Heritage & Culture
- Keynote
- Iwere identity, language, and the diaspora story
- Breakout
- Cultural workshops · Itsekiri language intro
- Named deliverable
- Heritage programming across all 3 days
§ INC-USA 2nd National Convention · Labor Day Weekend 2026
Bridging and Building
Iwere Land.
Bridge · Build · Belong. Year Two begins the construction Year One’s gains made possible — building together what neither shore could build alone.
N
Hosted by the host regionNorthern California Itsekiri Association
250+Target attendees
3Days · Sept 3–6
4Programming pillars
$149Hotel group rate
§ 01 · What We Build
Four programming pillars. Four named deliverables.
Every session hangs from one pillar.
Full session list
Full session list
Health (Iwere Care)
- Keynote
- Diaspora telehealth and the Niger Delta
- Breakout
- Volunteer physician onboarding
- Named deliverable
- Iwere Care moment + Founding Physician recognition
Horizon · Youth & Future
- Keynote
- The next generation of Iwere leaders
- Breakout
- Youth Leadership track · ages 13–24
- Named deliverable
- Member-app unveil on Day 1
Constitution & Governance
- Keynote
- Article-by-article plenary + ratification vote
- Breakout
- Region governance · committee chairs roundtable
- Named deliverable
- Ratified INC-USA Constitution (Saturday Sept 5)
§ 02 · Schedule
Three days. High-level shape.
Fri governance + welcome reception · Sat plenary + ratification + gala · Sun commissioning + Bay Area Tour
See more
See more
2:00 – 7:00 PMHotel Lobby
Registration
Check-in for delegates. Badges, the Convention Packet, and the Year Two pin. Desk stays open through the reception.
5:00 – 7:00 PMLounge
Welcome Reception · Member-App Unveil
The Year Two opener · live Member-app reveal · Itsekiri DJ (Afrobeats, Afropop, Highlife) · cultural passport challenge · cocktail-hour reception in the Lounge · cash bar (VIP first drink ticket) · networking.
7:00 PM onwardLounge
Hors d’oeuvres & bar
The reception spills into the evening · light hors d’oeuvres · bar service · live music · the room stays open for delegates to mingle, meet patrons, and welcome late arrivals from the East Coast.
★ Election year · Article 12 cycle
Convention Saturday is vote day.
The credentialed Regional delegates elect the next Executive Committee on the plenary floor — Saturday, September 5, 2026. Seven Exco seats are open. The cycle closes August 1, 2026, 45 days before the vote.
Confirmed · Master of Ceremonies
Patrick Doyle
Broadcaster · Actor · Filmmaker
Veteran Nigerian broadcaster, actor, and filmmaker Patrick Doyle — the voice who pioneered entertainment television with Friday Nite Live — holds the convention floor, from the opening plenary through An Evening of Iwere Elegance.
Watch his announcementKeynote lineup in confirmation.
The Program & Content committee is working through speaker outreach now. We’ll publish names here as each invited keynote signs. The full lineup lands with the Convention Packet 30 days before the event.
§ 04 · Venue & Travel
A waterfront Marriott. Minutes from SFO.
Free 24/7 SFO shuttle · bay views · walking trails
Hotel & directions
Hotel & directions
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
1800 Old Bayshore Hwy · Burlingame, CA 94010
A waterfront Marriott in Burlingame with bay views, walking trails, and a free 24/7 shuttle to SFO every 30 minutes. The full conference floor is held for all three days of programming.
Room block rate$149 / night
Room block closesAug 13, 2026
Block size200 room nights
Group codeM-VODAXZV
AirportSFO · free 24/7 shuttle
Parking$18/night self · $34 valet
AccessibilityFully ADA compliant
Saturday evening · Bridging and Building
An Evening of Iwere Elegance.
Saturday evening gala in the Bay Grand Ballroom — red carpet, dinner, awards, cultural performances, and a headline artist (in confirmation). Itsekiri formal attire is welcomed.
- Red carpet and professional photography
- Cocktail reception
- Awards + VIP recognition
- Cultural performances
- Headline artist (in confirmation)
§ 05 · Register
Six ways to show up.
