July 2026
Washington, D.C.
Retreat Info Pack
July 30 - August 1 ┃ Washington, D.C.
Quick Links:
Know Before You Go
Grand Hyatt Washington
The Grand Hyatt Washington sent us a nice little welcome letter to help prepare for our stay! Please click the button below to review the hotel's recommendations and important information. See you all soon!
Destination D.C.
Social Media Contest
We are officially kicking off our Journey to Washington D.C., and we want to see YOUR path to retreat.
From setting intentions and packing your suitcase to travel day excitement and throwback memories, this is your chance to share what this retreat means to you and connect with fellow Inner Circle members along the way.
How to enter:
• Post on Instagram using any of the prompts listed
• Tag @dancestudioownersassocation in your post or story
You can post once or multiple times. Each post counts as an entry, so the more you share, the more chances you have to win.
Need ideas?
One word for your retreat intention
Post a photo of your word on a sticky note, whiteboard, notebook, or anywhere that inspires you.Tag an Inner Circle friend
Tag an IC member and share why you cannot wait to see them in D.C.Throwback retreat or Inner Circle memory
Share a favorite moment from a past retreat, event, or IC experience.What you’re most excited for in D.C.
Learning, coaching, connections, poolside drinks, mindset shifts, or all of the above.Studio tradition spotlight
Share one small tradition your studio loves and why it matters to your community.Retreat prep
“What’s in my suitcase for retreat?” Show us your packing essentials.Travel day
Share your journey and post “D.C., we’re coming for you!”
You can post once or multiple times using any of the prompts.
Be sure to tag @dancestudioownersassocation so your entries count.
Final entry day is the last travel day (July 29th), so do not wait!
And the prize? A Studio Breakthrough basic level package of your choice!
We cannot wait to see your journey, cheer you on, and celebrate everything that led you here. Let the countdown begin!
General Information
VENUE
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 582-1234
Meeting Room: Constitution Ballroom
Travel Information
AIRPORT
We recommend flying into DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), located just 4.5 miles from the retreat hotel, approximately a 10-minute drive/Uber or 20 minutes by Metrorail.
IAD is about 28 miles away, and BWI is approximately 35 miles from the hotel.
Room Reservations
Grand Hyatt Washington is centrally located in downtown CityCenter DC - just a short walk from the White House, historical monuments, Smithsonian Museums, Washington Convention Center and more.
Group Discount Rate: $259 per night + $15/night destination fee
Discounted room rate ends on July 6, 2026, or once the room block is gone, whichever comes first. Rooms are limited and may run out before this date so please book early.
To reserve guest rooms, use this link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASGH/G-D2S6
To reserve rooms by phone, call (202) 582-1234 and reference DSOA.
General Retreat Schedule
Subject to Change
Wednesday, July 29th | MASTERY | ARRIVAL DAY
1:00PM – 1:30PM : Registration for Mastery members
1:30PM – 2:30PM : Mastery Private Lunch
2:30PM – 5:00PM : Mastery Private Session
4:00PM – 5:00PM : Early Registration
(All Attendees Welcome)
5:00PM – 6:00PM : Informal Welcome Happy Hour for ALL members!
Your first drink at this happy hour is on us. Come to registration beforehand and get your name tag and your drink ticket!
Thursday, July 30th | DAY 1
8:00AM – 9:00AM:
Registration & Visit Sponsors
9:00AM – 5:00PM:
Sessions
AM Break - 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Lunch - 12:35 PM - 2:00 PM
PM Break - 2:45 PM - 3:00PM
Free evening in Washington, D.C. -– Arrange dinner or a night out with your squad!
***All times are subject to change***
Friday, July 31st | DAY 2
8:00AM – 9:00AM:
Visit Sponsors (plus coffee!)
9:00AM – 5:00PM:
Sessions
AM Break - 10:50 AM - 11:05 AM
Lunch - 12:20 PM - 1:40 PM
PM Break - 2:45 PM - 3:00PM
Free evening in Washington, D.C.
