Looking for a way to get connected?! Join us at our next Regional Conference to become more engaged with ACUI. Regional Conferences focus on building community, offering professional development, expanding networks, connecting with mentors, and learning skills that can translate to any career. Regional Conferences have been designed with a renewed focus on emerging professionals and students to help them connect with others, share ideas, and learn best practices.
ACUI Region III 2026 Conference:
Riding the Waves of Change
October 28–30
University of North Florida
Registration
Registration will include Wednesday Dinner, Thursday Lunch, Thursday Awards Dinner, and Friday Dinner. Registration questions may be directed to Nicole Ritter (nritter@uab.edu). Check out the scholarships page for information on availability.
Regular (through October 15)
- Professional Member: $330
- Professional Nonmember: $430
- Student Member: $230
- Student Nonmember: $280
- Retiree Member: $250
- Retiree Nonmember: $300
- One-Day Pass: $150
Late (starting October 16)
- Professional Member: $380
- Professional Nonmember: $480
- Student Member: $330
- Student Nonmember: $380
- Retiree Member: $300
- Retiree Nonmember: $350
- One-Day Pass: $175
Educational Sessions
Help us create a conference experience that inspires, empowers, and connects our region. Submit your session proposal today and help us ride the waves of change together! Topics of interest identified by members in our recent survey:
- Feedback & Coaching
- Improving Retention and Team Morale
- Motivation Beyond a Paycheck
- Student Staff Leadership
- Audio-Visual and Technology
- Programming & Innovation
- Student Engagement
- Leadership Development
The priority submission deadline is August 28.
Questions regarding educational sessions, presenting, or the proposal process can be directed to Caroline Gschwind (cgschwind@unc.edu).
Schedule
Wednesday, october 28
- 10 a.m.–2 p.m. – Preconference Tours
- 2–4 p.m. – Student Tour/Welcome
- 3–4 p.m. – Newcomer Welcome
- 4–5:30 p.m. – Opening All-Conference Session and Keynote
- 5:30–7:30 p.m. – Welcome Dinner
- 7:30–10 p.m. – After Hours Competitions
Thursday, October 29
- 7–8 a.m. – Group Walking Club, Coffee Club Chats
- 8:30–9:20 a.m. – Educational Session Block
- 9:30–11 a.m. – All-Conference Education Block
- 11–11:30 a.m. – All-Conference Activity
- 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m. – All-Conference Lunch & Business Meeting
- 1–1:15 p.m. – All-Conference Keynote/Panel Discussion
- 2:30–3:20 p.m. – Educational Session Block
- 3:30–4:20 p.m. – Educational Session Block
- 6:30–9 p.m. – Awards Night Dinner/Banquet
Friday, October 30
- 7–8 a.m. – Group Walking Club, Coffee Club Chats
- 8:30–9:20 a.m. – Educational Session Block
- 10 a.m. – Silent Auction Closes
- 9:30–10:20 a.m. – Educational Session Block
- 10:30–11:20 a.m. – Educational Session Block
- 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. – All-Conference Session: Closing Lunch
Preconference Experiences
Questions about preconference experiences or information about how to participate can be directed to Lauren Bohannan (lauren.bohannan@uga.edu).
Market Days (10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
Experience UNF’s campus community and local culture through a special pre-conference experience. Attendees may arrive and depart at their convenience while exploring campus and community engagement opportunities.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Campus & Student Union Tour
(9:45 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Tour begins at approximately 10:30 a.m. Transportation is provided. Lunch is on your own during the experience. Participants will have the opportunity to visit student-centered facilities, learn about operations, and explore innovative spaces and services offered by the host institution.
ACUI Student Tour (2–4 p.m.) (Students Only)
Student attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a student-focused tour experience, connect with peers, and learn about student engagement initiatives.
Student Union Tours
Tours will last approximately 75 to 90 minutes and provide an inside look at the Student Union, its spaces, services, and operations. Available tour times:
- 12:30 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m.
Mini Campus Tour (2:30 p.m.)
Explore more of UNF through a guided campus walk highlighting key landmarks, student gathering spaces, and areas that contribute to the student experience.
Travel
Hotel
Hyatt Place Jacksonville
Room rate: $149/night
Group Code: G-ACUI
Booking Deadline: October 14
Homewood Suites Jacksonville
$119/night for a Single Queen
$129/night for a Single King
$139/night for a Double Queen
Booking Deadline: October 14
Additional Opportunities
- Interested in donating an item to the silent auction? Contact Mayelin Montero (mlmonte2@ncsu.edu).
- Interested in sponsoring the conference? Contact Dwayne Issacs (disaacs@ufl.edu) regarding sponsorship opportunities.
- More information about scholarships and awards may be found on those respective web pages.
- Interested in volunteering for the conference or learning more about ACUI? Contact Daniel McFadden.
Region III Rumble
As part of this year’s theme, Riding the Waves of Change, we are excited to introduce the first-ever Region III Rumble.
The Region III Rumble is a conference-wide engagement experience designed to bring attendees together through friendly competition, collaboration, and connection. Participants will join teams and earn points through a mix of professional contributions and interactive challenges throughout the conference.
- Teams will be formed by the institution and assigned approximately two weeks prior to the conference.
- The Rumble begins before the conference even starts and teams are even formed, giving institutions the opportunity to build early momentum by:
- Submitting educational session proposals
- Nominating peers and programs for regional awards
- Participating in the pre-conference auction
- All preconference engagement opportunities must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 18. Points are awarded based on institutional participation, with only one submission per institution needed to contribute to your team’s overall score. This approach ensures that institutions of all sizes can meaningfully participate and compete.
Once on site, the competition continues with a variety of activities designed to encourage participation, creativity, and team spirit, culminating in the crowning of the Region III Rumble Champion and the awarding of this year’s Champion’s Pin.
Whether you’re presenting, participating, or cheering on your team, the Region III Rumble offers a fun way to engage with the conference and each other. Any Region III Rumble questions can be shared with Jim Greene at greenejj2@appstate.edu.
Meet the Team
Region Conference Planning Chair
- Sadie Katie Larson, Middle Tennessee State University
Education Team
- Caroline Gschwind, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Education Team Lead)
- Kelly Woods, University of Florida
- Nick Lloyd, Middle Tennessee State University
- David Kirkindoll, Georgia Institute of Technology
Finance Team
- Dwayne Issacs, University of Florida (Finance Team Lead)
- Nicole Ritter, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Mayelin Montero, North Carolina State University
- Darren “DJ” Stewart, North Carolina Central University
Experience Team
- Jim Greene, Appalachian State University (Experience Team Lead & 2027 Conference chair)
- Lauren Bohannan, University of Georgia
- Ben Harvey, North Carolina State University
- Heather Corbitt, University of North Florida
Host Site Team – University of North Florida
- Heather Corbitt
- Jennifer Nutt
- Virginia Thornton
- Amber-Jul Camaya
Request approval to attend the ACUI Region III Conference with this justification letter template. It highlights the benefits of attendance, from professional growth to institutional impact, empowering you to build a strong case for your request.