Hotel cutoff · Aug 13, 2026
No refunds after Aug 13
No refunds after Aug 13
Early BirdMembers save $40Ends Jun 1
Tier 01
Kids
★ Member+ Early Bird$60/child$80Best price
Non-member$80/child$100
- Full weekend access
- Saturday children's program
- Language & crafts workshop
- Kids' table at family meals
- Gala access with family
★ Most CommonEarly BirdMembers save $50Ends Jun 1
Tier 02
Standard
★ Member+ Early Bird$100$125Best price
Non-member$125$150
- Friday reception · Saturday full day
- Lunch + welcome kit
- Gala entry (Saturday night)
- All plenaries & breakouts
- Voting rights · 1 Region = 1 vote
Early BirdMembers save $75Ends Jun 1
Tier 03
VIP
★ Member+ Early Bird$175$225Best price
Non-member$200$250
- Everything in Standard
- Sunday Bay Area Tour seat
- Priority gala seating
- Artist meet-and-greet
- VIP reception with officers
Early BirdMembers save $40Ends Jun 1
Tier 04
Gala-Only
★ Member+ Early Bird$60/seat$80Best price
Non-member$80/seat$100
- Saturday evening only
- An Evening of Iwere Elegance
- Cultural performances
- Awards segment
- Headline artist performance
Tier 05 · Table
VIP Table (8)
$2,000/table
- A full table of 8
- Prime gala seating
- Company recognition
- Listed in the program
- Bottle service
Tier 06 · Premier
Premier Table (8)
$3,000/table
- Front-row gala table
- Premium service
- Hosted reception with the Board
- Recognized in the Convention programme
- 4 daytime delegate seats included
Travel & logistics
SFO is the main airport — 3.2 miles from the hotel with a free 24/7 shuttle. OAK and SJC are 40–60 minutes by BART or rideshare. Uber/Lyft from SFO is $15–25.
Preferred airportSFO · 3.2 mi
Shuttle frequencyEvery 30 min · 24/7
BART stationSan Bruno · 1.9 mi
Parking on-site$18/night self (delegate rate)
Rideshare zoneHotel entrance
Before you go
Convention days run long. Plan for cool Bay Area evenings in the 50s–60s, bring a shawl for gala night, and pack comfortable shoes for the Saturday courtyard lunch.
Daytime dressBusiness casual / ankara
Gala dressItsekiri formal / black tie
Check-in opensFri · 7 AM
Weather average68°F / 55°F
Letter of invite?convention@inc-usa.org
When and where is the 2026 Convention?
Programming runs Friday September 4 through Sunday September 6, 2026 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront, 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010. The hotel block opens Thursday Sept 3 for early arrivals (no formal program). The Northern California Itsekiri region hosts.
What is the theme?
Bridging and Building Iwere Land — Bridge · Build · Belong. Year One made Iwere Land stronger; Year Two begins the construction those gains made possible. We bridge diaspora to homeland — through telemedicine, mentorship, mutual aid — and we build on that bridge: institutions, enterprises, partnerships, programs.
How much does registration cost?
Pricing tiers and add-ons are published on the registration page. Early-bird pricing closes June 1, 2026; final deadline August 13, 2026.
Is there a hotel room block?
Yes — $149/night group rate at the SF Airport Marriott Waterfront. Cutoff to book at the group rate is August 13, 2026. Free 24/7 SFO shuttle, walking trails, and bay views.
What about governance and the constitution?
The final INC-USA Constitution will be distributed to every delegate ahead of the convention. Saturday's plenary is an article-by-article review and formal ratification vote.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. A children's program runs Saturday — Itsekiri language intro, cultural crafts, supervised play, and a youth leadership track for teens 13–17.
Is there a scholarship?
If cost is a barrier, email convention@inc-usa.org with a short note. Requests are reviewed case by case and handled privately.
The floor opens Sept 4.
See you in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Registration is open. Hotel group rate cutoff is August 13, 2026. Early-bird pricing closes June 1. Reserve your seat.