Coalition Annual Meeting & Conference
Washington University in St. Louis
August 8-9, 2024
About the Conference
This annual event is a chance to engage with and learn from your fellow Coalition members on a range of college access topics; and to discuss how we can continue to leverage the power of our membership to help achieve our vision: a future where all students have access to a successful, affordable and transformative college experience.
The conference will be held at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center on WashU’s campus.
Hotel reservations
We have blocks of rooms (in quantities ranging from 10-50) available at the following locations. To receive our group rate, please reserve your room by July 8 using the following links:
Hampton Inn and Suites Clayton/St. Louis, $150 per night, 2.0 miles from the conference
Courtyard by Marriott - St. Louis Brentwood, $154 per night, 2.8 miles from the conference
Residence Inn by Marriott, $184 per night, 3.1 miles from the conference
Aloft St. Louis Cortex, $139 per night, 3.7 miles from the conference
Please note: Transportation will not be provided from the hotels to the conference. Tip: If you’d like to stay in the same location as colleagues and friends, please book early!
Conference registration rates
Please register by June 1 to receive our early rate: $300
After June 1, registration will be $375.
Why attend the conference?
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To be in the room once again with people dedicated to college access was reinvigorating. The conversation was substantive and weighty, which is precisely where it needs to be at this critical moment.
2023 attendee
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Every moment felt like it was intentionally used to communicate (actionable) information.
2023 attendee
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The sessions "were incredibly relevant to what is going on in our field right now. The speakers were fantastic, and I felt like I learned something in each session."
2023 attendee
FAQs
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We aspire to have each of our member institutions represented at this key event.
Many members send enrollment leadership, as well as staff who are passionate about expanding college access. -
The program will take place at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center in St. Louis, MO.
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Here’s a Campus Map that includes lots of helpful information about getting to campus, as well as around campus. Please note that the conference will be held on WashU’s Danforth Campus at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center.
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We have rooms reserved at the following hotels. Please use the online reservation links below to book your room.
Hampton Inn and Suites Clayton/St. Louis, $150 per night, 2.0 miles from the conference
Courtyard by Marriott - St. Louis Brentwood, $154 per night, 2.8 miles from the conference
Residence Inn by Marriott, $184 per night, 3.1 miles from the conference
Aloft St. Louis Cortex, $139 per night, 3.7 miles from the conference
If you are interested in staying outside of the blocks above, we recommend these hotels.
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St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the local airport.
From I-170E (or Lambert International Airport)
Take Exit 238A for I-170 South to Exit 1E for Forest Park Parkway exit
Go east on Forest Park Parkway through Clayton, past Big Bend Boulevard to Throop Drive (first stoplight after Big Bend)
Turn right (South) onto Throop Drive. Approximately 15 minutes
By GPS
We recommend you use Throop Drive and Snow Way, Washington University for GPS directions.
By Taxi or Rideshare
Cab fare is approximately $30 each way. Uber and Lyft Ridesharing apps are approximately $25.00 each way.
By MetroLink
You can take the light-rail system to the University City/Big Bend Station. After exiting the train, take the elevator or stairs to the street level. Washington University’s Danforth Campus is on the southeast corner (Big Bend and Forest Park Parkway).
The Charles F. Knight Center is located on the north side of the Danforth Campus at the intersection of Throop Drive and Snow Way, directly across from the Millbrook Garage.
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Visitor parking is available on the fourth level of Millbrook Garage. Pull a ticket at the gate when you enter. Parking garage tickets will be validated at the front desk courtesy of the conference planning team.
Parking is free weekdays between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on weekends.
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Aug. 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner, compliments of WashU Admissions
Aug. 9
Breakfast
Boxed Lunch
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We recommend business casual attire and suggest dressing in layers as some spaces may be cooler than others.
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We have two open WiFi networks for guests to use (WUSTL Guests and WUSTL Guests 2.0). Neither of these networks will require login credentials.
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We reserved smaller work rooms for anyone that needs a quiet space to work.
Have a question you don’t see here? Get in touch: info@coalitionforcollege.org.
Schedule
More details coming soon.
Thursday, August 8
8-9:15 a.m.
Breakfast and Registration
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome and Annual Business Meeting
10:45 - 12 p.m.
Conference Session
12 - 1 p.m.
Lunch
1-1:45 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
Conference Session
3-3:15
Break
3:15-4:30
Conference Session
6-9 p.m.
Cocktail Reception & Dinner
Friday, August 9
8-9 a.m.
Breakfast
9 - 10 a.m.
Conference Session
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Conference Session
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Reflections & Conference Closing
A boxed lunch will be available following the conference closing.
Register
Register by June 1 to receive our early rate: $300.
After June 1, the registration rate will be $375.
Please note: this event is for members of the Coalition for College, our Counselor Advisory Committee, members of our Board of Directors, and select presenters.