Compact25: Frequently Asked Questions

THE BASICS

What is Compact26?
Compact26 is Campus Compact’s 2026 annual conference.

Where is Compact26?
Compact26 will take place in Chicago, IL. The main events will be at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Read more about the venues by clicking “Plan Your Trip” above or visiting events.compact.org/compact26/plan.

When should I be in Chicago?
Compact26 officially kicks off at 1:15 pm on Monday, March 16th with the first general session. Pre-conference workshops will take place beginning at 9am on March 16th. Some special programming, including the TRUCEN Annual Meeting, will begin over the weekend prior to the start of the conference.

Where can I learn more about Campus Compact and their offerings?
It’s easy! Visit our website at compact.org for the latest events, programs, and resources.

REGISTRATION

Can I register for Compact26?
Yes! Anyone can attend Compact26. Visit our pricing & registration page to sign up.

Do I need to be a Campus Compact member to attend?
No. Anyone is welcome to attend! (But don't be surprised if you find yourself joining soon after). If you're interested in learning more about Campus Compact membership, reach out to our team at membership@compact.org.

How can I edit my registration?
Click here to make changes to your existing registration. If you need help, contact us at conference@compact.org.

How can I cancel my registration?
Cancel your registration by emailing us at conference@compact.org before March 1, 2026, to be refunded the value of your ticket less a $100 cancellation fee. We are unable to offer refunds for cancellations after March 1, 2026. Our cancellation deadline is based on a few factors, including locked-in food & beverage costs, hotel room booking minimums, and ordering of conference materials. In the event of extenuating circumstances that make it necessary to cancel after the deadline, please reach out to Compact staff at conference@compact.org. We may be able to offer options to recoup costs, such as comped registration for next year's conference.

How can I register a group?
During registration, you will be able to add multiple guests in one transaction. Groups of four or more Campus Compact members that are registered in a single transaction will be eligible for a 10% discount on Early Bird and Regular Campus Compact member rates. The group rate cannot be combined with already discounted student or national service member rates. All guests registered as part of a group must be from the same institution. Use code "Group" at checkout to activate the discount.

Do I need to sign up for specific sessions?
No. Registered attendees may attend any general session, breakout session, or opportunity listed in the conference schedule. You can however build your personal agenda on the Compact26 conference App once it is live in March 2026. Seating at sessions will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early. Pre-conference sessions and other special opportunities will require separate tickets that are available as part of our normal registration process.

RATES, SCHOLARSHIPS & DISCOUNTS

How do you determine the cost of registration?
We work hard to keep the cost of registration as low as possible. We set a goal to break even on conference costs by pursuing ambitious fundraising goals to subsidize conference costs. We are always looking for sponsors & exhibitors to contribute to help us keep our conference as budget-friendly as possible. If you have sponsorship ideas or opportunities you would like to share, please contact us at conference@compact.org.

Are scholarships available?
We are proud to offer lower, more affordable rates to students, AmeriCorps members, and community partners who may not have conference funding or professional development budgets.

We also seek opportunities from sponsors that enable us to offer scholarships for free admission. Any available scholarship or financial support information will be sent to our mailing list and listed below.

If you would like to explore sponsoring scholarships for attendees, please contact us at conference@compact.org.

How do you determine the cost of registration?
We work hard to keep the cost of registration low by pursuing ambitious fundraising goals to subsidize conference costs. We are always looking for sponsors & exhibitors to contribute to help us keep our conference as budget-friendly as possible.

What discounts are available?
Discounted admission is available to all faculty and staff at Campus Compact member institutions. To find out if you are a member, simply start registering and our system will check for you. If you have any questions or concerns about membership, please contact our team at membership@compact.org.

Discounted admission is also available for groups of four or more, students, national service members, community partners, and organizations currently partnering with Campus Compact. These rates become available when early bird registration begins on September 16. Learn more about registration rates at events.compact.org/compact26/registration.

VENUE, ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS

Where can I stay?
We have discounted room rates at the conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60602). To reserve your rooms please click here. Find more details about the hotel by clicking “Plan Your Trip” above or visiting events.compact.org/compact26/plan.

Are meals included?
Your conference registration includes heavy hors d'oeuvres at our signature reception on Monday, March 16th, breakfast on Tuesday, March 17th, and Wednesday, March 18th. There will be a two-hour lunch break on Tuesday to give folks time to rest and enjoy lunch at a local eatery. Snacks and coffee will be served periodically throughout the conference. In addition, breakfast and lunch will be provided on Monday, March 16th for those who register for pre-conference workshops.

Can you accommodate my special dietary needs?
We can accommodate many special dietary needs (such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and food allergies). Please be sure to list your dietary needs in your registration. If you would like to edit an existing registration, please click here. Please note that, while we will do our best, we cannot commit to accommodating every dietary restriction.

PROGRAM

How can I present a session?
Our call for proposals opens in July 24, 2025 and closes on October 10, 2025. Please click here to learn more about submitting a proposal for consideration: events.compact.org/compact26/program.

How did you select the sessions?
Sessions were selected from proposals submitted by faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Proposals were reviewed by the Conference Program Committee and peer reviewers based on the relevance of topic, quality of the submission, and session outcomes.

NETWORKING & COMMUNITY

What is the conference code of conduct?
Please read and follow our code of conduct.

How can I connect with like-minded people?
The Compact coalition is a very welcoming place, so expect a warm welcome from just about anyone! However, if you’d like to find folks with a similar role to you or who share your interests, keep an eye out for meet-ups that will take place during the conference.

How will you moderate discussion?
We know that the Campus Compact network is a kind and caring community where people look out for one another. However, we understand that at any event, there is a risk that not everyone who joins will be on their best behavior. We require that everyone who participates in any of our conferences or events abide by our code of conduct. If any person violates our code of conduct, we reserve the right to immediately bar them from participating in the remainder of the event. If you witness any instances of harmful, disruptive, or offensive comments that violate our code of conduct, please immediately report it to a member of staff or submit it anonymously at compact.org/code-of-conduct.

OTHER

What is the dress code?
Most Compact conference participants wear comfortable, business-casual attire. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. We aim to keep the temperature comfortable inside the conference spaces, but you may want to bring a sweater or a light jacket.

Will there be wifi?
Yes! We'll provide information about how to connect in lots of places.

Is there a conference app?
Yes! It will be launched in March 2026, likely about a week before the conference is scheduled to begin. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information.

What should I bring?
Compact26 will be a great opportunity for learning and networking. You may want to bring a laptop or a notebook and pen and your business cards.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS