AFA Annual Meeting Attendee Guide

December 2-5, 2026

Hilton Chicago

Welcome!

On behalf of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, we want to welcome you to the 2026 AFA Annual Meeting! We are so excited that you chose to invest in yourself and your professional development by joining us in Chicago for a historic Annual Meeting and AFA’s 50th anniversary.

The Annual Meeting provides a plethora of opportunities for you to engage with, and we know that can also feel overwhelming. This guide serves as a helpful resource to assist you in navigating your experience, including necessary information and tips & tricks – enjoy!

What is the Annual Meeting, exactly?

The Annual Meeting is AFAs hallmark professional development event that brings together a portfolio of programs and experiences designed to enhance and enrich the competencies, skills, talents, and overall effectiveness for the success of our members and those in the field of fraternity/sorority life.

The Annual Meeting experience provides a plethora of wide-ranging opportunities that include:

educational programming blocks
facilitated roundtable deep dive discussions
intensive sessions based on career level or interest
the Exhibit Hall with educational partners who can help enhance your work with their services and programs
the Ignite Research Showcase
discussions with umbrella organizations
Career Compass for graduate students and new professionals
Community-based gatherings
and so much more!

Take Note of these key Annual Meeting Events

Connections Kick-Off

The Connections Kickoff is an interactive event designed to help first-time attendees, graduate students, and new professionals navigate and take ownership of their experience at the Annual Meeting. This experience will take place during the first day of the annual meeting before the first educational session and will provide an opportunity to review content from the first-timer orientation, meet Connection Captains, connect with other first-time attendees, and begin the first series of networking opportunities that will take place throughout the Annual Meeting. | 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 2

Regional Meet-Ups & Community Collectives

Join colleagues in your region to hear updates, recognize the AFA milestones of your peers, and network with others during the opening night Regional Meet-Ups. After, you can then engage within supportive and amplifying Community Collective spaces to network and build connections with colleagues surrounding the following identities: Doctoral Students, Latinx/a/o Professionals, Professionals across the Black Diaspora, Solo Professional Operations, or Women working with Men’s Fraternities collectives. | 5:45 and 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 2

The Exchange

The Exchange Luncheon is an opportunity for Annual Meeting attendees to connect with one another and have meaningful conversations between campuses, headquarters, and partners in elevating the fraternity & sorority experience. | Noon Thursday, December 3

Graduate Student and New Professional Intensive

This interactive and personalized experience will allow participants to develop their own professional development plan, assess their current skills, review personal goals, and engage in collaborative conversations that will guide them through their next steps within the field. In addition, there will be other career level and interest intensive sessions. | 9 a.m. Friday, December 4

IGNITE Research Showcase

Ignite offers an opportunity to spark your thinking and learn from colleagues in 7-minute presentations about topics and research they are passionate about. | 2 p.m. Friday, December 4

Awards Presentation and Industry Celebration Banquet

Join us for a celebration of the fraternity/sorority industry and to recognize this year’s recipients of the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Awards, the Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award, the Jack L. Anson Award, and the Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award. Come ready to be inspired by the recipients’ journeys through storytelling, and to celebrate with fellow colleagues. | 7 p.m. Saturday, Devember 5

How Do I Prepare for the Annual Meeting?

One Month Prior to the Annual Meeting

Attend First-Timer Orientation – Noon and 3 p.m. ET Thursday, November 19

The Attendee Engagement Committee will host two virtual orientation sessions on Thursday, November 19 at 12:00 pm ET and 3:00 pm ET. Topics discussed will include: the Association’s purpose, AFA and Annual Meeting lingo, an introduction to the Annual Meeting Planning Team and their roles, the professional development and networking opportunities offered onsite, how to use and navigate the Annual Meeting conference app, typical attire suitable for the conference, and tips and tricks for making the most of your Annual Meeting experience.

Review sessions you are interested on our website

Leading up to the Annual Meeting, the educational sessions will be published on the AFA website. This is a great opportunity to see what programs will be offered and start planning your conference experience.

One-to-Two Weeks Before the Annual Meeting

Prep your Packing List

Wednesday:

Wear comfortable travel attire, then change to business casual before the first session.
Attire examples include collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, or blazers with skirts or pants. Dresses are also appropriate! Foot wear should be functional and comfortable – sneakers, dress shoes, or flats.

Thursday and Friday:

Business casual for sessions on these days as well. Feel free to change into more comfortable or casual attire after scheduled programming has concluded.

Saturday:

Start the day in business casual, but change into semi-formal wear before the Celebration Banquet!
Attire examples include button-down shirts, dress pants, suits, jumpsuits, or dresses. Shoes could be dress shoes, heels, or flats.

At the Annual Meeting

Attend the Connections Kick-Off

This experience is designed for first-time attendees and new professionals! Take advantage of this first networking opportunity at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 2:30pm.

Talk with Connection Captains

Connection Captains are onsite volunteers who are dedicated to enhancing the attendee engagement experience during the Annual Meeting. The purpose of Connection Captains is to guide all first-timers through the Annual Meeting experience by answering questions, helping to identify ways to engage within the Association, and serving in a mentor-like role before and during the Annual Meeting.

Attend the First-Timer Social

New to the Annual Meeting line up this year is the First-Timer Social! Happening Wednesday, December 2 from 7:30-9:30pm, this is an optional, casual hangout for newcomers of the Annual Meeting. This is a great way to meet other new attendees and Connection Captains outside of formal programming, hoping to provide another outlet for connection.

Attend the Regional Meal Meet-Ups

Connect with colleagues from your region during an informal lunch meet-up at a local restaurant. This is a great opportunity to network, share experiences, and expand your local professional circle. Regional lunch meetups will take place on Friday, December 4 from 12:00-2:00pm. All locations are within walking or public transit distance from the conference property. Attendees are responsible for the cost of their own meals and transportation. Sign up here!

Affordability Map

AFA recognizes there are costs associated with the Annual Meeting. In an effort to mitigate some expenses, the Attendee Engagement Committee has created an Affordability Map as a resource for attendees to use when planning for meal times. Although not an exhaustive list of all meal options in the area, this map does provide a few great options close to the conference hotel.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Your first Annual Meeting can feel a bit overwhelming, so the Attendee Engagement Committee has compiled a list of their favorite tips and tricks for a fun and successful event!

If you are someone that has to have caffeine in the morning, bring some energy drinks or cold brew to make coffee in your room. The coffee shop lines can get very long!
Bring pins and stickers to decorate your name tag – feel free to rep your institution or affiliation. Bonus points for bringing extra to share with coworkers!
You will want a conference bag to carry your essentials throughout the meeting. Some things that are in our bags are; a water bottle, mints, a pen and notebook, a snack, phone and laptop chargers, headphones, and a light jacket for colder rooms.
Feel free to take breaks as needed. Sessions are there for your education, but if you need to head to your room for a quick break or to answer emails, you definitely should!

Overall, the Annual Meeting should be a time for networking, education, and professional development, but you should always check in with yourself and recharge.