About the Conference

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Note: All attendees of the conference must verify their vaccination status, or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, dated within 72 hours of arrival of the conference. Masks or face coverings will be required while attending all conference events, except while eating and drinking.


Conference Locations

Kalamazoo Valley Museum (exterior)The 2021 GLPA conference will be hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The museum is located in downtown Kalamazoo, is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and offers free admission. There is a virtual tour of the exhibit space and a museum map available online.

Planetarium seatingThe planetarium has a 109 seat theater with a 50-foot dome (with a 10 degree tilt), and is equipped with a Digistar 6 fulldome system and ChromaCove lighting. It will be used for sponsor presentations, workshops, and paper presentations, as well as a constellation shootout and fulldome show screenings.

Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center (exterior)Located in directly across the streem from the museum, the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center will host many conference activities as well as serve as the conference hotel. Along with the sponsor hall, the Radisson will also host paper sessions, poster viewing, the welcome reception, sponsor showcases, invited speakers, GLIPSA, the business meeting, and the banquet. The hospitality suite will also be located at the hotel.

Weather in Kalamazoo

The average high temperature in Kalamazoo in November is 55 °F and the average low temperature is 35 °F.

Current weather / short-term forecasts:

What to wear

The standard dressy attire for the banquet is requested. For all other activities, wear what you are comfortable in.

Important / New Information

  • The conference hotel is conveniently located next to the planetarium.
  • In addition to the traditional full group photo, photos are planned to be taken of each state group.
  • The conference is scheduled a bit later this year (early November instead of late October) due to rescheduling the in-person conference from 2020 (and to avoid conflicts with other popular conferences).
  • The conference runs until late Saturday afternoon; therefore, the conference days will be a little shorter than in previous years.
  • This year, GLPA is offering a new child/dependent care grant, in addition to our existing conference scholarship.
  • The pre-conference, day-long GLIPSA workshop will be offered again this year.
  • By popular demand, we'll be holding a constellation shootout again.
  • Late registration (Oct. 5 - Oct. 29) fees are $50. There is no "last minute" registration this year.
  • There will be no on-site registration.
  • An optional electronic version of the conference notebook will be available.

Conference Deadlines:

  • September 15 - Scholarship Applications Due
  • October 1 - Deadline for paper / poster submission
  • October 4 - Regular Registration ends (late fees apply after this)
  • October 11 - Workshop registration deadline
  • October 19 - Unbooked rooms at hotel are released
  • October 29 - Late Registration ends
  • November 10 - Conference starts
  • November 13 - Conference ends

Conference Contacts