There is so much to gain from the 2014 Arts Festival Conference, whether you’re an artist new to the Arts Festival world, or a seasoned pro. Maybe you’re an art festival organizer or just simply want to know more about the what’s and how’s of festivals. The ZAPP team definitely wants you at this great professional development experience, but we’re realistic: We know it can take some creative accounting to make a budget for investing in yourself.
We’re offering early-bird pricing until June 1, 2014 — that’s plenty of time to plan and make your trip a reality!
Here are three tips that can help get you to our one-of-a-kind Conference in August!
1. Make a budget
Know how much it’s going to cost ahead of time so you don’t have any surprises. Here are some standard conference travel and lodging costs you can expect:
- Registration = $265 early-bird rate (through June 1)
- Hotel = $159/night + tax
- TIP: Save money by sharing a room. The rate for 1-2 guests may be $159 per night, but the rate for 3-4 guests is $174 each night.
- 1 guest = $159/night per person + tax.
- 2 people = $79.5/night per person + tax.
- 3 people = $58/night per person + tax.
- 4 people = $43.50/night per person + tax.
- TIP: Save money by sharing a room. The rate for 1-2 guests may be $159 per night, but the rate for 3-4 guests is $174 each night.
- Flight = <$300 round trip
- Flights into Portland (code PDX) are typically $200-$300 from most major cities.
- Dinner = $20 average meal
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the conference.
- Portland is truly a food city. You’ll have so many dining options, including food carts that offer a wide range of both prices and cuisines.
- Transportation = $5
- Portland has an incredible transit system, including the MAX light rail which costs only $2.50 from the airport into downtown Portland.
- The hotel is located in a very walkable downtown area, only a few blocks from the Art in the Pearl show site, Powell’s City of Books, the famous bridges lining the Willamette river, and Voodoo Doughnut, among many other great nearby attractions.
2. Take advantage of the early-bird rate
The early-bird rate is only good for the first 60 days registration is open.
- Save $50; don’t wait for the rate to go up to $315 per person after June 1.
- If you work with a staff member or artist partner who is also attending the conference, be sure to register for an early-bird group rate of $215 per person before the offer expires on June 1.
3. Pay attention to your many flight options
The Internet makes it easy to keep tabs on flight prices, times, and airport options to secure the best deals.
- Buy your ticket early.
- Travel & Leisure magazine recommends buying your ticket about 2-3 months before your departure for the best fares.
- Travel websites like Kayak and Bing let you set up flight alerts to keep tabs on fares and great sales.
- Check the fares from an alternative airport.
- Compare the cost differences from Midway instead of O’Hare, or Love Field instead of Dallas-Fort Worth. A staffer once saved $300 per person flying out from Colorado Springs instead of Denver! It doesn’t always pay off, but when it does, it is definitely worth it!
- Fly on a different airline.
- Low-cost carrier Southwest and ultra-low cost carriers Frontier and Spirit Airlines all fly into PDX. If you’re on the West Coast already, Alaska Airlines often runs amazing deals as well.
Bonus tip: Book your hotel stay today to secure the best room choices
We’ve reserved rooms at the luxurious Benson Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Portland. The hotel is the closest property to the Art in the Pearl and we’ve been assured that reservations have priority:
- Web: http://coa.st/iips
- Email: reservations@bensonhotel.com
- Phone: 503-228-2000 (ask for in-house reservations)
Note: Rooms may be booked online at the discounted rate of $159 per night for guests staying Aug. 27-29. To make reservations beginning or ending after these dates, please email or call the hotel directly to book.
We’re really excited about our sixth Arts Festival Conference! We offer some great networking opportunities as well as professional development specifically pertaining to the art fair and festival field.