2026 Annual Conference

WACRAO 95th Annual Conference

November 18 - 20, 2026

Madison Marriott West
Madison, WI

Table of Contents

Full Program

Coming in October

Registration 

Registration open in September 2026

Hotel Information

Madison Marriott West
1313 John Q Hammons Drive,
Middleton, Wisconsin, USA, 53562

  • The room rate is $131/night for government employees and $149/night for non government employees
  • Provide your tax exempt information to the front desk upon check-in
  • Book your room online or call the hotel at 888-745-2032
  • The last date to reserve your room within the WACRAO block is October 27th, after this date a room at our conference location is not guaranteed

What to know before you go

  • Provide a copy of your tax exempt certificate and either supply a copy when you check in or you can email a copy when you make your reservation. Bring a copy of the certificate to the conference as a safeguard.
  • This year we are offering three pre-conference sessions - QPR Training, FERPA 101, and Fraudulent Transcripts and Student Accounts. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions indicate it on your registration form.
  • Dress code for the conference is business casual during the day Wednesday and Thursday. For Friday, show your school spirit and sport your college gear. 
  • First-time attendees and members who have recently joined WACRAO are encouraged to join past, present and future members of the WACRAO and AACRAO Executive Boards at a networking event from 4:00 - 5:00 on Wednesday. You’ll get to know other new/recent WACRAO members and learn more about how to maximize your membership.
  • We will again be selling raffle tickets to support a philanthropic cause. The organization will be announced as we get closer to the conference

Conference Information

  • Opening Speaker: TBD
  • Closing Speaker: TBD
  • Wednesday Entertainment: TBD
  • Thursday Entertainment: TBD
  • Information for Vendors

Philanthropy

TBD

Schedule at-a-glance

Schedule subject to change

Wednesday, November 18th

  • 8:30 - 11:30 – WACRAO Executive Board meeting
  • 10:00 - 4:30 – Registration Open
  • 10:00 -11:30 – Pre-Conference Sessions
    • QRP Training
    • FERPA 101
    • Fraudulent Transcripts and Student Accounts
  • 12:30 - 2:15 – Issues/Trends in Wisconsin meetings
  • 2:30 - 4:00 – Welcome, Opening Speaker, and Vendor Introductions
    • Opening speaker, TBD
  • 4:00 - 5:00 – New Member Welcome
  • 5:00 - 6:00 – Networking Social 
  • 6:00 - 8:00 – Dinner on your own
  • 8:15 - 10:00 – Entertainment

Thursday, November 19th

  • 7:00 - 4:30 – Registration Open
  • 7:00 - 8:00 – Breakfast
  • 7:50 - 8:00 – Announcements for the day
  • 8:00 - 8:50 – Concurrent Sessions
  • 9:00 - 9:50 – Vendor Sessions
  • 9:50 - 10:10 – Break/Refreshment
  • 10:15 - 11:05 – Concurrent Sessions
  • 11:20 - 12:15 – General Session
    • Legal Issues in Higher Education
  • 12:15 - 1:30 – Lunch and WACRAO Business Meeting
  • 1:45 - 2:35 – Concurrent Sessions
  • 2:45 - 3:35 – Concurrent Sessions
  • 3:45 - 4:35 – Conference Debrief/Wellness
  • 4:40 - 5:15 – Refresh/Reset
  • 5:15 - 6:00 – WACRAO Mixer
  • 6:00 - 8:00 – Dinner and Banquet
  • 8:00 - 11:00 – Entertainment

Friday, November 20th

  • 7:30 - 8:30 – Breakfast
  • 8:40 - 9:30 – Roundtable Discussions and WACRAO Committee Meetings
  • 9:40 - 10:30 – Concurrent Sessions
  • 10:40 - 12:00 – Closing Speaker, TBD

Questions or Comments

Contact the Local Arrangements Committee