FAQs

Q:

I attended a previous AACC convention, but it has been some time since that happened. Is there anything that I should know about the program?

A:

Yes. We have conducted an overhaul of the annual meeting and realigned several events and activities. The most significant changes are listed below:

· Commission meetings will move from Friday morning to Saturday after lunch.

· The Edmund J. Gleazer, Jr. Lecture (Opening Plenary) will feature AACC’s Outstanding Alumni.

· All receptions (hosted by AACC affiliates) will be scheduled for Sunday evening. Badges are required to enter.

· Leadership Award Recipients will be recognized at the Awards of Excellence Gala.

· The Closing Brunch will be replaced with a networking breakfast and post-conference sessions (pre-registration required) on a wide array of topics.

Q:

Do I need to wear my badge throughout the conference?

A:

Yes. AACC has instituted a badge requirement for the 2026 conference.

Conference attendees are required to wear their badges to enter the meeting venue and all associated events, including affiliate breakfast meetings and receptions. AACC will monitor and scan badges at all events offered in conjunction with the annual meeting. The association will exercise all available options to prevent unauthorized individuals and company representatives from engaging our attendees at the annual meeting. Violation of this policy could result in a ban on unauthorized individuals and companies from participating in future sessions.

Q:

What does base registration include?

A:

Base registration includes access to sessions, the exhibit hall, the Edmund J. Gleazer, Jr., Opening Lecture (Opening Plenary), and the opening reception.

Q:

Last year, there was an all-access registration. Why is that option not offered for the 2026 conference?

A:

AACC is tackling food waste head-on. You may not know that an average conference can produce food waste equivalent to 15-20% of the total food served, or about 1 pound of waste per attendee per meal. For example, a one-day event with 100 attendees and two meals would produce approximately 200 pounds of food waste based on this estimate. Our research suggests that offering meal options as add-ons during registration can lead to reduced waste.

Q:

Does registration close?

A:

Yes. Registration for the 2025 AACC Annual will be closed on March 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Q:

Will registration reopen after it closes?

A:

No. Once registration closes, it will not reopen.

Q:

Will AACC offer onsite registration?

A:

No. AACC will not offer onsite registration in 2026.

Q:

I registered, but I forgot to add an item. Can I add it later?

A:

There are maximum limits on most sale items. For example, most

preconference workshops have a maximum participation of 40 people. No additional tickets will be available once all tickets for plenaries and enrichment activities have been sold. Individuals registering for the AACC Annual are encouraged to select the items they are interested in attending when they register. You may add additional items to your registration by logging into the appropriate service center and editing your registration to include the extra items.

Q:

I registered when my college was a non-member. Now, my college is a member. Am I eligible for a refund of the difference?

A:

Unfortunately, no. The fees at the time of your registration were correct. You were not a member. AACC does not apply membership retroactively. If you begin registration and your college has not paid its membership dues, please ensure that the membership dues are paid and posted before you register.

Q:

I had a discount code that I didn’t use. Can I retroactively add it to my account?

A:

You can only use a discount code when you initially register. If you anticipate using a discount code due to your title (i.e., AACC Board Member) or through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), DO NOT register until you receive the discount code. If you register and fail to include the discount code when submitting your registration form, the discount code cannot be added after the registration has been paid for. If you believe you are owed a discount code, please get in touch with aaccconvention@aacc.nche.edu

Q:

I didn’t register by the deadline, but I would still like to attend the AACC Annual. Can I?

A:

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate this request. You must register to attend the meeting and pay your fees by the registration deadline.

Q:

On the website, I see multiple rates. How does this work?

A:

The association offers standard member/non-member early registration rates from October 3 to 31, 2025, and on-time rates from November 4, 2025, to February 27, 2026. Late registration is available from March 1 to 28, 2026. For the special early-bird rate from October 3 to 31, 2025, the "Balance Due" function will not be enabled. The Balance Due feature will also be disabled during the late registration period, from March 1 to March 28. Registrations will remain pending until the balance due is paid. Registrations in pending status may not access Service Center features until payment is received. Any pending registration without payment will be moved to the next registration rate, as outlined in the event calendar.

Q:

Can substitutions/registration transfers be requested onsite?

A:

No. The individual with the original registration must ensure that the registration fee is paid. Then, they must request the registration substitution by March 28, 2026. AACC will allow one substitution to a registration record. Replacement of a registered AACC attendee by a business colleague/co-worker is accepted. A $75 processing fee will be applied to all substitutions if written notification is received by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on March 28, 2026. After March 28, no substitutions will be allowed.

