2024 Summit Frequently Asked Questions

Please check to see if your question is answered by the FAQs below.  If not, we recommend visiting the help desk located in West Registration or directing urgent questions to IREX staff at the Summit, who will be able to provide more immediate assistance.

Fellows should visit the hotel front desk for general hotel concerns or email MWF2024@irex.org for general program questions that do not require immediate attention.   

 Fellows and Institute staff should call the IREX Emergency number at (888) 881-IREX (4739) in the event of emergencies after program hours.  

General & Logistics

Lost and Found

Please go to the Help Desk.  They will check the lost and found and, if your item is not there, note it internally.  If your item is found later on, we will notify you via email.

WiFi

WiFi in guest rooms is complimentary if you join the free, Omni loyalty program. 

To use the WiFi in the meeting space at the Omni Shoreham, connect to: 

  • Network: Mandela 
  • Password: Fellowship 

Please contact the Omni Shoreham hotel staff regarding any connectivity issues. 

Hotel Questions or Room Issues

Please direct all questions regarding hotel services or issues with your room to the front desk at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, located in the main reception area. 

Luggage

Due to space limitations, Fellows will be allowed to bring one suitcase plus small personal items (like a purse, backpack, or laptop bag) to your room. 

Fellows should pack important documents/items and valuables in the bag and personal item they plan to bring to their room – this includes passport, laptop, stipend cards/money, and all medication. They should also ensure they have all clothing/shoes for general programming and the reception, and any items for the Networking Day. 

Fellows may access their stored bags only during the times noted below. They must show a picture ID or Summit credential to access their bags.   

You can access your luggage in the Hampton Room:

  • Monday, July 29
    • 7:00 – 8:00 AM
    • 4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, July 30
    • 7:00 – 9:00 AM
    • 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday, July 31
    • 7:00 – 9:00 AM
    • 3:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 1 
    • 1:00 – 6:00 PM

The Hampton Room is located in the East Wing of the hotel on the main lobby level, 1 level up from the location of registration.

Stipends 

Your Summit stipend card includes monies for meals not provided during Summit programming, a small amount to offset transportation for the Networking Day (see the Summit Information and Digital Resources section below), and a baggage allowance if you are flying on American Airlines or Delta Airlines.  Fellows are personally responsible for supplemental baggage fees and additional funds will not be provided.   

Rooming 

Fellows will be sharing a room with two beds with someone of the same gender.  We cannot make changes to rooming assignments or assign single rooms.  

Summit Departures

Regular Departures – August 2 

Fellows departing the U.S. on Friday, August 2 (regular departures) must report to the Departures Lounge in the Blue/Blue Pre-function Rooms no later than the time noted on their luggage tags.  Fellows will have a chance to see their stored luggage before it is loaded onto the bus, but they will not have the opportunity to repack on departures day.  Fellows must vacate their rooms by 12:00pm regardless of their departure time.  

Fellows who are scheduled to depart after 12:00pm should vacate their rooms and bring their luggage to the Departures Lounge for storage. They may get lunch on their own and wait at the hotel or walk around the city until their departure.  Fellows who miss their scheduled bus may be personally responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation to the airport.  

Extended Stay Departures 

Non-PDE Fellows who are personally extending their stay in the U.S. past August 2 (extended stay) are personally responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation to the airport/train station.  Fellows must vacate their rooms by 12:00pm on August 2 and pick up their stored luggage from the Embassy Room no later than 12:00pm.  Any bags remaining in the Embassy Room will be transferred to the hotel’s bell stand by 5:00pm and can be collected through the front desk.  Fellows may not leave any bags at the hotel after August 2.  

PDE Fellow Departures 

PDE Fellows are required to participate in the full-day Orientation on Friday, August 2 from 8:00am – 4:00pm. Fellows will depart for their host locations on Saturday, August 3. Information on travel and housing arrangements will be shared directly.

   

Schedule & Sessions

Schedule

For questions about the Summit schedule, please refer to the event app.

Reception

The Summit Networking Reception reception will take place on the evening of Tuesday, July 30 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  Summit attendees will be provided roundtrip transportation to and from the reception but will be responsible for finding their own transportation once all buses have departed.  Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional/formal outfits for this event. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is large, and you will not have time to visit all of the museum’s exhibits during the Welcome Reception.  If you are interested in spending more time at the museum on Thursday, August 1, you will have to obtain a free timed-entry pass.

Networking Day 

A Networking Day is scheduled for Thursday, August 1 so Fellows may arrange individual meetings, embassy visits, and other networking activities.  You are expected to schedule your own meetings/activities and to arrange transportation as needed.  The Summit stipend includes a small amount to offset transportation costs, and we encourage Fellows to coordinate taxis/ride shares where possible to save costs if they would prefer not to use the metro/bus. Networking Day activities may not exceed a 20-mile radius of the Washington, D.C. metro area. As a reminder, travel is not allowed during the Summit.

Emergencies & Health

COVID-19

If you do not feel well, please take a rapid COVID-19 test. If you test positive, remain isolated in your room and call the local IREX emergency number.  A staff member will be in touch with further instructions. 

Other Health Concerns

If you have another health concern during programming hours, please visit the EMT in the Committee Room across from West Registration.  If you have a medical emergency after hours, please contact the IREX emergency hotline number: 888-881-4739. 

Other Emergencies

In case of a life-threatening emergency, first call the U.S. emergency number 911.  Then call the IREX emergency number at 888-881-4739.