Bringing our community together. Keeping the Con sustainable.
The GCLS Annual Conference is more than a gathering of readers, writers, and publishing professionals. It's a place where sapphic stories are celebrated, friendships are formed, and our literary community comes together.
As we prepare for Portland, July 7–11, 2027, we're committed to preserving that experience while being transparent about the financial realities of producing the Con.
Like many conferences, GCLS faces significant increases in the cost of food and beverage, audiovisual services, meeting space, and other essentials. After careful consideration, we've determined that an increase in registration prices is necessary to help meet these expenses and ensure the Con's long-term sustainability.
We recognize that attending the Con is a significant investment, particularly when travel and lodging are included. We don't take that lightly.
2027 Conference Registration Prices
Registration Tier
Early Bird
Regular
Late
2027 Price
$525
$575
$650
Increase from 2026
$75
$75
$75
We've worked to keep these increases reasonable in the face of expenses that have risen considerably faster than registration prices.
Understanding the Rising Costs
Since our 2022 conference in Albuquerque, some of our largest expenses have increased substantially:
Expense
Food and Beverage Commitment
Audiovisual Services
Early-bird Registration
Negotiated Hotel Room Rate
Albuquerque 2022
$48,000
$17,000
$375
$134
Orlando 2026/Portland 2027
$70,000
$41,000
$525
$164
Increase
46%
141%
40%
22%
Food-and-beverage and audiovisual figures compare Albuquerque 2022 with Orlando 2026. Hotel room rates and registration compare Albuquerque 2022 with Portland 2027. Food-and-beverage figures exclude service charges and taxes, which can add approximately 25–30%.
These figures illustrate the challenge: the cost of producing the Con has grown significantly, particularly for services essential to providing meeting spaces, programming, and shared experiences.
Hotel contracts require substantial food-and-beverage commitments in exchange for conference meeting space, limiting our flexibility to reduce certain expenses.
What We're Doing to Manage Costs
Raising registration prices cannot be our only response. GCLS is actively examining how we produce the Con to balance financial responsibility with the experiences our community values most.
We're focusing on several priorities:
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Negotiating favorable hotel rates to help manage lodging costs for attendees.
-
Reviewing meals, programming, and audiovisual needs to identify efficiencies while preserving the quality of the conference.
-
Exploring alternative venues and conference formats that could provide greater flexibility and lower costs in future years.
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Using attendee feedback to guide decisions about programming, shared experiences, affordability, and value.
Some changes will take time. Hotel contracts and other major commitments are negotiated years in advance, limiting what can be adjusted for an upcoming conference. Nevertheless, we're committed to finding more sustainable approaches.
Keeping the Con Accessible
We know that registration is only one part of the cost of attending. Travel, lodging, and other expenses can create significant barriers to participation.
Through the generosity of donors and supporters, GCLS provides conference scholarships and other assistance to help make participation possible for people who might otherwise be unable to attend.
We're also continuing to explore opportunities for broader community participation, including events that don't require full-conference registration.
Why Financial Sustainability Matters
GCLS is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization. Our goal isn't to make a profit from the Con. It's to create an exceptional gathering that advances our mission to increase the visibility and quality of sapphic literature.
Registration revenue alone does not always cover the full cost of producing the conference. Donations and sponsorships help close that gap. When expenses exceed revenue, GCLS must absorb the difference, reducing resources available for our other programs and mission-driven activities.
Responsible pricing helps protect the future of both the Con and GCLS.
You Asked. We're Responding.
You've told us what matters most: meaningful connections, engaging programming, opportunities to celebrate sapphic literature, and a welcoming community where everyone can belong.
You've also told us that affordability and value matter.
We're listening. Your feedback is helping shape how we approach Portland and, importantly, how we envision future conferences. We're committed to making thoughtful changes, communicating openly about our decisions, and continuing to improve the experience.
Thank you for your support, your feedback, and your commitment to this community. We look forward to seeing you in Portland!