2023 CUB Retreat

About

We are so excited to be hosting our annual retreat this year and hope you consider joining us for a weekend of learning, connection, and healing. We have some terrific sessions planned with authors, therapists, filmmakers, and legislative advocates. But don't worry, we have plenty of time baked in to just relax and connect with each other, something we know is always important to our retreat attendees. We welcome anyone to attend our retreat including birth/first mothers, fathers, siblings, adoptees, adoptive families, and professionals who work with our community. Below you’ll find the session schedule as well as information about our hotel and air/ground transportation.

Schedule

All events in the Seascape Ballroom unless otherwise noted.

Thursday Oct. 12

  • 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. National CUB Board Meeting

  • 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Hospitality Suite (Room #3057)

Friday Oct. 13

  • 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast

  • 10:00 a.m - 10:15 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks

  • 10:05 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Adoption Today with Gretchen Sisson, PhD, Karen Smith Rotabi, PhD, & Renee Gelin

  • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch On Your Own & Free Time

  • 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Open Adoption: Myths and Realities with Abbi Johnson, Denise Schnelle, and Ben Coolman

  • 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Support Groups

  • 6:15 p.m. Hosted Dinner

  • 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Film Sneak Peek & Discussion: All You Have Is Love with Lisa Elaine Scott, Director

  • 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Hospitality Suite (Room #3057)

Saturday Oct. 14

Hotel & Accommodations

Our venue and hotel for the retreat will be the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina located at 300 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

Book your room within our block where your rate is $200/per night if you book by September 12. If you have trouble online, use group code: G101123CUBR or call 310-318-8888 or  to make your reservation over the phone. You can also email Jennifer Pepito at jennifer.pepito@sonesta.com who is our representative and can help you more directly. Rates available for the 3 days prior and after the retreat as long as you book by September 12. 

If you are interested in finding a roommate to share a hotel room with at the retreat, you can sign up here: 2023 CUB Retreat: Roommate Request Sign-Up. Note: CUB is not responsible for roommate matching or booking your room with the hotel. We are simply providing a way for you to connect with other attendees who are interested in sharing a room at the retreat. It's up to you to coordinate and book your room after signing up.

Air/Ground Transportation

We know many of you travel from all over to join us for our retreat. The nearest major airport is Los Angeles International (LAX) where you are sure to find many direct flights to/from your home. Here are some Tips for Booking Flights.

The hotel is less than 10 miles from Los Angeles International (LAX) but the hotel does not operate a shuttle service. However, we have created a list of options available to you for to consider for your ground transportation:

  • Individual taxi/rideshare: In addition to taxis, the rideshare apps currently operating at LAX are Lyft, Opoli, and Uber. Fares vary depending on the time of day your ride is requested. More information about how and where to find them here: LAXit

  • Group taxi/rideshare with other retreat attendees: We have created a way for you to connect with other attendees who would be interested in taking a taxi/rideshare together that could bring the cost of transportation to/from LAX down for both/all of you. Once you know your flight numbers, go ahead and fill out this google form and to get connected to other participants. Note: CUB is not responsible for your ground transportation. We are simply providing a way for you to connect with other attendees who are interested in sharing a ride with you. It's up to you to coordinate with each other after signing up.

  • Free Shuttle: We have an extremely gracious CUB member, Chris, who is offering free pick-up/drop-off rides for retreat attendees. He can take 8-9 people per ride and will be offering shuttle service from LAX to our venue for arrivals on Wednesday & Thursday only, and drop-off service from our venue to LAX on Sunday only. Once you have your flight booked, reach out to him directly to coordinate: Chris Thomason at 818-647-5000.

Scholarships

We are awarding scholarships for the 2023 CUB Retreat. If you would like to attend but think it might not be possible due to financial concerns, consider applying for a scholarship. Funds are limited and will not pay for all expenses, but will help to significantly defray the cost of attending.

Birth/first parents, adoptees, adoption professionals, and all others living with adoption who would not otherwise have the means to attend our annual retreat are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

The deadline for applications has passed. Recipients will be notified by September 1.

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