Event FAQs

    • Registration & Hotel Reservation Deadline

      The deadline to register and secure a hotel reservation is December 15, 2025. You can book your hotel room HERE.

    • Late Registration

      Registrations received after December 15th will incur a $150 late fee. Late registration is available until January 15, 2026.

    • Attendance Requirement

      Attendance at Ascend 2026 is mandatory. Franchisees unable to attend will be invoiced $1,500 for non-participation.

  • Meals

    Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and coffee will be provided on Wednesday, February 18th and Thursday, February 19th. Breakfast and coffee will also be provided on Friday, February 20th. There is a mandatory cost of $525/attendee for meals. The cost of meals cannot be waived.

    Awards Banquet

    The Awards Banquet will take place on the evening of Thursday, February 19th. There is no additional cost for registered Annual Meeting attendees. Additional guests are welcome for a fee of $125 per person.

    • As part of hosting conferences, hotels set minimum food requirements for attendees and also require all food eaten on premises is provided by the hotel. Eating on site is also more convenient and ensures full participation throughout the Annual Meeting.

    • The associated cost is $525/attendee for all three days. To note, the fee that BaseCamp is charging is purely a pass through from the hotel, with BaseCamp subsidizing a portion of the overall cost.

    • Meal costs will be invoiced and automatically drawn via ACH from an account of your choosing by BaseCamp approximately two weeks prior to the meeting. 

  • The first set of breakouts as well as the Vendor Show will kick off on Tuesday, February 17th at 12:00 p.m.. If you arrive that morning before check-in, the hotel will hold your bags for your convenience.

    The group discount rate is available for hotel stays up to three days before and three days after Ascend 2026.

    While in town, many franchisees will extend their stays so that they can visit the many Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate stores in and around Salt Lake.

  • All guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Grand America Hotel. The hotel is located approximately **15 minutes** from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

    • Taxi or Ride Share: Costs will vary based on time of day, traffic, and service provider. Expect to pay approximately $20 to $30 for Uber/Lyft.

    • Rental Car: If you prefer your own transportation, rental cars are available at the airport. Pricing depends on the rental agency, vehicle type, and duration of your rental. Please note that the hotel offers parking at a nightly rate, but we have negotiated a 50% discount for all guests.

  • To help us fulfill our rooming commitments with the hotel, all franchisees are required to book at least one room for a minimum of three nights at the Grand America Hotel. That requirement includes franchisees based in the Salt Lake City area.

    If you choose not to stay at the Grand America, a fee of $500 per franchisee will be charged to help cover the shortfall owed to the hotel. Please note that meal charges are in addition to the cost of hotel rooms.

  • Attendance at Ascend 2026 is mandatory. Franchisees unable to attend will be invoiced $1,500 for non-participation.

  • When to Book: Try booking your flight 1 to 3 months in advance for the best prices. Once you're within 3-4 weeks of your trip, prices tend to go up, especially for popular routes.

    Best Days to Book: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are great days to snag deals. Airlines often release sales early in the week, so keep an eye out!

    Avoid Weekends: Weekends can mean higher prices because that’s when a lot of people are searching for flights.

    Set Fare Alerts & Compare:

    Set up alerts on Google Flights, Kayak, or Hopper to track price changes.

    Always compare prices across different airlines and booking sites to make sure you're getting the best deal.

    Bottom line: Book early, be flexible with your dates, and use tools like fare alerts to score the best flight deals!

  • Provided below are the options for both family friendly events and outings for post-Ascend activities!

    Meals & Drinks:

    • Nomad East: creative thin and crispy style pizzas a short drive from downtown

    • Red Iguana: One of SLC’s most popular Mexican restaurants

    • Bar X & Beer Bar: Cocktail bar & sports bar next door to one-another

    • Lake Effect: Craft cocktails, dining, live music

    • Tulie Bakery: Great coffee and amazing pastries

    • Gibson Bar: Cozy spot for a nightcap and elevated bar food inside the hotel

    • Sushi:

      • Takashi: best quality, always busy, pricey)

      • Sapa: medium price option

      • Tsunami: solid and less expensive

    Activities

    • Natural History Museum: Not far from downtown, incredible dinosaur exhibit, beautiful building surrounded by nature

    • Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum: Family-friendly children’s museum

    • Planetarium: Free admission and fun for all ages

    • 9th & 9th: A walkable neighborhood with restaurants, clothing shops, local artisans, and more

    • City Creek Mall: Outdoor mall and food court that is walking distance from the hotel

    • Top Golf: About a 15 minute drive south of the hotel

    • Live Music: The State Room, The Depot, The Union

    • Comedy Show: Wise Guys