62nd Annual AECA Conference

Start
10/09/2024
7:00 AM
End
10/12/2024
2:30 PM
Location
2 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock, AR
Spaces left
76

Registration

(depends on selected options)

Base fee:

EXHIBITOR ONLY
For exhibitors who have paid their vendor fees but not attending any sessions
Member 1 Day Only - Early Bird – $85.00
From 6/28-7/15, members may register to attend one day of the conference for $85
Member 1 Day Only - Late/Onsite – $115.00
From 10/1-10/12, members may register to attend one day of the conference for $115.
Member 1 Day Only - Regular – $100.00
From 7/16-9/30, members may register to attend one day of the conference for $100.
Member Full Conference - Early Bird – $170.00
From 6/28-7/15, members can register for the full conference for a special early bird rate of $170.
Member Full Conference - Late/Onsite – $199.00
After 9/30, members may register to attend the full conference for $199.
Member Full Conference - Regular – $185.00
From 7/16-9/30, members may register to attend the full conference for $185.
Non-Member 1 Day Only - Early Bird – $125.00
From 6/28-7/15, non-members may register to attend one day of the conference for $125.

Only choose this option if you are *not* an AECA Member.
Non-Member 1 Day Only - Late/Onsite – $155.00
After 9/30, non-members may register to attend one day of the conference for $115.

Only choose this option if you are *not* a member of AECA.
Non-Member 1 Day Only - Regular – $140.00
From 7/16-9/30, non-members may register to attend one day of the conference for $140.

Only choose this option if you are *not* an AECA Member.
Non-Member Full Conference - Early Bird – $210.00
From 6/28-7/15, non-members may register to attend the full conference for a limited time special early bird price of $210.

Use this registration ONLY if you are *NOT* an AECA member.
Non-Member Full Conference - Late/Onsite – $239.00
After 9/30, non-members may register to attend the full conference for $239.

Only choose this option if you are *not* a member of AECA.
Non-Member Full Conference - Regular – $225.00
From 7/16-9/30, non-members may register to attend the full conference for $225.

Only choose this option if you are *not* an AECA Member.
PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION ONLY
Use this registration if you are ONLY attending pre-conference sessions and not the regular conference.
You must also select the specific pre-conference session(s) while registering. Each session is $30.
PRESENTER ONLY
This is for presenters who are not attending the remainder of the conference.
Session Lead Presenter - Full Conference – $85.00
This is a special rate for lead presenters who submitted accepted proposals.

**LEAD PRESENTERS ONLY**
Student Member 1 Day Only – $65.00
From 6/28-10/12, student members may register to attend one day of the conference for $65.
Student Member Full Conference – $99.00
From 6/28-10/10, student members may register to attend the full conference for $99.

Registration is closed

We want to see you at the

62nd Annual AECA Conference

on October 9-12, 2024!

Here are the details...

This year's theme is Linking Hearts & Minds: Early Childhood Connections. We know the neural, social, and emotional connections that are made during the early years are some of the most meaningful and consequential for lifelong learning and success. This year we will focus on how we in the early childhood workforce have the responsibility to help ensure young children build healthy connections.

The 2024 conference will again be held at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock, AR. Wednesday, October 9 will be a pre-conference session day with the regular conference beginning on Thursday and continuing through Saturday morning.

You can choose from many interest sessions and tracks. We will have our exhibit hall with all our vendor friends. And plan to pick up some awesome items at our silent auction. Proceeds help us award scholarships to the SECA conference.

HERE ARE SOME MORE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT TO EXPECT--

For Thursday's general session, we will welcome...DJ Pryor.

DJ Pryor is more than just a name – it's a symbol of inspiration, laughter, and the power of giving back. With a heart full of love and a spirit dedicated to making a positive impact, DJ Pryor has become a renowned figure in the world of entertainment and philanthropy. As a devoted husband of 8 years to his wife, Shanieke Pryor, and a proud father of three incredible children – Jabari (12), Kingston (5), and Zaria (2) – DJ's personal life serves as the foundation for his boundless creativity and determination.

With a career spanning two decades, DJ Pryor is a veteran stand-up comedian who has mastered the art of bringing joy to audiences around the world. His comedic genius has garnered not only laughter but also critical acclaim, resulting in an array of awards and recognitions. Beyond the stage, DJ's talents extend to acting, writing, motivational speaking, producing, and directing, showcasing his multifaceted abilities and his unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. But DJ's impact reaches far beyond the entertainment industry. He is the visionary CEO of DJ Pryor Inc and Laughter Is Universal Productions, platforms that allow him to channel his energy and expertise into creating meaningful content that resonates with people of all walks of life.

On Friday, we will feature...Hilary Trudell.

Hilary Trudell (she/hers) is a non-profit executive with a background in team building, executive education, and storytelling. After teaching at the Clinton School of Public Service for seven years, Trudell became CEO of Just Communities of Arkansas where she develops strategic vision, executes diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and promotes JCA's brand. She also teaches leadership development workshops at Sam M. Walton College of Business, co-teaches the Group Facilitation Certificate program at Arkansas Public Administration Consortium, and produces theme-based storytelling shows through The Yarn Storytelling. Trudell has expertise in building community relationships, training volunteer and student leaders, designing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and creating spaces for human connection. In 2022, Truths We Tell, a compilation of stories curated through The Yarn Storytelling won national recognition for a work of non-fiction. To date, Trudell has coached over 300 Arkansans on how to deliver their unique narratives with impact and facilitated hundreds of workshops using structures that level power dynamics, enable all participant voices to be heard, and create space for genuine and results-based collaboration.

Trudell’s collaboration with Arkansas Early Childhood Education began in 2021 when she began working with a cohort of early childhood educators to craft and delivery their stories with impact. She has worked with two more AECA cohorts since then and is excited to support many more early childhood educators as they discover and delivery their stories about the essential work they provide in our state.

Pre-Conference - Wednesday, October 9
For those who want more in-depth, intensive training on various ECE topics, AECA will offer pre-conference sessions led by our state's early childhood experts on Wednesday for an extra charge. Three-hour sessions are $30 and six-hour sessions are $60. Registration includes a buffet lunch at the hotel from 12:00-1:00. Click 2024 Preconference Sessions- REV-2.pdf to see a description of classes.

Hotel Reservations
The Wyndham Riverfront continues to be a great conference partner for our space and lodging. Rooms will be available in our block for $109 per night. Use this link to make your reservation.

T-Shirts
Conference T-shirts will be available for order with your conference registration for $25 each. You can pick up your prepaid T-shirt orders at conference check-in. Limited quantities will also be available for sale at the conference.

Session Tracks
This year's conference will feature several interest tracks--physical activity, leadership, advocacy/storytelling and family child care. Conference partner UA Early Care and Education Projects will also offer a luncheon for family child care on Saturday. (We will send out a separate registration for this.)

Thursday Director Breakfast
Our partner A-State Childhood Services will sponsor a breakfast for directors and administrators on Thursday, October 10. If you are a director, we will reach out to you with details after you register. Seating is limited.

Friday Business Meeting
There will be an AECA business meeting on Friday morning from 7-8 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Voting will be limited to active AECA members. Breakfast will be served. Please indicate on your registration if you plan to attend.

AECA Membership
If you need to join or renew your membership, please do that BEFORE registering. (If your membership has expired, the system will not allow you to register for conference at the member rate.) We have made it less expensive to join and attend the conference as a member than to register as a non-member. For $39, you will receive a year’s membership in AECA and the Southern Early Childhood Association. Join or renew then come back to this site to register.