Hotel
Please consider using our personalized conference hotel registration link for Sheraton Inner Harbor Baltimore, with rooms for $189 (before fees and taxes). The block will close on August 15, 2025.
UPDATE: The link will be sent only to those who have registered. Please read the registration confirmation from Eventbrite (or the UMBC McNair account if you submitted an invoice request), which has the link.
Parking
Note: All parking is at your own expense.
- Parking Info for Friday Night Cruise – We will be walking in small groups to the cruise (15 min walk), but those who need to park closer can do so.
- Parking at the Sheraton Hotel, On-Site Parking, Daily: $35 (info from hotel website)
Professionalism Defined
The UMBC McNair Scholars Program and Conference Planning Team implement a holistic critical mentoring approach to professionalism. We encourage attendees to come as their authentic selves and dress to where they feel confident about themselves and their work. We encourage business and business casual but understand that “business/ business casual” might be interpreted differently amongst attendees, and we support their individual interpretations. But most importantly, we encourage attendees to show up as their best selves, whatever that may be. We ask attendees to report to the McNair Conference staff if they feel targeted by anyone due to their appearance, behavior, or conduct during the conference.
WATER – Highly suggest bringing a water bottle as there will be water coolers in each room.
Meals Provided:
- Wednesday: Crab Excursion: Maryland Steamed Blue Crab, Steamed Shrimp, Steamed Mussels, Chicken Wings, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, Watermelon, Cupcakes, and Cookies.
- NOTE: This event centers on a traditional Maryland blue crab feast, and the menu is fixed to reflect the cultural experience. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate seafood allergies, vegetarian/vegan diets, or other dietary restrictions at this event. We understand this may not be suitable for all participants, and we appreciate your understanding as we aim to preserve the authenticity of this culinary tradition.
- Thursday: Lunch (Lunch Box provided, but campus eateries open at your own expense)
- Friday: Brunch (Buffet for all registered) & Dinner (Buffet for first 275 student and staff registrants and all sponsors)
- Brunch (buffet): Freshly Baked Pastries & Muffins (V), Sliced Seasonal Fruit & Berries (V/GF), Assorted Breakfast Cereals, with Assorted Milks, Individual Yogurts (V/GF), Oatmeal with Dried Fruits, Cage Free Scrambled Eggs (GF), Hardwood Smoked Bacon (GF), Veggie Patties (V), Skillet-Roasted Tri-colored Potatoes with Onions, Peppers and Thyme (V/GF), Freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, hot tea selection, chilled apple, orange, and grapefruit juice
- Dinner on Cruise: This document [LINK] contains details of the Friday evening cruise meal:
- Saturday: Breakfast (Buffet) and Lunch (Buffet)
- Breakfast: Freshly Baked Pastries & Muffins (V), Sliced Seasonal Fruit & Berries (V/GF), Assorted Breakfast Cereals, with Assorted Milks, Individual Yogurts (V/GF), Oatmeal with Dried Fruits, Cage Free Scrambled Eggs (GF), Hardwood Smoked Bacon (GF), Veggie Patties (V), Skillet-Roasted Tri-colored Potatoes with Onions, Peppers and Thyme (V/GF), Freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, hot tea selection, chilled apple, orange, and grapefruit juice
- Lunch: Classic Tomato Bisque (GF/V), Crisp Caesar Salad with Romaine Hearts, Shaved Parmesan, Focaccia Croutons, Caesar Dressing (NF), Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Heirloom Grape Tomatoes, Arugula, Balsamic & Truffle Oil, Anti-Pasto Salad – Genoa Salami, Tomatoes, Olives, Provolone, Pepperoncini, Artichokes, Roasted Peppers, Chickpeas, Shrimp & Clam, Angel Hair Pasta with Roasted Tomato Pesto, Tuscan Roasted Chicken with Roasted Mushroom & Tomato Ragout (GF/DF), Creamy Risotto with Green Peas, Shaved Parmesan & Truffle Oil (GF), Caponata Ratatouille with Eggplant, Squash, Tomato, Roasted Garlic (GF), Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread, Mini Tiramisu & Mini Cannoli, Freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, hot tea selection
- Note: Grad Reps meal is only lunch on Saturday, except for sponsors who receive all meals.
- Note: We will share your meal restrictions with the caterers (except for crab excursion); however, please let the servers know your needs during meal times so they can assist you.
COVID-19 Updates (Updated 03/01/2025)
We highly suggest those traveling to be vaccinated, but we are not limiting participation based on vaccination status. Everyone traveling should be aware of the possibility of contracting COVID-19, and assist in mitigating the risks.
If while traveling you are feeling ill, we encourage you to remain in your hotel room and work directly with the hotel for support. We encourage program leaders to have a plan for their students in case one of them contracts COVID-19. Program leaders should be in communication with the hotels as we will not be providing isolation rooms (nor separate meals) during this conference. We also encourage programs to secure COVID-19 tests in case their students feel the need to check themselves and make arrangements as necessary.
We are not able to provide registration refunds for this conference under any circumstances (unless we cancel the conference). You will have to work directly with the hotel and airline about their cancellation/refund policy.