ICLE’s 2024 National Conference

Attendee Information

JULY 9-12, 2024

We are grateful you are joining us for our 12th Annual ICLE National Conference. Among the most mission-driven superintendents, principals, and teachers in Catholic education today, our attendees are seeking to renew their dioceses and schools by stepping away from the secular model of education and reclaiming the Church’s proven tradition in the liberal arts and sciences, preK-12.

CONFERENCE THEME

The theme for our 2024 National Conference is taken from Psalm 27:4 – Behold the Beauty of the Lord. In this image of The Eucharist, Jan van Kessel the Elder, a 17th century Flemish artist, evokes the radiant beauty of the transcendent mystery of the Blessed Sacrament. As the three-year national Eucharistic Revival approaches its final pilgrimage and Congress, we are reminded that we are transformed by what we behold. We aim to behold and contemplate together the aspects of beauty that nourish us in our mission through sacrament, prayer, fellowship, and the richness of the Catholic educational tradition.

Like the psalmist, may we as Catholic educators seek and love what is true, good, and beautiful, so that we may be truly transformed in Christ.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

The 2024 National Conference is being held on the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison, KS (1020 N. 2nd Street, Atchison, KS 66002). All of the conference events will take place on campus.

The nearest airport is Kansas City International Airport (Airport Code: MCI) located about 53 minutes from campus by car.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The conference schedule begins with check-in on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9, and concludes Friday, July 12, with lunch.

TRAVEL DETAILS AND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS – IMPORTANT

Because ride share and public transportation options are not available in Atchison, we highly recommend that you consider renting a car for the simplest transportation between the airport and Atchison, and between your hotel and campus. Parking on campus and in Atchison is plentiful and free.

Alternatively, you may wish to coordinate your own airport transfer with 5 Guys Transportation; visit this special ICLE National Conference transportation page for details and to reserve your transportation to and from the airport. 5 Guys Transportation offers three options:

Shared Ride Service: sign up as an individual, with the opportunity to be grouped with other travelers arriving around the same time as you
Service for 1-5 passengers: for those arriving as an individual but who don’t wish to be grouped with other travelers arriving around the same time as you, OR sign up as a group of up to 5 passengers arriving together or wishing to share the cost of the ride
Service for 6-10 passengers: sign up as a group of up to 10 passengers arriving together or wishing to share the cost of the ride

A free shuttle will transport conference attendees between the conference hotels (Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the Quality Inn) and the Benedictine College campus at key points (morning and evening) each day. More details will be provided soon.

LODGING OPTIONS

Please be sure to make your own housing arrangements. Note that housing is NOT included in your conference registration. We recommend the following lodging options:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atchison (located about a mile from campus): SOLD OUT. The room rate is for 1-4 adults sharing a room. The room rate online shows as “non-refundable,” however refunds are available up until 24 hours before the day of your arrival by calling the hotel directly at 913-674-0033.
Quality Inn Atchison (located about 1.6 miles from campus): SOLD OUT. Refunds are available up until 24 hours before the day of your arrival.
On-Campus Housing at Benedictine College: Single occupancy ($70 / person / night) and double-occupancy($55 / person / night) rooms with semi-private bathrooms are available. Reserve and pay for your on-campus housing HERE by June 1.
- The following are provided by Benedictine for each guest staying in the hall: two sheets, one bath towel, one hand towel, one washcloth, one pillow, one pillowcase, and one blanket. Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided. Please keep in mind that rooms may be chilly and plan accordingly.
- Private housing (private sleeping room, private bath) for priests, religious, and married couples may be available upon request. Please indicate your need for private accommodations on the reservation form.
- If you have any questions related to Benedictine College housing, please email the Benedictine College Events and Hospitality team at events@benedictine.edu. Single occupancy rooms (no roommate; shared bath) are $70 / person / night. Double-occupancy (roommate; shared bath) are $55 / person / night.

