Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the WLA 2026 Annual Conference

Conference Rates

What is the cost of the conference?

Early bird rates through March 20th:

Non members:
$380 full conference
$275 Friday only
$275 Saturday only
$130 Afternoon Preconference

Members:
$225 full conference
$180 Friday only or Saturday only
$85 Afternoon preconference

Organizational Rates

Does my organization qualify for a group discount?

Yes! Organizations sending staff to the in-person conference in Yakima may request a group discount code based on the number of employees attending.

To request a discount code, contact the WLA Office at [email protected].

Group discount levels:

5–10 attendees → 5% off
11–20 attendees → 10% off
21+ attendees → 20% off

Guest Tickets

Can I purchase guest tickets for conference events?

Yes! Guest tickets are available on Page 2 of the conference registration form under Guest Tickets.

Guests may attend the following events, with corresponding ticket prices:

Meet & Greet Welcome Reception — $25
Welcome Breakfast & Keynote — $40
CAYAS/ScLD Author Breakfast — $40
WLA Awards Lunch — $50

Guest tickets may have limited availability, so early purchase is recommended.

Which meals included with my conference registration?

Your full conference registration includes:

Coffee service during main conference hours
Lite bites at the Meet & Greet Welcome Reception
Breakfast on Friday and Saturday
Lunch on Friday and Saturday

Guest tickets for select meals and events must be purchased separately.

Hotel Accommodations

Where can I stay during the conference?

WLA has secured hotel room blocks at two partner hotels in Yakima for the 2026 Conference. Full details—including booking links, room rates, and deadlines—are available on the Hotel Information Page on the WLA website.

Pre-Conferences

How do I register for preconference sessions?

Preconference sessions are available as Add-On Events within the conference registration form.

After beginning your registration, go to Page 2 and select the session(s) you’d like to attend.

Do preconference sessions require separate registration?

No. All preconference options are embedded in the main registration form and appear on Page 2.

Can I add a preconference session after I’ve already registered?

Yes—you can submit another registration for only preconference sessions using the same conference registration form link.

Are preconference sessions included in the general conference registration rate?

No. Preconference sessions typically require an additional fee unless otherwise noted.

How do I confirm which preconference sessions I’m registered for?

Your confirmation email will list all sessions you selected, including any Add-On Events.

Are preconference sessions limited in capacity?

Yes. Sessions have limited seats and may fill quickly. Early registration is encouraged.

Are materials or recordings provided for conference and preconference sessions?

Materials will be provided on the conference app as provided by presenters.

Do I have to register for the conference to attend the preconference sessions?

No, you can simply register for the preconference session of your choice.

Author's Alley

What is Author’s Alley?

Author’s Alley is a meet‑and‑greet and book‑signing opportunity with Pacific Northwest authors, held in the exhibit hall. A bookseller will be on site where attendees can purchase books by participating authors and keynote speakers. Author’s Alley sessions take place on Friday and Saturday, scheduled for approximately one hour each during conference break periods.

Please note: Author’s Alley is not a Book Bash. There is no Book Bash this year.

Authors interested in participating should email [email protected].

Do authors need to register for the conference to participate in Author’s Alley?

No. Authors do not need to register for the conference in order to participate in Author’s Alley.

Conference registration is only required if an author plans to attend other conference activities, such as main sessions, breakout sessions, the awards lunch, or other ticketed events.

Authors must coordinate their participation with the Author’s Alley leads by emailing [email protected]. Walk‑ins are not guaranteed a spot.

As an author, how do I share a list of my recommended books with attendees?

Authors should coordinate directly with the Author’s Alley leads by emailing [email protected]. Your book information will be shared with the on‑site bookseller.

If I want to give something away during Author’s Alley, how do I do that?

Authors are welcome to bring giveaways and distribute them during their scheduled Author’s Alley time.

Are there any discounts available for authors to attend the conference?

At this time, there are no conference registration discounts available for authors. Participation in Author’s Alley provides the opportunity to promote yourself and your work directly to conference attendees.