Making the Most of WACE: How to Maximize Your Experience, Build Connections, and Have a Great Time

Attending WACE is more than just a professional development opportunity with everything that is offered. Whether you’re a first-time or seasoned attendee, WACE offers spaces to learn, connect, and recharge alongside colleagues from across the region.

WACE brings together over 250 professionals across housing and residence life, facilities, business operations, and more, all united by a shared commitment to student success. Take advantage of the knowledge roaming the conference to learn and maybe come up with innovative takeaways for your work or campus.

With so much to do (sessions, networking, social events, and the exhibit hall!) it’s important to be intentional about how you engage. Here’s how to make the most of your time at WACE.

Look through the schedule and sessions ahead of time

WACE offers 50+ educational sessions tailored to a wide range of functional areas and experience levels. Before arriving or while waiting at the airport, take some time to review the schedule through the App and highlight a few sessions of interest. Identify topics or presenters you’re excited about! There might be some names you recognize but didn't know were presenting! Lean into the learning, ask questions, and even process what you learned with colleagues to keep the momentum going.

Be intentional about networking

One of the biggest benefits of WACE is the opportunity to expand your professional network. The conference is designed to foster meaningful connections across institutions and roles.

• Connect with presenters after their sessions if things mentioned stood out or to ask if they are open to connecting or sharing their slides

• During meal times is a great time to connect with people from other institutions and connect about the work we do

• Attend social events and receptions for a fun way to connect with others. Keep an eye out on emails from the WACE team, WACUHO committees, or from corporate partners inviting you to socials they are hosting!

• Talk to your SHO (Senior Housing Officer) about people they would be interested in introducing you to! Approaching a SHO may feel intimidating but know that they are just as interested in mentoring and welcoming you to WACUHO and WACE as you are in getting to know them!

Don't miss the Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall is a fun place to explore and learn more about corporate partners. The Exhibit Hall features 45+ corporate partners showcasing solutions that support student success, including technology, furniture, facilities services, and more. Why should you go to the Exhibit Hall?

• Corporate partners often bring emerging trends, tools, and innovations that can influence how we operate in housing and residence life.

  • You never know when your department will run into an issue and you can say “I met this really cool vendor at WACE that could help us solve this”

• You don’t need to control budgets or contracts to benefit from these conversations. Meeting vendors your institution already works with:

  • Helps put faces to names

  • Strengthens institutional relationships

  • Gives you insight into how partnerships function (great for your professional development)

• Participate in WANGO! A Bingo style game that if filled and turned in by the deadline will put you into some of the bigger raffle prizes! Listen to our Exhibit Hall MC for all the information

Helpful Hint: Bring either your business cards or paper slips with a pen to leave your information with vendors as some Corporate Partners will have raffles at their booth.

Learn about WACUHO Committees

At WACE is a perfect time to ask others about their involvement with WACUHO and what made them join committees. Look out for anyone wearing Exec Board, Committee Chair, or WACE Ambassador flags/pins to ask them about their experience in WACUHO and how you can be involved as well. The 26-27 Committee Sign Up form is open! Make sure to check it out within this WAVES. 

WACE is a space to learn, connect, and grow! But the value you get out of it depends on how you show up. Be curious. Be present. You will do more than just attend WACE, you will experience it and everything WACUHO has to offer. Remember some of the most impactful moments at WACE happen in hallway conversations, last-minute session choices, or introductions you didn’t plan. Go with it and have a great WACE!

• Rubia Hernandez, Vice President

Helpful Hint: Check out the “WACE 2026 Starts Soon! - What to Know Before You Arrive” email sent by Cynthia Aranda Cervantes Ed.D and Kara Bauer Ed.D (our WACE Chairs) for more information about WACE!