2026 Annual Meeting
December 5–8, 2026 | George R. Brown Convention Center | Houston, Texas
Exploring New Frontiers in Accreditation
Higher education continues to evolve as institutions respond to new educational models, emerging technologies, workforce needs, changing student expectations, and other developments shaping the educational landscape. These changes create new questions and opportunities for institutions and for the work of accreditation.
Under the theme Exploring New Frontiers in Accreditation, the Commission’s 2026 Annual Meeting invites participants to consider what these changes mean for accreditation while strengthening the knowledge and practices needed to support their institutions today.
Through sessions led primarily by institutional peers, along with Commission staff, participants will explore accreditation processes and practices, learn how colleagues are approaching their work, and engage with timely issues affecting higher education.
Whether you are new to accreditation activities or bring years of experience to the work, the Annual Meeting offers opportunities to expand your knowledge, gain practical insight, and connect with others across the Commission’s membership.
What You’ll Experience
The Annual Meeting offers a range of learning and networking opportunities designed for professionals with varying levels of accreditation experience. Participants can:
- Gain practical knowledge to support accreditation activities at their institutions.
- Explore approaches, practices, and lessons that can inform their own work.
- Consider emerging issues and their implications for accreditation and institutional practice.
- Participate in plenary sessions, pre-conference workshops, concurrent sessions, group discussions, and poster sessions.
- Build connections with colleagues who share similar responsibilities, questions, and challenges.
Why Attend?
Accreditation work does not happen in isolation. The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding, learn from the experiences of others, and consider how changes in higher education may affect the work taking place at your institution.
Participants leave with greater knowledge, broader perspectives, stronger professional connections, and practical ideas they can take back to their institutions.
Registration
Registration opens September 1, 2026.
Additional information regarding hotels, schedules, speakers, and special events will be added as it becomes available.
We look forward to welcoming you to Houston.
More about the 2026 Annual Meeting
Registration Fees
The Annual Meeting registration includes access to all concurrent educational sessions, general sessions, networking sessions, poster sessions, the Expo Hall, and the Resource Room.
Included Meals
All registered attendees receive:
- Concession-style lunch in the Exhibit Hall on December 6 and 7
- Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks
Registration Fees
| Category | Early Before Oct. 1 |
General Oct. 1–31 |
Late* After Oct. 31 |
Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | $725 | $825 | $925 | Individuals who are employed at a SACSCOC-accredited or candidate institution, or a state higher education system. |
| Non-member | $1,025 | $1,125 | $1,225 | Individuals who are not employed at a SACSCOC-accredited or candidate institution, or a state higher education system. |
| Graduate Student | $325 | $375 | $425 | Individuals who are pursuing a graduate degree in higher education or a related field at a SACSCOC-accredited institution and are not full-time employees of any higher education institution.
Individuals must email proof of enrollment to annmtg@sacscoc.org to obtain a special discount code. |
| Retiree | $325 | $375 | $425 | Individuals who are retired from a SACSCOC-accredited institution and have active retired status as SACSCOC peer evaluators through March 29, 2027.
Individuals must email annmtg@sacscoc.org to request a special discount code. Evaluator status will be verified in the SACSCOC peer evaluator database. |
*Late registrations must be paid by credit card.
Optional Workshops (Saturday, Dec. 5)
Pre-registration is required.
- 6-Hour Workshop — $225
- Includes workshop materials, boxed lunch, and breaks.
- 3-Hour Workshop — $130
- Includes workshop materials and one break.
Optional Breakfasts (Monday, Dec. 7)
- Institutional Accreditation Liaison (IAL) Breakfast — $40
- Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Breakfast — $40
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in being an exhibitor or a sponsor for the 2026 Annual Meeting? Contact Christine Fletcher, CEM at Christine@encore-expo.com.
Affiliate Group Meeting Requests
Non-profit organizations and special interest groups interested in hosting an event–business meeting, reception, breakfast, luncheon, etc.–during the SACSCOC Annual Meeting must submit a request using the form found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026AffiliateRequestForm . A separate form must be completed for each event. Completed forms must be submitted no later than October 2, 2026, at 1:00pm Eastern Time. To preview the questions in the form, download the document, Sample Affiliate Request Form.
The information provided in the form will be used to identify complimentary meeting space, when possible. Meeting space is limited, and applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. The information provided in the form will be included on the “Affiliate Meetings” icon of the conference app, once approved.
Affiliate meetings and events are permitted during the following time slots (Eastern Time):
- Saturday, December 5: 4:00 PM-8:30 PM
- Sunday, December 6: 10:30 AM-1:15 PM, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
- Monday, December 7: 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
Once an Affiliate meeting has been approved, a SACSCOC Meeting Planning staff member will contact you and provide any additional instructions. Approved events will be assigned meeting rooms near the end of October. While every attempt will be made to identify complimentary meeting space for the Affiliate, there are situations in which an Affiliate will incur fees for their event.
- Audio-visual equipment added to a meeting room for the sole use of the Affiliate will incur a charge.
- If the Affiliate plans to serve refreshments or meals, the Affiliate organizer will receive a direct contact to the venue’s catering manager to place their order. Any food/beverage orders placed with the venue are the sole responsibility of the Affiliate.
If you have any questions, please email annmtg@sacscoc.org.
Local Talent Wanted: Entertainment Interest Survey
The Commission is seeking student musical ensembles (up to 10 members) to provide entertainment for the 2026 Annual Meeting, December 5 – 9 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. Groups will perform during a 30-minute slot preceding one of our General Sessions, and a $500 group honorarium will be provided.
If you know a student ensemble interested in this opportunity, complete the Entertainment Interest Survey by close of business Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Get Involved: Volunteer at Upcoming Commission Events
Want a behind-the-scenes look at how a major higher education conference comes together? Volunteering at Commission events is a fun, enlightening way to connect with colleagues, support the participant experience, and learn how the magic happens.
Volunteer roles may include:
- Assisting with registration and attendee questions
- Supporting presenters and session rooms
- Serving as greeters or wayfinders
- Helping event staff keep things running smoothly
We’re building a general volunteer interest pool for future Commission events, including the 2026 Annual Meeting, and we’ll reach out as opportunities become available.
👉 Interested in volunteering? Complete the Volunteer Interest Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/volpool
If you have any questions, please contact Meeting Planning Office at annmtg@sacscoc.org.
Presentation Opportunities in 2027
Interested in being a presenter for the 2027 Annual Meeting? We’ll be looking for engaging, relevant sessions that reflect the needs and interests of our membership.
The Call for Proposals will be posted to our website by April 15, 2027. Once it’s live, you’ll find full details on submission requirements, session formats, review criteria, and key deadlines.
We encourage practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders across the field to consider sharing their expertise with our community. Whether you’re presenting original research, a case study, or a practical how-to session, we want to hear from you.
Check back after April 15, 2027, to submit your proposal – we look forward to reviewing your ideas.
Future Annual Meetings
- December 4 – 7, 2027, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
- December 2 – 5, 2028, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
- December 1 – 4, 2029, Music City Center, Nashville, TN