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 Session

Whether you are just beginning to explore leadership, stepping into a leadership role, or seeking to strengthen and expand your existing toolkit, this SoACE pre-conference session is for you. Join emerging and aspiring career services leaders for an afternoon of interactive learning, dialogue, and practical perspectives from professionals across the field. Build your skills, grow your network, and leave Music City ready to lead with confidence.