Information for Attendees

About Philadelphia

While not “old” by global standards, Philadelphia’s Old City has some of the best historical attractions in the country. Within a few walkable blocks, you’ll find Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Each neighborhood offers a different taste of Philly. Go out dancing in the Gayborhood - yes, it’s really called that! - or if you’re in town early, participate in the Pride festivities the weekend before the conference. Watch a game at Marsha’s, a new women-centered sports bar on South Street, head to the stadiums to see the Phillies play live. West Philadelphia, home to UPenn and Drexel, is also known for its vibrant food scene, including some of the city’s best Ethiopian restaurants. 

Art lovers should head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, often called Philadelphia’s “Museum Mile”. Dotted with sculptures and grand civic spaces, it’s home to three must-see attractions: the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum. Calder Gardens is a new addition to this stretch, offering an immersive indoor-outdoor display of many of the works of Alexander Calder.

Just beyond the museums, Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban park systems in the country, offers miles of wooded trails, historic mansions, and views of the Schuylkill River, with highlights including Boathouse Row, the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Zoo, and Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center. Running alongside the park, the Schuylkill River Trail is a favorite for walking, running, and biking, with gorgeous views of the Philly skyline.

2026 is a big year for Philly! With major global events on the horizon, including America’s 250th birthday, FIFA, and the MLB All-Star Game later in the summer, the city will be especially energized, making June an ideal moment to experience Philadelphia before peak crowds arrive in July. With its mix of history, green space, museums, and family-friendly attractions, Philly is also a great destination to bring partners, kids, or guests along for a little extra conference-side exploring.

Check out our map to plan your trip.

Venue

FringeArts is a proudly experimental performance art venue hosting some of the most exciting productions in Philadelphia. For three days, we’re taking over their theatre space as well as the adjoining bar and restaurant. Weather permitting, we’ll have use of the outdoor patio space for coffee breaks and meals. 

The venue is just down the street from the bustling Old City neighborhood, where food and drink are abundant. 

Address:
FringeArts Building

140 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Directions to the Venue via Google Maps

Practical Information

  • Registration is open to SfNC members and members of the public. Registration is open for members in the member portal, and for non-members in our store. Registration includes access to the full three-day conference, including a buffet lunch on Monday, June 1st.


    Early Pricing (Before May 1):
    General Member: $100
    Faculty: $125
    Artist Affiliate: $75
    Trainee: $50
    Non-Member: $250

    Pricing after May 1:
    General Member: $150
    Faculty: $175
    Artist Affiliate: $100
    Trainee: $60
    Non-Member: $300

    Tickets to the social night on Tuesday, June 2nd, are sold separately. We hope you’ll join us!

  • We recommend flying into the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for the most seamless experience. Airports in New York City (EWR), Baltimore (BWI) and Washington DC (DCA) and are also connected to Philly via Amtrak lines.

    If you fly into the New York City Area, we recommend that you fly into Newark International Airport (EWR), as it is directly connected to Philadelphia via Amtrak.

  • We have secured a group rate for SfNC2026 with the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District.

    To use this rate, you must use the special group link here.

    From Wyndham: Each individual guest must make his or her own reservation by calling 1-877-999-3223 or booking using the Hotel provided dedicated booking link no later than Friday, May 01, 2026.  Guests making such reservations must identify themselves as members of Group, with SfNC 2026. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.  If a guest does not cancel a reservation within seventy-two (72) hours before the guest’s check-in date, then Hotel may charge the credit card one night’s room fee plus any applicable taxes.

    Another option is the Hilton Penn’s Landing  (14 min walk from FringeArts). We do not have a group rate with this hotel.

  • From the Philadelphia Airport, take the Airport train line towards Center City until you reach Suburban Station. Then follow directions to 15th St Station (City Hall) and take the L Eastbound to 2nd St, arriving in Old City. Transit directions via SEPTA, including buses, regional rail, subways, and trolley, are available on Apple and Google Maps. All public transportation in Philly accepts tap-to-pay (via credit card, Apple Pay, etc.).

Click the drop down items below for useful information about the venue, accommodation, and getting around Philadelphia.

FAQs

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in our inbox. Please feel free to contact us for any additional information.

  • Can I still submit?
    Abstract submissions closed on February 15th and we can no longer accept proposals to present. We truly appreciate the strong interest this year, and we encourage all interested parties to join us for the conference and become SfNC members to be part of the conversation.

  • What is included in the conference?
    The conference is a 3-day event (June 1st–3rd) with keynote speakers, panels, talk symposiums, poster sessions, and social networking events. Events will generally run from 9am – 5 pm each day.

    Will there be a hybrid or virtual option available?
    The conference will be held in person only to support the best experience for presenters and attendees. We will be recording presentations for our members-only archive.

  • Will there be travel awards?

    No travel awards this year, unfortunately. We hope to be able to offer this kind of support in the future.

  • Do you need to be an SfNC member to present or attend?

    SfNC 2026 is open to the public. You do not need to be an SfNC member to attend if you are not presenting, and non-members may register through the public registration option.

    However, we encourage anyone planning to attend to become a member to be part of our community and to take advantage of the discounted member registration rate.

    If you are a presenter:

    All accepted presenters (science or artists) need to be active SfNC members to register and attend, including individuals whose abstract submission was originally sponsored by an SfNC Faculty Member.

    Please select the membership option that best fits your position and purchase registration through the SfNC Member Portal. All students (at any level) and postdocs are eligible for the Trainee Member and Conference Registration rate.

  • I submitted an abstract—how can I get updates about my presentation?

    Any member who submitted a scientific abstract can view updates about their abstract status and presentation details in the SfNC member portal. You should also receive communications via email directly from SfNC with important updates about your presentation. If your abstract was sponsored by an SfNC Faculty member, only they can see abstract updates in their SfNC account, but all presenting authors will receive updates via email. 

    Anyone who submitted an artist abstract should have received notification from SfNC with an acceptance decision, and will receive additional communications to support their presentation.

    Important information for presenters can be found here.

  • I didn’t receive a confirmation email for my registration or membership purchase, or I’m having trouble completing my purchase. What should I do?

    You should receive a confirmation email from Squarespace for any purchase made through the SfNC website. These emails are sometimes filtered as spam or marketing, so please check those folders and allow emails from Squarespace to ensure you receive future communications.

    You can also view your purchase history and download invoices through your SfNC member account.

    Most issues with completing purchases are resolved by switching browsers (Google Chrome tends to have fewer issues).

    For any additional issues or questions, please reach out to tsfnc.org@gmail.com - we’re happy to help!