About the ELCA

God, Faith, Christianity

Attending Church

ELCA Faith Tradition

Who is Welcome?

Travel

Information on Travel Logistics

Below are frequently asked questions about travel logistics for attending the assembly.

When can I make travel arrangements?

You can make travel arrangements now. Your registration materials were emailed on April 2 and explained how to make your travel arrangements. If you are a voting or advisory member, your travel costs will be paid for by the ELCA, but you must make your air travel arrangements through Direct Travel, preferably using the travel app Deem: elca-dt.deem.com.

When booking your travel, remember that the assembly starts with orientation on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. and concludes at the close of the plenary session on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.

If you need assistance, please contact Dana Adams, director, meeting management, at 773-380-2802 (office) or 773-372-5639 (cell) or at Dana.Adams@elca.org. PLEASE do not call Direct Travel — it charges a fee for each consultation.

‍Please make travel arrangements no later than May 31, 2025.

I don't have a Deem account. How do I book travel?

You can book travel through Deem even without a travel profile, using a one-time link developed for churchwide assembly participants.

Voting and advisory members received this link and the proper credentials when their registration information was emailed to them on April 2.

Visitors can book their travel through Deem at elca-dt.deem.com.

Visitors enter the following information in the required fields:

Username: assembly2025.guest

Password: 2025churchwide

If you need assistance, please contact Dana Adams, director for meeting management, at 773-380-2802 (office) or 773-372-5639 (cell), or Dana.Adams@elca.org. Please do not call Direct Travel.

I am having difficulties booking my air travel on the Deem travel app. Whom can I call?

If you need assistance, please contact Dana Adams, director, meeting management, at773-380-2802 (office) or 773-372-5639 (cell) or at Dana.Adams@elca.org. PLEASE do not call Direct Travel — it charges a fee for each consultation.

Do I need a REAL-ID to travel?

Starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant identification for domestic flights. AREAL ID is a driver’s license or state-issued ID that meets federal standards for security and identification.

What You Need to Know:

1. REAL ID Identification: Ensure your driver’s license or state ID is REAL ID-compliant. Look for a star in the upper right corner of the card.

2. Alternative Options: If you do not have a REAL ID, you can still travel by using an alternative form of identification, such as a U.S. passport, military ID, or other TSA-approved IDs.

3. Check Your Status: If you’re unsure whether your ID is REAL ID-compliant, check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for more information on how to obtain one.

4. Plan Ahead: If you need to upgrade your ID, please allow sufficient time to obtain a REAL ID before your travel date.

5. Review REAL ID FAQs: REALID FAQs | Homeland Security

For more detailed information, you can visit the TSA website at REAL ID | Homeland Security

Whom do I contact if my flight has been canceled or changed and I am stuck at the airport?

Please contact Dana Adams, director for meeting management, at 773-380-2802 (office) or 773-372-5639 (cell), or at Dana.Adams@elca.org.

‍If you are traveling after hours (7 p.m.-8:30 a.m. Central time) and need assistance, please contact the after-hours emergency service at 866-587-3303. Please note that this number is for emergency purposes only, on the day of travel. Please use discretion in calling this number; the ELCA is charged between $48 and $75 per call, based on the call needs and time.

How do I get to the hotel once I arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and then back to the airport when the assembly ends?

Please complete this Transportation Request Form to arrange for a shuttle.

Shuttle buses will be arranged to help transport Churchwide Assembly attendees to the assembly hotels at the beginning of the assembly and at the end of the week. When you arrive at the airport, please go to the baggage claim area. Volunteers will be stationed there to help direct you to a shuttle bus that will take you to the assembly hotels. Buses will be available continually throughout the day on July 27 and28 to transport voting and advisory members to the hotels. If, for some reason, your flight is delayed and you arrive after 11 p.m., please take an Uber or taxi to the hotel; voting members can be reimbursed for this expense. At the end of the assembly, on Aug. 2, they will transport attendees back to the airport.

If you are a voting or advisory member, you can also schedule transportation when you complete your online assembly registration.

Voting members and advisory members have their airfare paid by the ELCA, but what if I choose to drive?

Voting and advisory members of the assembly will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate for mileage, along with the cost of tolls and parking, up to the amount of the lowest available advance airfare. More detailed information about the allowed amount for reimbursement will be forthcoming.

I am driving. What about parking?

There are various lots available. The ELCA does reimburse the cost of self-parking for voting members and advisory members. More detailed information about the allowed amount for reimbursement will be forthcoming. If you opt to valet-park your car, you will not be reimbursed.

All information, including pricing, is subject to change.

‍

PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER: 601 East Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm, overnight parking is prohibited

The Convention Center has 5 different garages. Please park in the North Garage: PCC - North Garage Parking
It is encouraged to reserve your space in advance using this link: PHX Space Ace Parking and choose Convention Center Parking.
ADA parking is available on first come, first served basis.
Prices vary from $21.50 to $51.00 per day depending on the facility and does not include in/out privileges.

PHOENIX DOWNTOWN METER PARKING

Downtown Phoenix also offers meter parking at a rate of $1.50 per hour. For more information on meter parking, please visit: PHX Meter Parking.

HYATT REGENCY: 122 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004

Self-parking is $34 per car with unlimited in/out privileges. If you are a voting member and driving to the assembly, please contact cwaregistrar@elca.org for discounted self-parking.
Valet-parking is $44 per car with unlimited in/out privileges.
EV charging is available.

SHERATON PHOENIX DOWNTOWN: 340 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004

Self-parking discount rate is $13 per day and based on availability. This will include in/out privileges.
For those not staying at the Sheraton who wish to park and walk to the convention center, a QR code will be provided at the Assembly to receive the discount. This will be based on availability.
EV charging is not available.

HILTON GARDEN INN: 15 E. Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85004

Valet-parking only -$43, including in/out privileges.
EV charging is not available.

At what hotels are we staying?

The two primary hotels will be the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Some assembly participants and guests may be assigned to the Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown. Voting member and advisory member room reservation requests must be made during the online assembly registration process. Hotel selections are based on request only and are not guaranteed. Please do not contact the hotels directly.

Is my hotel room paid for by the ELCA?

Yes, voting members and advisory members will have their hotel rooms paid for by the ELCA. Voting members are expected to share rooms. Those who want a private room will be charged one-half of the room rate plus tax, per room, per night, which is $84.99, tax included. You will have the option of selecting a single room during registration.

How do I make a change to my hotel accommodation?

Once your registration has been processed, you may contact the CWA registrar for any changes to your registration, including hotel accommodation. Please email your request to cwaregistrar@elca.org.

When will I receive confirmation for my hotel accommodation?

Hotel confirmations will be sent via email about two weeks before the start of the Churchwide Assembly.

How do visitors make hotel and travel arrangements?

Visitors are welcome (but not required) to use Direct Travel for their travel arrangements. If you need assistance in booking your air travel, please call Direct TravelMonday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CT, at 773-380-2440 or 800-543-8016. Direct Travel charges a $22 fee for use of its service.

Visitors can also book their travel through Deem at elca-dt.deem.com for a reduced fee.

Visitors enter the following information in the required fields:

Username: assembly2025.guest

Password: 2025churchwide

Visitors may stay at one of our three hotel properties [Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown] at the negotiated rate. Visitors may make these arrangements through a pay-own link available on the registration confirmation page, using your personal credit card for payment. The link for the negotiated rate will expire on June 27, 2025.

Can visitors purchase meals for the Churchwide Assembly week?

Yes. Visitors can choose to purchase meals when they register online before the assembly.