National Conference

All hotel reservations should be made via the the hotel reservation links at www.ACAcamps.org/conference/hotel.

Reservations made by unaffiliated organizations may appear to have lower rates, however they may be illegitimate, not have the rooms to sell, have unreasonable cancellation or change penalties, or be completely non-refundable.

Exhibits will open on Wednesday. Feb. 17 at 11:30 a.m.  Complete schedule

When is my booth balance due?

Booth balances are due by Dec. 11, 2026.  You will receive an email from ACA if you have a balance owed.  No one will be permitted to set up their booth until paid in full.

What are the booth sizes?

Booths are 10 deep x 10 wide.

Is the hall carpeted?

No.  However, the aisles will be. 

Can I have a Tent/Canopy Display?

Our assigned Fire Marshal must approve a tent or canopy display.  You will need to email Kim Fitzgerald the display's dimensions and material (cloth, plastic, fire-resistant, etc.) for approval, along with a picture of the tag or a certificate from the manufacturer stating the material is fire-resistant.  You will be required to have a working fire extinguisher at the booth. Displays shall not be placed in such a manner as to block, shield, or interfere in any way with other exhibits.  Displays and equipment over 36 inches in height must not exceed 48 inches from the booth back wall in all regular aisle locations.  Your display must fit in the 10 x 10 area and not be taller than the back wall of 8'.  Displays, including banners taller than 8', must be approved by ACA in advance.

What comes with my booth fee?

Your booth comes with pipe, drape, and a sign.  You will need to purchase electricity, tables, chairs, waste baskets, Wi-Fi, etc. See the service kit from Heritage Tradeshow Services.  Each exhibitor has a unique login and will receive individual emails from Heritage with this information.  If you have not seen an email from Heritage, you will need to call them at 800-360-4323.

What is the ceiling height?

The ceiling height is 32'.  Please plan for an allowable ceiling height for displays and banners.  NO DISPLAYS TALLER THAN 10' without written approval.

How many badges come with my booth?

You are provided with four name badges.  Badges are for employees who are representatives of your company, with no exceptions.  You may purchase additional badges for $75 up to two, max of six total badges.  Any badges over six will have to purchase a daily registration ticket.

Can I bring my children or staff who are minors in the exhibit hall? 

Minimum age to register for American Camp Association professional development events is 18 years.  Minors cannot be registered for the ACA National Conference.  All minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian at all times. 

When can I start shipping my materials?

Heritage Tradeshow Services will email you a link to the service kit in mid-fall.  The kit will have shipping instructions when they start accepting deliveries to the warehouse. If you have not seen an email from Heritage, you will need to call them at 800-360-4323.

Can I ship directly to the KICC?

 ACA's Official Service Contractor will be Heritage. Check the Heritage Tradeshow Services Service Kit for all shipping details mid-fall. Any freight shipped to the convention center should be addressed to Heritage Tradeshow Services and scheduled to be delivered during exhibitor move-in. Shipments arriving before the exhibitor move-in may be refused by the facility.  Any charges incurred for early freight accepted by the facility are the responsibility of the Exhibitor.  

Is KICC a union facility?

Yes.  It is not a "100% union-only" building where exhibitors can't do anything themselves, but certain work must be performed by union labor. Union labor may be required for certain aspects of your exhibit handling.  Please be sure to refer to the Union Jurisdictions page of the Heritage Tradeshow Services Service Kit, which will be available mid-fall. 

Is there parking for my trailer? If so, where and what would the charges be?

If you are not a hotel guest, you will need to find and make arrangements for the parking of a trailer.  

Who do I contact to order Audio/Visual Equipment for my booth at the Town and Country?

You will be able to order AV equipment directly through KICC.  There will be link to the order form in the service kit.

Am I allowed to unload my own materials?

F/T Employees of the Exhibiting Company can ‘hand carry’ or use a small luggage cart for their material through the convention center.  Any materials unloaded at the dock will be handled by Heritage Tradeshow Services, and there is a charge for that.  

Can I sell products at my booth?

Coming soon.

Can I provide food samples at my booth?

We do NOT permit any outside food or beverage without written consent from the food and beverage supplier.  Please contact Kim Fitzgerald for additional details.

Is it possible to buy event/meal tickets for friends and family?

Yes, if you do so at the time you pre-register.  Note: Tickets WILL NOT be available for purchase onsite.  Any additional tickets must be purchased before pre-registration closes on February 8, 2027. 

Can I submit to do a session or a workshop?

