Image description: Diverse people walking and riding bikes along Alexandria's historic King Street Mile, featuring centuries-old architecture, cobblestone, and streetlamps. Photo credit: Kristian Summerer for Visit Alexandria
Come network with the Editorial Freelancers Association in Old Town, Alexandria, VA!
More people are working as freelancers than ever before, and the EFA is growing: We now have over 3,200 members, including copyeditors, developmental editors, proofreaders, literary coaches, researchers, writers, project managers, and other editorial professionals. Our members work for traditional publishers, government agencies, academic institutions, self-publishing authors, corporations, and nonprofits—anywhere words deliver the message.
The 2023 EFA Conference is expected to gather more than 200 editorial freelancers from across North America and beyond to network and develop professionally—a rare opportunity for those who work as solo entrepreneurs.
Speakers
Please visit this page regularly, as more speakers will be posted once they are confirmed. If you've previously visited this page on the same web browser, make sure to refresh it to ensure you are viewing the most up-to-date information.
“Freelancers often swoop in to save the day. But what’s the billing rate for ‘heroism’?”
“I have come to understand that there are many different, and often unexpected, ways to succeed in publishing.”
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Registration Options
| EARLY BIRD through Apr. 17 | REGULAR Apr. 18–Jul. 10 | LATE Jul. 11–Aug. 14 | |
| Member Full Conference Pass | $300 | $375 | $450 |
| Nonmember Full Conference Pass | $400 | $500 | $600 |
A full conference pass includes entrance to each day’s sessions; 1 ticket to the evening reception on Thu., Aug. 17; breakfast and lunch on Friday, Aug. 18; and breakfast on Sat., Aug. 19. Attendees also will have access to session recordings up to nine months after the conference.
FAQ
I'm having trouble registering for the conference. Who can help me?
Contact us at EFACON2023@the-efa.org.I’m not an EFA member yet. If I register for the conference as a nonmember and then join the organization, will I get a refund?
Fees are based on enrollment status at the time of registration. If you are interested in joining EFA, do so before you register for the conference to enjoy a substantial discount with your member access code.Are discounts being offered to members of any other organization besides the EFA?
If you are a member of ACES, Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, U.K. (CIEP), Editors Canada (EC), the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), or the Professional Editor's Guild, South Africa (PEG), look out for an email from (or call) your respective organization for a member access code to receive a discount.I am a speaker or I have submitted a session proposal, should I register?
Confirmed speakers will be given a 30% off discount code to use when registering. If you have submitted a proposal, we recommend waiting until you have been confirmed as a speaker before registering for the conference. Speakers will receive confirmation before early bird registration ends on April 17, 2023, so they can take advantage of lower rates.How do I sponsor the 2023 EFA Conference?
With over 3,200 members, the EFA is the largest and oldest professional association for freelance editorial specialists. Sponsoring EFACON 2023 is an opportunity to connect with and present your products and services to copyeditors, developmental editors, indexers, project managers, proofreaders, researchers, translators, writers, and other freelance professionals in publishing and communications.View our sponsor offerings and contact us at EFAsponsorships@the-efa.org to explore a package that suits your particular needs and goals. We’re open to custom packages and opportunities—for the annual conference and year-round access to our 3,200 (and growing) members! Note that our sponsorship deadline is June 30, 2023 (with logos and other artwork required by June 20).
Can I make changes to my registration after I have placed my order?
You may update the information collected on the registration form information until registration ends on August 14, 2023.What is your cancellation policy?
An automatic refund of the registration fee minus a 15% processing fee will be honored if the cancellation is made no later than July 17, 2023. Refunds will be made to the credit card on which the registration was paid. Cancellation requests received after July 17 will not be eligible for a refund. Note that speakers and sessions may change without notice, and in the unlikely event of a session cancellation, registration fees will not be refunded. Registrations for the 2023 EFA Conference are non-transferable. The EFA is not responsible for transportation or hotel or cancellation fees that attendees may incur.What is your Covid-19 policy?
