Greetings!!
We are 98 days away from the 2026 Esprit Gala and Conference, May 10-17 2026 in Port Angeles, WA, and I wanted to provide you with an update from the Esprit Committee as we plan an incredible week for you!
Esprit offers a week of seminars, activities and events tailored to the Transgender experience in a safe town off the beaten path where you can be yourself for a whole week! Classes, excursions to Victoria, BC, wine tastings, dancing and dining all leading up to the traditions of Esprit Weekend- Friday with the Esprit Fashion Show and Charity Talent Show, both starring your fellow Esprit Attendees- and Saturday with our Keynote Luncheon and the glamour of the Esprit Gala!
| Upcoming Important Dates Attendee Registration opens Feburary 1st 2026 Scholarship Application opens Feburary 1st 2026 Esprit Gala and Conference 2026 May 10-17, 2026 |
Presentations/Seminar Registration is OPEN!!
We are currently accepting applications for Presentations at Esprit Gala and Conference 2026 and are always open to new topics of interest to the transgender community in addition to our returning presenters! If you have a topic you would like present at Esprit 2026, we welcome you to submit a presentation proposal through the registration system at https://reg.espritgala.org. Presentation submissions will be accepted through April 11th, 2026.
Attendee Registration starts February 1st
Attendee and Significant Other registrations open on February 1st, 2026. We hold all registration information in confidence, and we only use that data for Esprit business.
The Esprit Committee has set the base rates for the 2026 Esprit Gala and Conference as
Full Week (Sunday-Sunday) $451.00 USD
Half Week (Wednesday-Sunday) $401.00 USD
Gala Weekend (Friday-Sunday) $311.00 USD
Significant Others are welcome to join too! Rates for our Significant Other program are
Full Week (Sunday-Sunday) $256.00 USD
Half Week (Wednesday-Sunday) $221.00 USD
Gala Weekend (Friday-Sunday) $186.00 USD
For those couples who wish to attend only the Significant Other program, we are offering a discounted rate of $620.00 USD per couple. This rate does not include access to the rest of the Esprit conference activities and meals.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!- Book early and save Up to $40 USD on your registration!. Paid-in-full registrations by February 28th get a $40 USD discount off of the base rate for your Esprit package. The discount drops by $10 USD every month, so register and pay early to get the best discount! Sales Tax on Registration Fees– In 2025, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814 updating activities subject to sales tax. As of October 1st, 2025, live presentations are now considered a “retail sale”, are now subject to Washington retail sales tax, and Esprit will be collecting sales tax on registration fees. Donations to Esprit’s General or Scholarship Funds will remain tax free.
Scholarship Application starts February 1st
Attending Esprit can be a life changing experience for transgender individuals regardless of financial situation, and the Esprit Committee through the Esprit Scholarship provides qualified individuals with a scholarship up to the full conference fee. You can learn more at https://espritgala.org/index.php/scholarships/
Room Reservations
Esprit has negotiated discounted rates with the Red Lion hotel for the conference week- You can book your room using the following link.
Click HERE to book your room at the Red Lion
This link automatically applies the Esprit discount code. Going direct to the Red Lion website will not have the Esprit discount code. If you prefer, you may also book your room as in the past by calling the hotel’s front desk at 360-452-9215
First-Time Attendees
Attending a conference for the first time may seem daunting. Don’t worry, we’ve all been in that moment before too. We have a daily Koffee Klatch for first-time attendees to make sure you can make the most of your time at Esprit! Also- the Esprit Big Sister/Little Sister program can give you a connection with a returning attendee that can help you with anything from event information, places to go eat, someone to hang out with, or simply help zipping up a dress! You can find more information at https://espritgala.org/index.php/big-sister-little-sister/
Other Questions or Thoughts?
You can reach out to the Esprit Committee via our Contact page https://espritgala.org/index.php/contact-us/
We look forward to seeing you all in Port Angeles this upcoming May!
Caela Hopkins
Esprit 2026 Chairwoman