FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Registration & Scholarships​

1) How do I register?

Register online through the Summit registration page: resilientcaliforniasummit.org/registration

2) Can I register for just one day or a single session? 

No. Registration provides access to the full three-day Summit. One-day and session-only registration options are not available.

3) Can I register onsite at the event? 

Registration closes on October 19, 2026, and onsite registration will not be available. Please register in advance through the Summit registration page: resilientcaliforniasummit.org/registration.

4) Are scholarships still available?

Scholarship applications closed on August 21, 2026. Due to a high volume of funding requests received, we will not be accepting further applications.

5) If my proposal is accepted after the Early Bird rate expires, can I register with the Early Bird rate? 

Yes, please contact [email protected] to receive a promotion code to access the Early Bird rate.

6) Are registration fees refundable?

Registrations may be canceled for a full refund if the cancellation request is received by Friday, September 4, 2026. After that date, registration fees are non-refundable. Donations made to Zeffy are non-refundable.

7) Can I transfer my registration to someone else?

Yes. Registration transfer requests must be submitted to [email protected] by October 6, 2026.

8) Do speakers who can only attend their session still need to register?

Yes, all speakers must register for the Summit. We expect speakers to join us for the full three-day Summit, but we understand that there are extenuating circumstances where that may not be possible. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Email [email protected] to request an exception.

9) Are there preferred hotels?

The Summit has secured preferred rates at select hotels.

To receive the discounted registration rate associated with booking a preferred hotel, reservations must be made through the Summit’s designated hotel booking links below by September 28, 2026, subject to room availability.

Preferred hotels include:

10) Where is the Summit located? 

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

West Lobby

13th and K Streets

Sacramento, CA 95814

View on Google Maps

11) Is parking available? 

Parking is available in several public garages surrounding the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

Please note that garages may implement special-event flat-rate pricing up to two hours before event start times.

Nearby parking garages include:

Advance parking reservations may be available through SacPark at select participating garages.

12) Is the Summit virtual or hybrid? 

The Resilient California Summit is a fully in-person event. Virtual attendance and remote presentations will not be available. This format is designed to create a more engaging and interactive experience for attendees and speakers. 

13) What is the recommended attire?

Business casual attire is recommended.

14) Will food be provided? 

Coffee, refreshments, and lunch will be provided each day of the Summit.

15) Will exhibitors and sponsors be onsite?

Yes. Visit the Exhibit Hall to connect with organizations, agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector partners showcasing innovative resilience programs, products, and services.

16) Will there be an event app?

Registered attendees will receive instructions before the Summit on how to access Whova, the official Summit event app. 

Through Whova, attendees will be able to:

  • View the agenda.
  • Build a personal schedule.
  • Learn about speakers.
  • Browse exhibitors.
  • Access venue maps.
  • Receive event announcements.
  • Connect with other attendees.

17) How do I request an accessibility accommodation?

Please indicate any accessibility or ADA accommodation requests during registration. 

If your needs change after registering, please contact the Summit organizers at [email protected] as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.

18) How do I request a dietary accommodation?

Please indicate any dietary restrictions or food allergies during registration. While we make every effort to accommodate advance requests, we cannot guarantee accommodations for requests made onsite. 

19) Is there a lactation room?

A private lactation room will be available, including a mini fridge for storing expressed milk. Additional information will be available at the registration desk and in the event app.

20) What time should I arrive? 

We recommend arriving 30 to 45 minutes before the first session you plan to attend to allow time for parking, check-in, and badge pick-up.

21) How do I check in? I can’t find my ticket.

No ticket is required. 

When you arrive, simply check in at one of the onsite registration kiosks using the email address you used to register. You’ll receive your Summit badge, which serves as your event credential. 

If you’re looking for your registration or payment confirmation, search your inbox for an email from Zeffy.

22) What happens if I lose my badge?

Visit the registration desk. Staff will verify your registration and issue a replacement badge.

23) Will Wi-Fi be available?

Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available throughout the convention center. Network information will be provided on-site.

24) Will there be charging stations?

