February 11–14 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The QRCA Annual Conference is recognized as “the best opportunity for qualitative learning and networking” out of all industry events and is beneficial for consultants, agencies, client-side researchers, and suppliers. Whether you are a moderator, analyst, strategist, design researcher, recruiter, facility manager, platform provider, or in any other qualitative role, there is no doubt that you will experience an exceptional few days of learning new skills, techniques, and tools, and making lifelong connections with like-minded people.
Our QRCA culture of sharing ideas and resources, and learning in a fun environment, is enjoyed within the research industry. Our objective is to grow the audience while maintaining the same community feel and opportunity for growth. Suppliers, recruiters, platform providers, focus group facilities, and the myriad of other services that provide the tools and support we need to be successful will also find value and content at the QRCA 2025 Annual Conference.
It’s all happening in February 2025 in Philadelphia. We expect the 2025 conference to be our biggest and best yet. This year’s QRCA Annual Conference might be set in the oldest city we’ve ever been to, in a city that sings U.S. history, but it will also make history as the best and brightest conference we’ve ever put on.
Join us for four days of networking and learning, February 11–14, 2025!
Conference Format
Our event planning committee is constantly evolving the conference experience to keep up with industry trends and desired learning environments. This year, the committee has created a conference agenda to amplify our networking time together and balance our need for content curation to stay current in our qualitative research practices.
Agenda Highlights:
- TUESDAY’s experience is all about arrival. The morning is open for you to arrive at the conference and get settled. The registration desk opens at 1:00 p.m. We have our off-site Cultural Experience Tuesday afternoon with a walking tour of historic Philadelphia, guided by a local historian, followed by an exclusive meet-and-greet session for First-Timers in the evening. We also have a casual welcome networking dinner to be held at McGillins Olde Ale House, a six-minute walk from the hotel. If you are at the First-Timers meet-and-greet, roll right into dinner and drinks with your new friends at the welcome gathering.
- WEDNESDAY’s content begins the day with general sessions. We’re bringing all attendees into the main ballroom for must-see thought leader presentations designed to inform and motivate the entire audience. Later in the day, we’ll have our first series of track presentations, designed to enlighten at a topical level, with tracks on logistics, writing, UX, and business leadership. We’ll also begin our Qually School sessions designed to educate new qualitative researchers on our discipline. We’ll wrap up the day with our Opening Reception in the Marketplace with our sponsors and exhibitors before heading off to our legendary Dine Arounds program.
- THURSDAY will start with workshops to help you hone specific skills, and we’ll have more tracks focused on moderating, technology, corporate or client-side topics, and professional development. We’ll also have the remaining sessions of our Qually School program and small-group discussions, followed by our highly anticipated evening event at Spin! with food, drinks, a DJ, and QRCA’s first Olympic-style table tennis tournament!
- FRIDAY will be a half day with our closing general sessions, followed by a field trip scavenger hunt and lunch at the Reading Terminal Market (see next page). Tickets are available for purchase during your registration.
The full conference agenda and speaker lineup are available at www.qrca.org!
Local Experiences:
The QRCA Annual Conference is in a new city each year, and we love the chance to explore local favorites weaved into the event experience. To make the most of your trip to Philadelphia, check out these planned activities:
- Cultural Experience:
Philadelphia, and in particular the Center City area where we find ourselves for the conference, is the epicenter of some of the most significant history of our nation’s birth, all within walking
distance. This year’s excursion is a guided tour of our neighborhood that includes the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Christ Church, and much much more! Space is unlimited this year. Sign up when you register for the conference.
Tickets are $35. - Dine Arounds:
Curating a list of approximately 30 restaurants for our conference attendees is no easy feat! Rest assured, some will be within walking distance and some within Uber distance, and all will be carefully curated for us by Michael Tucker and Christine Holcomb, locals who have a taste for the tasty. These are excellent opportunities to network and meet new quallies in a more intimate setting. Sign-ups will be available online at www.qrca.orgunder the 2025 Conference Central webpage starting approximately six weeks before the conference. - Friday Field Trip:
Skip the old boxed lunch thing and wrap up your 2025 Annual Conference experience with lunch and a scavenger hunt at the Reading Terminal Market! Today, the Market is considered one of the finest public markets in the U.S. More than 80 merchants offer patrons fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, hard-to-find specialties, and ethnic foods. Shopping and dining become a pleasure in this warm, inviting, and unique atmosphere.
Tickets are $55.
Meet the 2025 Conference Committee Leadership!
QRCA is a membership-based association with volunteer opportunities available in multiple capacities. The Annual Conference is composed of 15–20 volunteers who support the main branches of the conference and work together all year to plan the event. Please help us thank the following committee leaders for their work on the 2025 Philadelphia event!
Conference Registration
Conference registration rates include: three days of workshops, presentations, breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments each day, coffee all day, receptions each day, the Thursday evening event, and access to the marketplace.
Cancellation Policy: To receive a 100 percent refund, less a $25 processing fee, all cancellations must be received via www.qrca.org/page/cancellationpolicy by January 11, 2025. For cancellations after January 11, 2025, no refund is offered, with a few limited exceptions for the death of a close family member, medical emergency, or some other similar situation. The QRCA’s Board of Directors must approve such exceptions within 30 days of the event and should be petitioned at info@qrca.org. Please note that work conflicts do not qualify for these exceptions. QRCA reserves the right to alter or cancel any of the arrangements relating directly or indirectly to the conference without prior notice. QRCA will not accept liability for any losses and/or damage attendees may suffer due to alteration or cancellation. For COVID-related exceptions, please contact info@qrca.org to discuss your individual needs.
OPTIONAL GUEST TICKETS AND ADD-ONS
- Tuesday Afternoon Cultural Experience Event: $35/ticket
Please Note: This event is NOT included in your Conference registration rate. - Guest / Wednesday Opening Reception: $50/ticket
- Guest / Thursday Night Event at SPIN: $100/ticket
- Friday Field Trip and Lunch at Reading Station Market: $55/ticket | Please Note: This event is NOT included in your Conference registration rate.
ADDITIONAL QRCA 2025 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS
If you believe that you are eligible for a discount through QRCA, please contact info@qrca.org to confirm your eligibility and to receive your discount promo code before registering.
Company Membership Conference rate: If a company registers three or more attendees for the conference, they will receive a 15 percent discount on each subsequent registration after the initial registration. If your company has a company membership, please contact info@qrca.org to receive special pricing information.
FINANCIAL NEED: QRCA members who wish to attend the conference but do not have the financial resources available may be eligible for financial assistance. Please contact info@qrca.org for more information.
Hotel Info:
Loews Philadelphia
1200 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-1200
QRCA’s hotel room rate of
$209 is available for the nights of February 10–14, 2025.
ROOM BLOCK DEADLINE:
January 17, 2025, or until the
room block is exhausted,
whichever comes first.
TRAVEL TO THE HOTEL
FROM THE AIRPORT:
We recommend taking the SEPTA Airport line to Center City. The Jefferson station is just around the corner from the hotel.
