Registration opens soon!

Early bird registration will open Sept. 1, 2025, with a $50 discount on all tickets!

Normal registration opens Dec. 29, 2025.

Registration closes April 13, 2025.

Our 2026 hotel is the Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory.

Address: 130 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30030

Use this link to book your room at our special hotel block rate of $179/night before taxes.

To book over the phone, please call 1-888-236-2427 and reference the “RNA 2026 Room Block” to get our block rate. The cutoff date to receive our room rate is Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Once the cutoff date is complete, attendees can still book the hotel for the group rate if the hotel has availability. If the hotel is nearly booked with limited availability, attendees will have to pay the regular hotel rate.

Please note that hotel registration is not included in conference registration; hotel must be booked separately.

Hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant, pool, fitness center, and more! It is in a prime location, with plenty of restaurants and other destinations in walking distance. Accessibility information can be found on the hotel website and by calling 1-404-371-0204.

The hotel is 16 miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It can be reached on the MARTA subway line, with a short walk from the Decatur Station stop to the hotel. A car ride from the airport to the hotel would take approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternative airport transportation by Atlanta Airport Superior can be reserved by calling 1-707-457-4794.

Parking at the hotel is $12 per day.

At the time of check-in, each guest will be required to present a major credit card whose brand is accepted by the hotel, on which the hotel may place a hold in accordance with the hotel’s standard procedure or process a prepayment in the amount of the guest’s estimated charges, if prepayment has not already been made. 

Available soon!

Scholarship applications for the 2026 Conference will open in November 2025.

Click here to browse sponsorship options.

Have a sponsorship idea that you don’t see here? We want to hear from you!

Email Wendy Gustofson to build a sponsorship package that best meets your needs.

RNA strives to create a robust community that lifts up religion reporters and fosters collegiality. In this way, we seek to undergird RNA’s mission to equip journalists throughout the world with the tools and resources they need to cover religion with balance, accuracy and insight.

To help us achieve these goals, all members, board members, event attendees, staff and guests are required to abide by a code of conduct that includes but is not limited to, the following:

HARASSMENT
RNA requires a respectful discourse at all times and will not tolerate harassment in person or online. The following examples of harassment are intended to be guidelines and are not exclusive when determining whether there as been a violation of this policy:

Verbal harassment: includes, but is not limited to, speech that directly ridicules a person’s national origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability or appearance, including epithets, slurs and negative stereotyping.

Nonverbal harassment: includes, but is not limited to, the distribution or display of any written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group because of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, appearance, disability, sexual identity, martial status or protected status.

Sexual harassment: Verbal sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, innuendos, jokes or “kidding” of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, lewd remarks and threats; and requests for any type of sexual favor (including repeated, unwelcome requests for dates). Nonverbal sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the distribution or display of any written or graphic material that is sexually suggestive or shows hostility toward an individual or group because of sex; suggestive or insulting sounds and gestures; leering; stalking, or written or digital personal communication with inappropriate content. Physical sexual harassment includes unwelcome physical contact, some of which is criminal in nature, including touching, tickling, pinching, patting, brushing up against, hugging, cornering, kissing, fondling, and forced sexual intercourse or assault.

This code of conduct seeks to protect individuals from hate speech or harassment. Criticism of a country’s policies, an institution, or a philosophy is considered an important part of political and religious dialogue.

REPORTING
Individuals who suffer, witness or suspect criminal conducts are urged to contact law enforcement immediately. At RNA events, individuals should also report instances of suspected criminal activity or other harassment to any of the following officials: RNA staff members, RNA board members, and special event designees. Out comes of incident reviews will be shared with affected parties and could include 1) verbal warning 2) exclusion from online and in-person events 3) permanent or temporary expulsion from membership. Members may submit reinstatement appeals for temporary expulsion outcomes in writing to the RNA board for consideration at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Since 1949, RNA has worked to increase excellence in religion reporting through its annual conference, annual contests, mentoring and beat resources. We envision a global community of journalists who elevate religious literacy in the news media. We encourage robust debate and candid discussion while expecting members to respect one another’s dignity in word and action.

Adopted on Sept. 3, 2020

Q: Who can attend?

A: Anyone is welcome to attend RNA’s conference. You do not have to be a member to attend, but we encourage you to join and receive great member discounts.

Q: Am I required to stay in the RNA hotel block?

A: No, but if you reserve hotel rooms outside the RNA block, the conference registration fee increases by $300 to offset the fees RNA must pay if the block isn’t filled.

Attendees who have a permanent mailing address within a one-hour radius of the conference hotel are considered “locals” and can select discounted registration rates. (Sorry, relatives and friends who live in that radius will not count as a permanent address).

Q: Is there a shuttle from the airport to the hotel?

There is not a shuttle from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to the hotel. The hotel can be reached by car or subway (see Hotel information above); alternative airport transportation by Atlanta Airport Superior can be reserved by calling +1 707-457-4794.

Q: Do you offer conference scholarships?

A: Yes! Priority will be given to Full Members who have never received a scholarship. Our scholarship application will open in November 2025.

Q: How can I become a sponsor or exhibitor at the conference?

A: Contact Wendy Gustofson.

Emory Area:

Downtown Decatur: A walkable square with bookstores, shops, cafés, and live music venues near the hotel

Emory University Campus: Enjoy a stroll through the historic campus

DeKalb History Center & Historic Courthouse: Local history exhibits, architecture tours, and changing cultural displays

Decatur Public Library: Great quiet spot for reading or catching up on work

Nearby Dining: Local favorites include Brick Store Pub, Leon’s Full Service, and The Iberian Pig

Downtown Atlanta:

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park: Visit the birthplace, Freedom Hall, and the visitor center to explore Atlanta’s civil rights legacy

Tabernacle Atlanta – Concerts in a former church

SkyView Atlanta – A 20-story Ferris wheel in Centennial Olympic Park, open until about 11 PM

Georgia Aquarium: One of the world’s largest aquariums

World of Coca‑Cola: Interactive exhibits, tastings, and history tours