MEETING LOCATION
Hotel AKA Alexandria
625 First Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Valet parking is available 24/7 starting at $44 for overnight, or $20 per day (as of 2/11/25).
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
GROUP RATE DEADLINE: APRIL 7, 2025
ECFC has a group of discounted rooms available at Hotel AKA for a discounted group rate of $325.00 plus 15.50% tax + $1.25 per room per night. Our main group nights are April 29, April 30, and May 1. Our discount may be available on a limited basis for 3 days prior and 3 days following our meeting. A dedicated ECFC group reservations link has been set up for making hotel reservations on-line. Please use the following link to make reservations in our group block.
Booking Link: Hotel AKA Alexandria - Reservations - Room Availability
AGENDA FRAMEWORK
- Tuesday, April 29 | RJEF & RCCF Grantee Meeting: We are pleased to be hosting the first Grantee Partner meeting of the Racial Justice and Equity Fund (RJEF) and Raising Child Care Fund (RCCF) in conjunction with ECFC’s Member Meeting. An evening reception* will provide an opportunity for a meeting and greet with RJEF and RCCF Grantee partners and current and interested funders.
- Wednesday, April 30 | ECFC Member Meeting Day 1: Day 1 will begin with breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a full day of programming and lunch. The day concludes with ECFC’s traditional welcome reception, featuring heavy appetizers and drinks for those who wish to join in place of dinner.
- Thursday, May 1 | ECFC Member Meeting Day 2: Day 2 begins with breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a full day of programming and lunch, concluding at 5 p.m.
- Friday, May 2 | Adjunct Meetings: Raising Child Care Fund State Cohort Meeting (time TBD)*
*ECFC Members invited to the RJEF/RCCF Grantee & Funder Reception and RCCF State Cohort meeting will receive information directly.
ATTENDANCE
ECFC members may send up to two representatives to each in-person member meeting, with one ideally being the designated ECFC representative for consistency. This two-person limit is a member benefit* and helps maintain balance among members of different sizes, as some have more early childhood-focused staff than others have in total. As space allows, we will welcome additional attendees per member organization, with a voluntary contribution of $1,000 per additional attendee to help offset real costs of participation. Additional attendees will be confirmed by April 2, following our registration deadline on April 1. View our full meeting participation policies here. For questions or to request more than two representatives, please contact Program Director Rena Large.
*Please ensure your 2025 ECFC Membership Contribution has been received prior attending the Spring Member Meeting. For questions and assistance with membership contributions, contact ECFC Membership Engagement Associate Krystal Ivery.
REGISTRATION
DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2025
Please register as soon as possible, and no later than April 1. Early registration supports logistics planning and helps us align member expertise with meeting themes. For example, in October 2024, we used suggestions and work examples submitted through registration to coordinate robust member-led breakouts and huddles.
AIRPORTS & GROUND TRANSPORTATION
From Reagan National Airport: The Hotel AKA Alexandria is approximately 4 miles south of the airport. Depending on when you land, approximate drive time is about 8-10 minutes depending on the traffic. Taxi fares are approximately $25 one way depending on the traffic. Uber/Lyft fares are approximately $20 one way depending on the traffic. Please allow more travel time if you land during morning and evening high traffic patterns.
From Dulles International: The Hotel AKA Alexandria is approximately 31 miles from the airport. Depending on when you land, approximate drive time is about 35-45 minutes. Taxi fares are $65 approximately one way. Uber/Lyft fares are approximately $50 one way depending on the traffic. Please allow more travel time if you land during morning and evening high traffic patterns.
Union Station: The Hotel AKA Alexandria is approximately 25 minutes away via car. The closest stop to the hotel is Braddock Metro Stop. For information on local metro bus and train lines ans schedules, visit: Washington Metro Area Transit Authority.
WEATHER & DRESS CODE
In late April the average high temperature for DC is 71°F and the average low is 52°F. Hotel banquet rooms are usually cool, so you might want to bring a light jacket or sweater to wear during the meeting.
ECFC does not have a dress code to attend meetings. We are in favor of dressing for your own comfort, and at recent ECFC meetings, this has ranged from jeans to business casual.