Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

LOCATION & DATES

• The Cascade PBS Ideas Festival will take place May 31, 2025.
• Doors open at 10:00am
• Location: Amazon Meeting Center, 2031 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98121

CHECK-IN

• When you arrive, please enter via the main doors, which are on the south side of the building, accessible from Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
• Please have your government-issued photo ID ready in order to expedite the check-in process.
• All guests must have a name associated with their ticket and be pre-registered before they arrive.
• All attendees will pass through a metal detector upon arrival. 
• We encourage you not to bring a bag.
• Please review the list of prohibited items on our festival FAQ page below.

PARKING & DIRECTIONS

• The Amazon Meeting Center is located at 2031 Seventh Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
• Amazon’s Day One and Doppler parking garages are both adjacent to the Meeting Center. Parking is free.
• The Doppler entrance is accessible from both Sixth Avenue or Lenora Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, and Day One is accessible from Sixth Avenue. The venue is also easily accessible from the Virginia & Sixth and Seventh & Blanchard bus stops and the Westlake & Seventh streetcar stop.
• We recommend taking public transportation or rideshares such as Uber or Lyft whenever possible.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

• There will be a snack station with coffee (in the morning) and grab & go snack foods near the session rooms.
• Please bring your own reusable water bottle to fill at the fountains in the venue.
• Food trucks will be parked nearby during the majority of the event.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

• Are all events ADA-accessible?
  • All Cascade PBS Ideas Festival events are ADA-accessible, and ALDs are available upon request. 
  • If you would like to discuss accessibility considerations, please contact events@cascadepbs.org or call 206-443-4834 by May 7, 2025. It is important to us that everyone who wants to participate is able to do so. 
• How do I become a member?
  • Members receive special benefits at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival! Sign up today.
• How do I become a sponsor?
  • If you’re interested in becoming a Cascade PBS Ideas Festival sponsor, please email Jonah Fruchter, Director of Corporate Sponsorship & Business Development, at jonah.fruchter@cascadepbs.org. 
• How do I volunteer?
  • Visit our volunteer information page for more information on volunteering. 

TICKETS

• How do I buy tickets?
  • Visit the ticket information page to purchase tickets.
• What’s included in my tickets?
  • Please visit the ticket information page for more information about ticket levels and pricing. 
• What is the refund policy?
  • Cascade PBS Ideas Festival tickets are fully refundable up to May 21, 2025, after which we will be unable to offer refunds. 
• What are the member benefits?
  • As a benefit to membership, members giving $10 per month or $120 per year or more will receive a 20% discount on special member tickets. The member ticket will provide priority entry lines at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, access to the happy hour, and other benefits. 
• What is the cost?
  • Visit the ticket information page for details on ticket pricing.
• Are my tickets tax-deductible?
  • Cascade PBS Ideas Festival tickets are not tax-deductible. 
• Are there any student discounts?
  • There are no student discounts.
• Can I volunteer to gain access to the festival?
  • Yes! Please fill out our volunteer information form and someone will get back to you. 
• Are there opportunities for those who cannot afford a ticket to attend?
  • Please email events@cascadepbs.org or call 206-443-4834 and someone from the festival team will get back to you. 

SPEAKERS AND SCHEDULE

• Who are the speakers/what is the schedule?
  • The speakers and schedule will be released in the next two months. Please sign up for the Cascade PBS Events Newsletter for updates; for sneak peeks, become a member at the $120 per year level.  
• Can I nominate a speaker or topic?
  • Yes, you can submit ideas here: Cascade PBS Ideas Festival Suggestions

ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons of any type (edged, pointed, blunt)
• Firearms of any type (including non-functional, replica, or “toy” guns)
• Any projectile weapon (including, but not limited to, crossbows, airsoft guns, BB guns, paintball guns, pellet guns)
• Explosives (including firecrackers and fireworks)
• Personal-defense weapons (including Tasers, stun guns, mace and pepper spray)
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Outside alcohol
• Banners, pamphlets, signs and/or flags or any other material deemed disruptive to the conference

MEDIA PASS REQUESTS

• Are you a member of the media interested in covering the festival? Fill out our Media Pass Request Form

COVID SAFETY

Please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have started testing positive in the five days prior to the Festival. Masks are optional throughout the venue, and proof of vaccination is not required. The venue strongly recommends masks for entry, regardless of vaccination status.  

PROGRAMMING

The Cascade PBS Ideas Festival aims to foster open and respectful dialogue about important issues. It’s our mission to offer a program that provides a wide spectrum of viewpoints, experiences and affiliations, and welcomes members of many communities. We are sensitive to the fact that some opinions and conversations may make audience members feel uncomfortable. As a public media organization, we are responsible to act as a neutral mediator. We do not endorse the policies or opinions of our guests. However, we believe that the best way to bridge our divides is to hear from people with whom we might disagree, even vehemently, and to ask each other hard questions. When participating in these events, we require that our guests and our audience do so according to our code of conduct.