Welcome to Long Beach! Use this guide to plan your travel, hotel stay, Convention arrival, registration, and Thursday evening at the Queen Mary.

 

AT A GLANCE

Convention Hotel	Hyatt Regency Long Beach 200 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 491-1234
Hotel Check-In / Check-Out	4:00 PM / 11:00 AM (current Hyatt policy; subject to change)
Convention Dates	Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Convention Registration	Opens Friday, October 23 at 7:00 AM in the Regency Foyer Registration hours: Friday & Saturday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday Evening	President’s Dinner: Harlem Nights at Sea aboard the Queen Mary 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802
Best Thursday Queen Mary Transportation	Uber, Lyft, or taxi; attendees should arrange their own transportation

 

MEAL FUNCTION TICKETS REQUIRED A ticket is required for entry into every Convention meal function, including the Thursday President’s Dinner. Please have the correct ticket ready when you arrive at each meal event.

1. PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

Flying to Long Beach

• Long Beach Airport (LGB): Recommended and closest option. Rideshare, taxi, rental cars, and Long Beach Transit are available.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Major domestic and international airport. Build in extra time for Southern California traffic.
• John Wayne Airport (SNA): A convenient Orange County alternative when fares or schedules work better.
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): A further alternative that may work depending on airfare and schedule.

Travel tip: Compare total travel time and ground transportation cost, not airfare alone. Flying into Long Beach Airport may be worth a slightly higher fare for some travelers.

Getting from the Airport to the Hyatt

Attendees are responsible for airport-to-hotel transportation. Uber/Lyft or taxi service is recommended for the simplest arrival. Rental cars, private transportation, and public transit are also available depending on the airport.

At LAX, standard taxi and ride-app pickups use the LAX-it area; follow airport signage or use the free LAX-it shuttle from the Arrivals level. Premium ride-app services may pick up at terminal curbs.

Rail & Public Transportation

Downtown Long Beach is served by Metro’s A Line and Long Beach Transit. If arriving by Amtrak, Metrolink, or another regional rail service, plan your entire route in advance, including the final connection into Downtown Long Beach.

Driving & Hyatt Parking

Allow extra time for Southern California traffic, especially if you have a scheduled Convention event shortly after arrival. The Hyatt currently lists overnight self-parking at $49 and valet parking at $55. Rates and availability are subject to change; confirm with the hotel before arrival.

2. WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Your Convention Hotel

The Hyatt Regency Long Beach is the official Convention hotel and the center of most Convention activities. Keep your hotel confirmation and photo identification accessible when you arrive.

HOTEL CHECK-IN	CONVENTION CHECK-IN
• Check in at the Hyatt front desk and receive your room information. • Have your photo ID and hotel confirmation ready. • If you arrive before your room is ready, ask the hotel about luggage storage.	• Registration opens Friday, October 23 at 7:00 AM in the Regency Foyer. • Registration hours are Friday and Saturday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM. • Have your Convention registration confirmation available. • Bring required delegate credentials/materials. • Pick up Convention materials and confirm your meal/special-event tickets. • Review posted updates and schedule changes.

Plan Your Arrival Time

The Convention begins Thursday, October 22. Registration opens Friday, October 23 at 7:00 AM in the Regency Foyer. If you are arriving Thursday, allow enough time to check into the hotel, review the latest schedule, get settled, and prepare for your first event. Build in extra time for traffic and travel delays.

3. THURSDAY NIGHT: HARLEM NIGHTS AT SEA

President’s Dinner aboard the historic Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802

If you are attending Thursday evening, do not schedule your arrival too close to the program. Leave enough time to arrive in Long Beach, check into the hotel, change into your evening attire, travel to the Queen Mary, and reach the ship before the program begins. A President’s Dinner ticket is required for entry; please have it ready when you arrive.

QUEEN MARY TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Uber / Lyft – Recommended	Convenient for the short trip from the Hyatt to the Queen Mary. Fares and pickup times vary with demand.
Taxi	A simple alternative to rideshare. Allow time for pickup and event traffic.
Driving	Queen Mary self-parking currently lists a $25 visitor maximum; special-event rates may differ. Check current event parking before departure.
Walking	Approximately 1 mile / 15 minutes according to the Convention transportation information. Consider evening conditions, mobility needs, and event attire.
Public Transit	Long Beach Transit Passport Route 37 currently serves the Queen Mary Friday-Sunday, not Thursday. Do not rely on it for the Thursday dinner.

Thursday travel tip: Plan your ride in advance and allow extra time for rideshare pickup, traffic, parking, drop-off, and walking to the ship.

4. STAY CONNECTED & BE READY

Convention schedules and details may be updated during the weekend. Check your email and official NAACP California Hawaii communications regularly for schedule updates, room assignments, program changes, registration information, and special announcements.

Before You Leave Home

☐ Reserve/confirm your Convention hotel room and save the confirmation. ☐ Book your flight, train, or other transportation and confirm arrival/departure times. ☐ Arrange airport transportation if needed. ☐ Save your Convention registration confirmation and latest schedule. ☐ Bring photo identification and required delegate credentials/materials. ☐ Bring all meal and special-event tickets; tickets are required for entry into meal functions.

☐ Review parking costs if you are driving. ☐ Pack Convention attire, Thursday evening attire, comfortable shoes, medications, chargers, and other essentials. ☐ Save the Hyatt and Queen Mary addresses in your phone. ☐ Allow extra time for Southern California traffic. ☐ Check your email for last-minute Convention updates.

Official Resources

Hyatt Regency Long Beach  |  Queen Mary Visitor & Parking Information  |  Long Beach Transit Passport Route 37  |  LAX-it

Travel safely. We look forward to welcoming you to Long Beach!