FAQs

Q:

I attended a previous WDI, but it has been some time since that happened. Is there anything that I should know about the program?

A:

Yes. We have overhauled the annual meeting and realigned several events and activities. The most significant changes are listed below:

• The agenda will consist of curated sessions as well as sessions led by community college leaders from across the country. AACC issued a call for proposals for consideration for inclusion in the 2027 program.
• Some lunch plenaries have been moved to breakfast slots to allow AACC to offer more sessions for attendees and to allow attendees more networking opportunities.
• There is uninterrupted exhibit hall time so that attendees can network with companies without fear of missing important sessions.

Q:

Do I need to wear my badge throughout the conference?

A:

Yes. AACC has instituted a badge requirement for the 2027 conference.

Conference attendees are required to wear their badges to enter the meeting venue and all associated events, including affiliate breakfast meetings and receptions. AACC will monitor and scan badges at all events offered in conjunction with the annual meeting. The association will exercise all available options to prevent unauthorized individuals and company representatives from engaging our attendees at the annual meeting. Violation of this policy could result in a ban on unauthorized individuals and companies from participating in future sessions.

Q:

What does base registration include?

A:

Base registration includes access to sessions, the exhibit hall, the opening plenary, and the opening reception.

Q:

Does registration close?

A:

Yes. Registration for the 2027 AACC WDI will be closed on January 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Q:

Will registration reopen after it closes?

A:

No. Once registration closes, it will not reopen.

Q:

Will AACC offer onsite registration?

A:

Yes. Self-service onsite registration will be offered. Onsite registration will allow for access to the sessions, exhibit hall, opening plenary, and opening reception. Ticketed items, such as pre-cons and sessions with meals, will be unavailable for purchase. AACC will only accept credit card payments for on-site registration.

Q:

I registered, but I forgot to add an item. Can I add it later?

A:

There are maximum limits on most sale items. For example, most

preconference workshops have a maximum participation of 40 people. No additional tickets will be available once all tickets for plenaries and enrichment activities have been sold. Individuals registering for the AACC WDI are encouraged to select the items they are interested in attending. You may add items to your registration by logging in to the appropriate service center and editing it to include the extra items.

Q:

I registered when my college was a non-member. Now, my college is a member. Am I eligible for a refund of the difference?

A:

Unfortunately, no. The fees at the time of your registration were correct. You were not a member. AACC does not apply membership retroactively. If you begin registration and your college has not paid its membership dues, please ensure that the membership dues are paid and posted before you register.

Q:

I had a discount code that I didn’t use. Can I retroactively add it to my account?

A:

You can only use a discount code when you initially register. If you anticipate using a discount code due to your title (i.e., AACC Board Member) or through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), DO NOT register until you receive the discount code. If you register and do not include the discount code when submitting your registration form, it cannot be added after payment. If you believe you are owed a discount code, please get in touch with aaccwdi@aacc.nche.edu

Q:

I didn’t register by the deadline, but I would still like to attend the WDI. Can I?

A:

Yes. Self-service on-site registration will be offered. On-site registration will provide access to the sessions, the exhibit hall, the opening plenary, and the opening reception. Ticketed items, such as pre-cons and sessions with meals, will not be available for purchase. AACC will accept only credit card payments for on-site registration.

Q:

On the website, I see multiple rates. How does this work?

A:

The association offers standard early registration rates for members and non-members, as well as on-time and late registration rates. For the special early-bird rate, the "Balance Due" function will not be enabled. The Balance Due feature will also be disabled during the late registration period. Registrations will remain pending until the balance due is paid. Registrations in pending status may not access Service Center features until payment is received. Any pending registration without payment will be moved to the next registration rate, as outlined in the event calendar.

Q:

Can substitutions/registration transfers be requested onsite?

A:

No. The individual with the original registration must ensure that the registration fee is paid. Then, they must request the registration substitution by January 8, 2027. AACC will allow one substitution to a registration record. Replacement of a registered AACC attendee by a business colleague/co-worker is accepted. A $75 processing fee will be applied to all substitutions if written notification is received by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on January 8, 2027. After  January 8, no substitutions will be allowed.

Q:

I planned to attend the meeting, but I have an emergency. What can I do?

A:

Beginning on December 7, refunds will not be issued under any circumstances, including, but not limited to, family and medical emergencies, flight cancellations, and no-shows. Credits will not be issued for a future year. You are encouraged to consider transferring the registration to another individual at your college so that you do not forfeit the fees you have paid.

Q:

I need to pay my registration. What forms of payment does AACC accept?

A:

AACC accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and checks.

Q:

I need to pay via check. Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?

A:

Yes. All check payments must be received in AACC’s lockbox by December 6. It takes approximately 15 days from the time you mail a check payment until it is received and posted to AACC’s lockbox. Please plan accordingly, using the 15-day timeframe, to ensure your check is received by the deadline.

Q:

I have a copy of the check that was mailed. Can AACC accept that as proof that the check is on the way to the lockbox?

A:

AACC cannot accept copies of checks as valid payment, and we cannot mark an account as paid using a copy of a check. AACC does not post payments until the check is received in the lockbox.

Q:

My payment didn’t reach AACC by the established deadline. Can I pay onsite?

A:

No. AACC will not accept onsite payment.

Q:

I need to cancel my registration. What do I do?

A:

Cancellation of registration must be submitted in writing via email to

aaccwdi@aacc.nche.edu. All cancellations must be dated on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 6, 2026, to be eligible for a refund. A $300 cancellation processing fee will be applied to all cancellations, except for those faculty for whom a $150 processing fee will be applied. No refunds will be granted after December 6, 2026, under any circumstances, including but not limited to family and medical emergencies, no-shows, or other similar reasons. Credits will not be issued for a future year. Colleges are encouraged to submit a substitution request for an employee to attend the event in place of the individual who is unable to attend.

Pre- and post-conference workshops, as well as plenaries with meals, are non-refundable once purchased.

Refunds for payments submitted by check will be issued within 30 days of the annual meeting's conclusion.

Q:

I registered for a ticketed event, pre-conference or post-conference workshop, and now want to cancel it. Can I do that?

A:

We encourage registrants to read all policies before making registration selections. Refunds for pre-convention and post-conference workshops or other ticketed events will not be issued. You can cancel without a refund.

Q:

The airline has canceled my flight, so I will be unable to attend the meeting. Can I get a refund of my registration and fees?

A:

A flight cancellation is treated as a no-show, and you are not eligible for a refund. You are encouraged to consider purchasing flight cancellation insurance, which may help you recoup travel expenses.

Q:

I am registering my supervisor for the AACC WDI and need to know if meals are included in the registration.

A:

Meals are not included in registration. The association offers add-on options for registrants to purchase meal-included plenaries. These events can be purchased for an additional fee.

Q:

I’d like to know what food will be served in advance of the event. Is that

possible?

A:

No. Our meals and receptions are designed to meet common dietary restrictions. We can accommodate allergies, but we are unable to cater to personal dietary preferences. If you require Kosher or Halal meals, please note that they are available for an additional charge and must be requested by 4:00 p.m. ET on January 8, 2027. Please make a request to aaccwdi@aacc.nche.edu. You will be invoiced and must pay when the request is made.

Q:

AACC may offer enrichment activities that encourage networking among attendees. Do I have to register for any of these items?

A:

AACC may offer enrichment opportunities that people can sign up for and attend on their own. Attending these events allows attendees to develop relationships with other community college leaders. Each opportunity has a maximum number of participants. Once all the event tickets are sold, no additional slots will be added, so it is best to sign up for activities you’re interested in as soon as possible.

Q:

I only registered for base registration. Since I’ve checked in, I’d like to add tickets to my registration. What do I do?

A:

Once registration closes on January 8, 202, tickets will no longer be for sale. A ticketed event has a maximum number of tickets available -- once those tickets are purchased, the event will no longer be accessible, even if there is still time to register. You are encouraged to select the events you want to attend as early as possible.

Q:

I need housing, but I am not attending the annual meeting. Can I still book through the AACC room block?

A:

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate housing requests not tied to a registration record.

Q:

How many hotels are available for conference attendees?

A:

AACC has secured a block of rooms with one property. 

Q:

Can I contact the hotel directly to make my housing reservation?

A:

Yes, you can contact the hotel directly to make a housing reservation; however, you may not be eligible for AACC’s group rate. AACC manages its own room block. All reservations must be made through the 2027 AACC WDI registration form to receive the group rate. If you do not make your reservation when you register, you can modify your registration at the appropriate Service Center.

Q:

I booked my lodging through a third-party website and would now like to request that it be added to the AACC housing block. Can I do that?

