2026 Summer Conference – Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers

July 22-24, 2026 | Auburn-Opelika, AL

Welcome to the 2026 AACE Summer Conference Page!

This webpage will provide you with all the necessary information and updates related to the summer conference. We appreciate your interest in attending, and we look forward to seeing you there. For additional information or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at office@aaceal.com.

We are excited to gather together this summer as peers from institutions of higher education and industry across the State of Alabama as we connect, develop, and empower one another for the betterment of our state’s workforce.

What To Expect:

Traditional Breakout sessions
Mini Sessions/ Roundtables
Inspiring Keynote Speakers
Welcome Event
Employer Tour
Business Mixer
Networking with Professionals

Host Hotel

The Graduate | Auburn, AL

Address: 202 West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL 36530

Room block available through June 19th, 2026 with the discounted rate. To reserve your room visit https://book.passkey.com/event/51212210/owner/50922870/home

Room block rate of $189/night available for the nights of 7/20/26-7/23/26

Parking: Parking Valet $25 or Parking Deck on Wright Street – $1/hour or $15 day

*The hotel is 11 miles from the conference location…feel free to carpool!

Conference Location

The conference will be held at the Southern Union State Community College: Opelika Campus

Address: Gary Fuller Business and Technology Center, 301 Lake Condy Road, Opelika, AL 36801

Parking: Open parking available directly in front of the building.

Registration Rates

AACE Member: Early Registration Rate (Ends May 31, 2026) – $175
AACE Member: Standard Registration Rate (beginning June 1, 2026) – $195
Non-Members Registration Rate – $225

Conference Agenda (Subject to Change)

Monday, July 20th

9:00am | New Member Orientation via Zoom

*New members will receive the link via email.

4:00pm | Hotel Check In Available

Tuesday, July 21st

8:30am-4:00pm | Pre-Conference Training – Alabama Higher Education AI Exchange: Classroom to Career hosted at Auburn University

Address: Auburn University Academic Classroom & Learning Complex (ACLC), 347 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849

Parking: Parking is available in the Stadium Parking Deck, a short walk from ACLC (*Parking permits will be emailed separately by Auburn Parking Services, with instructions on how to use them.)

AI is not just changing industries. It’s changing the skills behind them.

On July 21, leaders from business, higher education, and workforce development will convene for a focused conversation about how skills are evolving inside Alabama’s most critical industries, and how classrooms, career services, and employers are adapting in real time. Each industry-focused panel will bring together:

Business leaders describing how AI is reshaping roles and expectations
Faculty sharing how curriculum and learning experiences are shifting
Career professionals connecting students to emerging workforce realities

This year’s Exchange, presented in partnership with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers, will move beyond theory to examine how the full talent pipeline must evolve together.

More details can be found here.

*AACE members must register through the AACE Summer Conference Registration Link here. (The Pre-Conference Training is free to attend for all AACE members).

1:00-4:00pm | Leadership Academy Final Session: “Step Up and Stand Out: Your Leadership Launchpad” (for Leadership Academy Cohort only)

Kristen Reeder, Founder of Legacy Leadership Coaching

136Q Foy Hall at Auburn University Career Discovery and Success Training Room

4:00pm | Hotel Check In Available

5:00-7:00pm | Welcome Bash at New Realm Brewery / Hey Day Market

Parking: Available parking on the street or recommended to walk from the hotel if already checked in.

For those arriving Tuesday, join us for a casual evening to kick off the conference!

Enjoy two complimentary drink tickets (for registered attendees only)
Family and guests are welcome (drinks available for purchase)
No RSVP required – come and go as you please!

Wednesday, July 22nd

Note: Please wear university or employer branded attire.

8:30-9:00am | Conference Registration / Check In for Industry Tour Participants in The Southern Room at Southern Union’s Gary Fuller Business & Technology Center

9:00-9:15am | Load Bus – Transportation provided by SUSCC

(Breakfast on your own)

9:30-11:30am | Industry Tours at Auburn University College of Aviation & RFID Lab

Take a tour of the aviation building and flight simulator at the Auburn University College of Aviation Airport. (If you experience motion sickness, vertigo, or other issues from movement or close screens, this may not be the activity for you.) Then, tour the RFID Lab, where you will visit each industry simulation, retail, aviation, and food services with an overview of RFID technology and research being conducted.

11:00am-12:00pm | Conference Registration / Check In for Non-Industry Tour Participants, The Southern Room at Southern Union’s Gary Fuller Business & Technology Center

12:00-1:00pm | Welcome Session & Lunch

Nick Jones, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Southern Union State Community College: Opelika Campus

Travis Harrison, Event Marketing Specialist, Auburn-Opelika Tourism

1:00-2:00pm | Opening Keynote Session: “Rooted in Relationships: How Purposeful Communication Builds Professional Growth”

Joel Hughes, Alabama Department of Transportation, Training Bureau Chief

2:10-2:55pm | Breakout Sessions

3:00-3:45pm | Breakout Sessions

4:00-4:45pm | Campus Tour

Thursday, July 23rd

Note: Business Casual Attire

8:30-9:00am | Breakfast Provided for Attendees

9:00-10:30am | Welcome & Interactive AI Session: “From Tools to Teammates – AI for Career Readiness, Recruiting and the Future of Work”

Dr. Asim Ali, Executive Director of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Auburn University & Moriah Kent, Instructional Designer & AI Implementation Specialist, Auburn University

10:30-10:45am | Break

10:45-11:15am | ACHE Sponsor Presentation

11:25am-12:10pm | Breakout Sessions

12:15-1:15pm | AACE Business Meeting & Lunch

1:15-2:15pm | Rooted Roundtables

2:15-2:30pm | Break

2:30-3:30pm | Panel – The Career Catch-22: Experience Required. Opportunity Limited

Jessie Lynn Nichols, Moderator, CEO & President, Dirt to Diva Productions, LLC Joel Alvarado, Director of Business & Workforce Development, Opelika Chamber of Commerce Noah McAfee, Senior Biomedical Sciences Major Erica Stallings, Executive Director of the Office of Career Discover & Success, Auburn University Jennifer Thomasson, Manager of Training & Recruitment, Alabama State Personnel

4:00-6:00pm | Business Networking Mixer at Sante’

Address: 113 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL 36801

Parking: Any street parking near Sante’ is free; Avenue A around the corner off South 9th Street has open afternoon spaces.

Transportation: You will be responsible for transportation to Sante’.

Enjoy a relaxing evening with heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and great networking!

Friday, July 24th

Note: Wear your AACE t-shirt!

8:30-9:00am | Breakfast Provided for Attendees

9:00-10:00am | Ending Keynote Session: “The Invisible Medal: Leading with a Higher Purpose”

Chris Richie, Business & Leadership Consultant

10:10-10:55am | Final Breakout Sessions

11:00-11:45am | Awards Ceremony & Door Prizes