Registration opens on April 1, 2024. To prepare for registration, please read the information below in its entirety.
This information is pertinent to all attendees and details conference registration fees, lodging, meals, transportation, and attire.
REGISTRATION FEES (*please read carefully*)
Early Bird Registration (April 1 - April 30, 2024) (must be paid or postmarked by Tuesday, April 30th)
Regular Registration (May 1 - June 17, 2024) (must be paid or postmarked by Monday, June 17th)
Late Registration (Beginning June 18, 2024) (NOTE: While there isn't an advertised deadline, please note Conference materials must be secured by a certain date. Groups that register after July 1st run the risk of not receiving all designated Conference materials based on availability. We will do our best to accommodate those who register after July 1st as best as possible.)
Group Fee: The group fee incentive is provided to encourage colleges/universities to extend this leadership training to the Royal Court members (e.g., attendants, class kings/queens, etc.). Many of our past Royal Court members who have attended the conference have later become the official king or queen. Additionally, they have benefited from this professional training beyond their campus leadership roles and into their professional careers. It has also helped the entire group understand their roles as campus ambassadors collectively. If you are bringing at least two (2) kings or two (2) queens, that is considered a group. The king and queen together do not qualify for the group incentive.
Advisors: Royal Court advisors, college/university officials, and other chaperones who want to attend any of the activities, workshops, etc. must pay the above fee; otherwise, he or she will not be allowed to participate in any activities related to the Conference.
PAYMENT
In order to take advantage of and guarantee the early-bird and regular registration fees, payment must be received or postmarked by the advertised deadline. Should a college/university register and not meet the payment deadline, the registered advisor will receive an updated invoice that reflects attendee registration fees based on the current registration fee cost.
There are two ways to submit payment:
Credit Card
All major credit cards (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) are accepted.
Invoice/Check
At the end of registering, an option may be selected to be invoiced and pay by check. Only a college/university or sponsoring company check will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to Leadership for Queens (Federal Tax Id#: 32-0013781), which is registered in the state of Tennessee, and mailed as follows:
Please make sure our current W-9 is correct in your filing system. To ensure that we receive your payment, please mail all checks no later than July 19, 2024. After July 19th, payments must be presented onsite during check-in as our staff will be preparing for their arrival to New Orleans and will be unavailable to check the mailbox. If submitting payment by mail, we suggest you make a copy of your check and obtain a tracking number in case mail is slow or use advanced mail services to expedite delivery. NOTE: All registration fees are due before or at the time of check-in on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
NOTE: If an attendee chooses to pay registration personally by check, he/she must pay with a cashier’s check or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted. In the case of an attendee personally covering his/her registration, $25 will be deducted from the registration fee according to the advertised fee structure above. Please contact Dr. Michael Rainey at [email protected] to be invoiced directly.
REFUND POLICY
Registration fees will not be refunded due to cancellation on the participant's behalf. However, if the conference itself is canceled, all registration fees will be refunded. If a participant cancels his/her registration, the registration fees are transferable to another participant for that Conference year only.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LODGING
Lodging is not included in the registration fee. The Conference will take place at Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, (504) 586-0300. There are two ways to book:
Online: click here to book your rooms.
By Phone: Call 1-800-SONESTA and reference group code 072824HBCU or group name HBCU Kings & Queens Conference.
The hotel cost is $162.00 per night for deluxe king and double queen rooms (plus 14.45% room tax, $2.00 occupancy tax, and 1.74% Statutory Tourism tax for a total of $190.24). Group room rates are available three (3) days before the conference (July 29th - 31st) and three (3) days after the conference (August 5th - 7th) based on hotel availability prior to the cut-off date of July 19th.
Please do not delay in making your reservations with the hotel because space is limited and we would like all the kings and queens in the same location for the purpose of sharing and bonding. Furthermore, our conference staff will be staying at the hotel in case of emergencies or special concerns. With other big events in the city that weekend, we strongly suggest you reserve your room now to guarantee your space. This block is guaranteed until 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2024 (or until the block is filled). After this date, we cannot guarantee the group rate or the availability of rooms.
For easy processing for the hotel when paying with a college/university check by mail, please specify the names of your attendees and their reservation numbers. For your travel convenience, please note the Conference's hotel rate is available the day before the conference starts (if you desire to come early) as well as the day the conference ends (if you want to stay over). If you have any issues with your reservation, please contact Dr. Michael Rainey at [email protected] or our hotel contact, Ms. Mia Bullard, at 504-553-2238. Please also contact us if you are told the hotel block is full so that we can check on available space outside of the room block.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Airport: Those flying to New Orleans will fly into the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), which offers flights to/from most major cities. MSY is 12 miles (20 minutes) from Royal Sonesta New Orleans.
Transportation: Royal Sonesta New Orleans does not have an airport shuttle. For ground transportation options to the hotel, please coordinate through https://flymsy.com/ground-transportation/. All other transportation will be provided by the Conference for offsite conference activities.
Parking: Valet parking only is available for cars, trucks, and vans at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans for $43.00 per day (plus 12.7% tax for a total of $48.46). For those traveling to the Conference via bus, there is no available bus parking at the hotel or in the French Quarter. Buses must unload passengers at Canal and Bourbon Streets, which is two blocks from the hotel. Please contact Dr. Michael Rainey at [email protected] for information regarding option bus parking.
MEALS
Conference meals will be provided as follows:
Dress for the Conference is business casual / business chic. Comfortable shoes are a must. Students should be mindful that they are a reflection of their college/university; therefore, presentable attire in and out of sessions will be required. Please keep in mind that kings and queens are expected to exemplify the highest level of appearance and behavior at all times. Also, it is important to know that pictures and videos are being taken at all times, especially on the day of arrival. As formal training for young business professionals, the Conference staff asks that kings and queens are appropriately and fully dressed when leaving their rooms, including, but not limited, to Conference check-in, breakfast, and all other functions as noted via the Conference schedule.
Other important attire information is as follows:
CONTACT US
For general information about the conference or questions, please contact Dr. Michael Rainey, Director of Programs and Conference Registration, by email at [email protected] or by phone/text at 804-898-9533.