A:

Unfortunately, no. AACC serves as its own housing bureau. Third-party companies like Expedia and Hotels.com are not affiliated with the organization. If you book through these companies, you are subject to their policies. You must cancel that reservation and rebook through the AACC registration form to secure lodging in the housing block.

AACC recommends that attendees book through our housing bureau. Several unreliable poachers in the meeting space will take your money for a reservation, but they don’t have a relationship with the hotel where you are attempting to book.

Q:

Is there a housing deadline?

A:

Yes. The deadline to make housing arrangements at the group rate is January 2, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. (ET). If you plan to book housing after the deadline, contact the hotel directly and make your reservation. Reservations made directly with the hotel are subject to the hotel’s published room rates and taxes.

Q:

If I didn’t book my room when I initially registered to attend AACC WDI, how do I add it to my registration?

A:

This will depend on the form that you used to register. If you are a meeting attendee, log in to the Attendee Service Center. You must log in to the Speaker Service Center if you register as a speaker. Mouse over the Service Center Header, scroll down to 'Housing' on the navigation, make your housing selection, and submit.

Q:

I booked my housing reservation, but didn’t receive a confirmation number.

A:

AACC serves as its own housing bureau. Housing must be obtained through the registration form or the Attendee Service Center to receive the group rate.

Please be aware that booking lodging through third-party sites may incur additional fees. We cannot transfer those reservations into the AACC housing block. You'll need to book accommodation through our block in our housing form.

Your housing will remain pending until January 2, 2027, at which time your reservation will be transferred to the hotel. Once the hotel processes your request, you will receive your confirmation number via email. You can then contact the hotel directly to modify or cancel your reservation. Please review the deposit and cancellation fee requirements for your accommodation. If you cancel your registration after the housing deadline, you are responsible for contacting the hotel to cancel your lodging.

Q:

I need to modify my housing request. How can I do that?

A:

If you have booked housing through AACC before January 2, you must log in to the appropriate Service Center (Attendee Service Center or Speaker Service Center) to modify your reservation. You cannot contact the hotel to make reservation changes until you receive a confirmation number.

Q:

An emergency has arisen, and I will be unable to attend the Annual Meeting. What do I need to do?

A:

In addition to canceling your registration, please contact the hotel directly to cancel your lodging. Once AACC turns all reservations over to the hotel, we can no longer modify or cancel the reservation for you. Depending on when you cancel, you may be subject to the hotel’s cancellation policy. You are responsible for paying any penalties related to canceling your lodging within the window established by the hotel.

Q:

I booked my housing directly with the hotel, but my rate is much higher. Can I get the group rate applied to my existing reservation?

A:

No. AACC acts as its housing bureau to secure its room block(s). The only way to book lodging with AACC at the group rate is through the association’s registration form. If you book with a third-party site or directly with the hotel, you are subject to the rates they impose. AACC has no control over the inventory it sells and can set rates as it deems appropriate.

If you secured lodging before the housing cutoff deadline through a third party or directly with the hotel, the only way to receive the group rate is to cancel the original reservation and book a new one through the service center corresponding to your registration type (e.g., attendee, speaker, exhibitor). Once the block closes, we won't be able to accommodate your request.

Q:

I am considering submitting an abstract for consideration for the 2027 AACC WDI agenda. What is the likelihood of my submission getting accepted?

A:

While we cannot provide you with specifics around the likelihood of an

abstract getting accepted, we can tell you that you are more likely to have your abstract accepted if you follow the directions as provided: be clear, be concise, and be innovative. Additionally, consider incorporating information from your response to the question, “Why should attendees care about your topic?” in your actual session description. State the problem in one sentence and describe the solution you’ve come up with to address the problem.

Q:

What are the eligibility requirements for submitting an abstract?

A:

The submitter of an abstract must be a member of AACC. Membership

includes institutional members, educational associate members, affiliated

councils, and corporate partners. Non-members may co-present but cannot be the lead in submitting a proposal(s) or a lead presenter.

Q:

If I submit an abstract, can I change it before the deadline?

A:

If you begin the abstract application process and you hit “save and return later,” you can go back and change the abstract until the proposal deadline. Once you submit a proposal, you cannot modify it. Individuals who hit “save and return later” on an abstract submission must log into the Abstract Service Center to hit “submit” by the deadline for the session to be considered for inclusion on the agenda.

Q:

How many speakers can I include in an abstract submission?

