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

9:00A - 6:00P -- Registration Open
1:30P - 4:00P -- Emerging Leaders Preconference - Learn More
2:00P - 6:00P -- Exhibit Set Up
6:30P - 7:00P -- New Members/First Time Attendees Networking Meet-Up
7:00P - 9:00P -- President's Reception (Hors d'oeuvres & drink ticket provided)

Monday, December 7

7:30A - 5:00P -- Registration Open
7:30A - 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
2:20P - 3:20P -- Breakout Session
3:20P - 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 -- Breakfast on your own
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 - State Networking Meetings
11:45A - 12:45P -- Networking Lunch
12:45P - 1:00P -- Transition Break Between Sessions
1:00P - 2:00P -- Breakout Session
2:00P - 2:30P -- Networking Break
2:30P - 3:30P -- Knowledge Group (KG) Meetings
2:30P - 3:30P -- Director's Think Tank
6:30P - 10:00P -- Evening Event

Wednesday, December 9

8:00A - 12:00P -- Registration Open
8:30A - 9:00A -- Buffet Breakfast Opens
9:00A - 10:00A -- NACE State of the Profession & Moderated Q&A
10:30A - 11:15A -- The Legacy Forward Panel: Past Presidents on the Future of Career Readiness
11:15A - 11:30A -- Conference Closing
1:00P - 3:30P -- Morehoues College Career Center Site Visit
1:00P - 4:00P -- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Site Visit - Description

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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.

Description: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Site Visit

Attendees will learn about career pathways across more than 400 national parks and offices nationwide, the variety of roles and professional fields within the agency, and ways to help candidates connect their experiences, backgrounds, and interests to NPS opportunities. The visit will also highlight the Early Career Program, including internships that typically open in early November for summer opportunities.