AFA Annual Meeting Benefits Worksheet
Use this worksheet to build your case for attending the 2026 AFA Annual Meeting. Complete each section with specifics from your own role and context. The more concrete your responses, the stronger your case.
Current Projects
Describe 1-3 projects you are currently working on. For each, highlight a specific “pain point” or challenge associated with the project that new knowledge or connections could help to address.
- Project / Details:
Challenge or “Pain Point”:
- Project / Details:
Challenge or “Pain Point”:
- Project / Details:
Challenge or “Pain Point”:
Professional Growth Goals
Describe 1–2 professional skills or competencies you are actively working to develop. Note how attendance at the Annual Meeting supports that growth.
- Skill/Competency:
How the Annual Meeting supports this:
- Skill/Competency:
How the Annual Meeting supports this:
Value Proposition Statements
Review the Annual Meeting website (including the schedule) and identify specific ways the Annual Meeting can provide value to your work. Use the prompt below as a template for your statement(s):
The Annual Meeting can help me solve/address (X) by doing/offering/connecting me with (Y).
- [Statement]
- [Statement]
- [Statement]
Educational Opportunities
After reviewing the conference schedule, list specific educational sessions relevant to your role and goals. Note: The full schedule is typically published in October.
Consider sessions relevant to your role – whether you are campus professional, headquarters professional, or serving in a volunteer capacity.
- [list ed session]
- [list ed session]
- [list ed session]
- [list ed session]
Attending these sessions will provide access to current trends, evidence-based practices, and peer perspectives that I can apply directly to my work.
Networking Opportunities
Identify specific individuals, organizations, or groups you plan to connect with at the Annual Meeting. Consider campus-based colleagues, headquarters staff partners, chapter advisors and volunteers, educational partners, and other professionals whose work intersects with yours.
- Partner/Person/Group:
Why this connection matters:
- Partner/Person/Group:
Why this connection matters:
- Partner/Person/Group:
Why this connection matters:
Departmental Alignment
Map your departmental or organizational priorities to the specific opportunities the Annual Meeting provides. An example row is provided to guide your thinking.
| Department’s Need | My Objective | 2026 AFA Annual Meeting offers… |
| Example: Improving chapter member retention | Identify two evidence-based retention strategies to pilot this year | Educational session on data-driven advising; peer networking with colleagues at similar institutions. |
Post-Conference Commitment
Use this section to proactively share with your supervisor how you plan to bring value back to your team. Completing this section before the conference demonstrates intentionality and accountability.
Use the first prompt to describe how you will share your takeaways with colleagues and/or apply what you learn. Use the second prompt to outline specific actions you plan to take after attending the conference.
I commit to sharing what I learned by:
- [example]
- [example]
- [example]
Specific actions I plan to take after attending:
- [example]
- [example]
- [example]