A:

No more than three speakers are allowed on abstracts, including the submitter.

Q:

When will AACC notify me if my abstract has been approved or rejected?

A:

Once the submission deadline passes, the abstract review will begin. Accepted abstracts will be scheduled. We anticipate notifications for accepted abstracts will be sent out in late October or early November.

Q:

Can I modify the speakers listed in my abstract after it has been accepted?

A:

AACC will email the submitter of each accepted abstract, requesting that they accept or reject the abstract as scheduled. During this period, the only modification to the submission is the speaker list. The edits to the speaker list must be made during the week-long period when proposals are open for acceptance or rejection. Requests for speaker changes will not be accepted after the deadline.

Q:

My abstract was accepted, but I don’t like the time and date that it has

been scheduled. What can I do?

A:

AACC receives many abstracts for its events. Accepted sessions are randomly placed on the agenda in every available time slot before acceptances are emailed to the submitters. Therefore, the association cannot reschedule sessions once they are scheduled, as no open time slots are available to accommodate this request.

Q:

What is included in each session room?

A:

Each session room will contain an LCD projector and screen. 

Q:

If I am registered as booth staff, what is included?

A:

The base registration for the AACC WDI includes access to sessions, the exhibit hall, the opening plenary, and the opening reception.

Q:

I am registered as a booth staff, but I am also a speaker. Do I also need to register as a speaker?

A:

No. Your booth staff registration covers you as a speaker. Your badge will be labeled as an exhibitor. If you’d like the badge updated to speaker, please get in touch with us at aaccwdi@aacc.nche.edu to request that your form type be changed to speaker.

Q:

I received an email from a third-party provider indicating that they are selling the AACC WDI attendee list. Is this factual?

A:

No. AACC does not work with any third parties, nor do we sell attendee lists.

During registration, each registrant decides whether to authorize AACC to share their contact information with exhibitors. AACC will only share contact information where we have received permission from exhibitors and sponsors whose packages include pre-registration lists.

AACC will never contact you about WDI activities. Unless you have initiated communication with us, please do not disclose your personal information to anyone, especially your credit card number. If you provide your credit card information to one of these companies, your card may be charged, and there is no guarantee that a room will be available upon arrival.

Q:

Does the AACC show provide scheduled uninterrupted time for attendees to

visit exhibitors?

A:

Yes. AACC has built-in exhibit-only time on the schedule. This is time set

aside so that meeting attendees can visit exhibitor demonstration kiosks.

Q:

Can I attend the opening plenary?

A:

Yes. The base registration package includes the opening plenary.

Q:

What about the other plenaries? Can I attend them as well?

A:

You must purchase an add-on for each event you’re interested in attending.

Q:

I didn’t book the sponsorship/exhibit for my company, and I have questions.

Where should I go?

A:

If you are an exhibitor/sponsor and have questions about your purchase, please visit the AACC Info Booth (not the exhibitor service center) and request to speak with the onsite staff responsible for supporting sponsors/exhibitors.

Q:

I am an exhibitor/sponsor, and I have access to AACC WDI's attendee list. Are there any restrictions on how I can use this information?

A:

Yes. AACC’s attendee list data may not be collected, sold to others, added to any database, used to create mailing lists, or utilized for any promotional activity, especially mass emailing and telemarketing. AACC prohibits the use of the registration list as a pre- or post-conference lead sheet. Misuse of this list will lead to the attendee or company being excluded from future AACC Annual meetings.

Q:

If I am a speaker, is there a special registration rate for me?

A:

Yes. The special registration fee is available only between October 1 and December 6.

Q:

I am a speaker, and I need to register. Can I use the attendee registration form?

A:

AACC has created a special speaker form that you must use if you are a speaker. This registration form can be accessed through the Speaker Service Center. This allows us to provide you with special speaker-specific communications. If you register via the general attendee form, we cannot guarantee you will receive relevant information.

Q:

Can I register only to attend my session?

A:

No. There is a flat registration rate. AACC does not offer daily rates. All speakers must pay the flat registration rate by December 6. If speakers do not register, their scheduled abstract may be removed from the agenda.

Q:

Should I upload my presentation before the AACC WDI Meeting?

A:

While you are not required to do so, we strongly recommend uploading your slides before the event. This will allow session attendees to access your slides if they need to refer to them during and after the session. This will prevent you from accessing the slides for your presentation.