MAPACA preconference newsletter
This is the MAPACA preconference newsletter. Our next Annual Conference is November 6-8 in Philadelphia, PA.
In this newsletter, we have:
#MAPACA2025 Annual Conference news - travel information and day passes
Conference events and happenings
Conference schedule and the Personal schedule
BYOL (bring your own lanyard)
COVID statement
Important dates
#MAPACA2025 conference news
2025 Annual Conference
November 6-8, 2025
Philadelphia, PA
Hotel and Travel Information
We are excited to welcome you to #MAPACA2025 at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square located at 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Valet parking is available at the hotel’s covered parking garage located on Market Street between 19th & 18th Streets, next to the hotel entrance.
If you are traveling to the conference by airplane, you can use the SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line to travel to and from Center City Philadelphia. Suburban Station and Historic William H. Gray 30th Street Station are both a short walk to and from the hotel.
Rideshare and taxi options are also available to travel from PHL to the Sonesta Rittenhouse Square and Center City.
Note that if you are driving in on Saturday there will be a run in the Philadelphia Museum of Art area. While the run does not pass by the hotel or the Rittenhouse area, it could cause traffic and delays around the city.
Day passes
Single-day passes (for non-presenting attendees only) are available and include all events and refreshments on that day.
Conference events and happenings
Publishers’ Exhibit, continental breakfast, and coffee and tea breaks
The Publishers’ Exhibit will be open Thursday and Friday, 8-5, and Saturday, 8-4. MacFarland representatives will be there with books available for purchase.
A continental breakfast will be served on Thursday and Friday, 9:15-11:15, and Saturday, 8:30-10:30. Coffee and tea breaks will be available on Thursday and Friday from 2:30-3:30.
2025 Awards Reception - Thursday, November 6 from 6:30-8
Join us as we present the Lorance Award, Donald Award, and Walden Prize at the Reception and Annual meeting on Thursday, November 6, from 6:30-8.
Celebrate our award winners and enjoy a reception and cash bar.
2025 Divine Impact Award with winner Cherri Gregg - Friday, November 7, 6-8:30
The winner of the 2025 Divine Impact Award (DIA) is Cherri Gregg! We invite you to celebrate at the DIA Reception on Friday, November 7, 6-8:30.
There will be a discussion with Cherri Gregg, followed by a Q&A session where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. You can also submit questions in advance by emailing awards@mapaca.net. A reception and cash bar will accompany this event.
Graduate Student Gathering - Friday, November 7, 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Calling all graduate students! The Graduate Student Gathering is a relaxed meet-up with your fellow graduate students. Light refreshments will be served.
Crash Course - Saturday, November 8, 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm
The high-density Crash Course features 5-minute micro-presentations about current popular culture topics. Always a conference favorite! Light refreshments will be served!
Conference schedule information
Personal schedule
The new MAPACA.net website makes it easy to keep track of your busy schedule! Here’s how you can add sessions to your Personal Schedule:
Click on the “Browse the schedule” button on MAPACA.net. On the Schedule of the 2025 Annual Conference page, click on a “Browse by day” or “Browse by area” link. As you scroll through the available sessions, you’ll find an “Add to personal schedule” button. Selecting this button will add the session to the Personal schedule section on the right-hand side of your Schedule of the 2025 Annual Conference page. This allows you to keep track of the conference sessions that interest you. You must be logged in to view the schedule or to add a session to your Personal Schedule.
BYOL (bring your own lanyard)
Bring your favorite lanyard to use at the conference. Not only will your lanyard help reduce waste, but it will also be a stylish fashion accessory and conversation starter! Also, we will have spots to recycle your badge holders at the end of the conference.
COVID statement
We look forward to welcoming you #MAPACA2025 this November. At this time, our conference will be mask-encouraged to support our immunocompromised community members. Remember, the proper wearing of a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps prevent community spread and protects everyone, especially immunocompromised colleagues. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available at the conference.
Before the conference, consider getting a vaccine or booster for COVID-19 or other seasonal diseases, such as the flu. Keeping up to date with vaccines, in line with public health and your doctor's guidance, further supports our community.
Finally, we are asking you to do your part in contributing to the health and well-being of your fellow MAPACA attendees. If you feel like you have a cold coming on, your allergies are really hitting you hard, or you feel otherwise symptomatic, test, don’t guess, or stay at home to help protect the community.
Important dates
November 6-8, 2025: MAPACA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA