Annual Conference

2027 Annual Conference

Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

Mobile, AL

April 18-19, 2027

The Annual Conference is the association’s largest professional development event. The Annual Conference includes a dynamic lineup of speakers and presenters, engaging sessions, opportunities for networking and outreach, and access to the latest in products and services through our exhibit hall. The event also includes opportunities for college tours, optional wellness and athletic programming, a conference outreach project, the networking college fair, and local public high school counselor day.

This year’s theme is Anchored in Legacy. Powered By Purpose. This theme charts a course for our future - building on a strong foundation, moving the work forward with intention, and sustaining a standard of excellence in access and advocacy.

Together, we'll honor those who have paved the way, strengthen our commitment to student access and advocacy, and continue building a future defined by innovation, collaboration, and service.

The official SACAC 2027 conference logo was designed to capture the spirit of this year’s theme and the character of our host city. With its roots firmly anchored in the legacy of our profession and its eyes set toward the horizon, the logo serves as a visual reminder of where we’ve been, where we’re going, and the purpose that carries us forward.

Optional pre- and post-conference events will occur on Saturday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 20. Session proposals are due Friday, October 23. Registration should go live in mid to late December 2026.

Annual Conference Chair (Logistics/Hotel/Volunteers/Schedule): Cory Bailey

General Inquiries (Registration/Exhibit/Sponsorship): Diana McAfee

Program (Keynote speaker/Session Proposals): Pamela Bowie

Conference Details and FAQs

Conference Registration

Individual registration will open in mid to late December 2026.
2027 annual conference registration rates are as follows:
- $350 Early bird member registration rate through Sunday, February 28
- $425 Early bird non-member registration rate through Sunday, February 28
- $400 Regular member registration rate valid March 1 - 22
- $475 Regular non-member registration rate valid March 1 - 22
Exhibitor registration will also open in mid-December. The fee for exhibitors is $850 and includes (1) 6-foot table in the exhibit area, (1) attendee registration as well as unlimited contact scanning via StriveScan. Pre-conference registration and post-conference attendee lists will also be provided. Additional exhibitors are $300 each.
Colleges and universities wishing to participate in the Networking College Fair will pay an additional $150 for a table. There is no fee for high school counselors, CBOs and IECs to network at the event.

Is financial assistance available for the conference?

Schedule at a Glance

2027 Schedule at a Glance (as of 8.7.2026. Subject to change)

Saturday, April 17
- 8 am - 12:30 pm Outreach Project
- 8 am - 5 pm College Tours
- 12 pm - 2 pm Check-in open
- 1 pm - 4 pm Pre-conference sessions
- 2 pm - 3 pm SACAC Executive Committee Meeting
- 3 pm - 5 pm SACAC Board Meeting
- 5:15 pm - 7 pm Check-in open
- 5 pm - 7 pm SACAC Welcome Mixer
Sunday, April 18
- 7:00 am Fun Run/Walk
- 7:30 am - 6 pm Check-in open
- 8:00 am - 10:00 am Exhibit set up
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am Wellness Activity - Yoga
- 8:00 am - 10:00 am SACAC Leads meeting
- 10 am - 5 pm Exhibits open
- 10 am - 10:30 am Local Public High School Counselor Experience Meet & Greet Session
- 10:30 am - 11 am First Timer's Meet & Greet Session
- 11:15 am - 12:00 pm Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings
- 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm Conference Kickoff
- 1:45 pm - 2:50 pm Session block A
- 2:50 pm - 3:20 pm Snack break
- 3:25 pm - 4:30 pm Session block B
- 4:40 pm - 5:25 pm State meetings
- 5:30 pm - 6 pm Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings
- 6 pm - 7:30 pm President's reception
Monday, April 19
- 7 am Fun Run/Walk
- 7 am - 8 am Wellness Activity - Yoga
- 7:45 am - 9 am HBCU Breakfast and Showcase (RSVP only, attendance is limited, $30 per person)
- 8 am - 9 am Committee Meetings
- 8 am - 4 pm Exhibits open
- 9:10 am - 10:15 am Session block C
- 10:10 am - 10:40 am Coffee break
- 10:45 am - 11:50 am Session block D
- 12 pm - 1:45 pm Conference lunch & membership meeting
- 2 pm - 3:05 pm Session block E
- 3 pm - 4 pm Dessert break
- 3 pm - 4 pm Onsite reimbursement for SPF recipients
- 4 pm - 5 pm Networking College Fair
- 7 pm - 10 pm Conference Social
Tuesday, April 20
- 8 am - 11 am SACAC Board meeting
- 8 am - 1 pm College Tours

The Southern Association for College Admission Counseling has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6805. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. SACAC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

College Tours

Colleges and universities within a 90 minute drive will be invited to offer college tours both before and after the SACAC conference. The available offerings will be shared at the time registration opens. If you're employed by a college/university within 90 minutes of Mobile and you're interested in hosting a tour, please let us know by emailing Lena Andrews.
College tours are open to secondary counselors, IECs, and CBOs ONLY, and registration is required.

