Enhance your conference experience by registering for optional programming! Pre-conference campus tours will take place on Tuesday June 1 from noon-3pm. Pre-conference workshops will be Tuesday June 1 from 1:30-3:30pm. There is a $25 fee associated with each experience and space is limited; there will be no refunds for cancellations or no-shows. Please note that pre-conference professional workshops occur at the same time as pre-conference tours, so you will only be able to register for one of the below options.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Young Professionals Workshop (0-3 years professional experience)
Navigating your first few years in collegiate visitor services and events comes with unique opportunities and challenges. This interactive workshop blends practical skill-building with candid conversation to help early-career professionals thrive. Through real-world scenarios and facilitated peer discussions, you will master core workplace strategies. From communicating with confidence and setting sustainable workload boundaries to building credibility and decoding institutional culture. Walk away with practical tools, actionable insights, and a connected peer network to help you find your voice and elevate your career.
Middle Managers Workshop (3-7 years professional experience)
Leading from the middle requires a distinct balancing act: driving daily execution while keeping long-term strategy in focus. Whether you are transitioning from individual contributor to supervisor or overseeing comprehensive campus programs, this workshop focuses on the evolving expectations of mid-level leadership in higher education visitor services. Through interactive exercises and candid peer dialogue, you will explore proven tactics for motivating student and professional staff, project management, advocating for campus resources, and managing up with clarity and confidence. Walk away with practical frameworks to lead effectively without burning out your personal bandwidth.
Senior Leaders Workshop (7+ years professional experience)
As a senior leader, balancing long-term strategic vision with daily operations leaves little dedicated space to step back and reflect with peers. This director and executive-level workshop provides a candid, solution-driven forum for directors and senior leaders in higher education visitor services and events. Through facilitated discussions, you will explore innovative approaches to organizational design, succession planning, budget realities, campus politics, and leadership longevity. Come ready to exchange high-level strategies, navigate complex institutional dynamics, and recharge alongside colleagues who truly understand the weight and privilege of your role.
CAMPUS TOUR EXPERIENCES
Pre-Conference Tour: Founded in 1957, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is one of the largest universities in the California State University system. Combining academic rigor with workforce readiness, CSUF serves over 45,000 total students, including roughly 38,700 undergraduates and 4,900 graduate students. It is widely recognized as an engine for upward social mobility and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with Hispanic or Latino students making up over 50% of the student body, alongside a strong Asian-American student presence (over 20%).
Physically, the campus spans 241 acres in northern Orange County, featuring a mix of mid-century architectural origins and sleek modern facilities like the Steven G. Mihaylo Hall (home to its massive business school) and the Titan Student Union. Instead of a concentric layout, CSUF’s campus is built around open walkways, plaza spaces, and notable outdoor landmarks such as the 26-acre Fullerton Arboretum. This botanical oasis located on the northeast corner of campus, offers students a calm retreat for studying and research.
Located just 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, CSUF sits at the crossroads of Southern California’s thriving entertainment, business, and tech corridors. The university leans into a vibrant commuter and regional culture, with deep ties to local industries and a massive alumni network across SoCal. Titans, represented by Tuffy the Titan,pride themselves on a practical, career-focused education, strong community engagement, and NCAA Division I athletics.
Pre-Conference Tour: Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a top-tier private research university located in the heart of Orange County. Known for offering a personalized education alongside specialized professional programs, Chapman educates nearly 10,000 total students, enrolling roughly 7,700 undergraduates and over 2,000 graduate and professional students. The university maintains a low 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, fostering an intimate learning environment where small class sizes are the standard.
Chapman’s campus is adjacent to Old Towne Orange, historic district with plenty of shopping, dining and coffee options for students and guests. The 90-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities across a variety of academic areas, from business to STEM to the visual and performing arts. Open plazas, palm trees, and outdoor gathering spaces encourage students to collaborate and study outside year-round.
Located just minutes from Anaheim and short drives from both the beach and Los Angeles, Chapman gives students direct access to major creative, corporate, and tech industries. Campus life centers on a balance of rigorous academics, active Greek life, vibrant arts programs, and NCAA Division III athletics. Represented by Pete the Panther, Chapman students pride themselves on strong community engagement, global perspectives and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Pre-Conference Tour: Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has rapidly established itself as one of the premier public research universities in the United States. As a vibrant member of the prestigious UC system, UC Irvine consistently ranks among the nation’s top ten public institutions and is globally recognized for driving social mobility. Today, the campus serves over 36,000 total students, including roughly 30,000 undergraduates and over 7,000 graduate and professional students, making it a dynamic and thriving academic hub. It holds top-tier programs across computer science, engineering, law, business, and health sciences, anchored by UCI Health and its expansive medical research infrastructure.
What immediately sets UC Irvine apart is its distinctive physical design. The central campus is built as a concentric circle around Aldrich Park, a lush 19-acre botanical haven filled with thousands of trees. Encircling the park is Ring Road, a pedestrian loop that connects nearly every major academic school. This intuitive layout makes navigating campus effortless while ensuring students are never more than a few steps away from a peaceful green space to study, relax, or meet up with peers.
Beyond academics, UC Irvine offers a picturesque Southern California lifestyle. Located in the master-planned city of Irvine in central Orange County, the campus sits just five miles from Newport Beach and right next to a thriving hub of tech companies, startups, and coastal communities. The student population is remarkably diverse, featuring strong representation from first-generation college students. The student culture is relaxed, forward-thinking, and fiercely proud of its unique identity, exemplified by its beloved mascot, Peter the Anteater, and the famous campus battle cry, “Zot! Zot! Zot!” Recognized globally for its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, UC Irvine combines high-tier research opportunities with a warm, welcoming community.
Get ready for an experience packed with diverse learning opportunities for everyone from first-time attendees to seasoned professionals. Our schedule includes educational sessions, plenary sessions, group discussions and informal programming events, all designed to help you develop new ideas, share experiences, discover best practices, and make connections with others in your field.