2026 New England Spring Conference

We’re thrilled to announce that the NESCBWI Spring Conference will return to Stamford, CT, May 15–17, 2026! 

Mark your calendars for a weekend filled with creativity, connection, and kidlit magic as we come together to learn, laugh, and celebrate our incredible community of storytellers and artists.

Check back here over the next weeks as we announce keynotes, conference faculty, and our many publishing pros! Registration opens March 15!

Follow us on Facebook for additional announcements: https://www.facebook.com/nescbwiconference/ 

The cost of this event is $375 for members and $475 for non-members. If you are a premium member, please make sure to log in before registering to get the correct price.

Your registration includes:

• 2 Amazing Keynotes (soon to be announced!)
• Choice of 4, one-hour craft sessions, with inspiring faculty
• A Bonus Friday Night welcoming event, Peer Critiques, and more TBA
• A Publishing House Panel
• An Agent Panel
• Crystal Kite Award presentations
• A Portfolio Showcase for Illustrators with amazing prizes and the chance for all portfolios to be viewed by our publishing professionals!
• A two-month open submission window with ALL of our critique faculty after the event.
• A post-conference writing contest for a critique of the winner's choice at our Fall Agent Editor Day!
• Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
• A book fair open to the public where all published attendees can sell their work!

For an additional fee:

• Registered attendees can sign up for a 15-minute critique with one of our publishing professionals. Each on the spot critique is an additional $85.
• Registered published attendees can sign up for a marketing consultation. Each consultation is an additional $85.

Check back to see additional offerings, faculty, and publishing professionals!

UConn Stamford is in the heart of beautiful, downtown Stamford, Connecticut.

We have done our best to secure room blocks at local hotels to try to bring down the cost for attendees. These blocks will be available until they sell out or until April 15. These rooms are the responsibility of the attendee. Any issues with the blocks should be directed to the hotel itself. We have listed the blocks by distance to the conference venue. Keep in mind, that if you do select a hotel that is further away, UConn has free parking right across the street.

3 minute walk

Courtyard Stamford Downtown

275 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06901

(203) 358-8822

245.00 USD per night

Reserve here

7 minute walk

The Lloyd Stamford, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

909 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06901

(203) 363-7900

Downtown King Standard/City Queen Standard - $259.00 per night plus tax 

Downtown King Deluxe/City Double Queen - $279.00 per night plus tax

8 minute walk

Hampton Inn & Suites Stamford

26 Mill River St, Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 353-9855

$220 plus tax per night

Booking Link:  https://group.hamptoninn.com/afkc83

Guest can also reserve the rooms by directly calling the hotel and providing any of the below information.

• Group Name: Spring Conference (SCBWI)
• Group code: SPC
• Arrival: 05/15/26
• Departure:05/17/26  

14 minute walk

The Stamford Hotel

700 E Main St, Stamford, CT 06901

(203) 358-8400

$179.00 +15% tax

Reserve here

16 minute walk

Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa

243 Tresser Blvd, Stamford, CT 06901

(203) 357-9555

$179.00 +15% tax

Hotels A Short (less than 15 min) Drive Away

DoubleTree by Hilton Stamford

1 First Stamford Pl, Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 967-2222

$189 - $219 (depending upon room size)

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Stamford / New York City

135 Harvard Ave, Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 263-9021

$152.15 - $160.65 (depending upon room size)

Reserve here

The J House Greenwich

1114 E Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06878

(203) 698-6980

$339

Reserve here

Hyatt Regency Greenwich

1800 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, CT 06870

(203) 637-1234

$329.00  for King Rooms

Reserve here

SCBWI is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. SCBWI Regions are managed by unpaid volunteers. Region funds support programs that benefit SCBWI members.

As part of the event planning process, Regional Advisors must sign contracts with venues, speakers, critiquers, vendors, and others who will be providing services during a regional activity. Registration fees collected for an event must cover the cost of these contracts; therefore, refunds are the exception rather than the rule. In the rare case a refund is granted, it will always be less any credit card processing fees and any other processing expenses.

Requests to refund registration fees for in-person activities will be decided on a case-by-case basis, except for events that have specific refund policies. When an event has its own refund policy, it will be clearly stated on the event information page. By registering for an event, you acknowledge that you have read and accept the event’s refund policy. 

Because fees paid to professionals for manuscript critiques, portfolio reviews, intensive programming, mentorships, pitch evaluations, and other exclusive offerings are contracted in advance, these fees cannot be refunded.

NESCBWI Spring Conference Policy: If you need to cancel for any reason, you must inform Stacy Mozer at [email protected] immediately. Do not attempt to delete your registration from the website because that will be refund any fees. If another member can be found to take your place, the amount you paid, minus any processing fees, will be refunded. Thank you for your understanding.