FAQs

What is River Rally like?

River Rally is a national conference that provides an infusion of learning, inspiration, and celebration for water protectors including representatives from nonprofit organizations, tribes, government agencies, and businesses. The joyful and deeply moving experience of River Rally combats feelings of isolation, overwhelm, and burnout for network members working at the intersection of water and justice by building knowledge and skills, diversifying perspectives and solutions, recognizing achievements within the network, and strengthening connections.

The 4-day conference includes dozens of engaging sessions, plenary and keynote events, networking opportunities, and a half-day of field trips that encourage attendees to get out and experience the great work happening in the host city.

Built by and for the national network of water, justice, and river advocates, River Rally ignites collective action and power for the years ahead.

We provide a welcoming space for newcomers to get to know our network and eagerly greet those who have attended before as old friends. To learn more about the Rally experience, watch the 2022 highlights video above and click here and see what you’ve been missing!

When and where is River Rally 2024?

River Rally 2024 will take place in person from May 13-16, 2024, at the L.V. Eberhard Center at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The venue is located at 301 Fulton St. West, on the Grand River. Hotel reservation information will be made available when River Rally registration opens in January 2024.

How can I stay up to date on important River Rally dates and deadlines?

Sign up for the River Network mailing list to be notified of important River Rally dates and events including the call for award nominations, open call for session proposals, scholarship information, registration deadlines, and more. Be sure to select “River Rally” in your preferences!

How do I find out if my premium River Network membership is active?

Contact Carly Schmidt at cschmidt@rivernetwork.org to find out if you qualify for the discounted registration rate.

Are there hotel blocks available for River Rally registrants?

Yes! River Network has room blocks available at the following hotels:

310 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This hotel is a 3-minute walk (.15 miles) from the entrance to the Eberhard Center, where the majority of River Rally programming will take place.  The hotel also offers a shuttle, from 7am – 10:30pm, which will take you anywhere within a 2-mile radius of the hotel (call the front desk to make arrangements at least 30 minutes before you need a ride).

$149 per night, plus tax.

Click here to make a reservation online.  Note that the only room type available at this property has two queen beds.  When you click on the link it will automatically assign you the full date range of nights available in the block.  To customize your dates, click anywhere in the gray bar that has the hotel address and date range, and you can modify the search to suit your needs.

11 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

This hotel is a 5-minute walk (0.3 miles) across the river to the Eberhard Center, where most of River Rally programming will take place.

$159 per night, plus tax.

dedicated booking website has been created for River Rally, where attendees will be able to make, modify, and cancel hotel reservations online.  Select “Attendee” as your guest type, then click Make Reservation.  (To modify an existing reservation, click the Manage Existing Reservation link beneath the drop-down, and you will be prompted to enter your confirmation number.)  Reservations can also be made by calling the Courtyard Group Reservations phone line, at 877-901-6632.

What discounts are available to attend River Rally?

Premium members (organizations and individuals) receive 40% off River Rally registration, in addition to other benefits.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters, River Network is able to provide a limited number of scholarships to water, justice, and river advocates who would not otherwise be able to attend River Rally. River Network also subsidizes registration for on-site volunteers. The scholarship and volunteer application periods will open on January 2, 2024.

How will River Rally 2024 be accessible to attendees?

Traveling between the Eberhard Center and off-site venues, the Blue Bridge and Ah-Nab-Awen Park, are ADA accessible. For individuals unable to participate in off-site field trips, we will provide on-site options for attendees to gather and unwind. To ensure broader participation, River Network will stream three plenary sessions online for network members who are unable to join us in person. Closed captioning will be provided for all plenary sessions, ensuring an inclusive experience for participants with hearing impairments. Attendees can reach out to riverrally@rivernetwork.org with specific accessibility requests. The River Network team will strive to accommodate individual needs so all attendees can participate fully in their River Rally experience. For those requiring parking close to the venue, arrangements can be made upon request.

Email our Philanthropy Team at development@rivernetwork.org to get in touch about supporting River Rally 2024.

Additional Information

Photography and Filming: River Rally will have a professional photographer and/or videographer. Your attendance at River Rally events may be documented and your registration indicates consent to have any images or footage featuring you at River Rally to be used by River Network in related marketing materials, including on our website. Should images or footage appear in marketing materials that you don’t wish to be featured in, you must notify River Network in writing and River Network will cease to further use your image or footage in any new materials. Please send a request in writing to: River Network, Attn: Marketing, P.O. Box 21387, Boulder, CO 80308.