Know Before You Go
Know Before You Go
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Hello, 2026 WSRA Conference Registrant!
Hello, 2026 WSRA Conference Registrant!
We are looking forward to meeting you at the Baird Center for the 2026 WSRA Conference. In this message, we have included important information for you to know before you go!
We are looking forward to meeting you at the Baird Center for the 2026 WSRA Conference. In this message, we have included important information for you to know before you go!
Confirmation Emails
Confirmation Emails
An email confirming your registration will be sent to you right after you completed the form. We will be emailing you that same confirmation as a reminder for which sessions you signed up for prior to the conference.
An email confirming your registration will be sent to you right after you completed the form. We will be emailing you that same confirmation as a reminder for which sessions you signed up for prior to the conference.
Take Note
Take Note
WSRA will not be providing a pen or notepad. If you take notes the old-fashioned way, be prepared. *There will be a limited amount of notepads for sale at the WSRA Membership Booth.
WSRA will not be providing a pen or notepad. If you take notes the old-fashioned way, be prepared. *There will be a limited amount of notepads for sale at the WSRA Membership Booth.
Parking
Parking
The Hilton Milwaukee and the Hyatt Regency Parking ramps are connected to the Baird Center via skywalk on the fourth floor. You may be able to find parking downtown using the Spot Hero app, and this is a good backup in the event that the ramps are full. You can also park in the Baird Center's parking lot.
The Hilton Milwaukee and the Hyatt Regency Parking ramps are connected to the Baird Center via skywalk on the fourth floor. You may be able to find parking downtown using the Spot Hero app, and this is a good backup in the event that the ramps are full. You can also park in the Baird Center's parking lot.
Security
Security
The Baird Center has heightened security at all of their entrances, so all attendees will have to pass through screening devices. There are no bag or carry-in restrictions, but if the detectors alert as you pass through, your bags will be searched. This may slow down the entry process, so plan accordingly. The main entrance will be the busiest, so if the lines seem long, consider accessing the conference via the Hilton or Hyatt skywalks.
The Baird Center has heightened security at all of their entrances, so all attendees will have to pass through screening devices. There are no bag or carry-in restrictions, but if the detectors alert as you pass through, your bags will be searched. This may slow down the entry process, so plan accordingly. The main entrance will be the busiest, so if the lines seem long, consider accessing the conference via the Hilton or Hyatt skywalks.
Leaving items unattended is at your own risk. Neither WSRA nor the Baird Center are responsible for unattended items.
Leaving items unattended is at your own risk. Neither WSRA nor the Baird Center are responsible for unattended items.
Please be advised that the Baird Center fire code does not permit standing in the back of the room or sitting on the floor. Please use the chairs provided.
Please be advised that the Baird Center fire code does not permit standing in the back of the room or sitting on the floor. Please use the chairs provided.
Registration Booth
Registration Booth
After entering the Baird Center, head over to the Registration Booths to pick up your registration materials. There will be three counters. Please join the line that corresponds with the first letter of your last name. The upper counter display will let you know where to go. You will receive your name tag and a folder that will contain an At-A-Glance booklet to let you know the rooms of all the sessions.
After entering the Baird Center, head over to the Registration Booths to pick up your registration materials. There will be three counters. Please join the line that corresponds with the first letter of your last name. The upper counter display will let you know where to go. You will receive your name tag and a folder that will contain an At-A-Glance booklet to let you know the rooms of all the sessions.
Nametags
Nametags
The Baird Center requires that name tags are easily visible by the WSRA and Baird volunteers/staff. The name tag will also have your sessions and the type of lunch you requested. On the flip side of the name tag is a small certificate of attendance. Please keep this for your records. WSRA often receives requests for them from schools/districts for proof-of-attendance.
The Baird Center requires that name tags are easily visible by the WSRA and Baird volunteers/staff. The name tag will also have your sessions and the type of lunch you requested. On the flip side of the name tag is a small certificate of attendance. Please keep this for your records. WSRA often receives requests for them from schools/districts for proof-of-attendance.
WiFi
WiFi
WSRA is offering complimentary WiFi while at the Baird Center. Look for the network named WSRA26 with the password Readalot26! (yes, add the exclamation mark). Please limit the number of devices on the WiFi.
WSRA is offering complimentary WiFi while at the Baird Center. Look for the network named WSRA26 with the password Readalot26! (yes, add the exclamation mark). Please limit the number of devices on the WiFi.
Keynote
Keynote
The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. with a welcome and the morning keynote speaker. We often hear praises of the morning speaker, so this is not a time to miss. It is part of your conference package, and it is a can’t-miss session of the day.
