Reservations: Hotel request accommodations are not included in the conference rate but can be added to your registration for an additional charge of $372/night (inclusive of taxes and fees) at the Ritz-Carlton. All rooms booked through WBL must be updated through WBL. Please do not contact the hotel directly with requests — because our rooming list is managed internally, they are not authorized to make changes.

Hotel Details: Check-in time for the Ritz Carlton New Orleans is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM.

Changes: Do not contact the hotel to make any changes to your reservation request. The WBL Summit room block is managed internally, and the Ritz Carlton does not have your request information. The hotel representatives will not be able to help you, and will only refer you back to WBL. Hotel confirmation numbers will be distributed to all attendees after we have submitted our rooming list to the hotel.

Cancellations: The deadline to change or cancel hotel reservations is February 18, 2025. After this date, refunds for hotel nights will be given on a case-by-case basis, most likely if WBL is able to sell your room nights to another Summit attendee. Please contact events@wbl.org for details.

Getting to the Summit: The Ritz Carlton New Orleans is approximately 25 minutes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. For driving directions, please visit the Ritz Carlton's website.

Bonus Tip: Share in the cost and start your networking early! Book a car with another WBL member so you can get to know each other before arriving to the resort. 

Summit Dining and Meals: WBL will serve banquet-style meals during the Summit program, beginning with breakfast on Monday morning and concluding with Wednesday breakfast. If you plan to arrive on Sunday, you will be responsible for your own dinner that evening following the welcome reception. We suggest making reservations at a restaurant nearby or at the hotel and inviting your fellow attendees to dine with you. As a reminder, we do not have space for friends or family members to join us for Summit programs and meals.

Dress Code: The dress code for this event is smart/business casual – think blouses, button downs, slacks, or office-appropriate dresses with polished, practical footwear. We encourage you to have fun with your fashion while keeping in mind that we are a professional network!

Please bring appropriate attire if you wish to participate in the morning networking walks or exercise sessions. Portions of the event will take place outdoors, so please pack accordingly.

Average Temperatures: Temperatures in New Orleans in March can range from the high 50s to the high 70s. Remember that hotel ballrooms tend to skew on the colder side and that portions of our program will take place outdoors, so remember to bring layers!

Fitness and Wellness: WBL will host daily morning yoga sessions to invigorate you for the day ahead and allow you to focus on your wellbeing while at the Summit. In addition, a lead trainer will offer guided stretch sessions during our networking breaks to encourage energy and healthy blood flow. Sponsored by Tivity Health

Dress for Success Donation Drive: Join us in making a difference by participating in our "Success is in the Bag" donation drive! We’re collecting new or gently used handbags, totes, and fashionable backpacks filled with essential items to help others thrive. Suggested items to include are hand lotion, sanitizer, wallets, note planners, pens, USB drives, thank you notes, lip balm/gloss, compact mirrors, and gift cards to stores like Walgreens, Walmart, or Target—or even a $20 "treat yourself" gift! Your thoughtful contributions will go a long way in empowering someone in need. Let's give the gift of confidence and care—one bag at a time!

Donations will be accepted at our registration desk at any time during the Summit.

Pre-Summit Virtual Networking Session: Join us Monday, March 3, from 2-3 PM ET for tips and tricks on how to make the most of your time at the Summit—see the calendar invitation you've received for access details. Afterward, you'll get the chance to meet other attendees during speed networking, where we'll break into small groups for brief introductions over multiple rounds.

Mobile App: To make the most of your experience, make sure to download our mobile app and log in to your account. The Summit Mobile App will allow you to view your own personalized agenda, the event attendee list, venue maps, FAQs like dress code, and more.

To access the app, search and download the "Attendee Mobile" app in your mobile app store. Search "WBL" in the app and log in to your account with your email address and the password WBL2025!.

Online hub: Attendees can access the 2025 Summit hub in the member portal, which contains access to the Summit community forum, a digital attendee directory, and other helpful links to review before joining us in March.

Attendee Contact List: A PDF attendee list will be sent approximately two weeks before the Summit begins. You are encouraged to reach out to other attendees who you wish to connect with at the Summit. WBL's corporate partners receive this list earlier, so do not be surprised if you hear from our sponsors in advance of the program.

If you have certain companies or individuals you wish to connect with during the Summit, please share that information with WBL staff. Corporate sponsors will get priority in introduction requests, but we will do our best to accommodate everyone.

To protect your investment in the WBL Summit, WBL strongly encourages registrants to purchase trip or travel insurance via a site such as www.insuremytrip.com or similar. These policies run approximately $300 and can cover a registration fee, travel arrangements, and hotel fees.

Our refund policy is on a sliding scale, based on how much we have prepaid for your attendance. If you must cancel your registration, the refund policy is as follows:

• A cancellation fee of $500 will be charged if canceled on or before Jan. 15, 2025

• A cancellation fee of $1000 will be charged if canceled on or before Feb. 15, 2025

• No refunds will be given after Feb. 15, 2025. Name changes/attendee substitutions will be permitted, provided the substitute is a WBL member.

Note: These sessions require pre-registration.

Spa Networking: This session begins at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 16. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your first treatment, in order to settle in and take advantage of all this session has to offer.

The goal of this session is to allow for Summit attendee networking in a relaxed setting. Your itinerary includes two 25-minute mini spa treatments. WBL has reserved a private lounge within the Ritz Carlton Spa exclusively for WBL Summit attendees' use, and the spa treatments are intentionally abbreviated to keep you moving around and able to interact with more members while in attendance. Please wear comfortable clothing. Light refreshments will be served.

Second Line Parade and Dine-Around: On Tuesday, March 18, members will enjoy dinner at renowned local restaurants. Prior to dinner, attendees will immerse themselves in the city's lively culture with a traditional Second Line Parade, complete with brass bands and spirited dancing through the streets. Details for your dine-around assignment will be distributed via email prior to arrival. Non-registrants will enjoy a reception and networking dinner onsite at the Ritz-Carlton.