GENERAL INFORMATION:
When and where is the SSWCA 2025 conference?
Friday-Saturday, March 21-22, 2025 at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
What is the format?
In-person and virtual
What is the schedule?
Both Friday and Saturday will include conference sessions from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.
- FRIDAY sessions will be focused primarily on writing center administration and tutoring. In-person professional registrants are invited to gather for a Director’s Social that evening at the conference hotel. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, soda bar and snack
.
Primary audiences: K-12 and university writing center directors, tutors and school administrators; NWP teacher leaders and others interested in peer tutoring
- SATURDAY sessions will be focused on teaching writing, supporting writers, and developing as a writer. Other embodied writing and sharing experiences (hiking, yoga, book making) for participants may also be included. Registration includes breakfast and lunch.
Primary audiences: K-12 and university teachers (including writing center leaders) and NWP teacher leaders interested in writing instruction and development, and K-12 students interested in writing development and preparing for college writing
A detailed version of the conference schedule will be available by Feb. 2025.
Will any meals be included with registration?
Yes – Friday will include breakfast, a boxed lunch, and an afternoon snack (soda and soft pretzels); Saturday will include breakfast and a catered buffet lunch.
Will the virtual conference be synchronous or asynchronous?
There will be synchronous Zoom sessions, as well as asynchronous (pre-recorded) sessions. When presenters submit their proposal, they will be asked for their preferred format: in-person, synchronous Zoom presentation, or asynchronous pre-recorded session. We will only be able to offer a limited number of synchronous Zoom sessions, so when the acceptance emails are sent out in early December, some virtual proposals may be asked to convert into a pre-recorded format.
When can I register?
Registration is now open via Eventbrite. A summary chart of registration rates can be viewed here.
Can I attend the conference even if I don’t run a writing center or learning center?
Yes. We are partnering with the National Writing Project and the Central Utah Writing Project this year in hopes that we can connect and learn with all teachers of writing at K-12 and university settings, including those who do not have or work at writing centers. For writing center folks, we welcome current directors, prospective directors, school administrators, current tutors, and prospective tutors from secondary schools and universities
What do I need to know if I’m bringing minors to the conference?
If you are bringing minors (any young person under 18) to the conference, our host institution requires that each school or district complete an Authorized Educational Visit Agreement here: bit.ly/BYUVisitForm. Please download this form and send it to conference@sswca.org by March 7, 2025.
Can students who are not tutors attend the conference?
Yes. Although most of the student presenters will be writing and learning center tutors and the topics of their presentations will be around tutoring, students who are not tutors but who are interested in writing are able to attend.
Do you have a Mother’s room?
Yes. Email conference@sswca.org if you would like information on using this space.
Do you have any resources for directors/teachers going to the conference for the first time?
Aside from this FAQ page, we have a blog post written by SSWCA board member Kelly Crespo, which summarizes some of what was shared in our September 2024 Digital Roundtable “Tips and Tricks for Directors Traveling to the Conference (with or without students).” This includes resources that you can use to talk to administrators, parents, and students about the logistics and benefits of attending the conference.
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Airport Information & Getting to Provo
There are two airports that service the area: Salt Lake International Airport and Provo Municipal Airport.
Salt Lake International is roughly 50 miles north of Provo and will require additional transportation in order to get down to the conference site. See below for information on car rentals and public transportation.
- By Car. Approximately a 45-60 min drive straight south on I-15. Ride shares will cost around $60 . The following car rental agencies are available at the SLC airport:
On-Airport Rental Car Agencies
| Alamo | 844-942-0335 | Open 7 a.m. to midnight |
| Avis | 801-258-5237 | Open 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. |
| Budget | 801-736-0890 | Open 24 hours |
| Dollar | 800-800-5252 | Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Enterprise | 844-942-0337 | Open 7 a.m. to midnight |
| Hertz | 800-654-4173 | Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| National | 844-942-0336 | Open 7 a.m. to midnight |
| Payless | 801-258-5239 | Open 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. |
| Thrifty | 800-334-1705 | Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
- Public Transportation: There is a train (FrontRunner) that goes from SLC to Provo. From the airport, you’ll have to take Utah TRAX (Green line) to the North Temple Station and then take the FrontRunner to the Provo Station, approximately 2 hours one way. Here is a blog post explaining how to make this trip.
- Cost: $2.50 one way. Transfers to all buses, TRAX, and UVX.
- See UTA Trip Planner for more information. Download the Transit app for ease of purchasing. Cash and cards not accepted on buses.
- Private Shuttles are also available from the SLC airport to Provo.
Provo Municipal Airport is local – only 6 miles away from the conference site – but it has limited commercial flights. Carriers include Allegiant Air, American Airlines, and Breeze Air.
If staying at a hotel in Provo, check to see if they offer a shuttle service to/from the airport.
Car rentals, public transportation, and ride shares available.
LODGING:
We’ve partnered with the Hyatt Place Provo for a special conference rate of $145.00/night (not including taxes/fees). This rate is available for a limited number of rooms for reservations between March 20 and March 22, 2025.
All rooms include the following:
- Either two queen beds and a sofa bed OR One king bed and a sofa bed
- Free Wifi
- Complimentary breakfast
This special conference rate will expire February 14, 2025 at 5:00pm MST or when all available rooms have sold, whichever comes first.
