Hotel
Please consider using our personalized conference hotel registration link for the Lord Baltimore Hotel, with rooms for $179 (before fees and taxes).
Update 08/13/2026: Our room block at the Lord Baltimore Hotel is now sold out. If you haven’t yet secured a room, the hotels below are all within a short walk (under 10 minutes) of the conference venue at 20 W Baltimore St.
Overflow Hotel Options
Rates and availability change frequently — please book directly with each hotel and confirm current pricing.
Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor: 131 E Redwood St, Baltimore, MD 21202 ~0.2 miles from the Lord Baltimore Hotel Phone: (410) 539-7888 Book online Complimentary breakfast included.
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor: 300 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202 ~0.3 miles from the Lord Baltimore Hotel Phone: (410) 528-1234 Book online Harbor-view rooms and full-service amenities.
Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor: 401 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201 ~0.4 miles from the Lord Baltimore Hotel Phone: (443) 573-8700 Book online Located directly across from the Baltimore Convention Center.
The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore: 550 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202 ~0.5 miles from the Lord Baltimore Hotel Phone: (410) 234-0550 Book online Upscale option on the harbor.
Days Inn by Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor: 100 Hopkins Pl, Baltimore, MD 21201 ~0.2 miles from the Lord Baltimore Hotel Phone: (410) 415-9140 Book online Budget-friendly option.
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UPDATE 03/01/2026: The instructions 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 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel (from hotel website)
- Valet Parking – Available at the hotel
- Self Parking – there are several public garages nearby that you can use; the closest garage to the hotel is an underground lot at 100 West Fayette Street. Public garages are not associated with the hotel, so we can not guarantee their rates on any particular day.
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 in a way that makes them feel confident in 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.
Meals Provided
- Wednesday: Crab Excursion (TICKETED): 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:
- Continental Breakfast/Morning Snacks (not a formal meal)
- Lunch – Parker house rolls with whipped butter, Classic tomato soup, Hearts of romaine salad with blistered tomatoes, shaved parmesan, lardons and blue cheese dressing, Lemon-herb brined chicken, natural au jus, Sweet and spicy glazed salmon, citrus herb broth, Seasonal vegetables, Herb roasted potatoes, Chef’s selection of dessert
- Friday: Brunch (Buffet for all registered) & Dinner (Set menu for Orioles Ballpark for first 275)
- Brunch (buffet): Variety of Danish, Muffins, Pastries, and Croissants, Scrambled Eggs, Thick-Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon, Breakfast Sausage, Herbed Breakfast Potatoes, Seasonal Fruit Display, White, Whole Grain, and Sourdough Toast with Whipped Butter and Preserves, Smoked Salmon Display with Diced Red Onion, Capers, Chopped Hard-Boiled Egg, Tomatoes, Dill Creme Fraiche, Bagels & Cream Cheese, Chilled Fruit Juices, Freshly Brewed Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee, Black, Green, and Herbal Tea Selection (Dairy and non-dairy creamer, Sugar, honey and sugar substitutes)
- Dinner at Orioles Park: The all-you-can-eat meal ticket
- Saturday: Lunch (Buffet)
- Lunch: Spicy Gazpacho with Shrimp, Black Bean and Corn Salad with Scallions, Radishes, Queso Fresco, Chile Lime Aioli, Romaine Hearts with Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, Sliced Red Onion, Cilantro and Chipotle Ranch, Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri and Grilled Yellow Onions, Chili Spiked Yukon Gold Fingerling Potatoes, Tortilla Dusted Tilapia with Cilantro and Lime, Coconut Rice, Seasonal Vegetables, Churros and Pineapple-Coconut Cakes
- Notes:
- Grad Reps meal is only lunch on Saturday, except for sponsors who receive all meals. Grad Reps will also be able to attend the Orioles game and receive the $20 voucher.
- We will share your meal restrictions with the caterers (except for crab excursion and O’s game); however, please let the servers know your needs during meal times so they can assist you.
- WATER – Highly suggest bringing a water bottle, as there will be water stations in each room.
COVID-19 Updates (Updated 03/01/2026)
We strongly suggest that travelers 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 help mitigate the risks.
If you feel ill while traveling, 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 if one 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.