Charging stations will be available in designated attendee areas throughout the venue.

25) Can I store my luggage at the convention center? 

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center does not offer luggage storage. Please check with your hotel regarding luggage storage options.

26) Will sessions be recorded? 

Only the plenary sessions will be recorded. Recordings may be made available on the Summit website after the event. Breakout sessions will not be recorded.

27) When will I find out if my session proposal was accepted? 

Applicants will be notified between August 24 and September 4, 2026.

Visit resilientcaliforniasummit.org/sponsorship for information about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and please email [email protected] with inquiries.

28) Are media passes available?

You may inquire about media passes by emailing [email protected]. Due to the limited capacity, requests will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. 

29) Can I volunteer at the Summit?

At this moment, we are not accepting volunteers. If you would like to attend the Summit, please register online: resilientcaliforniasummit.org/registration

30) What is a Related Event?

Related Events are independently organized events that complement the Resilient California Summit. They may include receptions, networking events, workshops, roundtables, site visits, or other gatherings relevant to the Summit community.

31) When should Related Events take place?

Related Events should be scheduled outside of official Summit programming whenever possible. The Resilient California Summit takes place during the following hours:

  • Tuesday, October 20: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 21: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday, October 22: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

32) Who is responsible for organizing the event?

Related Event organizers are solely responsible for securing a venue and managing all costs, logistics, registration, and promotion associated with their event.

33) Will my event be promoted by the Summit?

Approved Related Events may be listed on the Related Events page of the Resilient California Summit website. Organizers are responsible for any additional promotion.

34) Does submitting an event guarantee inclusion?

No. Submissions will be reviewed for relevance and alignment with the Summit.

35) When is the deadline?

Related Event submissions are due by October 9, 2026.

36) Are there formatting requirements and/or guidelines for the posters?

Yes, the required poster dimensions are 5 x 3 feet in a landscape orientation. We cannot accommodate portrait orientations or larger sizes.

For general guidance on academic posters, this page by the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Center has some great advice. If you are presenting on a topic for which an academic/research structure might not be appropriate, we encourage you to get creative with how you share the information.

Posters are most well received when they are easy to read (both in terms of accessible language as well as formatting), have simple but catchy graphics, and don’t overwhelm the audience with too much text.

37) Do you have a template we can use for developing our poster?

Yes, the templates were included in the follow up email you should have received after confirming your participation. They can also be found here.

38) When do poster drafts need to be submitted?

You do not need to provide us with a draft of your poster.

39) Where can I get my poster printed?

Presenters are responsible for having their posters printed. Local printing shops or national chains such as FedEx often provide poster printing services at a reasonable cost.

40) Is there funding support for printing posters?

The Summit team does not have funding allocated for supporting poster printing.

41) Is there funding support for attending the summit?

Unfortunately the application for scholarships for summit attendees has already passed. We are unable to offer additional funding support at this time.

42) When will the poster session(s) take place?

There will be three poster sessions over the course of the summit. The Resilient California Summit team will circulate scheduling materials, including confirmation of your poster session time, closer to the date of the event. Poster sessions will be showcased across all three days of the event.

43) How will I engage with attendees during the poster session?

Poster sessions will use a gallery format with posters being attached to large standing poster boards. The sessions will take place during coffee hours and will allow attendees to walk through the gallery and see the array of posters.

Presenters are generally advised to stand next to their poster during their designated session so that attendees can ask questions as they browse the session.

44) Are there accessibility guidelines I should follow while developing my poster?

Presenters should follow accessibility guidelines when developing their posters. For details on making posters accessible, please refer to this page.

45) Who should I contact if I have other questions about the summit itself?

If you have other summit related questions, such as those about accommodations, lodging, or food, please direct them to the event management team at [email protected].

If you have additional questions, such as those about printing posters, scholarship funding, or timing of poster sessions, please refer to the attached FAQ.

For questions not addressed in either this email or attached documents, please contact Dylan Moore at [email protected] using the subject line [RCS POSTER QUESTION].

Please email [email protected] with any additional questions.