The NFA Blog

The 53rd NFA Convention is fast approaching, and we are looking forward to four days of performances, masterclasses, workshops, and more in Atlanta! 

We know that attending the NFA Convention can be a financial commitment, so we’ve gathered this budget-friendly advice from staff and past convention attendees. Whether you are already registered or are thinking about attending this summer, read on as we share information on logistics of the hotels, parking, transportation, and dining, and offer tips that will help you stay on budget while you are in Atlanta this summer.

Registration & Membership

For the lowest registration rate, make sure you register online before July 29th. If you miss that deadline, you’ll have to wait to register on-site in Atlanta at a higher rate. 

If you don’t want to register for the full convention, we offer single-day registrations, an exhibit hall pass, and tickets to individual events. These options give you greater flexibility in choosing the events that you attend and how much you spend.

We offer a lower-income registration rate for those who earn less than $40,000 annually. To take advantage of this reduced pricing, you must hold a lower-income NFA membership.  

If you’d like, you can pay your registration fee in monthly installments. Sign up during the registration process before June 1st. (three month)

We also offer convention registration scholarships. These need-based scholarships offer full and partial fee waivers for those who would otherwise not be able to attend the convention. Applications are open until May 1st.

Hotel

This year, all convention activities will take place in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (265 Peachtree Street NE, downtown Atlanta). Staying at the convention site is a great way to fully experience the convention and connect with the community. The NFA has secured a block of discounted rooms for convention attendees, with room rates starting at $169 per night. The only way to book a discounted room is through our accommodations page.

Find a roommate! A great way to save money is to room with other people. Members can fill out our Roommate Request Form and check out the Roommate Listing to connect with someone.

If you’re attending the convention with friends, you can save by sharing up to 4 people in a room. A room for two people costs $169 per night ($84.50 each), a room for three is $194 per night ($64.44 each), and a room for four is $219 per night ($54.75 each). Factor in additional hotel taxes of 16.9% plus $5 per room per night). 

Note that you will be required to provide a credit card to guarantee room payment and cover any incidentals when you arrive to check in. Be aware that bottled water or other beverages and any snacks or edible treats available in the room are not free – your credit card will be charged for these and they’re costly. It is recommended that you put them in a corner of your room and forget about them.

Food

The Hyatt Regency Hotel has a restaurant and a market in the lobby. However, they are expensive and more affordable options are available in the nearby Peachtree Center and other locations near the hotel. The convention center does not have a food court.

Stocking up on some groceries and snacks to keep in your room can be a more affordable option than eating out throughout the convention. All rooms have mini-refrigerators and coffeemakers. A microwave is located in the market in the hotel lobby. Check with hotel staff to find out if there are other microwaves throughout the hotel. 

A CVS store is located at Peachtree Center next to the hotel. A Walmart Supercenter is located a 12 minute walk from the Hotel. Publix supermarket is 20 minutes away and Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s 1.7 miles away from the hotel.

Public Transportation

Utilizing public transportation is a cost-friendly and environmentally friendly way to get around town. Transit in Atlanta is operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). 

The MARTA Red/Gold train provides a direct connection from the ATL airport to downtown Atlanta's "Peachtree Center" station, only two blocks from the Hyatt Regency. More information here. Fares are $2:50 for a single ride, less with Breeze cards. Street cars and buses are also available. 

Parking

If you are driving or renting a car, self-parking is not available at the Hyatt Regency parking garage. A 25% discount for NFA attendees for valet parking is available, but the charge is between $45 and $50 per day. It is recommended that attendees find parking in designated parking facilities nearby. You may also want to use a discount parking service like SpotHero to reserve a parking spot in advance. More transportation information here.

Other Ways to Stay Within Your Budget

You can earn money while at the convention by applying to be a registration assistant or volunteer.

Paid registration staff work 2-3-hour shifts and still have time to attend sessions – more information will be published soon.

Volunteering is a great way to get involved and make new friends, plus each time you volunteer you earn a stipend that helps your budget go a little further. More information here. 

All in all, we hope you can utilize this information to save some money at the convention this year. If you have any questions about attending the convention, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can’t wait to see you in Atlanta this summer!