Registration & Arrival

Your First Stop: Let's Get You Settled!

Registration, hotel check-in, and everything you need to know when you arrive at Kalahari.

Welcome to Kalahari! We're so excited to have you join us for the AEC 2026 Women of Strength Retreat. We want your arrival to be as smooth as possible, so here's what you need to know.

First things first: Choose your arrival option.

You can check in for the retreat first or check into your hotel room first. Choose whichever makes the most sense based on the registration line and your arrival time.

Registration · North Foyer

Complete your retreat registration in the North Foyer during these times:

  • Thursday, October 29Around 3:00–6:00 PM · North Foyer
  • Friday, October 302:00–6:00 PM · North Foyer
  • Friday, October 309:30–10:00 PM · North Foyer
  • Sabbath, October 319:30–10:00 AM · North Foyer

Parking & Transportation

The map below identifies designated parking areas for buses and guest vehicles, as well as the main entrance to the Convention Center. Guests may leave their vehicles parked at the Convention Center for the duration of the retreat.

Hotel Information

Option A

Register for the Retreat First

  1. 1

    Step 1: Find the Convention Center.

    As you enter Kalahari, the Convention Center is the first building you'll see on your left. Look for the convention center sign.

    The Convention Center sign on the front of the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions building
    Convention Center Entrance
  2. 2

    Step 2: Enter and find the North Foyer.

    Enter through the first door and follow the signs to the North Foyer, where retreat registration will take place.

    The North Foyer registration area inside the Kalahari Convention Center
    Registration — North Foyer
  3. 3

    Step 3: Find your registration line.

    To help keep the lines moving, registration will be divided alphabetically by last name.

    Line 1

    A–L

    Line 2

    M–Z

    Please join the line that corresponds to the first letter of your last name.

  4. 4

    Step 4: Complete your registration.

    Our registration team will assist you with checking in and receiving your retreat materials. Please have your registration information readily available in case it is needed.

  5. 5

    Step 5: Head to the hotel.

    Once you've registered, you can proceed to the hotel entrance to check in and settle into your room.

Option A: Take the Elevator

If you're coming from the Convention Center after completing retreat registration, look for the elevator near the Grand Staircase. Take the elevator to Level 2 to access the hotel area.

Once you reach the hotel, proceed to the front desk to check in. If your room is ready, you can settle in and retrieve your luggage from your vehicle.

Please follow the resort's directional signs if you need help locating the elevator.

Floor plan section showing the Grand Staircase with the elevators beside it
Hotel Entrance — Level 2Grand Staircase & elevators, floor plan

Option B

Check Into Your Hotel First

The lit Kalahari sign above the main hotel entrance at Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos, at night
Hotel Entrance — Kalahari PoconosPhoto: Sam, CC BY 2.0

If you prefer to get your room sorted out first, that's perfectly fine! Just remember that hotel check-in and retreat registration are two separate processes. Checking into your hotel does not replace checking in for the retreat.

You have two ways to reach the hotel entrance.

By Car: Drive to the Hotel Entrance

If you have your vehicle, you can drive around to the hotel section of the resort and proceed to hotel check-in.

On Foot: Take the Elevator

If you're already on the hotel side of the resort, look for the elevator. Take the elevator down to the Convention Center level and follow the signs to the North Foyer for retreat registration.

You may want to check into your hotel room first, if it is ready, and leave your luggage there before heading downstairs to register. This will allow you to move around more comfortably without carrying your bags.

Once you arrive at the Convention Center, follow the directions to the North Foyer and join the registration line that corresponds to the first letter of your last name.

Option C

Arriving by Bus?

Coming with a bus? Make sure to let us know so we can help plan your arrival!

If you're traveling by charter bus, church bus, or other group transportation, please notify the Women of Strength Retreat team in advance. We want to help coordinate your arrival and make sure you know where to be dropped off at Kalahari.

Kalahari's designated bus drop-off location has not yet been confirmed. Please contact the retreat team for arrival coordination and updated instructions.

Let Us Know You're Coming by Bus

Important Luggage Reminder

Please leave your luggage in your vehicle while completing retreat registration or navigating to hotel check-in. This will help you move around more easily without carrying your bags through the convention center. Once you have access to your hotel room, you can retrieve your luggage.

A Few Things to Remember

Hotel check-in and retreat registration are separate.

You will need to complete both processes if you are staying overnight and attending the retreat.

Plan according to the lines.

If registration is busy, consider checking into your hotel first. If the hotel line is long, you may prefer to register first.

Need help finding your way?

Visit the interactive retreat map to locate the North Foyer, Grand Staircase, elevator, and hotel entrance.

Open the map

Seminar seats

Seminar space is limited. Reserve your seat for each seminar you plan to attend.

Save Your Seat

Questions about tickets?

See the Registration & Tickets answers on our FAQ page.

Read the FAQs

We're Glad You're Here!

Your retreat experience begins the moment you arrive. Take a breath, follow the signs, and let our team help you get settled. We can't wait to welcome you to the Women of Strength Retreat!

AEC 2026 Women of Strength Retreat · October 29–November 1, 2026