DRWI All-Cluster Gathering FAQs

Where is the 2023 DRWI Gathering Located? 

• The 2023 DRWI Gathering will be held at the Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center; 1401 Morris Rd Blue Bell, PA 19422

Who should attend the 2023 DRWI Gathering?

• Organizations funded by the William Penn Foundation as DRWI cluster members are invited to send two staff members per organization to the entire gathering. If your organization is a funded member of more than one cluster, you can register two staff per cluster. If your DRWI organization would like to bring an extra person, contact Sarah Dietz at sarahd@icl.org.
• Representatives of DRWI Support Organizations (ANS, ICL, NFWF, OSI, Resource Media, Stroud Water Research Center).
• Partners from organizations funded through the William Penn Foundation’s Watershed Protection Program that are invited to attend. (You will receive an invitation from the Institute for Conservation Leadership.)

Is my organization part of the DRWI?

• See the list of DRWI organizations.
• If you still are unsure, you can contact Sarah Dietz at sarahd@icl.org.  

What are the 2023 DRWI Gathering costs?

• Participants pay a registration fee. The registration fee has increased slightly since last year’s virtual gathering because we are in-person this year. 
• For all attendees, registration fees include all meals during the event and the Field Trip. It does not include your hotel costs.
• Hotel accommodation costs will be subsidized for DRWI organizations. Participants will be responsible for $100 for a night in a single room, or $50 if you choose to share a hotel room. 
• Through the support of the William Penn Foundation, ICL covers the majority of DRWI participation costs.

What are 2023 Gathering costs for DRWI Participants (Clusters and Support Organizations)? 

REGISTRATION FEES:

• Full Conference (Tuesday & Wednesday)
  • Early Bird Registration (May 3rd):  $55
  • Regular Registration (through May 19th): $100

• One Day (Tuesday OR Wednesday)
  • Early Bird Registration (through May 3rd): $40
  • Regular Registration (through May 19th): $65

ACCOMMODATION COSTS:

• Participant Cost: $100 for a single room; $50 for a shared room
• ICL pays the remainder of room and tax for hotel room costs

What are the 2023 Gathering costs for other WPF Watershed Grantees?

REGISTRATION FEES:

• Full Conference (Tuesday & Wednesday)
  • Early Bird Registration (through May 3rd): $125
  • Regular Registration (through May 19th): $150
• One Day (Tuesday OR Wednesday)
  • Early Bird Registration (through May 3rd): $75
  • Regular Registration (through May 19th): $100

ACCOMODATION COSTS: 

• Pay hotel costs directly to hotel
• A block of rooms is being held at the Courtyard Plymouth Meeting, with rooms at a reduced rate of $142 plus tax.  Click here to make a reservation.

How do I book a hotel room for the Gathering?

Instructions for DRWI Organizations

• ICL will manage the reservations process for members of DRWI organizations, which will be subsidized.  When you register, you will be asked if you need a hotel room and whether you prefer a single or a double. ICL will reserve rooms on a first-come, first-served basis until May 3rd. There are two blocks of rooms for DRWI guests at Normandy Farm and at the Hyatt House Plymouth Meeting.  Attendees will be asked to present a credit card at check-in to cover $100 of the room night, as well as any incidental charges you may incur.  The DRWI will pay the hotels directly for the remainder of your room and tax.
• Due to rising costs, limited availability, and environmental impacts, we are encouraging people to share rooms. All of the double rooms that are being held for the DRWI are conveniently located on-site at Normandy Farm.  Sharing a room also allows you to reduce your cost to $50 per person.  
• May 5th is the last day to reserve or make any changes to your hotel reservation request. After this date, ICL is financially committed for all rooms booked. If you need to cancel your hotel room after May 5th due to an emergency or illness, please contact Sarah Dietz at sarahd@icl.org.

Instructions for other WPF Watershed Protection Program Grantee Organizations

• A block of rooms is reserved for Watershed Wide guests at the Courtyard Plymouth Meeting, at a discounted rate of $142 plus tax, available until May 8th.  Attendees are responsible for making reservations and paying for the hotel.
• You may reserve a room by calling Reservations (800.321.2211) and referencing the DRWI All-Cluster Gathering Room Block, or book online via this link: https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1680134819808&key=GRP
• This discounted rate for a room (king bed w/ sleeper sofa) can be used for stays beginning June 5th and ending June 7th.

