Know Before You Go Guide

NCSD welcomes you to this year’s STI Engage 2025 Conference! To help you prepare, we’ve put together this quick reference guide so you’re ready for a successful event. For even more details, the STI Engage 2025 website and conference mobile app are where you’ll find information about everything related to the conference, including the detailed agenda, speaker bios, and so much more!
 

Official Hotel and Conference Venue

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
8000 South Arizona Grand Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Phone: 602-438-9000 

Check-in: 4:00 pm
Check-out: 11:00 am
Smoke Free Property
 

Time Zone

Phoenix is in the Mountain Standard Time.
 

Weather

June average high: 106 °F / 41 °C.
 

What to Pack

Attire is business casual for the conference during the day. Please, no jeans, T-shirts, or flip flops. We do recommend you dress in layers as temperatures in meeting rooms can vary.
 

Airport Ground Transportation

The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is conveniently located just six miles from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, with several travel options:

Parking

On-Site Parking

• Included in waived resort fee
  
   

Wi-Fi in the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Wi-Fi will be provided in all areas of our conference for no charge.
 

Social Media

Follow us on Twitter and use the official STI Engage 2025 hashtag: #stdengage

Join the NCSD Facebook page and engage in conversations on our page.

We’re so excited to let the good times roll with you again this year at STI Engage! We put together a webpage with all the resources you need to get social-media-ready. On it you can find posts sized for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram available for download; access to GIFs; our event hashtags; sample language; and links to NCSD's social media platforms. For more info, contact our Digital Communications Manager, Forest Wilde at fwilde@ncsddc.org.
 

STI Engage 2025 Conference Mobile App Replaces the Conference Guide

In our effort to be sustainable, we will not be printing conference guides for STI Engage 2025. This year’s conference mobile app replaces the paper conference guide, and you can access it by completing the following steps.
 

Downloading the Virtual Platform / Mobile App

Scan or click the QR code below to access the Virtual Platform. Once there, you will be prompted to download the Mobile App, or progress to the Virtual Platform using your web browser. Download the STI Engage 2025 Virtual Platform/App for the most up-to-date agenda, speaker bios, exhibitor listing, and more on the go.


 

Logging into the Virtual Platform / Mobile App

1. Click on the QR code above or click HERE to navigate to the login screen.
2. If you would like to download the mobile app to your mobile device, select the respective app store from the list provided. Otherwise, continue to the login screen by selecting "ShoApp for Desktop."
3. Enter your email address.
4. Click "continue" and you will receive an email with your secure login pin from noreply@eventpower.com.
5. Enter the login pin on the Virtual Platform login page and create your own password.

Note: Make sure to check your spam folder for your secure login.
 

Build Your Schedule

You can see the STI Engage 2025 conference agenda and get an overview of all the conference sessions so that you can build your schedule with everything you want and nothing you don’t. Adding a session to your personal schedule does not guarantee you a seat in a session. You can also easily browse sessions on the conference mobile app.
 

General Attendee Registration/Check-In

All attendees must already be registered and have paid to attend STI Engage 2025. There will be no new registrations or payment accepted on-site for registrations. Attendees may check-in to obtain their attendee badges and attendee conference bags in the registration/check-in area located in the Napoleon Ballroom Foyer on the 3rd floor.
 

Registration/Check-In Hours:

• Monday, June 2, 2025: 8:00 am -5:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 3, 2025: 7:00 am-5:00 pm
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025: 7:00 am-5:00 pm
• Thursday, June 5, 2025: 8:00 am-10:30 am
   

Attendee Badges

Your attendee badge is required for admission to all conference activities and must be worn at all times. No exceptions.
 

Special Dietary Needs

If you have any special dietary needs, such as food allergies, AND you did not state this during the registration process, please email stdengage@ncsddc.org to let us know.
 

On-site Restaurants Daily Hours

• Roux Bistro, 2nd Floor: 6:30 am-11:00 pm
• Pelican Bar, 1st Floor: 12:00 pm-12:00 am
• Starbucks, 1st Floor: 6:00 am-5:00 pm

For additional dining options nearby, visit the dining section of the Sheraton New Orleans website.
 

On-site Photography

Photographers and videographers will be on-site at the conference to capture various aspects of STD Engage 2023. General images may appear in future STD Engage promotional materials or on social media.
 

Media Attendance

Media will be present at STD Engage and will have access to all sessions and activities with the exception of closed or invite-only sessions. If you have any concerns, please contact our Director, Communications, Elizabeth Finley at efinley@ncsddc.org.
 

Common Sense Security Tips

• If you are experiencing an emergency, dial 911.
• Travel in groups and avoid walking alone on unlit streets at night.
• Remove/hide your conference attendee badge when leaving the hotel.
• Pay attention when walking and using your smart phone, as these devices have been the target of thieves nationwide.
• Do not leave your purse, backpack, or briefcase unattended, especially not on the back of your chair.
• Do not display large amounts of cash in public places.
• When hailing a ride via a mobile app, confirm the identity of your driver before getting into the car.
• If you are intoxicated, please take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft instead of walking or driving.
• Trust your gut instincts. If someone or something seems suspicious, leave the area.
• If approached by strangers for con games, such as, “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes,” do not participate. Simply smile and walk past them.
• Lock car doors. Stow valuables out of sight in your vehicle.
• Ensure that your hotel room door is fully closed and locked at all times.
• Do not leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers.