MORE WAYS TO JOIN SVWC

We understand how difficult it can be to secure passes for SVWC… either because they are in such high demand and sell out so quickly, or because cost is a barrier, and we know both can be disheartening. But not to worry—we have developed even more community programs and expanded our free events to make SVWC as inclusive as possible! If you are unable to buy a pass in 2025, we hope you will join us for one of the below. You can also join our Family of Donors or inquire about volunteering opportunities.

Free Events & Community Programming

1. Purchase tickets to select Pavilion Talks
2. Attend free Pavilion Lawn Talks on the Sun Valley Pavilion Lawn
3. Attend our free Community Speaker Series at The Community Library
4. Livestream talks for free from the comfort of home
5. Attend our Live Watch Party at The Argyros theater in downtown Ketchum
6. Browse our free digital media library with talks from past conferences

We recommend signing up for our email newsletter to receive updates about these programs and events. If you are a local student, teacher, or library staff, join us in the free reserved seating section for all Pavilion Talks (space is limited, so please check in at the Info Desk). Learn more.

PASS TYPES

Full Conference Pass ($1,100 each)

A Full Conference Pass lets you experience all the wonder of the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference throughout the three-day event—full access to all Pavilion talks, intimate breakout sessions, book signings, Q&As, breakfasts and lunches, mingling with the writers, and a closing reception on the stunning Sun Valley Pavilion lawn. For access to private events with writers and VIP dinners, please inquire about becoming a donor.

Next Generation Pass ($550 each, 35 and under)

We are excited to offer our half-price Next Generation Pass again! This pass is available for those age 35 and under, inspiring the “next generation” to become lifelong SVWC participants. We only have a limited supply each year, so act fast. You can experience the wonder of the entire Writers’ Conference at half the price.

HOW IT WORKS

Each February, Conference Passes are sold online on a first-come, first-served basis. We have a limited number, and they sell out every year—often within minutes. We recommend signing up for our email newsletter to receive important pass sale updates and information.

PURCHASING PASSES

On February 25 promptly at 10:00 AM (Mountain Time), visit our purchase portal and follow the steps to purchase passes securely with a credit card (the site will accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).

Be sure you have everything ready, including the names and emails of any guest passes you plan to purchase. We will be using tix.com as our pass vendor this year. You do not need to create an account or login, but please note, passes will only remain reserved in your cart for 20 minutes while you complete your transaction. If that time runs out before you finish, your cart will be automatically emptied and passes will be returned to the inventory pool, requiring you to start over. After purchasing, check that you have received a confirmation email from tix.com with your order details (if you do not see this email, check your spam folder or contact us). Passes can be picked up at Registration starting July 19 at 9:00 AM.

Passes sell out quickly, often in minutes, so we recommend reaching out with questions and working through any technical issues ahead of time. Also, be sure to sign up for our email newsletter and stay tuned for important updates and reminders. See below for pass limit information, troubleshooting, and cancellation policy.

If you would like to get early access to passes, and therefore guarantee your pass, learn more about joining our Family of Donors and our Donor Priority Pre-Sale. Email us with questions at [email protected].

THE WAITLIST

Once passes have sold out, our waitlist will open up. Click the “Join Our Waitlist” button at the top of this page to fill out the required form. We recommend signing up, as we do have cancellations. If more passes become available, those on the waitlist will be notified in the order received. Please note, you are not automatically entered to join the waitlist if you attempt to purchase passes—you will still need to sign up. Don’t worry if you missed out this year—there are many more ways to join SVWC that don’t require a full pass! See below.

PASS LIMITS

To ensure we keep the Conference as inclusive as possible, there is a limit of two passes per type per person (for example, two Full Conference Passes and two Next Generation Passes maximum for a single person).

TIPS & TROUBLESHOOTING

We recommend going directly to the purchase portal when passes go on sale to avoid slowdowns on our site. Have everything ready—passes will only remain reserved in your cart for 20 minutes while you complete your transaction. Be sure to type your email address accurately as well as your correct billing address/zip (5 digits only)/phone and name on card in the credit card fields. If not, we may have trouble completing payment or contacting you.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call 208.726.5454 or email [email protected] before passes go on sale.

PASS CANCELLATION

If you contact us to cancel your pass purchase before May 15, we can issue a refund minus a $35 fee per pass. After that date, we are unable to issue refunds. However, you are welcome to transfer a pass to another person; just contact us with the new name and email.

WHERE TO BUY PASSES

When passes go on sale, they are available to purchase online only via our purchase portal (operated by tix.com). Passes are not available to purchase in-person or at the door.  When they have sold out, the option will appear to join our waitlist until our waitlist is full.

DONOR PRIORITY PRE-SALE

If you are interested in securing passes before they go on sale to the general public in February, we welcome you to join our Family of Donors. This year, for donations of $4,000 and above, we offer an exclusive Donor Priority Pre-Sale during which donors can purchase passes before the general sale. The Donor Priority Pre-Sale runs until January 31. Learn more about donor levels at our Support page.

To donate now or to learn more about our donor levels and benefits, please call 208.727.7024 or email [email protected]. More information can be found at svwc.com/support.

The SVWC Experience

PLEASE NOTE:

• By attending any Writers’ Conference event, you agree to our photography terms: “During the course of the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, we will be filming, photographing, and recording the overall experience, including all sessions and any Q&A that is included. This is primarily for our marketing and distribution of content. Please be aware that by attending the Conference you consent to allow the Conference to use your likeness and voice in recordings, films, and tapes in our marketing materials and all media, now and in the future, waive any rights with respect to such use, and release the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference from any liability pertaining to such use.”
• Events may be livestreamed.
• Passes are required of all participants for attendance. Please respect the attendees and supporters of our nonprofit event—anyone without a pass will be asked by security to leave the site. You may visit our website or our Information Desk in the Bookstore Tent to learn more about other options for enjoying SVWC content.
• The views, opinions, and positions expressed by SVWC speakers and attendees at the Conference are the speakers’ and attendees’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of SVWC, its founders, board members, staff, or volunteers.