I would like to share a room and/or a ride. How do I arrange that?

• If you indicate on your Gathering registration that you would like to share a hotel room, you will receive a follow-up email asking for the name of your roommate.  Both roommates will need to request each other.
• If you want help finding a roommate or a ride, fill out this form to express your interest. Use the list to find others looking to connect.  
• If you are driving, please take a look at the Ride Share tab and consider volunteering to give someone a ride. If you need a ride, use the list to indicate your need and to follow up with other drivers.

When should I arrive?

• The 2023 Gathering begins at 10 AM on Tuesday, June 6th. Check-in begins at 9:30 AM.  
• The closing plenary ends at 12:30pm on Wednesday, June 7th, which is followed by lunch until 1:30.

Can I get to Normandy Farm using public transportation?

• Yes. Please follow these instructions to map your route via train or bus. Once you arrive at the train station, you may use the Normandy Farm Hotel’s Complimentary Shuttle (instructions below).
• From 30th Street Station (AMTRAK and SEPTA are located here)
  • Lansdale-Doylestown Line
  • Gwynedd Valley Stop (~40 Minutes)
• Normandy Farm Complimentary Shuttle to Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center (1.2 Miles): Attendees can request the shuttle ahead of time by calling into the front desk directly at 215-616-8500.  Depending on traffic it will be a 5-10 minute ride from the Gwynedd Valley stop to Normandy Farm.

What are the COVID precautions for the gathering?

• It is ICL’s intention to do what we can to provide a safe and healthy environment for our attendees and guest speakers. ICL will monitor COVID rates and CDC guidelines as the Gathering approaches. Vaccines and testing are encouraged but voluntary for this event. ICL will provide opportunities to eat outside, in addition to masks, hand sanitizer, and an option for attendees to indicate their level of comfort with social contact. Note that this venue is not a private space, and there are likely to be other events at the same time as the Gathering. 
• Please see the main Gathering page for more details.

Is there an event app?

• Yes! We are using Sched again, which you will use to register to attend the event, connect with other attendees, and access program details as they are made available. You can also customize your personal schedule and download resources shared by speakers and presenters.
• Sched is available as an app on mobile devices, and can be used in a web browser on a laptop or desktop computer.
• If you have an existing Sched account from either attending a previous DRWI Winter Gathering or another event that used Sched as the platform, you can sign in with the same account.  Once you register for the 2023 DRWI All-Cluster Gathering, you will see it appear as one of your “Events.”  If it does not appear, search for “DRWI” and it will populate as an option you can add.
• For more resources and instructions, explore the Sched Attendee Guides.

Do I need to register for specific sessions?

• There are a few time blocks on the agenda when concurrent sessions are happening.  For these, please choose one, which you can do when the sessions are announced by adding it to your Sched schedule.  This is most critical for the field trips and for the concurrent workshop sessions, to help ensure there is adequate space for everyone interested in participating.

What do the Field Trips on the agenda entail?

• Tuesday afternoon participants can choose from up to 4 different field trips, with the opportunity to get out of the hotel and experience the water quality issues and projects in the Delaware River Watershed first-hand. Transportation will be provided. 
• Read more about field trips by visiting this page.

Will I be able to participate in any sessions virtually?

• No, all of the content for this year’s Gathering will be live and in-person.  

Can I make an accessibility request?

• Yes. ICL’s objective is to provide an inclusive environment that allows everyone to participate in the Gathering to their fullest extent.  If there is something we can do to support your participation and make the event more accessible, please contact sarahd@icl.org. Please reach out as soon as possible with any accessibility requests.

If I need to cancel my registration, what is the cancellation policy?

• If you need to cancel your registration by April 30th, a full refund is offered.
• If you cancel your registration between May 1st and May 31st, a 50% refund is offered.
• Beginning June 1st, no refunds will be available.
• If you need to cancel due to COVID or other illness, please contact Sarah Dietz at sarahd@icl.org.
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