Wouldn’t it be better to meet at a retreat house, rather than a hotel?
Yes. For smaller, localized events, Spiritual Directors International offers programs in retreat houses. Retreat house facilities are not available for the size of the group expected for the Dublin events. Because this is an international gathering, Spiritual Directors International selected a location near the Dublin airport.
Why doesn’t Spiritual Directors International offer an all-inclusive conference rate that incorporates three meals a day and accommodations?
After receiving years of feedback advising Spiritual Directors International not to provide an evening meal, the conference fee includes midday meals only. Participants told us they want the freedom to go out, to dine more lightly in the evening, or not have an organized meal at all. Some participants will be commuting locally and will not want to pay for an evening meal or for a hotel. Consequently, accommodations are priced separately from the conference. Since the hotel rate is in EUR, participants will pay directly for the hotel in EUR, given that EUR will be convenient for many people. That’s how Spiritual Directors International arrived at the current conference format with accommodations paid separately and only some meals.
Will breakfast and an evening meal be included in my conference fee?
Your conference fee includes two midday meals, on Friday and Saturday. If you have secured a room at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Blanchardstown at the €85 per night rate, a full Irish breakfast is included. You can also reserve a room only for €69 per night.
Can I pay in my local currency? Why doesn’t Spiritual Directors International offer fixed currency rates for the conference fee?
Ideally, in a more stable global economy, Spiritual Directors International would offer multiple fixed rates for the conference: CHF, DKK, EUR, GBP, USD, etc. Due to the current, volatile, currency markets, Spiritual Directors International is forced to price the conference in one currency. Because Spiritual Directors International is purchasing materials and booking rooms for presenters in USD, the conference fee is in USD. Nonetheless, you are welcome to pay in a local currency; we simply cannot fix the currency rates. When paying with a credit card, your bank will calculate the currency conversion for you. To pay by cheque or money wire, please contact the Spiritual Directors International office at membership@sdiworld.org for current currency rates.
Will a priest preside at Mass on Sunday? Will a rabbi preside at a Saturday Havdalah service?
Spiritual Directors International events attract an increasingly diverse spiritual learning community. Throughout the conference, individual participants might feel called to go off-site to local houses of worship, depending on their spiritual tradition. We will provide local worship information, however, off-site worship is the individual participant’s responsibility. During the conference, we will share sacred time together and participate in rituals designed specifically to celebrate the blessings of being present to a diverse Spiritual Directors International conference community.