No, staying over is entirely optional, but we would recommend it. With the official ice breaker on the Friday evening and a full day on the Saturday, many attendees make a proper weekend of it, and the conversations in the bar afterwards are often where the best connections are made.
The Leonardo Hinckley Island Hotel has over 360 rooms, complimentary on-site parking, a restaurant, bar and coffee lounge, and a leisure club with a heated indoor pool, gym, sauna and steam room. Wheelchair-accessible rooms and facilities are available throughout. Details of any discounted room rates for attendees will be shared nearer the time, so it is worth holding off booking until then.