The 2026 GLPA+PPA conference will be hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan from Tuesday, October 20 to Saturday, October 24. The conference will be split between the museum and the main conference hotel, a short walk across the Blue Bridge at the Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown. Our hosts are particularly pleased to showcase the significant recent upgrades to their facility, including new projectors and the latest version of Digistar software. Everyone is looking forward to sharing their revitalized planetarium with a week of networking and engaging sessions in Grand Rapids!
Announcing the 2026 Annual Conference!
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium features a 50 foot dome with Digistar 2025 software and two JVC cove projectors. The planetarium can seat up to 150.
The Meijer theater has a 24 foot rectangular screen with a 10K lumen projector and seats 237.
The sponsor hall will be in the Grand Rapids Public Museum, just down the hall from the planetarium.
Conference activities will be split between the museum, and the conference hotel, Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown. The venues are about a ten minute walk apart. The AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown is a secondary option for lodging associated with the Courtyard hotel.
Those who could benefit from a short walking time may want to book in a third option, the Holiday Inn Downtown, which is directly across the street from the museum, although most meals will be in the Courtyard. Volunteer drivers will be arranged to assist those with mobility needs.
Both Mariott hotels offer a $189 per night rate, plus tax. Parking is $15 per night.
The Holiday Inn Downtown offers a rate of $154 per night, plus tax, and free parking. Please note, this is not the hotel that will host meals, papers, talks, or hospitality – just be aware of your options when booking.
The conference planning team requests that you please book through the link provided below so that it will count toward our required room block. Bookings through discount websites (such as Expedia) do not count toward our room block and could cause a financial liability for GLPA.
We hope you have a wonderful time in Grand Rapids! Some more words from our hosts will appear here.
Deadlines
September 18
Regular registration ends (price increases after this point)
October 6
Late registration ends — Last day to register for the conference
October 6
Last day for conference cancellation and refund
October 20
Conference starts
Additional Information
Conference Hotel
Courtyard Grand Rapids Downtown
11 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 242-1424
The conference block dates are October 19–24, 2026.
Book your room by September 21.
Additional Hotel:
AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown
50 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Christi Van Heulen 616.242.1424
By providing the group name “GLPA Conference 2026” individuals will also be able to make reservations by calling toll free:
1-888-236-2427
Other Conference Hotel option:
Holiday Inn Downtown
272 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Holiday Inn Reservation Instructions:
– Reservations can be made online by following the hyperlink which will preload the group rate:
Great Lakes Planetarium Conference – Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown
– Reservations can also be made by phone at 616-235-7611 and providing the group name “GLP” for Great Lakes Planetarium Association.
Travel
Travel Information will go here
Weather & Clothing
Weather and clothing will go here
Code of Conduct
All conference attendees agree to abide by our Code of Conduct upon registration.