SWX FAQs

Southwest Exchange FAQs

  1. What is Southwest Exchange?
    • 12 Junior Leagues make up the Southwest Region. Each year, hosting responsibilities rotate throughout the region to plan a weekend conference filled with training and networking opportunities for newly slated leaders, current leaders, and members to learn, collaborate, and brainstorm the future of their League. This event is not put on by AJLI but often features AJLI staff members as speakers and trainers.
  2. Who should our League send to attend this event?
    • JLOCC is hosting Southwest Exchange in conjunction with its signature event, the She Is Unstoppable women’s conference. This event is open to women of all backgrounds throughout Southern California and beyond, so we’d love for you to share information about it with your entire League! The Southwest Exchange trainings are best suited for your President (-Elect, -Elect-Elect), Executive Vice President (-Elect, -Elect-Elect), budding and current Board of Directors and Executive Management Team members, Membership and DEIB teams. 
  3. What will our members get out of it?
    • Not only will you make connections with other Leagues in your area and other members in your position, you’ll receive valuable training that can be implemented right away in your own League! You’ll select your preferred learning track between Membership Recruitment, Retention and Inclusion or Get on Board. 
  4. How much does it cost?
    • Tickets are $225 ($199 through January 31) and include:
      • 12+ hours of training and networking
      • Friday night happy hour
      • Saturday breakfast and lunch
      • Saturday night bonfire
      • Sunday morning networking opportunity
  5. What’s not included?
    • The registration fee does not include dinners, lodging, or transportation.
  6. Where should we stay?
    • A block has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. This hotel features a par 3 golf course, bike rentals, a fitness center, pool, complimentary wifi and more.
  7. How do we get there?
    • Planes: John Wayne International Airport (SNA) is ~15 minutes from the hotel
    • Trains: Amtrak’s Irvine station is ~20 minutes from the hotel
    • Automobiles: Newport Beach is ~2 hours north of San Diego, 5 hours west of Las Vegas and Phoenix, and 3 hours south of Santa Barbara
  8. What’s the dress code?
    • Newport Beach is famously “coastal casual.”
    • Friday night: casual/business casual attire is perfect! Once the sun goes down, it gets chilly.
    • Saturday’s conference: we encourage She Is attendees to wear something fun and festive – maybe that outfit you’ve been saving for a “special” occasion? Or a dress that makes you feel unstoppable. Whatever makes you feel like your best self! The venue is indoor-outdoor, so plan accordingly.
    • Saturday night: Bundle up and grab your favorite comfy clothes for the post-event beach bonfire.
    • Sunday: comfy, casual, warm clothes for the boat cruise!
  9. What’s happening Friday?
    • You’ll check in for the event at the Hyatt Regency hotel starting at 4pm – look for the JLOCC table! We’ll have a hosted happy hour event that will give you a chance to meet the group, do a bit of networking, and set yourself up for success for a fantastic weekend. From there, we’ve picked out a few of our favorite dinner spots in the area – you’ll be able to make your plan as we get closer to March 3. A few JLOCC leaders will be at each spot as well.
  10. What’s happening Saturday?
    • Since 2019, JLOCC has hosted a women’s conference called “She Is…” This year, the theme is “She Is Unstoppable.” We thought this would be a great opportunity to integrate Southwest Exchange with our signature event, and we’re so excited for a jam-packed day! You’ll head to the Newport Beach Civic Center for a day of breakouts along two tracks – Membership Recruitment, Retention, and Inclusion and Get on Board. In addition, you’ll get to hear from both She Is keynote speakers, Tiffany Wojtkiewicz, President of ONEHOPE Wine, and Susan Sarich, founder & CEO of SusieCakes. The event will be broken up with networking opportunities, shopping in our marketplace, bubbles, bites, and tons of fun! 
    • Afterward, join us at the beach for a sunset bonfire and pre-dinner s’mores. We’ll be in the heart of the Newport Beach peninsula with a variety of casual dining within walking distance – you could also bring a couple of bucks and take the ferry over to Balboa Island to explore (it’s cash only, $1.50 each way).
  11. What’s happening Sunday?
    • We want to make sure you don’t leave our town without experiencing a quintessential piece of our culture! Sign up for a pre-booked 2-hour Duffy brunch cruise in the Newport Beach Harbor on Sunday morning at 10am. We’ll toast to a fantastic weekend with some bubbles and bites as we take you on a scenic tour of the incredible waterfront.
  12. When should we leave?
    • Short answer: never. We love it here, and we hope you will, too! The training will end Saturday evening, but the fun goes through Sunday, so we’ll hope you stay for 2 nights! If you can catch a Sunday evening flight or drive, do some shopping at the world-famous Fashion Island, or take a ride along the Back Bay using the beach cruisers provided by the hotel!