Conference Schedule At A Glance

The 2026 Annual conference will take place at the Omni Atlanta Centennial Park Hotel, in Atlanta, GA, from Sunday, December 6 - Wednesday, December 9. Times and events are preliminary and subject to change. Times listed below are EST.

Date TBD:

First Time Attendee Virtual Session

Conference Confidence: Know Before You Go
Not sure what to expect at the SoACE annual conference in Atlanta, GA? No worries — we’ve got you! Come learn all about the conference from SoACE leaders, how to plug into Knowledge Groups (KGs), what the Conference Connector Program is all about, and meet fellow attendees in lively breakout chats. You’ll leave feeling confident, connected, and ahead of the game!

Sunday, December 6

Monday, December 7

7:00A - 5:00P -- Registration Open
8:00A - 5:00P -- Exhibit Area Open
7:30A - 8:45A -- Continental Breakfast Provided
7:30A - 8:15A -- KG Leaders Breakfast Meeting (Invite Only)
7:30A - 8:15A -- LEAD Cohort Breakfast (Invite Only)
8:45A - 9:05A -- Welcome & Conference Committee Introductions
9:00A - 10:15A-- Opening Presentation and Keynote Speaker
10:30A - 11:30A -- Breakout Session 
11:45A - 12:45P -- Lunch/Business Meeting/Awards
1:00P - 2:00P -- Breakout Session
2:15P - 3:15P -- Breakout Session
3:15P - 3:45P -- Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
3:45P - 4:45P -- Breakout Session
5:00P - 6:30P -- Networking Reception
5:00P - Until -- Evening/Dinner on your own

Tuesday, December 8

6:30A - 7:30A -- Fun Run
7:30A - 5:00P -- Registration Open
7:30A - 8:45A -- Continental Breakfast
7:30A - 3:30P -- Exhibit Area Open
7:30A - 8:00A -- State Consortia Leader Meeting (Invite Only)
9:00A - 10:00A -- Breakout Session
10:00A - 10:30A -- Networking Break
10:30A - 11:30A - NACE Presentation
11:45A - 12:45P -- Roundtable Lunch
12:45P - 1:00P -- Transition Break Between Sessions
1:00P - 2:00P -- KG Meetings
2:00P - 2:30P -- Transition Break Between Sessions
2:45P - 3:45P -- Breakout Session 
4:00P - 5:00P -- Breakout Session 
6:30P - 10:00P -- Evening Event

Wednesday, December 9

8:00A - 1:00P -- Registration Open
9:00A - 9:45A -- State Networking Meetings
9:45A - 11:15A -- Breakfast & Closing Presentation
11:15A - 11:30A -- Closing / Wrap Up
1:00P - 4:00P -- Site Visit

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Description: Emerging Leaders | Level Up: Taking Ownership of Your Career Progression

Ready to take the next step in your career?

In a field where career advancement isn’t always straightforward, this SoACE pre-conference session is designed for emerging professionals who want to grow into leadership roles. Join peers and experienced leaders for a focused, interactive career panel and workshop on how to position yourself for promotion, build visibility, and navigate career progression in career services. Gain practical strategies, real-world insights, and meaningful connections—and leave the conference with a clearer path forward. This session is designed for career services professionals at any stage, especially those with 3-5 years experience looking to advance.