Yes, Proposals will be accepted through September 16, 2026. Visit www.ACAcamps.org/conference/cfp for more details.  You must be an exhibitor to present.

Should I register first or make hotel reservations first? 

Exhibit space and hotel guest rooms are limited.  To secure your room at one of the conference hotels, we suggest you proceed in making hotel reservations first. 

Why should I stay at the conference host hotel(s)?

By staying within the official hotel blocks, you will be immersed in the full conference community—creating natural opportunities for meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and continued engagement beyond scheduled sessions. Many of the most impactful interactions occur informally, and booking in one of the contracted hotel blocks is the best way to be surrounded by fellow attendees, making it easier to connect, network, and keep the conversation going before and after sessions.  

The success of the national conference depends on registrants and exhibitors staying at one of the contracted hotels to offset the sizable costs of producing the conference and exhibits. ACA cannot meet contracted room obligations if registrants and exhibitors reserve rooms in other area hotels. The risk of incurring tens of thousands of dollars in financial penalties (attrition fees) increases with each registrant who stays outside of the contracted hotel blocks. If we do not meet our guarantees, we will have to pay penalties, which add to the costs of the conference and in turn increase registration and exhibitor fees. Sustaining a financially successful conference for ACA means ensuring that both conference registrants and exhibitors have a quality, meaningful event that will reap benefits for you and the profession for years to come.   

What airport should I use?

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF).  For more details, visit www.flylouisville.com.

What are my ground transportation options from the airport?

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is about 6 miles away from downtown Louisville. For information on available transportation options, visit www.flylouisville.com/getting-to-and-from-the-airport/.

What is the appropriate dress for the conference? 

Casual! Please come in clothes that are comfortable for moving around, enjoying sessions, and walking between the convention center and one of the ACA hotels. Session room temperatures vary, so wear layers and plan accordingly.  Check the Louisville weather forecast when packing. Bring comfortable shoes/boots for walking.  

What are the expected temperatures for Kentucky in February?

The average temperatures for Louisville in February are: High: 51°F, Low Overnight: 34°F. 

• Exclusive Attendee Gift Sponsor:  Unique item tied to the conference theme, co-branded with ACA. - $25,000 - $35,000
  • Place your brand directly into the hands—and homes—of every attendee. This high-quality, co-branded item extends your visibility well beyond the event, creating long-term brand recognition tied to the ACA experience.
• Wi-Fi Sponsor - $20,000
  • Be one of the most visible brands at the ACA National Conference. Attendees rely on Wi-Fi continuously throughout the four-day event, creating repeated brand impressions tied to connectivity and convenience.
• Name Badge & Tote Bag Sponsor - $30,000
  • Put your brand at the center of the attendee experience. Every participant receives and wears their name badge throughout the four-day conference and carries their tote bag across sessions, the exhibit hall, and off-site activities, creating continuous, high-visibility brand exposure.
• Acorn Dinner (Exclusive Leadership Experience) - $20,000
  • Connect with an intimate group of approximately 80 of ACA's most engaged and influential leaders and supporters in a high-impact, relationship-driven setting.  In addition to this exclusive experience, sponsors receive full conference visibility across attendee-facing platforms and materials.
• Mobile App Sponsor - $15,000
  • Put your brand in attendees’ hands throughout the entire conference. The mobile app is a primary tool for navigating sessions, networking, and accessing event information, ensuring high-frequency engagement across all four days.
• Grand Opening Keynote Speaker - $15,000

  • Align your brand with one of the most highly anticipated and well-attended moments of the ACA National Conference. The Grand Opening Keynote brings together all 1,700 attendees to kick off the event with shared energy, inspiration, and focus.  As the sponsor, your organization is positioned at the forefront of the conference experience, gaining prominent visibility and association with thought leadership and innovation in the camp industry.

• Headshot and Photo Activation - $12,000
  • Drive high-value engagement through one of the most popular attendee experiences. The professional headshot and photo areas attract consistent traffic, offering extended dwell time and strong brand association.
• Second Keynote Speaker - $10,000

  • Extend your brand’s presence into one of the conference’s key general sessions. The Second Keynote delivers high-value engagement with a broad audience of camp industry decision-makers, offering strong visibility and association with ongoing learning and leadership.  As a sponsor, your organization remains top-of-mind beyond the opening moments of the conference.