The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. with a welcome and the morning keynote speaker. We often hear praises of the morning speaker, so this is not a time to miss. It is part of your conference package, and it is a can’t-miss session of the day.
Meals
Meals
Lunch is buffet-style featuring vegan, nut-free, dairy free, and gluten free options. If you need assistance regarding special dietary needs because you are unsure of the items on the buffet, seek out one of the Levy Caterer representatives to help you.
Lunch is buffet-style featuring vegan, nut-free, dairy free, and gluten free options. If you need assistance regarding special dietary needs because you are unsure of the items on the buffet, seek out one of the Levy Caterer representatives to help you.
There will be water service but no other beverages, so if you require your afternoon latte or soda, etc. and don’t want to pay vending prices, plan ahead.
There will be water service but no other beverages, so if you require your afternoon latte or soda, etc. and don’t want to pay vending prices, plan ahead.
Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall will open at 7:30 am each day. Come early to beat the rush. If you want to have more time to explore, we have allowed time after lunch for attendees to check out the exhibitors. The hall will also be open until 5:00 pm on Thursday for an Exhibitor Happy Hour with a complimentary drink and snacks.
The exhibit hall will open at 7:30 am each day. Come early to beat the rush. If you want to have more time to explore, we have allowed time after lunch for attendees to check out the exhibitors. The hall will also be open until 5:00 pm on Thursday for an Exhibitor Happy Hour with a complimentary drink and snacks.
Stop at the WSRA Membership Booth for important member perks and information, as well as to peruse the many books and items for sale.
Stop at the WSRA Membership Booth for important member perks and information, as well as to peruse the many books and items for sale.
Try Your Luck
Try Your Luck
50/50 Raffle
50/50 Raffle
After a lot of success last year, WSRA is bringing back the 50/50 Raffle. Purchase your tickets as you head into the Ballrooms before the keynote or stop by the WSRA Membership Booth to purchase them. Each day, the winning ticket will be drawn at 3:45 p.m. at the Membership Booth in the Exhibit Hall. Even though the exhibits end at 2:15 pm on Friday, come to the Membership Booth for the results at 3:45 p.m. Cash only for the 50/50 raffle.
After a lot of success last year, WSRA is bringing back the 50/50 Raffle. Purchase your tickets as you head into the Ballrooms before the keynote or stop by the WSRA Membership Booth to purchase them. Each day, the winning ticket will be drawn at 3:45 p.m. at the Membership Booth in the Exhibit Hall. Even though the exhibits end at 2:15 pm on Friday, come to the Membership Booth for the results at 3:45 p.m. Cash only for the 50/50 raffle.
Silent Auction
Silent Auction
While visiting the WSRA Membership Booth to purchase books, t-shirts, or trinkets, support WSRA by bidding on one or more of the silent auction items. Winners of the auction must be present at 3:45 each day and payment must be made at the close of the auction. There will be over 15 items to bid on each day!
While visiting the WSRA Membership Booth to purchase books, t-shirts, or trinkets, support WSRA by bidding on one or more of the silent auction items. Winners of the auction must be present at 3:45 each day and payment must be made at the close of the auction. There will be over 15 items to bid on each day!
Author Book Signing
Author Book Signing
There will be several book signings after lunch. Books and Company will have many featured authors books for sale at their booth. WSRA, Crossland Literacy, and other exhibitors will have professional author books available. If you have your own books that you would like to have signed, bring them along!
There will be several book signings after lunch. Books and Company will have many featured authors books for sale at their booth. WSRA, Crossland Literacy, and other exhibitors will have professional author books available. If you have your own books that you would like to have signed, bring them along!
Visit Milwaukee!
Visit Milwaukee!
Visit Milwaukee, the city’s visitor’s bureau, will have staff at the Baird Center help desk to answer questions about exploring the city, so take advantage of all that Milwaukee has to offer. After hours, consider a Milwaukee Admirals game, a performing arts group production (Milwaukee is a regional hub for theater), or dine at one of Milwaukee’s renowned restaurants.
Visit Milwaukee, the city’s visitor’s bureau, will have staff at the Baird Center help desk to answer questions about exploring the city, so take advantage of all that Milwaukee has to offer. After hours, consider a Milwaukee Admirals game, a performing arts group production (Milwaukee is a regional hub for theater), or dine at one of Milwaukee’s renowned restaurants.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at wsra@wsra.org or 262-825-7109.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at wsra@wsra.org or 262-825-7109.
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