Q:

I planned to attend the meeting, but I have an emergency. What can I do?

A:

Beginning on March 1, 2026, refunds will not be issued under any circumstances, including but not limited to family and medical emergencies, flight cancellations, no-shows, etc. Credits will not be issued for a future year. You are encouraged to consider transferring the registration to another individual at your college, so you do not forfeit the fees paid.

Q:

I need to pay my registration. What forms of payment does AACC accept?

A:

AACC accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Q:

I need to pay via check. Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?

A:

Yes. All check payments must be received in AACC’s lockbox by February 27. It takes approximately 15 days from the time you mail a check payment until it is received and posted to AACC’s lockbox. Please plan accordingly using the 15-day timeframe to ensure that your check payment is received by the deadline.

Q:

I have a copy of the mailed check. Can AACC accept that as proof that the check is on the way to the lockbox?

A:

AACC cannot accept copies of checks as a valid form of payment, and we cannot mark an account as paid using a copy of a check. AACC does not post payments until the check is received in the lockbox.

Q:

My payment didn’t reach AACC by the established deadline. Can I pay onsite?

A:

No. AACC will not accept onsite payment.

Q:

I need to cancel my registration. What do I do?

A:

Cancellation of registration must be submitted in writing via email to

aaccconvention@aacc.nche.edu. All cancellations must be dated on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 27, 2026, to be eligible for a refund. A $300 cancellation processing fee will be applied to all cancellations, except for those of students or faculty, for which a $150 processing fee will be applied. No refunds will be granted after February 27, 2026, under any circumstances, including but not limited to family and medical emergencies, no-shows, or other similar reasons. Credits will not be issued for a future year. Colleges are encouraged to submit a substitution request with an employee who can attend the event in place of the individual who is unable to attend.

Pre- and post-conference workshops, as well as plenaries with meals, are non-refundable once purchased.

Refunds for payments submitted via check will be issued within 30 days after the annual meeting concludes.

Q:

I registered for a ticketed event, pre-conference or post-conference workshop, and now want to cancel it. Can I do that?

A:

We encourage registrants to read all policies before making registration selections. Refunds for pre-convention and post-conference workshops or other ticketed events will not be issued. You can cancel without a refund.

Q:

The airline has canceled my flight, so I will be unable to attend the meeting. Can I get a refund of my registration and fees?

A:

A flight cancellation is treated as a no-show, and you are not eligible for a refund. You are encouraged to consider purchasing flight cancellation insurance, which may help you recoup expenses related to your travel.

Q:

I am registering my supervisor for the AACC Annual and need to know if meals are included in the registration.

A:

Meals are not included in registration. The association offers add-on options for registrants, including the Hail and Farewell Luncheon, the Awards of Excellence Gala, and the Networking Breakfast. These events can be purchased for an additional fee.

AACC does not manage events hosted by affiliated organizations. Please contact those organizations directly to request information about their upcoming events.

Q:

I see several breakfast meetings and receptions listed on the agenda on Sunday and Monday. Can I go to those breakfast meetings and receptions?

A:

Affiliates can host business meetings and events during the AACC Annual. The hosting organization controls the guest list for these events. If a meeting is listed as invitation-only, it is not an open meeting/event.

Q:

I’d like to know what food will be served in advance of the event. Is that

possible?

A:

No. Our meals and receptions are designed to meet common dietary restrictions. We can accommodate allergies, but we are unable to cater to personal dietary preferences. If you require Kosher or Halal meals, please note that they are available for an additional charge and must be requested by 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Please make a request to aaccconvention@aacc.nche.edu. You will be invoiced and must pay at the time the request is made.

Q:

AACC may offer enrichment activities that encourage networking among attendees. Do I have to register for any of these items?

A:

AACC may offer enrichment opportunities that people can sign up for and attend solo. Attending these events allows attendees to develop relationships with other community college leaders. Each opportunity has a maximum number of participants. Once all the event tickets are sold, no additional slots will be added, so it is best to sign up for activities you’re interested in as soon as possible.

Q:

I only registered for base registration. Since I’ve checked in, I’d like to add tickets to my registration. What do I do?

A:

Once registration closes on March 28, tickets (if supplies are still available) will no longer be for sale. A ticketed event has a maximum number of tickets available -- once those tickets are purchased, the event will no longer be accessible, even if there is still time to register. You are encouraged to select the events you want to attend as early as possible.

