Information for in-person annual conference attendees
The following information is offered to assist those attending the 2023 Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church from June 13-15 in person in Tacoma, Washington.
Check-In and directions
Check-in will begin on Monday, June 12th. It will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Mason United Methodist Church. Check-in will take place in front of the main church doors. The address is 2710 N. Madison St., Tacoma, WA 98407 (Google Maps). Check-in will also be held on Tuesday, June 13th, in front of Schneebeck Music Hall on the campus of UPS. It will begin at 7 a.m. and wrap up at 9 a.m. for the beginning of the opening worship. District Service Center staff will be on hand to assist with check-in. Parking for Schneebeck Hall, where much of our plenary work will take place, is in parking lot 4.
Directions to Schneebeck Hall parking (Google Maps) – Look for the Welcome Flags.
From I-5 Southbound:
- In Tacoma, take exit 132 and merge onto WA-16 (westbound) toward Gig Harbor. Take the Union Avenue exit and turn Right onto Union Avenue.
- Schneebeck Concert Hall is a short walk from the parking lot.
From I-5 Northbound:
- In Tacoma, take exit 132 for S. 38th Street.
- Stay in the right lanes to merge onto WA-16. Don’t exit to Tacoma Mall. Take the Union Avenue exit and turn Right onto Union Avenue.
- Turn Right onto North 14th and park in Lot #4.
- Schneebeck Concert Hall is a short walk from the parking lot.
Memorial Service Parking
The Memorial Service on Tuesday, June 13th, will be at 7:00 pm at Mason UMC. As parking at Mason is limited, we have arranged for additional parking at Mason Middle School. They will have assigned parking security at the school. The school’s address is 3901 N 28th Street, Tacoma, WA. 98407 (Google Maps).
Shuttle Service to Mason UMC for Thursday, June 15th
Parking at Mason UMC is very limited, and we do not have access to the Mason School lot during the day as school is still in session. We have arranged for parking at Schneebeck Hall (parking lot 4) on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. Sound Transportation will shuttle our members from parking lot 4 near Schneebeck Hall to Mason UMC. They will begin to transport members of Annual Conference beginning at 8 a.m. The service will continue between the venues until 4 p.m. Please plan to arrive early enough to accommodate the shuttle service and potential wait times.
Childcare
Childcare will take place at Mason UMC utilizing Jovie Childcare. Registered children can be dropped off at 8 a.m., and the service will be available until the end of the conference each day. Nursery care will be offered during the worship services for guests.
COVID protocol
If you are feeling unwell or have any COVID symptoms, please stay home and take care of yourself. You are encouraged to self-test before coming to the in-person event. All conference staff will self-test each morning of the event.
Allergies and other restrictions
Annual Conference this year will be a nut-free zone. It will also be fragrance-free. Food and drinks may not be consumed or served in Schneebeck Concert Hall. Please remember these items when considering your personal care and care for others with whom you will share the space.
Remember to bring your digital device if you plan to vote
As shared on several occasions already, all members, including those attending in person, will need a cell phone or internet-capable device to vote and be recognized to speak during the annual conference. While we are working with our venue hosts to provide internet for those who need it, it is the recommendation of our voting provider, GNTV, that in-person attendees use their cell phones and existing carrier plans as much as possible.
Using the same platform to vote and get recognized will help all conference members, those joining online or in person, to participate equally. To learn more about the voting and getting recognized process, please visit GNTV’s Voting Help page. In-person members should plan to download (to a tablet or laptop) or bring a printed version of the PCH materials they would like to have ready and be prepared to use them with limited personal space.