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VSRA 2015 Conference

March 12, 2015 - March 14, 2015

"Reading is Magical"
The Greater Richmond Convention Center & Richmond Marriott Hotel
(Connected via Skywalk)    
Downtown Richmond, Virginia

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Conference Overview

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.  ONSITE REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 6:00PM, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11TH AT THE GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER. 

ONSITE MEMBER REGISTRATION - $300

ONSITE NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION - $350.00

We are thrilled to host the 48th Annual VSRA Conference, "Reading is Magical" in Richmond, Virginia.   

We have assembled many of your favorite authors, local and national literacy professionals, and colleagues to share their most current ideas and research with you.  Our Exhibit Hall will feature an opportunity to see Virginia vendors and the products and services that can enhance your work.  We will also offer opportunities for socializing, networking and just having fun! 

To enhance your conference experience, VSRA has also arranged for several free and paid optional events during the conference.  These include special two hour pre-conference Literacy Institutes as well as Author Meals and Networking Receptions. 

Download the full list and description of Literacy Institutes

Download the full list and description of Optional Events

Conference Rates and Payment Procedures

Conference Rates:

Important Registration Notes:

To qualify for the Member Rate, you must be a 2014-15 member of VSRA. The current VSRA Membership year runs from September 1, 2014 – August 31, 2015.   CLICK HERE if you are not a member and would like information on membership benefits and/or to Join the Virginia State Reading Association.

To quaify for the Student Rate you must be able to produce a current student I.D. from an accredited organization.

Payment Options and Procedures:

You may pay for the conference by credit card, check or purchase order.

After you submit your registration, you will be offered the option to either click on the PayPal link to pay immediately by credit card or click on the Invoice link to bring up an invoice to send in with your check or purchase order. Your invoice will include all pertinent information including the mailing address.

** If you need to register a group of 2 or more people on one invoice, make sure you are on the Group Registration URL at https://www.conferencesolutionsllc.com/meeting_participants/group_register?meeting_id=69

Cancellation fee - on or before February 27, 2015- $75.00. No refunds after February 27, 2015.
Pre-Conference Literacy Institutes and Optional Meals & Events
Pre-Conference Literacy Institutes

Pre-conference Literacy Institutes are optional two hour sessions offered the morning of Thursday, March 12th, prior to the actual conference. 

We offer Early Morning sessions beginning at 8:00AM, and Mid-Morning sessions beginning at 10:00AM.  You may choose up to one Institute in each time session at an additional cost of $40.00 per Institute.


Following is the list of Pre-Conference Literacy Institutes:
Date Start Time End Time Pre-Conference Literacy Institutes Fees
March 12, 2015 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM Don't Tell Me Kindegarten Can't Do That - Cathy Collier $40.00
March 12, 2015 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM Transforming Classroom Dynamics: Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions - Lynne Bland $40.00
March 12, 2015 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM Making Literacy a Priority in the Secondary School - Rose Fraze & Sarah Horn $40.00
March 12, 2015 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM Teaching with Technology is Magical - Valerie Robnolt $40.00
March 12, 2015 08:00 AM - 09:45 AM Following Einstein through the Brain's Backdoor: The "Secret" Missing-Piece of the Reading & Writing Puzzle! - Katie Garner $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Engaging Your Student Experts: Practical Strategies to Support Reading and Writing - Stephanie Blackburn $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Engaging the Internet for Daily Literacy Instruction: The Possibilities are Endless! - Jennifer Floyd $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Abracadabra-abracadoo...I Can Explain an Inference to You! - Cyndy Amrhein & Cathy Root $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Increasing Reading Comprehension Through Writing - Beth Estill $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Inquiry Based Learning Ensures Critical Thinking and Academic Rigor - Kinko Michaels $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM The Next Step in Differentiated Literacy Centers: Brain-Based, Multilevel Practice - Margo Southall $40.00
March 12, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Strategic Support for Striving Learners - Kelly Boswell $40.00
Click here to view/print a description of the above Pre-Conference Literacy Institutes.

Optional Meals & Events

All rates include a complimentary boxed lunch on Friday, March 13th.

To enhance your conference experience, VSRA has also arranged for several FREE events as well as paid events during the conference. Each event requires a ticket to attend even if offered to you at no charge. Numbers will need to be given to the hotel in advance of the conference. Please note that the FREE events do have a cost to VSRA so we ask that you only check off events that you definitely plan to attend.

Note: If you wish to bring a guest to the Annual Banquet with Donalyn Miller, you may purchase a guest ticket by emailing vsra@customconference.com and we will send you a request form.

Following is the list of Optional Meals & Events:
Date Start Time End Time Function Name Cost
March 12, 2015 11:45 AM 01:20 PM VSRA Rally and Awards Buffet Lunch $10.00
March 12, 2015 05:15 PM 06:30 PM Exhibitors' Reception $0.00
March 12, 2015 07:30 PM 09:30 PM Pajama PD Plus Desserts and Gift Basket Raffle $0.00
March 13, 2015 07:30 AM 09:00 AM Early Literacy Breakfast w/Dr. Jean Feldman $45.00
March 13, 2015 11:30 AM 12:45 PM Friday Boxed Lunch $0.00
March 13, 2015 02:15 PM 03:15 PM Administrators' Tea $0.00
March 13, 2015 05:30 PM 06:45 PM Presidents' Reception $0.00
March 13, 2015 06:45 PM 09:30 PM Annual Banquet w/Donalyn Miller - Chicken $55.00
March 13, 2015 06:45 PM 09:30 PM Annual Banquet w/Donalyn Miller - Vegetable Lasagna $55.00
March 14, 2015 07:30 AM 09:00 AM Author Breakfast w/Jarrett Krosoczka $40.00
March 14, 2015 11:30 AM 01:00 PM Literacy Brunch w/Jeff Kinney $45.00
March 13, 2015 01:00 PM 02:00 PM Secondary Sweets with Jaclyn Roller Ryan, 2015 Virginia Teacher of the Year $0.00

Click here to view/print a description of the above functions.

Hotel Accommodations

VSRA has blocked hotel rooms at the Richmond Marriott (the conference hotel) and the Hilton Garden Inn at a discounted conference rate.

The Richmond Marriott (The Conference Hotel)

$152 single/double occupancy, $162.00 triple occupancy, $172.00 quadruple occupancy (plus tax)

For reservations call 1-800-228-9290 and request the "Virginia State Reading Association Rate."

You can also book a reservation online using the following links:

Book a Single/Double room at $152.00 per night.

Book a Triple room at $162.00 per night.

Book a Quad room at $172.00 per night.


Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown (Overflow Hotel) - No conference sessions are taking place at this hotel.

$145.00 single/double occupancy, $155.00 triple occupancy, $165.00 quadruple occupancy (plus tax)

For reservations call 1-877-782-9444 and request the "Virginia State Reading Association."

Reservations must be made no later than February 10, 2015 for these rates.