• Closing Celebration + Speaker Sponsor - $15,000
  • This is the last moment 1,000+ camp leaders experience together; it’s what they remember when they leave. If you want your brand tied to that feeling, this is the opportunity.
• Exhibit Hall Lunch Grand Opening - $15,000 
  • ​​​​​​Kick off the exhibit hall experience with one of the most highly attended and energetic moments of the conference. The Grand Opening Lunch draws attendees into the exhibit hall, creating peak traffic and extended engagement with exhibitors.  As the sponsor, your brand is prominently featured during this high-visibility experience, connecting you with approximately 1,700 camp leaders and decision-makers in a dynamic, networking-rich environment.
• ACA Resource Basecamp - $15,000 
  • Position your brand at the center of attendee learning and exploration. The basecamp is accessed by a broad cross-section of attendees throughout the conference, creating ongoing visibility and engagement.
• Exhibit Hall Coffee and Bagels, Thursday morning - $10,000

  • Start the day with strong brand visibility during one of the most well-attended and high-traffic moments in the exhibit hall. Morning coffee and breakfast draw attendees as they begin their day, creating natural opportunities for networking and engagement. With approximately 1,700 attendees participating throughout the morning, this sponsorship offers repeated brand exposure in a relaxed, high-energy environment.

• Camp Research Forum Bundle - $15,000
• Exhibit Hall Lunch, Thursday afternoon - $10,000

  • Maintain strong brand visibility during one of the most active and well-attended times in the exhibit hall. The Thursday Lunch brings attendees together for networking, conversation, and continued exploration of exhibitors.  With approximately 1,700 attendees participating, this sponsorship offers valuable exposure and engagement in a relaxed, high-traffic environment.

• Exhibit Hall Dessert, Thursday late afternoon - $10,000

• Close out the exhibit hall experience with strong brand visibility during a high-traffic, end-of-day gathering. The Thursday Dessert draws attendees back into the exhibit hall as they wrap up conversations, revisit booths, and make final connections.  This sponsorship offers valuable exposure during a key decision-making window, with approximately 1,700 attendees engaging in one of the final shared moments before the exhibit hall closes.

• Faith-based Camps Cafe, Dinner, and ongoing virtual conversations - $10,000

Friend of Camp Sponsorships

• Meeting Room Sponsor - $7,500

  • Maintain consistent brand visibility throughout the conference by sponsoring a dedicated meeting room. Your branding will be displayed across multiple sessions, reaching a rotating audience of attendees over the course of the event.  This sponsorship offers repeated exposure and strong alignment with the conference’s educational experience.

• Research Forums (4) - $10,000 or $3,000 each
• Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) Pre-Conference and EPIC Cafe - $8,000
• Camps on Campus - $5,000 
• Gathering of Internationals - $6,000
• Research Evening Social - $5,000
• Research Poster Session - $3,000
• Non-profit Council Luncheon - $5,000 
• Informal Cafe Discussions with coffee and bagels - $3,000 per cafe
  • Day Camp Café 
  • Spanish Speaking Café
  • Medical and Disability Camping Café
  • Camp Includes Me Café
  • Faith-based Camps Café
  • Camp-School-Community Partnership Café

• First-Timers Orientation - $3,000
• Volunteer Gathering - $3000 
• Pioneers Luncheon - $3,000 
• EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camp) - $3,000
• Hand Sanitizing Station - $1,000 per station, includes company logo and booth number
• Underwriting opportunities:  AV, Mainstage, Snack breaks, or Live entertainment - $2,500 - $20,000
• Camp Connection Table sponsorship - $750 per table or three tables for $2,000
  • Includes company logo and QR code on a table(s) in the exhibit hall dining area.

Each sponsorship includes a customized package of benefits. 
Sponsorship of $10,000+ will include a booth, a tote bag stuffer item, a Facebook post on the national conference group page, and a lead retrieval license. 
ACA will allow more than one sponsor in an area, but not in the same industry product category.

Advertising Opportunities

• National Conference Digital Program Book
• Tote Bag Stuffer (guaranteed placement)- exhibitors start at $1,500.  Non-exhibitors start at $3,000.
• National Conference Facebook page promotions (exhibitors only) - Starting at $1,000
  • Promote your show specials on ACA's National Conference Facebook page (exhibitors only).

Sponsorship contact:  Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected], 765-349-3309 

Commerce Sessions
Exhibiting business affiliates may submit targeted, tactical education session proposals essential to camp operation. We value this education and welcome these submissions. Presentations must NOT have a commercial message for a particular organization or business, or be perceived as a "sales pitch."  Commerce sessions are 45 minutes in length (as opposed to a 60-minute educational breakout session), and are offered on Wednesday. Commerce session presenters must exhibit at the 2027 National Conference to be considered.

