When does registration open?
Registration opens on Laura’s birthday, February 7, 2010.

What is the registration fee?
The registration fee is $75/per person.

What’s included in the registration fee?
The registration fee includes all panels and presentations, as well as an authors’ reception with appetizers. Special meals may be added on for those staying off campus.

Which meals in the lodging package are cafeteria style?
All meals except the Recognition Banquet (on Thursday) and Tin Pail Lunch (on Saturday) are served cafeteria-style in the dining hall.

Will we get confirmation that we’ve registered for the conference? How soon can we expect it?
Yes, you will receive confirmation, but please be patient. It’s mostly Amy in her office processing registrations. You can expect confirmation by snail mail.

Do you have to be approved to attend the conference?
Not at all. It’s open to anyone who wants to attend.

Do you have to be a certain age to attend the conference?
There is no official age minimum, though the academic nature dictates that it is not suitable for kids. Still, mature teenagers who are ardent fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder will probably enjoy it.

Are per-day rates available for anyone who cannot attend all three days?
If there are any seats available after the deadline of May 31, 2010, those seats will be offered on a per-day basis for $30 each. This fee does not include any meals.

Do you have to be a certain age to join the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association?
There’s no age limit or requirements to be a member, other than to pay dues. Members get discounts on any LIWLRA merchandise and priority registration for conferences. Dues go to supporting the work of the organization, which is to support research and maintenance of LIW and her legacy.

Where can I stay?
You can stay either on campus in the dorms or off campus in a hotel. For details on rates see the Lodging page. Dorm rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis once registration opens on February 7.

What is the dorm housing fee?
The dorm housing fee is $110 per person (based on double occupancy) for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. (The conference starts Thursday morning and ends early Saturday afternoon.)

What’s included in the dorm housing fee?
The dorm housing fee includes housing for three nights, plus all meals. Meals that aren’t offered at the conference itself can be eaten in the
university’s state-of-the-art Carkoski Commons Dining Hall.

Can I stay in the dorms on Saturday night?
If you are heading back to Mankato, you can stay in the dorms for an additional fee.

How do I get from the airport to Mankato?
If you fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, you’ll want to either rent a car to drive the hour to Mankato, or work with Land-to-Air Express to get transportation to Mankato.

How do I get around Mankato?
The campus is the hub of Mankato, which is a college town. City buses run from campus out to all parts of the city regularly. For more information about the city, go here.

How close is the University to everywhere I’ll need to go?
Nearly everything you’ll need is within walking distance from the campus. The major shopping area, though a few miles away, is easily accessible using the city bus system from campus.

The AmericInn, the more expensive of the two hotels where we’ll hold a block of rooms, is about two blocks from campus, and three from the union, where most events will be held. The Microtel is about five miles from the site.

Do you offer vendor tables at the conference?
Yes, vendor tables are $35. Contact Ariel Johnson, Vending Coordinator, via email at ariel.johnson@mnsu.edu for guidelines and registration form. Vendors are limited only to those whose work directly supports the mission of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association.

Who can be a vendor at the conference?
Anyone whose wares emphasize items that directly relate to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Wilder Lane, or the Little House sites may rent a vendor table. (Though space is limited.)Ariel Johnson will be supervising vending. Contact her for a registration form, or to ask whether your product might qualify. (ariel[dot]johnson[at]mnsu[dot]edu.)

What’s the cell phone coverage like?

Most cell service works well on campus, which is on top of a bluff. The only carrier that seems to have some trouble is AT &T and that’s only inside the dorm.

Will wireless Internet access be available, and are there special instructions to access it?
Yes, wireless is available. Special instructions will be available upon check-in.

When will specific times soon be posted on the schedule so we know exactly what time each presentation begins and ends?
We do already have times assigned to many presentations–though the times haven’t been made public–and if there’s a specific presentation you’re interested in, we can give you that time. We’re waiting on another possible key speaker before we set the schedule in stone. Two weeks before the event we will post the final schedule.

Will I be able to get teacher credit or training hours for the state of Minnesota?
We are still pursuing this.

Got a question we haven’t addressed? Email us (beyondlittlehouse AT gmail DOT com) or complete the form below:

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