Event FAQ
Thank you for your interest in the 2018 Project Play Summit. Please read below for answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t find here what you need, email Summit event director Risa Isard (risa.isard@aspeninstitute.org).
What is Project Play?
The flagship initiative of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, Project Play develops, shares and applies knowledge that helps stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. This starts with access to quality sport activity for all children, regardless of zip code or ability. Project Play’s seminal report, Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game, was released in 2015 with support from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Since then, more than 100 organizations have used the report to introduce programs or shape youth strategies, and it has been recognized as a key resource by the U.S. and International Olympic Committees.
So what’s the Project Play Summit?
The Summit is Project Play’s annual convening, and the Aspen Institute’s largest event based in Washington, D.C. It’s where the nation’s leaders gather to measure progress, share learnings and discover new opportunities to build healthy communities through sport.
What’s the Post-Summit Workshop?
The Post-Summit Workshop is designed for community leaders who want to use Project Play’s proven strategies to grow access to sports for youth at the local level. Attendees will be the first to be introduced to Project Play's forthcoming digital Community Action Toolkits. Workshops will lead attendees through exercises to learn how to measure the state of play in their communities and mobilize leaders around growing access to early, positive sports experiences for all kids. Breakfast and check-in begin at 8 a.m. The day will include lunch and conclude at 3 p.m.
Who attends the Summit?
The Project Play Summit is the nation’s premier gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sport and health. The 350+ attendees come from across the country and internationally, representing all eight sectors that Project Play recognizes as touching the lives of children: Community Recreation Groups, National Sport Organizations, Policymakers & Civic Leaders, Education, Parents, Public Health, Business & Industry, and Tech & Media. Attendees tend to be director-level and higher at their respective organizations.
What’s the cost to attend the Summit?
The Summit offers rates for nonprofit organizations/government agencies (for which a limited number of reduced-price spaces are available) and for general attendees (for which an early-bird rate is available). Register here. The fee schedule is below:
2018 Project Play Summit:
Nonprofit/government: $299
General (early bird, through July 24): $349
General (beginning July 25, until sold out): $449
Post-Summit Workshop:
All attendees: $199
What does my registration for the 2018 Summit include?
Participants at the 2018 Summit will be treated to a full day of programming. A make-your-own day kind of event, more than 20 sessions will be offered between 8:25 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. They include plenary sessions featuring diverse voices, small breakout conversations, and opportunities to hear directly from youth. Sports demos and other participatory experiences are peppered throughout. Breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day, and a reception are also all included. Note that registration for the Post-Summit Workshop is supplemental and not included in the registration fee for the 2018 Summit.
Can I register just for the Post-Summit Workshop?
Yes, limited seats remain for the Post-Summit Workshop (Oct. 17).
When does registration close?
The Summit (Oct. 16) is sold out for the fourth straight year. Place your name on the wait list to be notified if space becomes available.
What makes the Summit different from other conferences?
For one, our dress code is sneaker business casual. So be sure to wear your best sneakers with your best business-casual attire. We promise, it’s a good look. It’s also the secret to success at Project Play. We believe in bringing the best minds together and getting real work done on Oct. 16, but we also believe in having some fun and being active while we do it. Sport demos and other participatory experiences are available throughout the day for those who want to embody Project Play. For those who want to stick to the more traditional content, we promise you also won’t be disappointed with our lineup of speakers, ranging from elite sport executives, to innovative grassroots leaders, to youth who tell it like it is. Simply, it’s the nation’s premier gathering at the intersection of youth, sport and health.
Where is the 2018 Summit? I keep reading about two different places.
The Summit, on Oct. 16, is at the Newseum’s Knight Conference Center (555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20001). The Post-Summit Workshop, on Oct. 17, is at the Aspen Institute’s headquarters (2300 N St NW, Washington, D.C., 20037).
Who is speaking at this year’s Summit?
Kobe Bryant, Tony Hawk, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Mary Carillo are among the speakers. The most up-to-date information on the Summit is available on the Summit Agenda Page. The most up-to- date information on the Post-Summit Workshop is available on the Post-Summit Workshop Agenda Page.
What’s your hashtag? What else can I use on social media to stay engaged?
On Twitter, we’re @AspenInstSports. On Facebook, we’re Aspen Institute Project Play. Give us a follow or like, and we’ll give you exclusive content between now and the Summit (and all year long). Follow the broader conversation, meet others, and talk about us by using #ProjectPlay.
Is there a hotel I should stay at?
Information about local hotels is available here.
How do I get to the Newseum and where can I park? What about the Post-Summit Workshop at the Aspen Institute?
For the Summit, transportation options and logistics are available on the Newseum website. For the Post-Summit Workshop, we recommend taking Metro and getting off at Dupont Circle (Red Line) or Foggy Bottom (Blue/Silver/Orange lines). Colonial Parking is the public parking garage onsite at the Aspen Institute office and can be accessed from 24th Street between M and N Street. The daily cost is $14 if in by 9:00 a.m. and out by 6:00 p.m.; otherwise it is $19 a day.
What’s the weather supposed to be like?
D.C.’s weather forecast can be found here.
What if I have another question?
Our Summit event director, Risa Isard, is more than happy to answer it for you. Send her an email: risa.isard@aspeninstitute.org.
Thank you to our sponsors for their support.
