Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers about the upcoming GYC Conference
Browse Topics
Registration
Registration account, event cost, group registration, meal tickets
Minors and Chaperones
Registering and/or adding minors and chaperones, children's programs
Housing
Lodging options, roommates request, reservation, cancellation policy
Exhibits
Cost, application process, criteria, deadline, booth sizes and space
Miscellaneous
Conference schedule, airport travel, dress code, Sabbath only pass
International Participants
Letter of invitation, application deadline, international discounts
01
To access your registration account, click the Modify My Registration button on our Register now page. If you have not created a login yet, click the Claim My Account button and follow the steps.
If you were registered in a group, only the account holder (the person whose information was entered on the Billing page) will have access to the registration account and you will need to contact them with any changes to be made.
If you can’t remember your password, click the Forgot Password link on the account login page, and enter the email address associated with your account (the email address you entered on the Billing page when registering) and you will be sent a reset password link.
Registrations made in groups are all under the account of the person whose information was entered on the Billing page. If you were registered in a group, you will need to contact your group coordinator.
Conference registration fees and exhibit fees are non-refundable. In case of cancellation, the registrant should notify GYC, but no refund will be given.
Meal tickets may be returned as long as they are returned well before the meal is to be served.
No. Registrations are not transferable from year to year. Once the conference has passed any unclaimed registrations are no longer valid.
To transfer a registration, login to your registration account and click the Registrations tab at the top of the page. Select your registration transaction for GYC Portland and click the Transfer button. (Note: The Transfer button will not appear if there is a pending payment due on your registration. Please complete payment before transferring.)
If you are transferring a group member’s registration scroll down to the section with their name and click Transfer. Enter the new person’s first name, last name, and email address and click Transfer.
The person whom you have transferred your ticket to MUST accept and complete the transfer. They will have 7 days to do this. Once they have completed payment you will receive your refund.
Please note: Ticket transfers can only be made between the same event pass (Full conference to full conference or Sabbath to Sabbath pass).
Only adult tickets are eligible for transferring. If you would like transfer a minor’s ticket or have any other questions about ticket transfers please email the registration team at registration@gycweb.org.
There are no group discounts this year. However, if you wish to pay for and manage multiple registrations you can still do so. Just beware that your group members will not have access to their own registration and you will be responsible for making any necessary changes.
To register a group, click the Add Registrant button after you have saved your registration, but before you have paid. You will need to enter each participant’s complete information, including address, date of birth, T-shirt size, etc. Once you have added everyone you would like to register you can proceed to the billing page.
Yes, to modify your meal selections, login to your registration account and click the Registrations tab at the top of the page. Select your registration transaction for GYC Portland and click the Edit button.
If you are modifying a group members’ meals, scroll down to the section with their name and click Edit. Modify your meal selections as needed, and click Save. You will be charged or refunded accordingly.
Sabbath programming is free all day Saturday. If you plan to attend during this time, please complete a registration, and select the free Sabbath Only event pass option.
The Friday evening and Sunday morning programs are not free to attend.
There are no free meals provided on Sabbath. You can add meals to your registration if you wish to eat in the meal hall on Sabbath.
Only registered GYC participants are permitted to access the Exhibit Hall. Participants must wear their badge or be able to present it upon request to access the hall.
Sabbath only participants may access the hall during Saturday show hours with their Sabbath Only event pass.
To register and book housing please visit the Register now page.
02
No, but remember you are responsible physically, medically, and behaviorally for all of the minors under your care at all times.
Children ages 6 and under may attend under their parent/legal guardian’s registration and do not need to be registered. If the parent/legal guardian has purchased meals, children ages 6 and under may eat those meals with them. Children ages 6 and under do not count as minors towards a chaperone ticket.
All children age 7 and older must be registered.
We welcome participants of all ages and stages of life but cannot offer childcare or children’s programs at this time.
03
To view the GYC housing options available, please visit the Participant Info page. Hotel reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served, space available basis. Submit your request as soon as possible for the best opportunity of receiving your hotel choice.
If you wish to book lodging at a different hotel or elsewhere, you are free to do so, but GYC cannot negotiate special pricing for you.
GYC and GYC’s housing service does not assign roommates. Participants are responsible for finding their own roommates and may fill their rooms at their discretion up to four (4) occupants per room. When reserving your room, you will be asked to specify those occupying your room.
There is an independent Facebook Group called GYC Roommates, Rides, and More which you may find useful in finding people to share your room with. GYC does not manage this page and is not responsible for any of its content or transactions arranged through it.
