FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

If we are unable to answer your questions, please email us at reghelp@yja.org.

General Questions

Where and when will the 16th Biennial YJA Convention take place?

The 2024 YJA Convention will be held at the Signia by Hilton Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA from July 4th to July 7th, 2024. The site has been reserved for the Convention attendees and guests and will be appropriately prepared for a safe Jain environment.

How old do I have to be to attend the Convention?

Convention attendees must be between the ages of 14-29 as of the first day of the Convention. Each attendee must provide proof of their date of birth with a government issued ID upon check-in (passport, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.). If you don’t have one, please bring your high school or college ID. Your ID must have your name as you have registered for the Convention, as well as your birth date and a photo of you.

Who is on the 2024 YJA Convention Committee?

Check out our Convention Committee page to learn about the wonderful youth organizing the 2024 YJA Convention. These individuals, along with their subcommittee teams, are working tirelessly to provide you with the best attendee experience possible!

How many people are expected to attend the Convention?

Over 850 youth from across North America and around the world are expected to attend the 16th Biennial YJA Convention.

Will I be able to leave the hotel while I am at the Convention?

No, attendees will not be allowed to leave the Convention site throughout the duration of the event due to safety and liability issues, unless otherwise specified.

Where can I find a copy of the rules and regulations?

You can download a copy of the rules and regulations here.

Convention Activities

What types of sessions are planned for this year's Convention?

We will cover a variety of topics including Jain philosophy, culture, global impact, leadership, school and careers, spiritual development, interfaith dialogues, and community contributions through discussions, panels, debates and interactive sessions.

Will I be able to choose the sessions I attend?

Yes, before the Convention you will have the opportunity to select some of the daytime sessions you would like to attend.

Who are the speakers at this year’s Convention?

Speakers from around the world with a variety of backgrounds will be invited to the Convention to cover a diverse range of topics. Please check back in May for a complete list of speakers and session topics.

What will be the nighttime activities?

This year’s Convention will be featuring traditional YJA nighttime activities such as the Garba, talent show, and the formal. There will also be nighttime events targeted specifically for the 2 age groups (14-21 and 22+).

What is 22+ Programming, and who should register for it?

22+ Programming brings personal, professional, social, and spiritual growth opportunities for attendees aged 22-29. Those in this age group will attend all of the general Convention programming, as well as some specialized events, which will challenge their thinking via interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and targeted social events.

What is the general day-to-day Convention schedule?

Check out the 2024 Convention schedule.

Registration Details

What different tracks can I register for?

You will be placed in either the 14-17; 18-21; and 22+ (ages 22-29) age groups based on your birthday.

What does my registration fee include?

The registration fee includes accommodations, meals and access to all the activities for the 4-day event. Also included is transportation to and from the ATL airport, as well as a souvenir bag filled with keepsakes such as Convention apparel, a digital souvenir book, and other unique special items.

What does subsidized pricing mean?

To provide each attendee with hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, souvenirs, and the opportunity to attend sessions and social events, the actual total cost per person is $719. YJA works very hard to fundraise throughout the year to help subsidize the cost of attendance for each attendee. If you have the means to, we would greatly appreciate it if you could help YJA by choosing the "Unsubsidized" pricing option at the time of payment. This would help us raise the money we need to ensure YJA events remain affordable for as many potential attendees as possible.

Who can I contact if I have trouble registering?

Please e-mail reghelp@yja.org with any questions or concerns and we'd be happy to help!

What do I do if I need to cancel my registration?

Please e-mail reghelp@yja.org to cancel your registration. If you cancel your registration while registration in your age group (high school, college, 22+) is still open and it is on or before May 27, 2024, you will receive a full refund of all collected fee amount. If registration in your age group has closed, and you wish to cancel your registration on or before May 27, 2024, you may be entitled to receive a 50% refund of all collected fee amount. No refunds will be issued for cancellations on or after May 27, 2024. YJA reserves the right to change or cancel Convention plans (programs, activities, sessions, etc.), including for the safety of participants due to any unforeseeable circumstance. No refund requests will be entertained due to any such changes or cancellations. YJA is not responsible for any charges associated with these changes or cancellations (travel, accommodations, etc.).If you have any questions regarding registration cancellations, please contact reghelp@yja.org.

Is there financial assistance available?

For those that would like to attend but are in need of financial assistance, please complete the Financial Assistance Form during the registration process. Financial Assistance requests will be kept fully confidential and anonymous — only the 4 Convention Co-Chairs will have access to them. Financial assistance will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, at the discretion of the Co-Chairs, until the allocation of assistance funds is exhausted.

What type of food will be served?

Food at the Convention will be fully Jain. Those with allergies and additional dietary restrictions (such as veganism), will be accommodated as well.

Resources/Support During the Convention

Will there be a doctor on-site?

Yes, a physician will be on-site and available 24 hours a day during the 4-day Convention.

What are the accommodations for people with a disability?

Please contact reghelp@yja.org if you have a disability and will be needing additional assistance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs accordingly.

Will there be an internet connection available?

While we cannot provide free internet connection for all our attendees, WiFi will be available in the meeting spaces for our session speakers and presenters. If you will require internet connection on one of the days to complete schoolwork or work tasks, please reach out to us at reghelp@yja.org.

Getting to and from the Convention

When should I plan to arrive to the Convention?

Check-in will begin at 12:00pm ET on July 4th and continue throughout the day. It is recommended that attendees arrive as early as possible for the chance to experience opening day activities, as well as meet and mingle with old and new friends.

How can I get to the hotel from the airport?

A shuttle service will be available to/from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for attendees to use.

Volunteering at the Convention

Can I volunteer to assist with the planning of the Convention? How?

Please fill out the 2024 YJA Volunteer Interest Form if you would like to volunteer to help during the actual Convention. *Please note that while volunteers 35+ are preferred, interested individuals aged 30-35 may still complete the form and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Youth can get involved in helping by emailing chairs.atl@yja.org

How can I help the Convention run smoothly and successfully?

Volunteers will be necessary to make this a successful Convention! Any amount of time, from four hours to the length of the entire Convention, will help us make everything run smoothly. Some of the areas that we will need volunteers are to register attendees as they arrive, help with security, set up sessions and evening events, as well as assist speakers. *Please note that while volunteers 35+ are preferred, interested individuals aged 30-35 may still complete the form and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the 2024 YJA Volunteer Interest Form and we will contact you during the months of April-May for further instructions. For any further questions, feel free to contact us at volunteer.atl@yja.org.

How to Prepare

What should I bring on the first day to check-in successfully on-site?

Please bring your driver's license or any other government issued ID (passports are acceptable as well). If you don't have one, please bring your high school or college ID. Your ID must have your name as you have registered for the Convention, as well as your birth date and a photo of you.

What dress code will be enforced at the Convention?

We expect that all of our attendees will conduct themselves in a polite, professional manner. To that end, YJA enforces a strict dress code during the Convention in order to foster our professional image. Our guidelines on appropriate attire are designed to promote a more productive, enjoyable social environment, while maintaining a high level of respect for speakers, for which our organization is known for. We recommend dressing in attire that is appropriate for each event throughout the Convention. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact reghelp@yja.org.