Q:

I need housing, but I am not attending the annual meeting. Can I still book through the AACC room block?

A:

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate housing requests not tied to a registration record.

Q:

How many hotels are available for conference attendees?

A:

AACC has secured a block of rooms with five properties. If a hotel block sells out, it will be removed from your lodging options in the registration form. Only properties with inventory will be displayed when you register.

Q:

Can I contact the hotel directly to make my housing reservation?

A:

Yes, you can contact the hotel directly to make a housing reservation; however, you may not be eligible for AACC’s group rate. AACC manages its own room block. All reservations must be made through the 2026 AACC Annual registration form to receive the group rate. If you do not make your reservation when you register, you can modify your registration by going to the appropriate Service Center.

Q:

I booked my lodging through a third-party website, and I would now like to request that my lodging be added to the AACC housing block. Can I do that?

A:

Unfortunately, no. AACC serves as its housing bureau. Third-party companies like Expedia and Hotels.com are not affiliated with the organization. If you book through these companies, you are subject to their policies. You must cancel that reservation and rebook through the AACC registration form to secure lodging in the housing block.

AACC recommends that attendees book through our housing bureau. Several unreliable poachers in the meeting space will take your money for a reservation, but they don’t have a relationship with the hotel where you are attempting to book a reservation.

Q:

Is there a housing deadline?

A:

Yes. The deadline to make housing arrangements at the group rate is March 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (ET). If you plan to book housing after the deadline, contact the hotel directly and make your reservation. Reservations made directly with the hotel are subject to the hotel’s published room rates and taxes.

Q:

If I didn’t book my room when I initially registered to attend AACC Annual, how do I add it to my registration?

A:

This will depend on the form that you used to register. If you are a meeting attendee, log in to the Attendee Service Center. You must log in to the Speaker Service Center if you register as a speaker. Mouse over the Service Center Header, scroll down to 'Housing' on the navigation, make your housing selection, and submit.

Q:

I booked my housing reservation, but didn’t receive a confirmation number.

A:

AACC serves as its own housing bureau. Housing must be obtained through the registration form or the Attendee Service Center to receive the group rate.

Please be aware that booking lodging through third-party sites may incur additional fees. We cannot transfer those reservations into the AACC housing block. You'll need to book accommodation through our block in our housing form.

Your housing will remain pending until March 19, 2026, at which time your reservation will be transferred to the hotel. Once the hotel processes your request, you will receive your confirmation number via email. You can then contact the hotel directly to modify or cancel your reservation. Please review the deposit and cancellation fee requirements for your accommodation. If you cancel your registration after the housing deadline, it is your responsibility to contact the hotel to cancel your lodging.

Q:

I need to modify my housing request. How can I do that?

A:

If you have booked housing before March 19 through AACC, you must log into the appropriate Service Center (Attendee Service Center or Speaker Service Center) to modify your reservation. You cannot contact the hotel to make reservation changes until after you receive a confirmation number from the hotel.

Q:

An emergency has arisen, and I will be unable to attend the Annual Meeting. What do I need to do?

A:

In addition to canceling your registration, please get in touch with the hotel directly to cancel your lodging. Once AACC turns all reservations to the hotel, we can no longer modify or cancel the reservation for you. Depending on when you cancel, you may be subject to the hotel’s cancellation policy. You are responsible for paying any penalties related to canceling your lodging within the window established by the hotel.

Q:

I booked my housing directly with the hotel, but my rate is much higher. Can I get the group rate applied to my existing reservation?

A:

No. AACC acts as its housing bureau to secure its room block(s). The only way to book lodging with AACC at the group rate is through the association’s registration form. If you book with a third-party site or directly with the hotel, you are subject to the rates they impose. AACC has no control over the inventory it is selling, and it can set the rates as it deems appropriate.

If you secured lodging before the housing cutoff deadline through a third party or directly with the hotel, the only way to receive the group rate is to cancel the original reservation and book a new one through the service center corresponding to your registration type (e.g., attendee, speaker, exhibitor). Once the block closes, we won't be able to accommodate your request.

Q:

I registered for the meeting, but I was unable to book the hotel I wanted. Can I move to my preferred hotel?

A:

AACC has contracted rooms at several hotels, with a limited number of rooms in each block. Once the block has been booked, no more rooms are available. Only available inventory will show up in the record for you to book. If you have a preferred property, we encourage you to register as soon as possible to increase your chances of booking lodging at your desired property.

