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2026 ACHS Annual Conference

The 2026 ACHS Annual Conference will be held January 29–31 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. Bringing together leaders, educators, and honor society members from across the country, the conference provides a vital forum for collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of best practices. With a focus on leadership, academic excellence, and student engagement, the event will address pressing issues in higher education and strengthen the collective impact of honor societies nationwide.

This year’s program will feature inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, and valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the honor society community. Whether returning or attending for the first time, participants can expect meaningful professional growth, fresh perspectives, and lasting connections.

Register Now!

Hotel Booking Information

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center places you in the heart of the action, offering seamless access to sessions, networking opportunities with colleagues and thought leaders, and the charm of downtown Baton Rouge right outside your door.

Room Rate: $159 USD per night*
Booking Cut-Off Date: Book your room by January 14, 2026 to receive the conference reduced rate.
To receive the conference rate, book at the official reservation site: Book your room here. 

*Rate listed is based on single/double occupancy and is subject to applicable taxes.

Tentative Schedule of Events 

* This schedule is a draft and is subject to change without prior notice. Please check regularly for updates and final confirmations 

Foundations for Honor Society Leaders 

This is a special pre-conference event separate from the 2026 ACHS Annual Conference. Register here.

The Foundations for Honor Society Leaders program offers an engaging and collaborative learning experience designed to support both new and seasoned leaders in strengthening their understanding of honor society operations. Through informative sessions led by experienced directors and staff, participants gain practical, real-world knowledge on topics such as governance, finance, technology, and the history of honor societies. The program fosters open sharing of best practices and resources, providing valuable tools to enhance professional effectiveness and organizational excellence. Participants consistently describe the experience as inspiring, supportive, and transformative—an invaluable opportunity to connect, learn, and grow as a leader within the honor society community. 

"As both a participant and a presenter, I found the Foundations for Honor Society Leaders Program to be invaluable in providing background on honor societies, the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit leaders, and practical real-world information to use immediately."

- 2024 Foundations For Honor Society Leaders participant

Wednesday, Jan. 28
3:00 pm  Foundations for Honor Society Leaders: Session One
6:30 pm  Dinner on Your Own
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ACHS Board Dinner & Meeting (Board of Directors Only)
Thursday, Jan. 29
8:00 am Foundations for Honor Society Leaders: Session Two
12:00 pm Lunch on Your Own

2026 ACHS Annual Conference: Cultivate Connections - Strengthen Community - Sustain Excellence

Thursday, Jan. 29 
8:00 am - 2:00 pm Exhibitor Set-Up
1:00 pm ACHS Board of Directors Working Lunch (Board of Directors Only)
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Conference Attendee Check-in
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm Catch Up and Caffeine
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Conference Welcome & Dorothy Mistifer Keynote Lecture (title forthcoming): Dr. Vicki Mayer (tentative), Senior Advisor to the Dean and Professor of Communication at Tulane University
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Welcome Reception with ACHS Partners, Sponsors, and Exhibitors, featuring the Spirit of Huey P. Long greeting
guests with a rendition of "Be Our Guest"

6:00 pm

Dinner on Your Own
Friday, Jan. 30
7:30 am - 6:00 pm Conference Attendee Check-in
8:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibits open
7:30 am - 8:45 am Breakfast & Community Building
8:45 am - 9:45 am Valuing Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties, and Testimony - Panel moderated by Vinnie Birkenmeyer
(Lambda Sigma)
9:45 am - 10:45 am Membership Growth - Panel moderated by Melissa Martin (Phi Delta Omicron)
10:45 am - 12:00 pm ACHS Council Business Meeting
12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Visit Baton Rouge Hosted Lunch at the Capitol Park Museum. A shuttle will be provided to and from the hotel and museum beginning at 11:30 am and ending at 2:30 pm. This lunch is open to all attendees, conference exhibitors, and attending sponsors.
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Networking Event - moderated by Katie Holmes (Alpha Chi)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Strengthening Chapter Engagement - panel with local chapter advisors coordinated by Trish Maxwell (Mortar Board) and moderated by Steve Loflin (NSCS)
4:30 pm - 5:25 pm Partners in Honors: Stamp Your Passport Event
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Navigating the Changing Accreditation Landscape - Dr. Tara Rose, Associate Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness at Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge
6:30 pm Dinner on Your Own
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Exhibit Teardown
Saturday Jan. 31
7:15 am ACHS Board of Directors Meeting (outgoing & incoming)
7:30 am - 8:30 am Breakfast & Community Building
8:30 am - 9:30 am Honor Society “TED Talks” (4 speakers) - moderated by Kellen Wells-Mangold (Chi Alpha Sigma)
9:30 am - 10:30 am Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tech to Support Honor Societies - Marianne Fallon (Psi Chi)
10:30 am - 10:40 am Morning Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am Closing keynote (title forthcoming) - Dr. Heather Carpenter, Executive Director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration & Research, and Associate Professor of Nonprofit Association & Research at Louisiana State University - Shreveport
11:45 am - 12:15 pm Final Remarks and Resolutions
12:15 pm  Adjournment

 

Registration

 

Early Bird Conference Rate
 (Until January 7, 2026)

Regular Conference Rate 
(January 8, 2026 - onward)

Member 

$600 

$650 

Non-Member 

$700 

$750 

Foundations  

$200 

Register Now!

For Partners:

Please click here for more information and to sign up.