Joyce graduated with a Marketing degree from James Madison University in 1988.

Before she joined Festival Events and Conference Center, Joyce worked in the Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center as the development director, handling their events and fundraising. Previously, she was the Alumni Chapters’ Coordinator for the JMU Alumni Relations.

Joyce’s experience shows that she is able to assist clients in every event detail from start to finish. “My job is different every day. I never have two days alike,” Joyce laughs.

Jeremy Hawkins is the Assistant Director for Festival Conference and Student Center and has been working in Festival for ten years. He works very closely with Joyce Bentz to help anyone who is interested in utilizing what these departments have to offer.

As of January, Jeremy is also the head of the Off-Campus Life organization located in Festival. Through OCL, he educates and eases transition for students who wish to live off-campus.

Jeremy graduated from James Madison University with an English degree. While he pursued his degree, he worked as a full time student-building manager at Festival.  He was also an active member of the Marching Royal Dukes.  Now, in his spare time, Jeremy plays the trombone with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band. He has participated with this community band for over two years.

Since most conferences occur during summer break when many of our dining facilities are closed, we coordinate with Dining Services to provide meals for your conference.  We offer a variety of options for catered events: buffets, plated meals, receptions, boxed lunches, and party platters.  Sometimes larger groups request that we open one of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls for selected meals.  Your Conference Assistant will work with you to determine the best dining options for your group.  If you do choose to have catered meals, we can help you to work directly with Dining Services in creating the perfect menu for your event.

Before your event, you will complete a room roster with the names of all conference attendees and a minimum guarantee form stating the minimum number of attendees that will be billed for meals.  Both these documents must be completed and returned to your CA at least two weeks prior to the conferences so we can prepare the check-in roster and make arrangements for providing meals to your group.  At this time, we also ask that you confirm your itinerary, facility setups, and any transportation or technology/audiovisual needs.

On the day your conference begins at James Madison University, your CA will have signs around campus directing your attendees to the check-in location (predetermined by you and your CA based on availability and convenience).   Your group will park in a designated location: for smaller groups we will provide parking passes for each vehicle while larger groups may have a dedicated parking lot.  Your CA will greet your attendees at the check-in location with the roster, a key and meal card for each person, and any additional materials that you request.   The CA will also record all attendees who check in and use this list to record when attendees return their keys at checkout.

During your event, the CA is your single point of contact, dedicated to serving the needs of your group.  He or she is responsible for ensuring that we provide all the services you requested so that you can relax and enjoy a successful event.  This includes meals, linens, transportation, room setups and technical equipment, as well as any other unexpected needs that may arise.

You can use our audiovisual equipment for your event. Most meeting rooms have projectors that you can use with your laptop or our computers, or you can request one of our high-tech classrooms. Also, if there is anything not currently in our inventory that you would like, don’t hesitate to ask, and we will help you make rental arrangements.  No matter what technology your conference requires, JMU Conference Services is ready to meet your needs.

Traveling north on 81, take exit 245 and turn right. Immediately get into the left turning lane. Make a left onto Forest Hill Rd. At the stop sign, make a left onto Oak Hill Rd. Continuing on Oak Hill, the Convocation Center will be on the left followed by the Arboretum on the right. Make a left at the JMU entrance onto Carrier Drive. The Festival Conference and Student Center is 0.25 mile on the left.

From I-81 South

Traveling south on 81, take exit 245 and turn left. After crossing over the highway, get into the left turning lane. Make a left onto Forest Hill Rd. At the stop sign, make a left onto Oak Hill Rd. Continuing on Oak Hill, the Convocation Center will be on the left followed by the Arboretum on the right. Make a left at the JMU entrance onto Carrier Drive. The Festival Conference and Student Center is 0.25 mile on the left.

Parking

All visitors to campus must have a valid parking permit. For more information, please see the Festival Event Parking page or the JMU Parking Services website.

Hotel Name

Phone Number

Total # of rooms available

# of  single rooms

# of double rooms

Conference Rate

* Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn are side by side on shared property.
** Please note: A 11% sales tax will be added to the Conference Rates.  Conference Rates are subject to change based on hotel rate increases.

James Madison University’s Conference Services can coordinate hotel room needs for your group.