Who can attend the Forum?

The Forum brings together funders, practitioners, and thought leaders in sustainable food and agriculture. Below is a detailed breakdown of eligible attendees:

What’s included with the registration fee?

• All sessions Tuesday – Thursday including field-based learning
• Meals (Tuesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Wednesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Thursday breakfast and lunch)
• Note: If you choose to attend a learning dinner, a $50 charge will be added to your registration fee to reserve your spot. 

Why do you ask for demographic information? 

In our commitment to Social Justice and Racial Equity, we are trying to better understand who is attending the Forum. The insights we gather will help us make more informed decisions for structuring future Forums. 

Do I need to attend the same sessions as the organization that is sponsoring my participation?

You are welcome to attend any session you’d like and do not need to attend the same sessions as the member organization who sponsored your participation.

Is membership required to attend?

No, membership in SAFSF is not required to attend. However, SAFSF members receive discounted registration rates and have the ability to bring a Food System Partner. The Forum will also include specific programming for members. 

Are there non-funders in attendance?

We expect around 70 non-funders to attend as speakers, Food System Partners, or Practitioners. We value the expertise of everyone in the room, and believe that impactful funding begins with partnerships. We encourage everyone to participate and share their ideas and knowledge, whether they have a formal speaking role during the Forum or not.

Can I register as a Food System Partner?

As a member benefit, SAFSF member organizations are able to invite one representative at a community/nonprofit organization they are sponsoring to attend the Forum as a Food System Partner. To register as part of  the Food System Partner program, use the designated registration code provided to you by your SAFSF member partner. The Food System Partner program began eight years ago, as an avenue to continue to facilitate stronger relationships with leaders in the food system space outside of philanthropy.

Can I register as a Practitioner?

We are excited to broaden the Forum participation this year with a new Practitioner registration option. The Forum is not open to the public, but we know that systems change in food and agriculture requires diverse perspectives and lived experiences. In particular, we invite leaders working in fields that intersect with food and agriculture, but perhaps are not always in our spaces. For example, leaders who work in climate justice, immigration reform or affordable housing.

Practitioner registration will be reviewed on a first-come first-served basis using a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire includes three questions related to understanding your interest in attending the Forum and your work. Each organization is limited to one Practitioner registration. Organizations attending the Forum as speakers or as Food System Partners are not eligible for Practitioner registration. Please note, we encourage relationship building and networking, and know that many connections formed will lead to funding partnerships. To honor a pressure-free experience, we invite Forum attendees to share what they are working on and what they need without soliciting funds. This is required of all guests.  

When registering, you will be added to a waitlist. Once the questionnaire has been reviewed and registration accepted, your registration will be finalized and you will be charged the registration fee. Please do not register and complete the questionnaire, if you are unsure of your ability to pay for and participate in the Forum.  

Can I register as a consultant?

Consultants may attend on behalf of a funding organization. They should register using the same registration type as their affiliated funder and will pay the corresponding rates.

Do Field-Based Learning visits happen rain or shine?

Yes, Field-Based Learning visits will continue regardless of weather. Be sure to bring a water bottle with you on the site visits and wear comfortable clothing/shoes.

What’s appropriate Forum attire?

Business casual attire is common at the Forum. Some people choose to wear jeans and a t-shirt and others in a more formal business attire. Wear what is most comfortable for you.  For Field-Based Learning: Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! And remember at least one pair of closed-toed shoes.

Will there be a resource table?

While we will provide a resource table for those wanting to bring materials, we encourage you to limit the amount you bring. Please bring no more than 50 copies of any one document. Important: You will be responsible for removing remaining materials on Thursday, June 12th by 1pm. Any remaining materials will be recycled. 

What is the cancellation policy?

• If received on or before April 27: Full refund minus $150 administration fee 
• If received between April 28 and May 28: 50% refund, minus $150 administration fee
• If received on or after May 29: No refund available.  
• If at any time you are no longer able to attend the Forum, a substitute participant from the same organization may come instead.  

What is Whova and do I need it?

Yes. Whova is the mobile app (also available in a browser) we use for all attendee communication at the Forum. To stay in the loop and access the following features, download the Whova app before your arrival in New Mexico.:

• View the Forum program and plan out your personal agenda
  • Find where each session will be held 
  • Note: if you registered for a site visit and/or learning dinner, you will receive an email the week of June 5 with your final selection and your “My Agenda” section of Whova will be automatically populated with that selection at that time. 
• Get important updates or reminders about timing, site visits, session changes, etc.
• Review FAQs and/or reach out to event organizers for other questions 
• Share your feedback through short session-specific questionnaires 
• Engage in discussion threads, ice breakers, live polls, and more 
• Find who else is attending this event and reach out to people before or during the event
  • Plan some social activities such as a morning walk, coffee hours, or an informal meet-up with your fellow attendees
  • Have the ability to share your contact information with new connections 
• Connect with speakers through direct or group messaging

If you aren’t directly added to the event and are asked for an event invitation code when accessing the event, please type in this invitation code: SAFSFForum25 (Please do not share this invitation code with people who are NOT attendees of the event).

Already used the Whova app in the past? Double-check that it is installed on your phone, and log in using your existing account email and password.

If you need more guidance on how to use Whova to attend the event, please visit Whova User Guides or email Katrina Finney at [email protected]

How do I get around?

• Arriving and Departing to Hotel: The Hyatt Hotel does not provide complimentary shuttle service.  However, Hyatt does recommend a shuttle service company “Star Luxury Transport” which provides direct service from ABQ airport to Hyatt for $45 one-way. Trips can take anywhere from 30-35 minutes, please plan accordingly. To book your shuttle ahead of time please visit the website at Star Luxury Transport. 
• Rental car: The Forum will take place entirely on site at Tamaya, including Learning Dinners and evening receptions, so we do not recommend a car rental. SAFSF provides bus transportation for all Field-Based Learning. If you are interested in rentals, car rental services are available at the airport with a shuttle service provided to take you directly to the service area. Follow signs to the car rental location at the airport. 
• Uber/Lyft: Uber and Lyft services are available, but it is recommended that you schedule in advance to ensure your transportation will be available at the time you desire to depart.