like to cover the processing fees" at the bottom, which will pass on the fee to NCDD at a lower rate (1.5%). We cannot change this set up but want everyone to have the option to de-select the added fee if it is prohibitive to you. If you have any questions please contact courtney@ncdd.org.
How can I get the NCDD group rate at the conference hotel?
The conference is taking place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter. Our group rate has closed, but you can still get a great deal! Please book your room here: Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter - NCDD 2023 Room Block.
Alternatively, you may book by phone by calling 866-846-7573 (toll free) between the hours of 7:00am- 11:00pm EST and using group code "TAD," or by logging on to www.cpravinia.com and using code "TAD."
Find a Roommate and Split Costs!
With ticket sales flying and the discounted hotel room block pricing still available, people have been been asking about trying to find hotel roommate. We wanted to offer space for conference attendees to use for coordinating NCDD2023 connections – whether it be to find a roommate, organize rideshares, or whatever else you need. We've created a Google doc for coordinating information for attendees to use - CLICK HERE for the NCDD2023 Attendee Logistics Coordinating Doc.
How can I cut costs associated with attending the conference?
We know attending a national conference is an investment. Attendees at our past conferences will tell you it’s well worth it. We hope it’s an investment people who consider themselves part of the dialogue and deliberation community will make a point of making — especially since NCDD conferences are only held every two years and we keep costs as low as possible for attendees.
That said, there are some things you can certainly do to cut costs…
- Search for the cheapest available flights, and book them when you see them! Delta is the hub airline, but others like Spirit or Southwest may have more affordable options from your local airport.
- Apply for a full or partial scholarship at https://forms.gle/vUme65EferdqZjJy9. These scholarships are usually determined closer to the conference date.
- Consider sharing a room with someone else who’s attending the conference so you can split lodging costs. We've created a Google doc for coordinating information for attendees to use - CLICK HERE for the NCDD2023 Attendee Logistics Coordinating Doc.
Where can I find travel details for the conference, like ground transportation?
Check out our Travel & Lodging page for details on ground transportation options and much more.
What are the specific start and end times for the conference?
We’ll begin at 10am on Friday, October 13th (with registration open at 8:00am), and we’ll go through Sunday, October 15th until 3:30pm. We also have pre-conference activities the day and evening before the conference (on the 12th) as well, so we strongly suggest you arrive on the morning or afternoon of the 12th if you’re flying in.
What is the conference theme?
Our conference theme for 2023 is Our Return: Reconnect, Reflect, Renew, Recommit.
The return of the National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation could not come at a more critical time. Civic life, community cohesion, and democracy need revitalization. In gathering together, attendees will explore how to address the struggles we are experiencing - as individuals, communities, and in various institutions and levels of governance - and come together to lift up the work that is helping, and make important commitments to what each of us can do going forward.
Join us as we:
- Reconnect: to our work, each other, and our impact to community engagement, civics, education, and democracy.
- Reflect: challenge ourselves to take a hard look at the various levels of democracy and its struggles, and consider how the work of dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement can help.
- Renew: recognize the moment we are living in and be clear-eyed about the realities we face as a nation and a world. Build our skills and knowledge to be able to continue to work to address these realities.
- Recommit: dialogue & deliberation are vital to helping us reconnect with one another, build community, and steward good governance. We will work together to chart a course forward for us as individuals and collectively as a coalition.
I was selected to present at the D&D Showcase. Got any advice for me?
First off, congratulations! Being selected as a D&D Showcase presenter is a high honor for conference participants. Showcase presenters are asked to prepare and bring a simple poster/display and additional informational materials to help people become familiar with the program, tool, concept, or project they’re presenting. Check out our 2018 showcase for inspiration!
Advice on poster content: We advise Showcase presenters to keep the content on their posters simple and to the point, as participants don’t do much reading during the Showcase. Your poster should NOT consist of large amounts of small type! The major purpose of your poster is to help people discern at a glance what your Showcase topic is about – they should be able to quickly understand your message/topic and determine whether they want to learn more of the details from you or move on to other displays. If you like, your poster could be a visual map that helps you walk participants through the story of your tool, concept, or program. But still, try to keep it visually simple.
Regarding posters themselves: Presenters are welcome, of course, to use whatever kind of poster they like. But we’ve recommended that past Showcase presenters purchase a bi-fold foam board like this one at Michaels ($7), which is 10″ by 15″ closed, and 20” by 30″ open because it fits in most suitcases (you can always cut off an inch or so from the ends if you’re just bringing a carry-on and it’s snug). If you’re a local or willing to ship the board, then you may want to purchase a larger tri-fold foam display board like this one at Staples ($9).
Your poster must be finished and ready for presenting in advance of the conference. If you choose a poster board that’s too large for your suitcase, you can ship it to yourself at the hotel, but it should arrive no later than the morning of Friday, October 13th.
Other considerations: We also recommend that you prepare a physical flier, card, or other handout that participants who stop at your display can take with them when they leave. These materials are a good place to place more detailed information than the poster can hold if you wish, and they are most effective if they have links to more information on your work and details on how to contact you and/or get involved.
In addition to a poster, some past presenters have used a laptop to display a presentation or slideshow that complements their poster and other materials. If you plan to do this, please complete and test your presentation before the Showcase begins. Also, please be sure to have your laptop fully charged before the Showcase begins as we cannot guarantee that your display will be placed near an accessible outlet to plug into. We will not move presenters to accommodate for outlet access. The Showcase will last approximately 90-120 minutes, so we suggest that you use a laptop that is able to run for about as long without plugging in.
Does NCDD have COVID guidelines?
NCDD2023 COVID-19 Guidelines:
The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is a community that cares for one another. As a community, we will continue to look out for and support one another when we gather for NCDD2023. Our conference venue this year is one which provides wonderful outdoor spaces in addition to the indoor conference rooms. This will allow people to meet and network, eat meals, and take breaks in an outdoor environment.
With all of this in mind, we outline the following COVID-19 guidelines for the NCDD2023 conference:
- Please be considerate of, and respect, everyone’s individual comfort levels with personal space and physical contact. Try not to make assumptions about an individual’s preferences.
- Masks can be a great tool for preventing the spread of infections. While masks are optional and individuals may choose to wear them as a personal choice, we strongly recommend attendees to wear masks indoors. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided and we expect everyone in the NCDD community to respect each other’s choices and comfort levels.
- If you’ve registered for the conference but are feeling unwell or have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, please stay home to protect others and take care of your own health. We also strongly encourage all participants to take a COVID 19 test before attending the conference or if at any point in the conference they feel unwell. If you need a test, please email us at courtney@ncdd.org so we can have one available for you.
For additional information about COVID-19, including symptoms and preventions, visit the CDC website.
What’s your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your registration, please notify NCDD Office Manager Joy Garman via email (joy@ncdd.org) before September 30th. Your registration fee will be refunded, less a 15% processing fee plus any Flipcause or PayPal fees incurred. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after September 30th, though substitutions can be made at any time. Refunds will be processed after the conference has been held.
I have more questions. Who can I contact for help?
Feel free to contact NCDD Executive Director Courtney Breese (courtney@ncdd.org) with your questions. She’ll filter them to the right person if she doesn’t already have the answers.