For additional lodging options in surrounding areas:

Lodging in Weston, MO (18 miles from Atchison)
Lodging in St. Joseph, MO (24 miles from Atchison)
Lodging in Leavenworth, KS (25 miles from Atchison)
Lodging in Kansas City, MO (50 miles from Atchison)

ACCESSIBILITY

Please note that the Benedictine College campus and its surroundings are hilly. Mass, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, meals, and other events on the schedule will take place in several separate locations across the college campus, requiring the ability to navigate between buildings. Note that the campus is ADA accessible and elevators are available when needed for access to upper floors. Please contact Program Manager Megan Fassero with any questions or concerns: mfassero@CatholicLiberalEducation.org.

LITURGICAL AND SACRAMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

Holy Mass will be celebrated each day of the conference, all at St. Benedict Catholic Church (not at St. Benedict’s Abbey). Adoration and confession will also be available.

Please join us for Morning Prayer each morning of the conference.

CONFERENCE VENDORS

In this time of great educational renewal, we are edified and blessed to know and partner with many organizations and apostolates who are each playing a unique role in expanding the return to truth, goodness, and beauty.

Our vendors represent a variety of apostolates working together to serve the vast landscape of school and communities seeking to capture the fullness of the Church’s rich offerings.

We are thankful for their presence here at our National Conference, and we encourage you to get to know them by visiting their tables. Please take advantage of specific vendor time on the schedule, as well as other opportunities to interact with our vendors throughout the conference.

See the full list of vendors below.

PARKING ON THE BENEDICTINE COLLEGE CAMPUS

Parking is plentiful and free on campus. For daily parking, please park in the Haverty parking lot, or in the parking lots behind Memorial Hall and St. Scholastica Hall. For overnight parking, please park in the parking lot behind the Murphy Recreation Center

Please do not park in the parking lot at St. Benedict Parish Church or in the St. Benedict’s Abbey Circle. Parking is limited in those areas and must be reserved for the parish and Abbey.

DIETARY NEEDS AND RESTRICTIONS

If you would like us to be aware of your dietary needs and restrictions, please take a moment to complete our brief survey. This will assist us greatly with planning food and beverage service for the National Conference.

INFORMATION SHARING

One of the blessings of our National Conference is growing the community of like-minded educators. Before the conference begins, we will share a list of registered conference participants. We are pleased to share the attendee name, email address, school or organization, school city / state, and primary area of interest with all registered conference attendees.

This information is not shared with our conference vendors. The list may not be shared elsewhere or used for any purpose aside from connecting with like-minded educators, and should not be used for commercial purposes.

Opt-out: If you prefer that we do not share your name, email address, school or organization, school city / state, and primary area of interest with your fellow conference attendees, please complete this opt-out form by Thursday, June 1. Those who do not opt out by Thursday, June 1, will be included.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are granted for participation in ICLE workshops, programs, and events. You may request a certificate of attendance for full, in-person attendance at a previous event HERE.

Heads of school can request certificates for teachers who have completed the livestream training HERE. The head of the school will need to confirm that the teacher participated in the full event and sign the certificate.

VISITING ATCHISON

If you find yourself with a bit of time to explore historic Atchison, Kansas, these sites may be helpful to you:

HELPFUL NOTES

Luggage storage will be made available on the first and last days of the conference. Please stop at the ICLE table to be directed to the storage room. Because luggage storage space will be limited, we ask those staying in a hotel to leave your luggage in storage at the hotel front desk. Those who are staying on campus are asked to leave your luggage in your room until the conclusion of our activities on Friday, if possible. Those with vehicles are asked to leave your luggage in the vehicle, if possible.
Free guest wi-fi will be available on campus. Login credentials will be provided in the conference program on-site.
Please view a Google Map of Benedictine College and the surrounding area HERE.
The dress code for the conference is business casual. The Benedictine College campus and its surroundings are hilly. Please plan your footwear accordingly, and leave yourself plenty of time for walking.

SEMINAR READINGS

Every year, our seminars are a much-loved highlight of the National Conference! Check back to select a seminar in advance of the conference.

ICLE’s Premier Partners

We are grateful to our Premier Partners whose work we admire and recommend.
Please click the logos to visit their websites.