Transportation options are available to BYU from the hotel. Self-parking is available in the Freedom Commons Garage for $10.00/night.
The Hyatt Place Provo is located approximately 1.5 miles south of campus in downtown Provo. This is approximately a 5-7 minute drive or 20-25 minute walk. Additional lodging, food, and entertainment options can also be found nearby.
Click HERE to place your reservation. (Please identify yourself as a SSWCA attendee.)
Hotel Address:
Hyatt Place Provo
180 W. 100 N.
Provo, UT, 84601
Hotel Phone:
801-609-2060
LOCAL INFORMATION:
What is the weather like in March?
It’s difficult to say. Sometimes it’s 70-degrees and sunny, and sometimes it’s 30-degrees and snowy. Keep an eye on the forecast leading up to the conference. Because Utah has a desert climate, it is often much cooler in the mornings and evenings than it is during the day. Dressing in layers is recommended. Rain, sleet, snow, or shine, the conference will happen regardless of the weather. We’ll hope for good hiking weather; BYU is right at the base of the mountains with lots of accessible hikes!
What is the best way to get around Provo?
Uber, Lyft, public transportation, or walking are all great options for getting around Provo. The furthest hotel is 2 miles from the conference site.
What is there to do around BYU?
Because Provo is a college town, there’s no shortage of fun things to do. Popular attractions on the BYU Campus include the Museum of Art, Bean Life Science Museum, and the BYU Creamery on Ninth (we recommend Graham Canyon as a fan favorite flavor!).
Off campus attractions include hiking “The Y,” visiting Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, hiking up Rock Canyon, and Fat Cats Bowling.
What are my off-campus food options?
There are tons of fast-casual and fast-food options within walking distance of the university (Costa Vida, Pita Pit, Firehouse Subs, Noodles & Company, Panda Express, Dutch Bros, Starbucks, Wendy’s, etc. on Cougar Ave west of campus; Red Fuego, Cupbop, Slab Pizza, Brooker’s Ice Cream east of campus). For a classic, college-town pizza joint, try Brick Oven Pizza.
To see the best that Provo has to offer, consider checking out the food scene downtown for unique, locally-owned restaurants. Some of our favorites include:
- Mozz Artisan Pizza
- Black Sheep Cafe
- Station 22 Cafe
- Communal Restaurant
- Bombay House
- Hruska’s Kolaches
For an authentic Provo food experience, grab soda at Swig or Sodalicious, a cookie at Crumbl or Twisted Sugar, and a hot dog J-Dawgs, all of which are iconic Provo eats. Top it off with a scoop of ice cream from the BYU Creamery!
OTHER NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
COST:
How much does it cost to attend?
See our registration fees page here.
Is there financial support?
SSWCA offers member schools travel grants and registration waivers in addition to the Jensen-Hutton Grant. We’ve created a funding request template and budget breakdown for your school or other funding sources as well as one specific to writing project teachers.
What does the Jensen-Hutton Grant provide?
The Jensen-Hutton Grant is available for centers in operation fewer than three years. Check out this page and email conference@sswca.org with any questions. The center will receive $500 in travel money to attend the conference.
What about registration waivers and travel grants?
Registration waiver and travel grant information can be found here. We will offer $250 or $500 travel grants and a number of registration waivers to help member schools offset the cost of attending the conference.
What is the deadline to apply for the grants and waivers and when will recipients be announced?
Grant applications must be received no later than Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST. Recipients will be notified no later than Monday, December 2, 2024.
Registration waivers are due January 6, and those recipients will be notified by January 22.
PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS:
When are proposals due?
Please submit your proposal no later than midnight EST on Monday, October 21, 2023.
What are the types and time limitations for presentations?
- Workshop (1 hour, 15 minutes; 1-5 presenters): Session leaders guide participants through examining an essential question or a challenge in an interactive workshop-style format. Successful workshops involve activities wherein participants create a plan or a product to bring back to and implement in their schools.
- Insight Presentation (20-25 minutes; 1-3 presenters): Presenters deliver a session that offers a clear insight on a specific topic or offers an approach to addressing a question or challenge encountered by your center or in your writing instruction. Presentations will be paired with another with a similar focus to offer audience members varying viewpoints on a topic as part of a longer, 75-minute session.
- Panel Presentation (1 hour, 15 minutes; 2-5 presenters): A group of presenters collaborates to offer various perspectives on the same general topic or different approaches to addressing a question or challenge. Successful panels engage the audience in collaborative exercises and provide time for small-group and whole-group discussions at various points throughout the presentation. You are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues from other schools!
- Roundtable or Special Interest Group (SIG) (1 hour, 15 minutes; 1-3 presenters): Session leaders facilitate a moderated discussion on a writing or learning center, or writing instruction topic. This less-structured option is geared towards the busy teacher leader or director who is interested in leading a session but prefers to be more of a conversation facilitator than a presenter; however, we welcome tutor leaders to propose in this format as well.
Are there any sample proposals or presentations?
Yes! Check out our support for conference proposals page.
SPONSORSHIPS:
Whom do I contact about sponsorships?
OTHER QUESTIONS:
Whom should I contact with questions?
The conference committee is happy to answer your questions: conference@sswca.org.