There are a limited number of Suites available in the Hyatt, DoubleTree, and Courtyard.
If you require a larger suite you will need to book with the hotel directly instead of through our housing site and will not qualify for any GYC event discount.
Travel Portland (GYC’s housing service) will send reservation acknowledgements via email within 24 hours of when you complete your reservation. If you do not receive your acknowledgement in this time frame, contact Travel Portland. You will not receive a written confirmation from the hotel.
All reservation requests must be accompanied by a credit card guarantee for deposit of one night’s room and tax for each room reserved. Your credit card WILL NOT BE CHARGED during this initial stage and will be held as a GUARANTEE only. Your room reservation will be charged to your card when you check-in at the hotel.
Cancellations after December 4, 2023 and prior to 24 hours before arrival date will be subject to a $25.00 cancellation fee. One night’s room and tax will be forfeited entirely if cancellation occurs within 24 hours of arrival date.
Ways to book hotel reservations:
Online: Visit the Register now page and click the Book My Housing link to make a new reservation OR to modify or cancel an existing reservation.
Phone: Agents available 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Toll-free (US): (702) 659-9510
04
To apply for an exhibit booth at this year’s GYC conference, visit the Exhibit Info page. Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the Exhibit Committee and you will be notified via email of acceptance or denial. Please allow up to two (2) weeks for your application to be processed.
Once your exhibit is approved you will complete your registration as an exhibitor on the Conference Registration page. Please do not register before applying for your exhibit.
For questions, email exhibits@gycweb.org
The deadline to apply for an exhibit is December 13, 2023.
Exhibit applications submitted after December 13 are not guaranteed to be processed by the Exhibits Committee and thus may not be accepted. If your exhibit is submitted late and not processed, you will be refunded your deposit fee after the conference. To guarantee your exhibit is processed by the Committee, submit your application before December 13.
Booth package fees are non-refundable. In case of cancellation, the exhibit contact person should notify GYC, but no refund will be given.
If your exhibit application is denied, you will be notified via email and your money will be refunded to your original form of payment.
Internet and electricity are not provided with the booth space and must be purchased separately. Once your exhibit application is approved, you will receive an email which includes a link to the Exhibitor Info page. There will be instructions on that page for how to order additional items for your exhibit, including internet and power.
One booth space is 10’x10′ and comes with the following:
1 – 6’ black skirted table
2 – chairs
1 – wastebasket
If you are purchasing a Double or Quad, the furnishings above will be doubled or quadrupled respectively.
No. The exhibit hall layout is determined by GYC Exhibits Management and the decorator company. If you would like to be placed near another ministry or organization, please email exhibits@gycweb.org. Requests will be accommodated when able.
No. A separate exhibit application must be completed for each organization wishing to exhibit in the GYC Exhibit Hall and the organization’s proper name must be listed on the application. Organizations are not permitted to share booth space or purchase booth space from another registered organization.
Each booth package includes the cost of Full-Conference registration for the number of exhibitors allowed under your chosen booth package (meals and lodging not included). Once your application is reviewed and approved you will receive an email which will include your exhibitor voucher codes to use when registering yourself and your exhibit staff on the Register Now page.
Any additional exhibit staff above the number included with your booth package will need to register as regular participants. They are still able to assist you at your booth during show hours but would not receive an exhibitor badge for access to the exhibit hall during non-show hours.
Children under the age of 18 cannot be exhibitors. Children of exhibitors can enter the Exhibit Hall during non-show hours if accompanied by parental guardians. Due to safety procedures, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the exhibit floor during move-in and move-out hours.
05
For more information regarding international participants, please go to the next section.
Registration check-in will open at 9am Wednesday morning. The Exhibit Hall will be open in the afternoon. Wednesday evening is the opening meeting with the keynote address.
The final meeting will be Sunday morning. A detailed schedule will be posted on the Participant Info page.
Yes! GYC has partnered with Delta and United to provide a discounted airfare. For more information please visit the Participant Info page.
No, you do not need to sign up for seminars ahead of time. Seminars will be on a first-come basis.
Attire should reflect the professional nature of the conference. We encourage business attire during meetings and workshops and formal during Sabbath. Participants are asked to respect the principles of Christian modesty and simplicity. Remember there will be an opportunity to participate in outreach during the conference, so be sure to check the weather ahead of time and pack accordingly.
We are always looking for eager volunteers! If you would like to lend a hand in one of the many tasks at the conference, please check the box in the registration form to be a volunteer and fill out the form. You will be contacted by email with further instructions.
