River Rally

Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups from across the US and beyond, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. We bring thought leaders and practitioners together to accelerate progress towards an equitable and sustainable water future.

After two years of virtual gatherings, River Rally, the nation’s largest annual conference for water professionals, is in-person once again for 2022. We’ll gather along the banks of the Potomac River in our nation’s capital to mark the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, one of the most comprehensive environmental statutes in the United States. The River Rally 2022 program will feature speakers celebrating this and other clean water victories and center equity across all topics, while illuminating today’s most urgent challenge: climate change.

River Rally will include an opening reception (Saturday night), a celebration of award recipients who have gone above and beyond for the waters of our country (Monday night), and other novel social events along with over 70 learning opportunities delivered in a variety of formats including field trips, peer exchanges, and workshops.

Plus, join River Network, American Rivers, and Waterkeeper Alliance on June 7-8 for Action Day for Clean Water & Rivers! Learn more on the Rally Program page.

Registration

River Rally 2022 registration is open as of February 1, 2022. Register early to get the best hotel rates and take advantage of Early Bird pricing. Register

River Rally Program

Explore the 2022 program. River Rally 2022 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and center equity. See the program

Sponsorship

Corporations, local businesses, and foundations are invited to join us as a River Rally sponsor.
Explore sponsorship

Scholarships

River Rally 2019 attendees. Photo by Benjamin Colon.

Thanks to generous supporters, we can provide support to water leaders around the US each year. The scholarship application period is now closed.

Registration Info & Important Dates

February 1, 2022: Registration, scholarship applications, and Emerging Leader self-nominations open.

March 15, 2022: Scholarship and Emerging Leader deadline.

~~April 18, 2022:~~ ~~Early Bird registration deadline.~~

~~May 11. 2022:~~ ~~Deadline to book hotel rooms at discounted rate.~~

June 4-7, 2022: See you at Rally!

More dates and details to come. Sign up here to stay up to date.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Updated May 18, 2022

The River Network team will continue to monitor public health guidelines and take all possible measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at River Rally. Important updates will be sent directly to your inbox.

River Network will require that all attendees be fully vaccinated by June 4, 2022. Attendees should plan to show proof of vaccination and photo identification in exchange for a registration badge. River Network also requires that all attendees wear well-fitting masks in indoor conference spaces. Compliance will be monitored by the River Network team and all River Rally attendees in order to keep our community safe.

We also strongly recommend that all attendees:

Select a high quality N95, KN95, or KF94 mask to wear during River Rally,
Test for COVID-19 before traveling to River Rally,
Test for COVID-19 upon arrival, before joining your first River Rally event, and
Test for COVID-19 during River Rally or after returning home if exhibiting symptoms.

Should you test positive for COVID-19 prior to traveling to River Rally, please stay home. You will be issued a full refund for your registration. If you booked with the Capital Hilton at the River Rally rate, changes to your reservation can be made without penalty 72 or more hours before your reservation.

Should you test positive for COVID-19 during Rally, please do not attend further River Rally events. Contact info@rivernetwork.org to initiate a refund for your registration.

What does it mean to be “fully vaccinated”? “Full vaccination” means that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized (or emergency use authorized) double-dozed vaccines or a single-dose vaccine; plus a booster dose, when eligible. Proof of vaccination will be required for all attendees.

Can multiple people share one registration/badge? No, credentials may not be shared.

Can my River Rally registration be transferred to someone else? Yes, River Rally registrants can transfer their fully paid registration to another individual without penalty, provided that the River Network team receives an emailed request for this transfer before the conference start date. Registrations may not be transferred after the start of River Rally.

Can I walk in and register for River Rally? Those who were not able to register in advance but want to attend an event may register at the registration desk with proof of vaccination in hand.

What if I forget to bring proof of vaccination? Attendees who fail to provide proof of vaccination will not be issued a conference badge.

Cancellation Policy

Registrants may receive a full refund for their River Rally registration cost*, minus a 3% credit card processing fee, if cancellation is requested on or before April 20, 2022. Registrants who request cancellation from April 21 – May 1, 2022, will receive a 50% refund for their total cost of registration, minus a 3% credit card processing fee. Cancellations will not be available after May 1, 2022. A refund that results from a cancellation or change to your registration will be returned to the original method of payment.

We strongly encourage all attendees to be tested for COVID-19 prior to attending River Rally. Registrants who test positive before the event will be issued a full refund, regardless of the above cancellation dates.

To request a refund, or if you have questions about the River Rally cancellation policy, contact our team.

*Registration fees do not include the $20 fee for scholarship applicants. This charge is non-refundable.

See What Rally’s Like!

Curious about Rally? Approximately half of River Rally registrants each year are attending for the first time. 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, click here and see what you’ve been missing!

“At this time, it is so difficult to feel connected to your colleagues and to your community. [River Rally] offered opportunities not just to learn, but to connect with people, acknowledge the crises impacting our society, and think through ways to incorporate these needs into our work.”