CONFERENCE LOCATION
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
1230 J St.
Sacramento, California, USA, 95814
Telephone: +1 916-447-1700
Please find a map of the floors the conference will be using here: Floor Plan
WHOVA APP
The Whova conference app will be the best way for you to navigate the conference and access all relevant information in one place. We will have a Whova Help Desk at the Check-In/Information table throughout the conference.
Download the Whova App
CONFERENCE AGENDA
You can find the complete agenda on the Whova App (on mobile or desktop), or on the conference website HERE. PLEASE NOTE that you will need Whova to access the agenda throughout the conference. Going forward, any room changes or program updates will be made in the Whova app, and we will send a notification through Whova.
CONFERENCE PLENARIES
Please be on time for the morning plenaries, they will start promptly at 8:30am. Here is a complete list of this year’s plenary sessions:
Tuesday, October 27
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Conference welcome and conference overview from conference leaders, students, and the IPSE Association
Wednesday, October 28
8:30 – 10:00am
California host committee members on state-level efforts, and Think College presents the state of IPSE.
1:15 – 2:20pm
**Jim LeBrecht, in conversation with California IPSE Students
Thursday, October 29
8:35 – 10:00am
Presentation of SOTA Leadership Awards,
12:45 – 1:40pm
Federal and State Policy Issued affecting IPSE Students and Programs…and what YOU can DO!
3:45 – 4:25pm
Conference Wrap-Up featuring student advocacy projects and the announcement of our photo and caption contest winners!
PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Tuesday, October 27, 9:3am – 12:30pm
Session pre-conference session offerings and details HERE.
REQUESTING AN INCLUSION CONCIERGE
SOTA is always trying to expand and do better! If you have mobility or any other specific support needs that we can assist you with at this conference, please reach out to us with your contact info, and we will pair you with an Inclusion Concierge to assist you during conference events. Contact coordinator@sotaconference.com.
PARKING
Please find information on nearby parking options and the Sheraton’s valet parking rates here:
Convention Center Parking Information
2026 Valet Parking Rates
REGISTRATION CHECK-IN
Conference check-in will be located in the Grand Nave Foyer
Tuesday, October 27, 8:30am-4:30pm
Wednesday, October 28, 7:00-8:30am
Thursday, October 29, 7:00-8:30am
The main check-in table will be staffed for the entire duration of the conference for late check-ins and to answer any questions you may have. Please wear your name-tags at all times during the conference to gain access to meals and the conference reception.
CONFERENCE WIFI NETWORK
Conference Wi-Fi will be available for all attendees. To connect open the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the network below. Once connected, you will be prompted to enter the access code provided below.
Network Name: Sheraton_CONFERENCE
Access Code: SOTA26
MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS
Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be provided on Wednesday 10/28 and Thursday 10/29 of the conference. The Welcome Reception on Wednesday, October 28 (6:00-9:00pm) will offer plentiful food. There is no food service on Tuesday 10/27. We try to keep a peanut-free environment, so please be mindful of this when bringing in outside food.
CONFERENCE RECEPTION & KARAOKE PARTY
Wednesday, October 28
6:00pm-9:00pm
Cafeteria 15L (1116 15th St.)
If you would like to invite a guest who is not registered for SOTA, individual reception tickets can be purchased here.
PRESENTATION ACCESSIBILITY
All plenary sessions will include microphones and CART services. All regular sessions will have presenter microphones, and captioning will be enabled on videos and slides. Please email us with any additional accommodations you may need at coordinator@sotaconference.com. All presenters should review the presenter guidelines carefully.
Presenting at SLC? Please send any questions about your presentation or presenting to Rebekah Wallis, rwallis@syr.edu.
BREAK ROOM/QUIET SPACE
Durango, located on level two of the Sheraton, will be available to those who need a quiet space. See the conference center map here: Floor Plan
RESTROOMS
All bathrooms are accessible and open to attendees without a code or access key. See locations here: Floor Plan. Please note, there are no restrooms on the ballroom/plenary level.
INCLUSIVE COLLEGE FAIR
Tuesday, October 27
5:30 – 7:30pm
UC Davis International Building
463 California Ave #3140
Davis, CA 95616
RSVP and see participating colleges here: https://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/sota/college-fair/
See shuttle bus service details below.
BUS SERVICE FOR INCLUSIVE COLLEGE FAIR – TUESDAY, OCT 27
Fully accessible buses will be shuttling to and from the UC Davis campus throughout the Inclusive College Fair.
3pm: Buses leave Sheraton for UC Davis Campus to transport SLC attendees to campus visit
4:30pm: Buses return to take Inclusive College Fair Exhibitors and early attendees to campus
5:00pm: Buses return to take Inclusive College Fair attendees to campus
5:30 – 8:00: Buses shuttle back and forth between UC Davis and Sheraton with last shuttle dropping off at the Sheraton around 8:30pm
TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT AT ANY TIME DURING CONFERENCE
The conference is within walking distance from all conference hotels and the reception. Should you need transportation support, we can connect you with one of our volunteer drivers. See conference contacts below.
LACTATION SPACE NEEDS
Please reach out to one of the conference contacts listed below if you need a private space for pumping or nursing.
PHOTO AND CAPTION CONTEST
We will give out prizes at the conference closing for the best photo and best caption uploaded to Whova!
CONFERENCE CONTACTS
Conference Inbox: coordinator@sotaconference.com
Kristin Sheehan: ksheehan@sheehancomms.com, (646) 421-0291
Karly Grifasi: kgrifasi@syr.edu, (917) 405-7798
SLC Contact: Rebekah Wallis, rwallis@syr.edu, (904) 345-1132
STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE EVENTS & OUTINGS
Pre-Conference Session
Building Self-Determination through ESports (Free)
Tuesday, October 27, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Presenter: University of Hawaii
Register
Trip to UC Davis Campus
Tuesday, October 27, 3pm
SLC students will take a shuttle to the UC Davis campus at 3 pm on Tuesday, October 27, where they can choose from several activities, including exploring the Dance Studio at the Activities and Recreation Center, visiting the Memorial Union (student life hub) and bowling in the games area, taking a campus tour, or watching a screening of Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, the award-winning film by keynote speaker Jim LeBrecht. Rebekah Wallis will be sending out a form for activity selection to all registered SLC students. Please complete it promptly.
Inclusive College Fair
Tuesday, October 27
5:30 – 7:30 pm
UC Davis International Center (463 California Ave #3140, Davis, CA 95616)
Meet representatives from over 40 colleges, universities, and organizations that support students with intellectual disability. Explore program options, ask questions, and learn what different inclusive college experiences can offer. Shuttles will be running to transport attendees between the conference venue and fair.
RSVP here to attend for free.
State Capitol Visit
Wednesday, October 28
2:30 – 4:30 pm
SLC attendees will have the opportunity to participate in advocacy sessions and tour the California State Capitol building.