EFA will put required measures in place to provide a safe environment for its event attendees. Policies for each meeting will be set according to CDC and public health recommendations, federal, state, and local regulations applicable at the time of the event, and what the EFA deems necessary to manage the risk for its event attendees.EFA may change, update, or add to these requirements at any time as it deems prudent to best protect the health and safety of attendees and others, and attendees must comply with relevant policies and requirements as communicated by EFA.
Failure to comply with all safety protocols and requirements as listed above or related directions from EFA representatives on-site may result in the loss of the right to attend or participate in EFA events, including forfeiting any registration fees paid.
EFA health and safety policies and procedures will be posted on the event website and are subject to change. Thank you for your cooperation.
Do I need to sign up in advance for sessions?
Please note that attendance at most sessions will be on a first-come, first-served basis at the conference site. A few sessions will have advance, limited enrollment. Conference registrants will be notified by email once those sessions are finalized and posted, and they will have the opportunity to sign up for them. Check this website or your email for the latest updates.I have accessibility needs. How will the conference accommodate me?
The Editorial Freelancers Association strives to make all participants feel welcome and create inclusive spaces at the EFA Conference. We are committed to providing full access for our attendees with accessibility needs.The Westin Alexandria Old Town is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hotel rooms, restaurants, and meeting spaces are fully accessible. Service animals are welcome. Participants can access a full list of accessibility information on The Westin Alexandria Old Town website by scrolling to the bottom under Hotel Information.
The hotel also offers an extensive list of guest room accessibility upon request. Marriott's reservation system allows accessible rooms to be reserved and guaranteed for those who need them. To reserve, guests can enter requests for an accessible room under “Choose Room Feature” in the EFA reservation link (see Hotel section of this website). If you have trouble, contact Joji Gamble at joji.gamble@westinalexandria.com.
All session rooms will have ADA compliant aisles and reserved seating available to accommodate mobility needs and/or needs for a line-of-sight view of speakers. Accessibility accommodations can be requested prior to July 17, 2023 via email to EFACON2023@the-efa.org or within the participant registration form.
A large-print, machine-readable program will be available for download here once the sessions have been finalized. In the meantime, you may contact us at EFACON2023@the-efa.org with your accessibility questions or concerns.
What should I know ahead of time to prepare for a comfortable and productive conference?
The conference is not scent-free, but the EFA requests that attendees not wear strong scents, including soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, and detergents. As at any large gathering, scents can quickly become overwhelming in an enclosed space. The EFA has limited control over heating and cooling in conference spaces. Expect some chilly and/or stuffy rooms and dress in layers according to your needs. Attendees are encouraged to use the restroom that makes them feel comfortable. In addition to restrooms designated for men and women, an all-gender restroom will be available in the conference area. We will designate a wellness/quiet room available to participants as a space to take a sensory break, etc.I have dietary restrictions. What food choices will be available?
You will have an opportunity during the registration process to indicate your dietary restrictions. We will do our best to accommodate if we are made aware of them by July 17, 2023.Is there a dress code?
There is no specific dress code for the conference—the most important thing is that you are comfortable!Is there a code of conduct for this conference?
Yes. To ensure a welcoming space so everyone can enjoy a collegial atmosphere and develop professionally, all attendees, presenters, sponsors, and exhibitors are required to adhere to the Editorial Freelancers Association Anti-Harassment Policy.
Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria
Image description: A person walking past rowhouses painted white, blue, and red. Photo credit: Kristian Summerer for Visit Alexandria
- The Office of Historic Alexandria has information about self-guided tours, exhibits, public programs, and special events at the city's museums and historic sites.
- Visitalexandria.com features guides to restaurants, shops, and happenings, including the Top 18 Things To Do in Old Town.
- This is a list of restaurants within walking distance of The Westin Alexandria Old Town.