ACA, Southern California/Hawaii Spring Leadership Conference
Date
Location
Cost
Registration Details Below!
CECs
14.00Please Join Us in Palm Springs for the Spring Leadership Conference!
Spring Leadership Conference (SLC) is known for excellent professional development, unrivaled social events, and an incredibly relaxing and energizing conference location. Participants will leave with innovative ideas and practical takeaways that can be implemented upon their return to camp. Bring your full team to improve staff training, staff management, and retention with proven techniques shared by industry leaders. For excellent educational content, and the very best networking, join us at Riviera Resort in Palm Springs!
Join us for:
- 3 Keynote Presentations
- 40+ Education Sessions
- Incredible Networking Socials
Details for our 2026 Event are coming soon! In the meantime, take a look last year's program for a snapshot.
Our participants aren't just from Southern California/Hawaii anymore . . . And we like it! We've been so pleased to have participants from all over the country at the Spring Leadership Conference. We hope you'll join us too! Early Bird Deadline is March 10, 2026.
We’re now accepting session proposals for the ACA, Spring Leadership Conference!
The Planning Committee invites you to submit your ideas for engaging, relevant sessions that inspire and support fellow camp professionals. The Call for Proposals is open through Friday, January 9, 2026.
Check out the guidelines and submit your proposal using the form below. We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to share!
Register early to get the best deal! Early Bird pricing is the lowest available and includes all programming. Prices increase beginning Wednesday, March 11, so don't wait!
| Type |
Early Bird (Ends 3/10) |
Cost (Ends 4/3) |
Final Wave On-site only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | $390 | $430 | $480 |
| Additional Member | $275 | $320 | $370 |
| Nonmember | $485 | $525 | $575 |
| Additional Nonmember | $370 |
$415 |
$465 |
| Speaker | $200 | $200 | $250 |
We are planning our 2026 program. Please continue to check back as we add details.
Monday, April 13, 2026
- 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Character Academy Preconference
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Character Preconference Training
- 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration open
- 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. New Attendee Orientation
- 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Welcome & Opening “Playnote”
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Welcome Reception — appetizers and cash bar
- 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Dinner/time on your own (We will have some organized dinner "meet-ups")
- 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Trivia and connection time
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration open
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Educational Breakout Sessions #1
- 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Keynote- Coach BE
- 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own — get some pool time
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions #2
- 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
- 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions #3
- 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cocktail hour and snacks in the Exhibit Hall
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Included Dinner
- 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dance
- 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Chilling at License to Chill
Thursday, April 16, 2026
- 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration Open
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Educational Breakout Session #4
- 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Keynote- Coming Soon!
- 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own — get some pool time
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #5
- 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #6
- 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Ice Cream Social!
- 4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Volunteer Open House OR Meet with your team (conference rooms available)
- 6:30 p.m. – onward Dinner on your own / night on the town (Palm Springs Street Fair)
- 8:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Speakeasy Fun!
Friday, April 17, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Educational Breakout Session #7
- 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Educational Breakout Session #8
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. SLC Closing Campfire
Welcome to Riviera Resort and Spa Palm Springs. We can't wait for you to explore this outstanding hotel, which features a state-of-the-art conference facility, stylish upscale accommodations, and lots of great spaces to relax and enjoy the perfect April weather in Palm Springs! Lounge by two sparkling pools, schedule a spa treatment, or indulge in innovative craft cocktails at the 5 o'Clock Pool Bar.
Some other exciting features of Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs:
- Beautiful modern hotel with two pools, hot tubs, and a poolside bar.
- Great location — one mile from downtown and four miles from Palm Springs International Airport.
- Award-winning full-service spa.
Hotel Reservation Information
Important Details:
- Our reservation block closed on March 28th. You may reach out to Hades: [email protected] directly to see if there are any spaces remaining.
-
Call the Central Reservations Team at 760-327-8311 and ask to speak to a person if you need to modify or cancel a reservation.
Fees:
- A resort fee of $40 will appear when booking; however, this will be reduced to $15 at check-in.
We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Exhibits:
Booth cost: Member $725 / nonmember $1,075
Sponsorship Opportunities:
- $3,000 Title sponsor*
- $2,000 Keynote sponsor*
- $1,500 Meal sponsor*
- $1,000 Session sponsor
- $500 Snack/break sponsor
All sponsorships come with logo recognition on signage at the event, and on the events web page.
Sponsorships with an (*) also include a booth and two- minutes to address the participants.
Please contact Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected] with any exhibit or sponsorship inquiries.
Thanks to our sponsors!
Event Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring an ACA event will extend your brand identity and marketing capabilities. For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected].