Who You'll Be Reaching

The ACA National Conference attracts camp and youth development professionals from across the U.S. and around the world, working in camp and other out-of-school-time settings. Sessions should speak to directors, owners, executives, mid-level managers, year-round staff, and educators. While some attendees are newer to the field, most are experienced professionals seeking high-quality, advanced learning opportunities.

Session Details

• Breakout sessions: 60 minutes (10 minutes for Q&A are encouraged)
• Commerce sessions: 45 minutes, scheduled for Wednesday
• Formats may include lectures, panels, workshops, or facilitated discussions

Submission Guidelines

• Deadline: September 16, 2026
• Sales-free content: Presentations must not have a commercial message for a particular individual, organization, or business, or be perceived as a "sales pitch."
• Number of Submissions: You may submit multiple proposals for consideration; however, we suggest no more than four — we want to hear your BEST ideas!
• Review and selection process: Proposals will be reviewed by the volunteer Program Review Team, chaired by Addie Bond. All applicants will be notified of the program team's decisions by late October 2026.

REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS AND SUBMIT PROPOSALS

Questions?

Process and logistical questions may be addressed to the national conference manager, Melany Irvin, at [email protected].

Questions specifically related to the program content may be directed to the national conference program team chair, Addie Bond, at [email protected]. 

Research Forum Submissions

Interested in submitting an abstract for the research forum?

The American Camp Association reserves the right to reject any proposal and to make any and all adjustments to the program. 

REGISTER AS ATTENDEE  REGISTER AS EXHIBITOR

View 2027 attendee rates

2027 Key Registration Dates

• December 16, 2026 – Early bird deadline (best rate)
• February 8, 2027 – Preregistration closes. Last opportunity to save
• February 9, 2027 and beyond – On-site registration only at a higher rate

Exhibitors & Sponsors

Business representatives must register as exhibitors or sponsors to attend the event. Registering as an attendee is not an option for vendors or companies or people who want to attend the conference to sell to or network with summer camps for the purpose of building your business. Review exhibit hall rates and reserve your booth. 

Consultants

Consultants may not self-promote at the conference and must register under the consultant rate unless they are a confirmed speaker at the conference.

Student, Speaker, and Daily Registration

Student, speaker, and daily registration must be submitted via the downloadable form. These options are not available online.

ACA Student Members (Free)

• Must be full-time student, 18+
• Includes education sessions and exhibits only
• Meals and ticketed events not included (tickets can be added through preregistration)
• Current student ID must be submitted with registration form

Student Nonmembers (Discounted)

• Must be full-time student, 18+
• Full access to sessions, exhibits, and ticketed events
• Current student ID must be submitted with registration form

Want to Save? Become a Member

When you join, your individual membership fee plus the member registration rate is still $30 less than the nonmember registration rate — and you'll enjoy year-round member benefits! Join ACA today and start saving.

Rates

• Full registration fee includes: ticketed events (Exhibit Hall Grand Opening Lunch, Thursday Exhibit Hall Lunch, Friday Closing Lunch Event), general exhibit hall pass, educational workshops, and general sessions.
• Paid daily registration includes ACA ticketed events for that day.
• Kindred events — most can be added to ACA conference registrations.

REGISTER AS ATTENDEE

Need to Convince Your Boss?

Attending the ACA national conference is a perfect way to gain new knowledge, meet and network with like-minded professionals, expand your skillset, and expose yourself to new perspectives.  While there are many obvious business benefits from attending, sometimes getting approval from management may require you to make a business case for attendance.  We have provided a ‘business case for attendance’ letter template that may help when requesting approval to attend the conference.  This template is a general reference tool that can be customized to suit your circumstances.

Download the Template

Important Policies & Information

Cancellation Policy:

• $40 fee for all cancellations postmarked on or before January 16, 2027.
• $200 fee for all cancellations postmarked after January 16, 2027.
• No-shows are not refundable.
• PHONE CANCELLATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
• A written copy of the cancellation is required. Submit all registration cancellation requests via email at [email protected].

Minors:

Minimum age to register for American Camp Association professional development events is 18 years.  Minors cannot be registered for the ACA National Conference.  All minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian at all times. 

Use of Images in ACA Publications:

Registration for this event grants the American Camp Association full rights and permissions to use any photographs, video, or audio recordings taken during the ACA event. These materials may be used by ACA and its agents for educational and promotional purposes.

Code of Conduct for Events:

By participating in an ACA event, you agree to follow the code of conduct for events.