Q:

How many abstracts will AACC accept for inclusion in the 2026 meeting?

A:

There are roughly 184 abstract slots available.

Q:

I am considering submitting an abstract for consideration for the 2026 AACC Annual agenda. What is the likelihood of my submission getting accepted?

A:

While we cannot provide you with specifics around the likelihood of an

abstract getting accepted, we can tell you that you are more likely to have your abstract accepted if you follow the directions as provided: be clear, be concise, and be innovative. Additionally, consider incorporating information from your response to the question, “Why should attendees care about your topic?” in your actual session description. State the problem in one sentence and describe the solution you’ve come up with to address the problem.

Q:

What are the eligibility requirements for submitting an abstract?

A:

The submitter of an abstract must be a member of AACC. Membership

includes institutional members, educational associate members, affiliated

councils, and corporate partners. Non-members may co-present but cannot be the lead in submitting a proposal(s) or a lead presenter.

Q:

If I submit an abstract, can I change it before the deadline?

A:

If you begin the abstract application process and you hit “save and return later,” you can go back and change the abstract until the proposal deadline. Once you submit a proposal, you cannot modify it. Individuals who hit “save and return later” on an abstract submission must log into the Abstract Service Center to hit “submit” by the deadline for the session to be considered for inclusion on the agenda.

Q:

How many speakers can I include in an abstract submission?

A:

It depends on the type of session you're submitting. A maximum of two speakers is allowed for 30- and 45-minute sessions. A 60-minute Think Tank Session has a maximum of three speakers, and a 75-minute Skills Building Workshop can accommodate a maximum of four speakers.

Q:

When will AACC notify me if my abstract has been approved or rejected?

A:

Once the submission deadline passes, the abstract review will begin. Accepted abstracts will be scheduled. We anticipate notifications for accepted abstracts will be sent out in November.

Q:

Can I modify the speakers listed in my abstract after it has been accepted?

A:

AACC will send the submitter of each accepted abstract email that requests that they accept or reject the abstract as scheduled. During this period, the only modification that can be made to the submission is the speaker list. The edits to the speaker list must be made during the week-long period when proposals are open for acceptance or rejection. Requests for speaker changes will not be accepted after the deadline.

Q:

My abstract was accepted, but I don’t like the time and date that it has

been scheduled. What can I do?

A:

AACC receives more than 300 abstracts annually. Accepted sessions are randomly placed on the agenda in every available time slot before acceptances are emailed to the submitters. Therefore, the association cannot reschedule sessions once they are scheduled, as no open time slots are available to accommodate this request.

Q:

What is included in each session room?

A:

Each session room will contain an LCD projector and screen. 60-to-75-minute sessions have the option to add internet and audio, but it must be requested at the time the initial abstract is submitted.

Q:

I am interested in attending the AACC conference. Can you share attendee demographics?

A:

In 2025, our attendees summarized:

By Role

Faculty - 5%

Entry Level - 5%

Manager - 24%

Executive - 32%

CEO - 20%

Non-profit - 5%

Trustees - 2%

Corporate - 6%

Other - 1%

By Tenure

Less than a year - 2%

1 to 3 years - 8%

4 to 7 years - 10%

8 to 10 years - 10%

11 to 15 years - 17%

16 to 19 years - 10%

More than 30 years - 29%

No community college experience - 14%

By Generation

Gen Z (1997 – 2012) - 1%

Gen Y (1981 - 1996) - 20%

Gen X (1965 – 1980) - 54%

Baby Boomer (1946 - 1964) - 16%

Silent Generation (1945 and before) - 1%

No answer - 8%

By Region

Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI) - 23%

Northeast (CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT) - 18%

Southeast (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) - 33%

Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX) - 14%

West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR,UT, WA, WY) - 12%

Q:

If I am registered as booth staff, what is included?

A:

The base registration for the AACC Annual Meeting includes access to sessions, the exhibit hall, the opening plenary, and the opening reception.

Q:

I am registered as a booth staff, but I am also a speaker. Do I also need to register as a speaker?

A:

No. Your booth staff registration covers you as a speaker. Your badge will be labeled as an exhibitor. If you’d like the badge updated to speaker, please get in touch with us at aaccconvention@aacc.nche.edu to request that your form type be changed to speaker.

Q:

I received an email from a third-party provider indicating that they are selling the AACC Annual attendee list. Is this factual?