Presenting a session

We will be accepting session proposals through Friday, October 23. No late proposals will be accepted.
There are no discounts for presenters, and each presenter MUST register for the conference. Presenters may not attend solely to present their session.
If approved for a session, we ask that presenters use the official SACAC Annual Conference slidedeck template (you will be prompted to make a copy to edit).
Projectors will be provided in all presentation rooms. A special thanks to our sponsor Salesforce for helping make this possible.
Please feel free to contact Pamela Bowie at presidentelect@sacac.org about sessions.

Do I pay to attend as a presenter?

Hotel & Travel Information

Host hotels will consist of a primary location at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel and a secondary location at the Renaissance - The Battle House Hotel & Spa Mobile. The SACAC group room rate at both locations is $219 per night, plus taxes and fees.
Once registered for the conference, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to reserve your hotel room.
We are aware that some scam sites, as well as secondary sites or vendors, may try contacting you to reserve a hotel room or offer other travel accommodations. Please be advised that SACAC has not contracted with any outside firm to assist with travel accommodations. If you see something suspicious or want to double check the validity of something, please contact us at annualconference@sacac.org.
Southwest Airlines is offering us special flight discounts and points for flights into airports around Mobile. Visit SWA Biz to search for flights! SACAC's company ID is 90112164

Food & Beverage at the Conference

As for food and beverages during the conference, Sunday meals are on your own. We will offer a mid-afternoon snack break, and there will be light hors d’oeuvres and appetizers at the President’s Welcome Reception.
On Monday, breakfast is on your own, but we will provide a few light snacks and coffee throughout the day in the Exhibitor’s Hub. Lunch will be provided to all attendees. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and appetizers at the conference social.
Dietary needs/allergies will be taken into account when planning the lunch. Special meal tickets will be provided to those who will need one.
Each conference attendee will receive two complimentary drink tickets. Once you’ve used your tickets, a cash bar is available.

Non-SACAC Receptions & Socials

As we plan our time together in Mobile, we know that some of you might consider hosting receptions around our conference events. If you plan to host, we ask that you host outside of official conference programming detailed in the schedule at a glance. Also, please let us know of your plans by emailing annaulconference@sacac.org.
Conference registration lists will not be available from SACAC to promote your event unless you choose to serve as a sponsor at the Institutional Partner ($1000) level or higher nor will SACAC send anything out on your behalf.

Dress Code

Who attends the conference?

2026 Annual Conference Registration at a Glance. Of those...

919 total registrants
392 high school counselors
318 college/university representatives
61 individuals from Community-based Organizations
55 Independent Educational Consultants
5 "other"
88 vendors/partners

58.5% attendees were first-timers. 47 companies exhibited.

By state...

Alabama = 38
Arkansas = 10
Florida = 190
Georgia = 141
Louisiana = 102
Mississippi = 35
North Carolina = 96
South Carolina = 57
Tennessee = 95
Caribbean = 8
Out of region = 147

Exhibiting at the Annual Conference

Exhibitor registration for the 2027 Annual Conference will open in the fall. The fee for exhibitors is $999 and includes (1) 6-foot table in the exhibit area, (1) attendee registration, and unlimited contact scanning via StriveScan. A pre-conference registration list and a post-conference attendee list will be provided (for those who not opt out of communication). Additional individual exhibitor attendees are $300 each.
By registering as a vendor/partner, you will reserve a table in the exhibit area for the duration of the SACAC annual conference. Exhibits are limited to a 6-foot table, and location is assigned on a first-registered, first-assigned basis.
Contact scanning is incluced in your fee. Using the StriveScan app, you’ll be able to scan the name badges of all conference attendees in order to collect their information, take notes about your conversations, and instantly obtain their data in a spreadsheet for easy follow-up after the conference. The service includes unlimited scans, multiple representatives/devices, and scanning throughout exhibitor hours.

I'm interested in sponsoring! What are my options?

Please view the chart below to understand what is included with each sponsorship level. It may also be accessed by clicking here. This chart may vary slightly for 2027.

For the levels with multiple options listed as named sponsor, i.e., Bronze level, the named sponsor would be for ONE of the areas listed. So, there are 5 opportunities for Bronze level sponsors.
Want to talk to someone about the options? Reach out to the Advancement co-chairs, Jahleese Hadley and Loudine Louis.

How can I be a help at the conference?

If I have questions about the conference, with whom should I connect?

When and where is the next conference?

We hope to announce the site of the 2028 Annual Conference soon!
Contracts with host hotels are set roughly two-three years in advance. SACAC works with Helms Briscoe on our meeting procurement and site selection. There are many considerations given to selecting a location such as space constraints, sleeping room needs, cost, ease of travel, etc. If you have questions about how we navigate this process, please contact Annual Conference Chair Cory Bailey at annualconference@sacac.org.