Precedence is given to volunteers under the age of 36. If you are older and would still like to help, please email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@gycweb.org.
There is no registration discount given to conference volunteers, but you will have a lot of fun getting to help out. 🙂
Yes! GYC is looking for talented church musicians from around the world who seek to bring glory to God through the ministry of music. We are seeking young people who strive to draw others close to heaven through song.
If you would like to apply to share a special music or help lead song service at this year’s conference, visit our Music Guidelines & Application page for more information.
Sabbath programming is free all day Saturday. If you plan to attend during this time, please complete a registration, and select the free Sabbath Only event pass option.
The Friday evening program is not free to attend. If you wish to attend on Friday night, you will need to purchase an event pass.
There are no free meals provided on Sabbath. You can add meals to your registration if you wish to eat in the meal hall on Sabbath.
Yes. If you are participating only on Sabbath and would like to eat in the meal hall, you can add meal tickets to your Sabbath Only event pass registration before Sundown on Friday. No meals will be for sale or refundable during the Sabbath hours.
Only registered GYC participants are permitted to access the Exhibit Hall. Participants must wear their badge or be able to present it upon request to access the Hall.
When people ask what GYC stands for, we say it represents the three core values that we possess: Generation (finishing the work in this generation). Youth (young people have an active role to play in the Lord’s work). And Christ (that Jesus is the center of all we do).
If you have read this FAQ carefully and still have questions, please e-mail office@gycweb.org.
For questions regarding registration – registration@gycweb.org.
For questions regarding international participants – international@gycweb.org.
For questions regarding exhibits – exhibits@gycweb.org.
For questions regarding housing – housing@gycweb.org.
For questions regarding travel and transportation – travel@gycweb.org.
06
If you need a letter on invitation to attend GYC please reach out to the international at international@gycweb.org team to request a letter.
Yes, we must receive your completed request and letter of recommendation no later than November 1st. Also, keep in mind that it can take up to 3 weeks to receive a response to your request and you will need to allow time to apply for your visa, arrange travel, and register for the conference as well. We strongly advise that you submit your request as early as possible to avoid delays.
A letter of recommendation on Seventh-day Adventist Church letterhead and dated this year must be submitted upon application to receive a letter of invitation for visa purposes. The letter must be signed by the local pastor stating that the attendee is a member of and in good standing with the church. The letter must also include the applicant’s local church, conference, union, and division.
Conference/Union/General Conference officials do not need a letter of recommendation, as long as they show/explain that they hold that position. Pastors do need a letter of recommendation signed by a conference or union official.
No. You do not need to apply for a letter of invitation unless required by the U.S. embassy in your country. The purpose of the letter of invitation is to aid participants in obtaining visas.
No. GYC does not personally negotiate with embassies to obtain visas for international attendees. However, we issue letters of invitation that attendees may need to send to their embassies in order to obtain a visa to attend the conference.
No. Unfortunately, GYC currently issues letters of invitation only to members in good standing of the Seventh-day Adventist church. However, you may make alternate arrangements to obtain a visa and attend GYC. Anyone can register for GYC.
The International Discount is given to participants traveling from outside mainland USA, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico. We strongly recommend that you obtain your visa (if applicable) before paying registration and housing fees.
Is the 50% discount issued as a refund in person or through the registration system?
The discount will automatically be applied to your registration when you register online. The discount is only applied to the event pass. Meals and lodging are not discounted.
The International Discount is a 50% discount on your event pass and does not include housing, meals, or any other charges you may incur as a GYC participant.
No. The purpose of this discount is to offset the cost of traveling internationally. GYC only grants this discount to international participants traveling from outside mainland USA, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico specifically to attend the conference.
No. Attendees who receive a letter of invitation do not need to apply separately for the discount. Attendees who have received letters of invitation will receive the 50% discount on their event pass unless they are coming from Mexico or Canada.
GYC takes 1-2 weeks to process your applications. We appreciate your patience! If after 2 weeks you do not receive a reply you may email international@gycweb.org and inquire about your application status.
Yes, the 50% International Discount will be applied to each international participant even if they register in a group.
No, GYC does not provide scholarships or sponsorship for any participants. Participants are personally responsible for registering and paying for the conference. We strongly recommend that you obtain your visa (if applicable) before paying registration and housing fees.
GYC negotiates with local hotels to offer rooms at a reduced rate for conference participants. Please visit our Register now page here to book a hotel at the GYC rate.
For further questions and comments about international attendees at GYC, please contact us at international@gycweb.org.