A:

No. AACC does not work with any third parties, nor do we sell attendee lists.

During registration, each registrant decides whether to authorize AACC to share their contact information with exhibitors. AACC will only share contact information where we have received permission from exhibitors and sponsors whose packages include pre-registration lists.

AACC will never contact you about Annual Meeting activities. Unless you have initiated communication with us, please do not disclose your personal information to anyone, especially your credit card number. If you provide your credit card information to one of these companies, your card may be charged, and there is no guarantee that a room will be available upon arrival.

Q:

Does the AACC show provide scheduled uninterrupted time for attendees to

visit exhibitors?

A:

Yes. AACC has built-in exhibit-only time on the schedule. This is time set

aside so that meeting attendees can visit exhibitor demonstration kiosks.

Q:

Can I reserve a meeting space?

A:

Meeting space requests are prioritized and given to educational associates and

corporate partners first. If a company is interested in booking a breakfast meeting or reception, space may be available based on the amount of unscheduled space that AACC has. The space will incur a cost if the request is not from a member organization and must be paid by March 1. AACC also reserves the right to decline requests for meeting space.

Q:

Can I attend the opening plenary?

A:

Yes. The base registration package includes the opening plenary.

Q:

What about the other plenaries? Can I attend them as well?

A:

You must purchase an add-on for each event you’re interested in attending.

Q:

I didn’t book the sponsorship/exhibit for my company, and I have questions.

Where should I go?

A:

If you are an exhibitor/sponsor and have questions about your purchase, please visit the AACC Info Booth (not the exhibitor service center) and request to speak with the onsite staff responsible for supporting sponsors/exhibitors.

Q:

I am an exhibitor/sponsor, and I have access to AACC’s conference attendee list. Are there any restrictions on how I can use this information?

A:

Yes. AACC’s attendee list data may not be collected, sold to others, added to any database, used to create mailing lists, or utilized for any promotional activity, especially mass emailing and telemarketing. AACC prohibits the use of the registration list as a pre- or post-conference lead sheet. Misuse of this list will lead to the attendee or company being excluded from future AACC Annual meetings.

Q:

If I am a speaker, is there a special registration rate for me?

A:

Yes. The special registration fee is available between December 8 - January 3 only.

I am a speaker, and I need to register. Can I use the attendee registration form?

AACC has created a special speaker form that you are required to use if you are a speaker. This registration form can be accessed through the Speaker Service Center. This allows us to provide you with special speaker-specific communications. If you register using the general attendee form, we cannot guarantee that you will receive pertinent information.

Can I register only to attend my session?

No. There is a flat registration rate. AACC does not offer daily rates. All speakers must pay the flat registration rate byJanuary 3. If speakers do not register, the scheduled abstract is subject to being removed from the agenda.

Should I upload my presentation before the AACC Annual Meeting?

While you are not required to, we strongly recommend uploading your slides before the event. This will allow session attendees to access your slides if they need to refer to them during and after the session. This will not allow you to access the slides for your presentation.

Will there be a speaker-ready room?

In 2026, AACC will offer a speaker-ready room that speakers can visit to double-check that their slides work and to test videos. The room will be open for speakers to visit during specific hours.

Q:

What are AACC’s COVID-19 requirements for the 2026 AACC Annual?

A:

AACC requests that each attendee complete a rapid test before traveling. If the test is positive, the individual should not attend the meeting. Currently, we do not have any COVID-19 policies in place for the meeting space. Masks are recommended, not required, for individuals concerned about contracting COVID-19. AACC will continue to monitor COVID-19 guidelines, so our meeting requirements are subject to change. If you are concerned about transmittal, you are encouraged to wear a mask when in common spaces with attendees.

Q:

If I attend the meeting and contract COVID-19, what are my next steps?

A:

First, please notify the show management of your status. AACC show management will interface with the hotel to provide you with options. You will likely be required to quarantine in your room. Fees associated with quarantine are your responsibility.

Q:

If I am concerned about COVID-19, what should I do?

A:

You must decide for yourself if you feel comfortable attending the meeting, as the risk posed by COVID-19 is everywhere. To reduce your risk of infection, consider washing your hands frequently, wiping down surfaces before and after use, getting vaccinated/boosted, and wearing a mask.

Q:

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 after I return home for the meeting, do you need to know?

A:

AACC does not plan to track COVID-19 infections for 2026. However, this could change based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.