Please reach out to [email protected] for information not included on our website.
Midwest ACE Member Registration Rates: Early Bird Rate (through September 12): $550.00 MWACE Member Rate (September 13 - October 22): $650.00 Late or Onsite Registration Rate (On or after October 23): $750.00
Single Day Member Early Bird Rate (through September 12): $350.00 Single Day Member Rate (September 13 - October 22): $450.00 Single Day Late or Onsite Rate (On or after October 23): $500.00
Non-Member Registration Rates:
Includes ONE YEAR Membership in MWACE Early Bird Rate (through September 12): $725.00 Non-Member Rate (September 13 - October 22): $825.00 Late or Onsite Registration Rate (On or after October 23): $925.00
Single Day Early Bird Rate (through September 12): $400.00 Single Day Non-Member Rate (September 13 - October 22): $500.00 Single Day Late or Onsite Rate (On or after October 23): $550.00
Graduate Student Rate:
Early Bird Rate (through September 12): $260.00 MWACE Member Rate (September 13 - October 22): $360.00 Late or Onsite Registration Rate (On or after October 23): $460.00
The MWACE Annual Conference has been approved for SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs). This is a valuable opportunity for HR professionals to fulfill recertification requirements while gaining insights and connections.
An interactive experience where employers meet directly with university representatives from career services. Build meaningful partnerships, explore collaboration opportunities, and gain insight into how universities are preparing the next generation of talent.
Featuring Piano Performance by Mary West, Butler University '29
Thursday, November 5, 2026
6:15 am - 7:15 am
Morning Energizer
Sponsored by Quinncia
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Check In Open
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Exhibits Open
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Director's Roundtable Breakfast
9:15 am - 10:15 am
College to Career: Trends Shaping the Pathway to Work
Featuring: Shawn VanDerziel & Dr. Nicole Hall
As the world of work continues to shift, the college-to-career pipeline must evolve with it. This session examines national trends influencing how students move from education into employment, with internships and experiential learning serving as key drivers of career readiness and hiring success. We’ll share data on the new graduate job market, student outcomes, and internship benchmarks that improve intern-to-hire conversion and employer ROI. We’ll also explore the growing role of skills-based hiring and how artificial intelligence is reshaping both the capabilities employers value and the ways students prepare for and connect with opportunities. Attendees will gain practical strategies for strengthening internship pathways and aligning talent development with the changing world of work.
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Learning Sessions #1
Connecting Campus to Career: A Collaborative Model for Student Readiness
Speak the Part: Closing the Professional Presence Gap Employers Keep Talking About
Built by Students, Backed by Data: Integrating AI Literacy Where Students Already Are
Lessons from the Classroom: Interactive Strategies for Building Stronger Communities
Connecting the Dots: How Summer Externships link students, employers and career pathways
11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Lunch, Business Meeting, & Awards
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Committee Meetings
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Learning Sessions #2
Designing for Difference: Creating Student Archetypes that Drive Engagement
The Accountability Era: What OBBBA Means for Your Students' Pathways, and Your Seat at the Table
The Inclusive Resume: Collaborative Coaching for Marketability & Confidence
Fragmented by Design: Catalyzing Connected Experiential Education Ecosystems
From Classroom to Career: Pathways that Work Through Co-Ops, Internships, and Industry Partnerships
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Networking with Exhibitors & Treats
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner on Your Own
7:00 pm
Optional Evening Activities
Friday, November 6, 2026
6:15 am - 7:15 am
Morning Energizer
Sponsored by Handshake
7:30 am - 11:00 am
Check In Open
7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Exhibits Open
7:30 am - 8:00 am
Morning Coffee & Snack
7:30 am - 8:00 am
Hire Big 10+ Meet-Up
8:00 am - 8:50 am
Employer Panel
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Learning Sessions #3
At the Table: Facilitated Employer Roundtables for Advancing Campus Recruiting Practices
Rebuilding a Purpose-Driven Learning Outcome Framework in Career Services
From Mediocre to Memorable: Putting Your Career Events on the Map
From Trends to Direction: Navigating labor markets to create meaningful pathways for students
Better Together: Connecting Career Services, Employers, and Alumni Into One Student-to-Career Journey
10:10 am - 11:10 am
Learning Sessions #4
Where Purpose Meets Partnership: What Recruiters and Career Services Wish Each Other Knew
Leveraging Human Connections in the Age of AI: A Design Thinking Sprint
Partnerships that build true pipelines: Purdue University & local startups
Thought Intelligence™ (TI): The Must-Have Upgrade in the Age of AI
All cancellation requests must be made in writing (an email with signature line will suffice) to [email protected]. Registrants may substitute another representative from the same organization by emailing the request to headquarters. (Please include all contact information for the new attendee.)
Any refund received before September 30 (5pm EST) will receive a full refund minus the $75 administrative fee.
A 50% refund will be granted when the cancellation request is received between September 30 - October 24.
Any requests received after November 1 at 5pm EST will recieve no refund.
No-shows are not eligible for a credit or refund.
The conference may be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, registration fees will be refunded; however, MWACE will not be responsible for additional costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines, hotels, and/or travel agencies.
MWACE is not responsible for weather-related travel delays or other issues in regard to personal travel and no refunds will be given due to these occurrences.
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