***All times are subject to change***
Saturday, August 1st | DAY 3
8:00AM – 9:00AM:
Visit Sponsors (plus coffee!)
9:00AM – 12:30PM:
Sessions
AM Break - 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
12:30PM:
Event Concludes
Grab lunch, explore Washington, D.C. with your friends, or start your travel home!
***All times are subject to change***
Catering & Dietary Info
Coffee, tea, and water will be provided during sessions, and we will provide lunch at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Thursday and Friday during the retreat. The event will end on Saturday prior to lunch.
We try our best to take into consideration food allergies, and the food will be labeled with common dietary allergies/restrictions. If you need a Kosher or Halal meal, please email [email protected].
What You Need to Prepare
HOT SEATS
We know that as a Studio Owner you have challenges and opportunities that you’re faced with daily.
We’ll have one Hot Seat session during the retreat where you can share a challenge or opportunity that you’re having in your studio and receive feedback from your peers around the table. Please bring with you a challenge and/or opportunity to receive feedback on.
You will have time to explain your situation and then receive feedback from your table and ask questions. This is the only portion of the event that you can record on your phone.
To receive the best feedback possible from the group, structure your hot seat challenge/opportunity as follows:
- State your challenge/opportunity in two sentences.
- State why it is a challenge or opportunity in one sentence.
- State what you have done already to overcome the challenge or explore the opportunity in two sentences.
- Restate your challenge/opportunity.
Welcome Happy Hour
INFORMAL MEETUP FOR ALL MEMBERS
Join us on Wednesday, July 29th from 5pm – 6pm in the Grand Foyer to connect with other members, and make sure to stop by the registration area first to grab your name tag and your drink ticket. Turn in your drink ticket for a free drink on us!
Important Info
Before the Retreat
Cancellation
We understand that plans change and sometimes people need to cancel. We are locked into the dates set, which is why there is a firm cancellation deadline on July 1st. Up until July 1st you can cancel with no penalty. If you cancel your ticket after July 1st (or don’t show up to the retreat), your account on file will be charged a $900 cancellation fee. If you have purchased a guest ticket, they will not be refunded after July 1st.
Get The Most Out Of The Retreat - Pre-Event Call
Tuesday, July 21st from 11:00am – 12:00pm Eastern
Join us on Zoom (iccalls.com) to learn how to make the most of the virtual retreat. You are not going to want to miss this!
Dress Code
Smart casual. There will be a videographer and photographer present throughout the event. Please note that conference rooms tend to be on the colder side so please bring layers. A cooler room helps people stay alert and focused to maximize learning potential!
Networking
BLINQ: Digital Business Card
We know that there is a need for many of you to connect and exchange information during our retreats, so we have a solution for you!
Click here to go to BLINQ’s website and create your very own digital business card for free.
Once your digital business card is created it is easy to share with others! Just let them scan the QR code and your information will automatically come up on their device with an option to “Save Contact.” It’s as simple as that!
During the Retreat
Registration
Registration is from 8:00AM – 9:00AM on Thursday, July 30th. Only registered members and co-owners will be allowed in the room. Some of you may be traveling with family but we ask that you refrain from bringing them into the room as we will be at full capacity.
Note Taking
Studies show that writing by hand increases our learning! Technology can become a big distraction, which is why we ask that you don’t take typewritten notes on a laptop throughout the retreat. You may use tablets for written note-taking. Using good old-fashioned written note-taking keeps you present and absorbing the information better.
After the Retreat
Special Post-Event Workshop
Friday, August 7th from 11:00am – 12:00pm Eastern
Have you ever left a retreat with tons of good notes, but then don't do anything with them? Join us for a special call where she will walk you through how to organize your notes and turn them into action plans.
PLEASE NOTE: This event will NOT be live streamed, but the recordings will be available within four weeks.
If you have any questions on the above, please email Emily Murnen at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C.!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
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