Parents have commented that this conference is like going on a spiritual retreat. There are many instances of lives being transformed after hearing the uplifting and positive talks by priests and other speakers.

Year after year, people come back knowing they’ll re-visit with old friends and meet new ones since this is the largest free Catholic home schooling conference in the United States. They also come for the uplifting, informative and encouraging talks, and the Catholic vendors. Many families are seeking additional practical and spiritual tips to sanctify their homes, and to pass on the Faith to their children.

Anyone 13 and over, and nursing babies, are invited.

You may be a young married couple looking forward to the future and wanting to learn more about home schooling, or you may already be home schooling and searching for additional resources, encouragement, and insight. Any interested person, especially grandparents, interested relatives, and religious are welcomed.

Admission to the conference is FREE, though we suggest a donation of $10.00 per person to cover conference expenses.

There is FREE & AMPLE parking in front of the NORTH Hall conference site, and parking is entirely handicapped-accessible.

There is no pre-registration, just come. Upon arrival, each attendee is expected to fill out a registration form for the drawing, and to wear a name tag while in the facility.

Yes. Please let us know if you need any additional assistance.

Children under 13 will not be allowed in the speaker rooms since the content of the talks may not be age-appropriate for young children. Young teenagers are expected to be accompanied by an adult. Nursing moms are welcome, but as a courtesy to others, if you have a fussy baby, please leave the speaker’s room until the baby settles down. There is a room specifically designated for moms with babies and young children near the Registration Area.

What works for many families with children is for fathers and mothers to “take turns” (morning/afternoon) bringing their children to nearby activities. (See website under “Things to Do.”)

The Holiday Inn Select and other area hotels have swimming pools. Located in the immediate vicinity is the Air and Space Museum (near Dulles Airport), various museums and parks, as well as Catholic sites in the nearby D.C. area. Watching planes land and take off at Dulles Airport is usually a big hit for young children!

No, we are not set up for child care services due to safety, legal and insurance considerations. Most parents find it easier to attend the conference knowing that someone familiar is watching their children at home, so please make arrangements in advance for child care. If coming to the D.C. area on a family vacation, there are many local activities and sites that might be of interest to children in the area.

Parents may bring children to the vendor area; however, children must be under a parent’s supervision at all times.

There will not be a separate program for teens this year. Teens are welcome to attend the talks accompanied by their parent or guardian. This can be an excellent opportunity to introduce your teens to some of the Catholic leaders in our country.

The Holiday Inn Select, the on-site conference hotel, is located directly across the parking lot from the Dulles EXPO Center’s North Hall. Rooms may be reserved online before the deadline date. We have overflow rooms at the Comfort Suites.

Yes. Go to the IHM homepage and click the “Accommodations” tab. All information on the Holiday Inn Select, including discounted room rate and types of rooms (double/quad), as well as the code to use when reserving online, and their deadline date, is listed. You must mention the IHM Conference when making your reservation to receive this special rate.

Once the Holiday Inn Select is booked to capacity, the hotel will make arrangements with other local hotels to provide IHM attendees similar discount rates. Rooms book quickly, so make your reservation early. If reserving after the deadline date, please click the “Accommodations” tab on the IHM homepage to see which hotels have been added to provide IHM attendees discounted room rates. If you need additional assistance with your reservations, or if the reservations desk was unable to accommodate you, please contact Mary Pultz at www.hiselect.com/chantillyexpo or marypultz@granddukehotels.com

Yes. Most of the local hotels, including the Holiday Inn Select, have free shuttle service to and from Dulles Airport at regular time intervals.

The vendor area opens on Friday, June 8th, at 12 NOON and will remain open throughout the entire conference. (Talks start on Friday at 10 AM).

Yes, there are several vendors who will be selling used books.

We are not set up for families to sell their used books at this time.

The talks will begin Friday morning at 10:00 A.M., and run throughout the conference. The last talk on Friday evening begins at 8:00 P.M. The talks begin again on Saturday at 9:30 A.M., with the last talk given at 3:00 P.M. Please click the “Schedule” link found on the left side of the IHM homepage for additional information.

Lilix Light & Sound will be recording the talks given at the conference, and will have a table set up in the vendor area where attendees can place their orders. Lilix takes pride in ensuring that all talks recorded are of superior audio quality; therefore, your order will be shipped a few weeks after the conference. Dr. Guarendi’s talks will be available only for orders placed at the conference.

To show a spirit of Christian decorum, we encourage you to dress comfortably but modestly. (Prior conferences suggest that the majority of women prefer to wear dresses and skirts/culottes.) Tank tops, shorts, halter tops, mini-skirts are inappropriate. NOTE: We do recommend you wear comfortable shoes, such as walking shoes. Although the speakers’ rooms are carpeted, the vendor area is not carpeted; it is a cement floor. For men, we recommend slacks and a short-sleeved shirt.

There are numerous fast-food establishments, as well as other restaurants in the immediate area, many within walking distance of the EXPO Center. Although the conference facility allows no outside food be brought in, including water, there will be several water stations set up for attendees; bottled water will be available for sale at the concession stand in the vendor area. The conference schedule accommodates lunch and dinner breaks from talks; the vendor area will remain open from Friday noon on throughout the conference.

Holy Mass will not be offered at the Expo Center. There is a listing of Catholic parishes in the area with Mass schedules and directions. Just click onto the “Local Churches” button found on the left of the IHM homepage and you can determine in advance where and when to attend Mass.

If you lose something, check at the conference registration table located near the entrance to the facility, or call 540-636-1946 after the event.

Make sure you come into Dulles and not National if you want the free shuttle service. Dulles Airport is about 5 miles from the conference site.