2021 NESA Conference
Make a Difference: Shape the Future
October 28-30, 2021
San Diego, CA
Re-energize, rejuvenate and renew your commitment to children and families at the National Even Start Association 13th Annual National Conference. The conference will be held at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego on October 28-30, 2021. The Bahia Resort Hotel is located on its own private peninsula in San Diego's world-famous Mission Bay Park, and surrounds you with sun-drenched, sandy beaches, tropical gardens and delightful hidden waterways. Located less than five minutes from Sea World, the Bahia is convenient to all of San Diego's major attractions including the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Belmont Park, sight-seeing on Coronado, historic Balboa Park and Old Town, and is easily accessible from the San Diego International Airport.
This year's conference will feature a key note by DJ Eagle Bear Vanas, a husband, father, and internationally acclaimed motivational storyteller. DJ is an Odawa Indian from Michigan and uses traditional warrior concepts and wisdom to inspire others to achieve their best in life and in careers. Concurrent sessions related to early childhood education, adult education, parenting education, interactive literacy, program management and evaluation will offer participants many choices and opportunities for growth.
There will also be a post-conference session on the Parenting Education Profile (PEP). PEP is a framework for program planning and assessing information about parents' behaviors, attitudes, and understandings related to their children's literacy development used by many family literacy programs and others working with parents and children.
The hotel is offering guest rooms at a rate of $159 for a single or double. In addition to the special room rate, the hotel is also offering a $20 spa discount at the Catamaran Spa for treatments booked a minimum of 7 days in advance (http://www.catamaranspa.com/download/BS-501G.pdf). To make your room reservations, please call the Bahia directly at 1-800-422-8386 or online at https://shop.evanshotels.com/nat1027.html. The deadline for reservations is September 27.
The tentative conference schedule is:
Sunday, October 28
7am-8am Continental breakfast for pre-conference attendees
8am-4pm Pre-conference sessions
4:30pm-6:30pm Welcome reception
Monday, October 29
6:30am-8am Continental breakfast
8:30am-10am Welcome and keynote session
10:30am-12pm Breakout sessions
12pm-1:30pm Lunch on own
1:30pm-5pm Breakout sessions
Tuesday, October 30
6:30am-8am Continental breakfast
8:30am-1pm Breakout sessions
1:30pm-3pm Luncheon
3pm Conference adjourns
Wednesday, October 31
8am-4pm Post-conference session: Parent Education Profile (PEP)
The best news? Conference registration fees will be the same as last year! Early registration fee for members is $295 for forms received by September 30. The fee for non-members is $350. As an added bonus, we are offering an Early Bird Special. Register and pay for the conference by July 15th, 2021 at a cost of only $225. Payment must be received by July 15 and is non-refundable. Registration forms will be available the week of June 25.
Additional information about the hotel and the Mission Bay/Mission Beach area can be found in the links below:
Bahia Photo Gallery
It Began on the Bay – Hotel History
Local Attractions
Beach Area Restaurants
Bahia Resort Hotel Watersports Brochure
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Melissa Sites at
or 858-278-7777.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I look forward to seeing you in October.
Sue Henry
CEO