ACE Fall Virtual Conference

November 18-19, 2026

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM -4:00 PM CT, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM MT, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PT

Level Up 2026 is ACE’s mid-year virtual conference. Across two engaging half-day sessions, participants will hear from ACE peers and external experts who share practical insights, fresh perspectives, and real-world experience. Whether you’re a seasoned communicator or just getting started, Level Up 2026 offers the opportunity to sharpen your skills, gain new ideas, and leave inspired.

Register now for the event at https://aceweb.org/event-6769972

Dates: November 18–19, 2026
Time:

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM MT
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT

A recording of the conference will be available for all registered participants in case you can’t make all the sessions live.

If you have any questions, please contact aceoutreach@gmail.com.

We look forward to connecting with you at the conference!

Keynote Speakers

Level Up Schedule — Nov 18, 2026

Time	Topic / Session Title
1:00 PM	Welcome
1:05 PM	Keynote: Stories from the Edge of Space: A Look at How NASA Shares Science with the Public (60 mins)
2:05 PM	You Don’t Have to Be a Photographer to Think Like One (30 mins)
2:35 PM	Prompt, Produce, Publish: An AI-Assisted Workflow for Video Creation (30 mins)
3:05 PM	Break
3:15 PM	Student panel (45 mins)
4:00 PM	Hands-on sketching (30 mins)
4:30 PM	Communicating Public Value: Building Trust and Influence (20 mins)
4:50 PM	ACE Membership Presentation
4:55 PM	Wrap up
5:00 PM	Day one ends

Level Up Schedule — Nov 19, 2026

Time	Topic / Session Title
1:00 PM	Welcome & Certification
1:05 PM	ACE 2027 Tampa Conference Preview
1:10 PM	Keynote: Using AI to Develop a Strategic Multimedia Communications Plan That Delivers Quality, Authenticity and Results (60 mins)
2:10 PM	From Awareness to Action: Communications as a Catalyst for Funding and Support (30 mins)
2:40 PM	Protecting IP from AI: Strategies for Communicators (30 mins)
3:10 PM	Break
3:20 PM	Creative Communications in a Digitally Accessible World (30 mins)
3:50 PM	Creativity Across the Department: Different Perspectives, Shared Possibilities (30 mins)
4:20 PM	“Reel” Secrets from the Bug World and Beyond (30 mins)
4:50 PM	ACE C&A Presentation
4:55 PM	Wrap up
5:00 PM	Level Up 2026 ends

All times Eastern

Committee

Co-Chair - David Keto | University of Wyoming Extension

Co-Chair - Lori Greiner | Virginia Cooperative Extension

Marquinta Gonzalez | Fort Valley State University
Joy Drohan | Eco-Write, LLC
Stacey Stearns | University of Connecticut Extension
Latasha Everson | Fort Valley State

ACE Office: 847-647-8861