Join us in Baltimore

The Greater Delaware Valley Intergroup of S.L.A.A. is excited to welcome you to Baltimore, Maryland.

TRADITION 6 NOTE: Videos and content referenced on this page from the Baltimore Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hotel Baltimore are provided for your information only. Take what you like & leave the rest.

It isn’t easy to sum up any place with just a few words, but that’s even more true for a city like Baltimore. It’s multifaceted, with so much personality and diversity that can’t be captured so simply. In addition to being the United States site for the 2026 International Recovery Convention, Baltimore is full of surprises, steeped in history (home of the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem!) and culture, from gritty graffiti alley to countless art museums. Baltimore is home to the Baltimore Orioles American League Major League Baseball team and the highly acclaimed National Aquarium at Inner Harbor. Time is built into the IRC schedule for Friday evening optional tourism activities, but you really should add a day or two for sightseeing, especially if you’ve never been to “Charm City” before.

Baltimore is also a quick train ride away from Washington, D.C., its monuments and historical sites, especially The Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian was founded in 1846, and is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, often called “the Nation’s Attic.” It comprises 21 museums, 14 research centers, and the National Zoo.

Venue Information – Baltimore Site

The Baltimore host venue is the Historic Lord Baltimore Hotel. Located in 23 stories ascending into the Baltimore skyline, the 440 rooms and suites at the Lord Baltimore Hotel combine our building’s late 1920’s architecture and grace with a modern, private club aesthetic.

At the time of its construction in 1928, the 23-story Lord Baltimore Hotel was the largest hotel in Maryland. Named for George Calvert, Lord Baltimore and founder of the Maryland colony, it was the last high-rise building with classical ornamentation erected in downtown Baltimore. The lobby has graciously welcomed guests with its stately columns and traditional appointments for nearly a century, while the guestrooms offer a level of comfort that is unmatched to this day. As a landmark hotel in Baltimore, high-tech amenities are located throughout the hotel, from its accommodations to the event spaces. Located downtown, the Lord Baltimore Hotel is a short walk to many prime attractions such as the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and M&T Bank Stadium.

For your planning purposes, the special negotiated hotel rate for the IRC is $149USD per night plus tax. We suggest considering sharing a room with a safe program friend or fellow.  Here is a link to book rooms.

Schedule Information – Baltimore Snapshot

All times for the Baltimore location are Eastern Time.

Friday

  • Morning – Registration Open, Pre-Conference Activities
  • Noon – Opening Plenary Luncheon (co-scheduled with Ireland’s Dinner)
  • Afternoon – Workshops
  • Welcome Rooftop Reception (4 to 5 pm)
  • Dinner on your own and Friday Night Tourism Activities (or stay in for fellowship activities)
  • S.L.A.A. Meetings (starting at 9 p.m. ET)

Saturday

  • Breakfast Together
  • Morning – Workshops
  • Noon – Saturday Plenary Luncheon (co-scheduled with Ireland’s Dinner)
  • Afternoon – Workshops
  • Conference and Board Committee Info Sessions (4:45 to 6:30 p.m.)
  • Five Decades of S.L.A.A. Banquet Celebration & Program (7 to 11 p.m.)
    • Note: The banquet is included in the convention registration fee. Guests of registered members are welcome to purchase a banquet ticket for $100USD.

Sunday

  • Breakfast Together
  • Morning – Workshops
  • Noon – Farewell Luncheon & Presentation
    • Note: This is the last formal convention activity that ends at 1:30 p.m. ET.
  • Afternoon – Fellowship Space Available & Group Activities

NOTE: Several workshops will be colocated with our co-host site in Ireland with workshops livestreamed both directions.

 

Optional Friday Night Festivities

Baltimore Note: All times are U.S. Eastern Time and pricing in US Dollars.

There are numerous local tourism activities that convention-goers can enjoy within a short walk or Lyft ride from the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Convention participants are responsible for procuring their own tickets or reservations. After registering for the convention, a link will be provided to a shared document for participants to coordinate attending as a group.  Intergroups with groups attending are encouraged to coordinate group attendance.

NATIONAL AQUARIUM
The National Aquarium is a private nonprofit organization that connects people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The organization features “half price” admission rates on Fridays starting at 5 p.m. The adjusted fees are approximately $25 per person, with possible additional savings for senior citizens and youth.

WATERMARK CRUISES
Participants enjoy a 60-minute Baltimore Sunset Cruise that takes you out on the water to watch the sunset and the lights of the Inner Harbor, departing at 7 p.m. Enjoy a fun music playlist and reflections of the Baltimore attractions on the water as you relax with a cool drink. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase from our full bar. Price for participation is $36 per adult. You must purchase your ticket in advance at https://watermarkjourney.com.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME – Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays  – 7:05 p.m. — Ticket Link
Catch the excitement at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, August 21, 2026, when the Baltimore Orioles host the Tampa Bay Rays under the lights at 7:05 p.m. EDT. This pivotal late-summer matchup could carry major American League playoff implications as both clubs battle for positioning in a tightly packed standings race. Fans can soak in the classic charm of Camden Yards, enjoy ballpark favorites, and watch emerging stars and veteran leaders square off in a divisional showdown that blends pennant-race intensity with a festive Friday night atmosphere.