FAQ

A Regional Gathering (RG) is a weekend-long Mensa convention: speakers, games, entertainment, food, and a few hundred bright, curious people enjoying each other's company. StaRGazing is Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa's annual RG, and 2027 is at a brand-new venue in Culver City.

Mensa members and their guests are welcome! Not in Mensa and don't know anyone, but still interested in attending? Email us at gro.grmaalg@ofni and we'll help you get here. We also offer Mensa admission testing on Saturday morning for only $30 — reserve your test seat here. Test takers stay free for the rest of Saturday as our guests. Your badge is your ticket into the program rooms and hospitality.

Everything: all speaker programs, games, the keynote, Saturday night entertainment, and meals throughout the weekend, with vegetarian options at every meal. Snacks are available in hospitality nearly all the time.

Registration and hospitality open Friday at 3:00 PM, programs start at 3:45 PM, and Karaoke Night caps the evening. See the full schedule for the whole weekend.

Yes! Mensa admission testing is offered Saturday morning, 9:30–11:30 AM in the Culver Room — bring a friend who belongs in Mensa. Test takers stay free for the rest of Saturday as our guests: speakers, games, the keynote, and the evening entertainment. The testing fee is $30 — reserve your test seat here. Open to non-members ages 14 and up (photo ID required; under-18s need a signed parental consent form — it's on the reservation page).

Absolutely — there's an all-day Kids Track on Sunday for gifted youth, priced per child with no charge for accompanying parents. Youth (17 and under) attend the full weekend at a discounted rate. See the Register page for current pricing. Questions about the Kids Track or Gifted Youth? Email gro.grmaalg@ofni.

No, but it's the best way to experience the RG — programs and hospitality run late. The group rate is $199/night including breakfast, available through January 19, 2027 or until the room block sells out, and event parking is only $5/day if you commute. See the Hotel page.

Yes! The hotel has a pool, and every RG attendee can use it whether or not you have a hotel room — bring your suit and a towel if you want to swim. Heads up: there's no hot tub.

Yes — adult day rates are Friday $65, Saturday $139, and Sunday $65, meals for that day included, right on the Register page. Youth day rates and other partial-weekend combinations — email gro.grmaalg@ofni.

Registration refunds: Full refunds through December 31, 2026. 50% refund through February 5, 2027. No refunds after February 5, 2027 except for extraordinary circumstances, case by case. Hotel reservations are separate — cancel those directly with the hotel.

Yes, the Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside is 100% smoke-free. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

Join the email updates list — there's a signup on the homepage and the Register page. We email when new speakers are announced, before prices go up, and when the hotel block is closing. General questions any time: gro.grmaalg@ofni.

Volunteers make the RG happen, and there are jobs of every size — registration desk, hospitality, A/V, games. Volunteers also get discounted admission. Email Jana Bickel and we'll find you a spot.