Below, find answers to some common questions. For extra help, stop by the registration desk or speak to any member of the Compact team. If you can't reach us in person, get in touch at conference@compact.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I go?

The conference is at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, which is located at 151 East Wacker Drive in Chicago, IL. For directions to the hotel from the airport, visit events.compact.org/compact26/plan.

How do I access wifi?

Wifi will be available in all conference spaces. All attendees can join using the following information:

• Network: Hyatt Conference

• Password: compact26

When can I check in to the conference?

The registration desk will open at 9:30 AM, Monday, March 16th. If you are participating in a Pre-Conference Institute, you can check in beginning at 8:00 AM on Monday, March 16th.

How does Campus Compact ensure the conference is a safe space?

Please read and follow our code of conduct. 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

Is there a space reserved for nursing parents?

Yes! Gallery 1 on the Skyway Level (take the elevators up from the Crystal Ballroom lobby). It is equipped with a lockable door and a fridge. Find Campus Compact staff at the Crystal Ballroom registration desk to get access to this space.

Is there a space reserved for those who need quiet or a place to work?

If you need to take a break from the busyness of the conference, the Hyatt Regency has a lot of soft seating and workspaces that are open for all attendees to use. Our favorite places to work are the living room space (Skyway Level, west tower) or the sky bridge between the east and west towers (Skyway Level).

Where can I find a gender-inclusive restroom?

There are two gender inclusive restrooms in our conference space. You can find a large gender-neutral restroom on the Lobby Level in the Crystal Ballroom Foyer. There is also a single occupancy gender-inclusive restroom available on the Concourse Level.

What meals are available?

Conference attendees will receive breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday. Drinks, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and desserts will be served during our signature reception on Monday evening. Breaks indicated on the agenda and Tuesday evening’s poster session will include snacks, coffee, and other refreshments. Lunch will not be provided, but we have scheduled an extended break on Tuesday to allow plenty of time to explore the area and grab a meal. Check out our list of nearby restaurants and attractions in the "Explore Chicago" section of the app.

I have a dietary restriction. How can I find food that works for me?

Any dietary needs that were mentioned as part of your conference registration will be accommodated by the hotel's catering team. Please ask banquet staff to be directed toward food that meets your needs. If you did not report a dietary restriction during registration but need dietary accommodations now, let us know! The catering team can easily accommodate most restrictions and are happy to help guests navigate their menus.

For Compact26 attendees observing Ramadan: At 6:58 pm (sunset) on Monday, 3/16, we will have dates available at the Crystal Ballroom registration desk for any who want to break their fast. Takeaway containers will be made available at meal times so that attendees who are fasting can take some food back to their rooms.

I have mobility limitations. How can I navigate the conference space?

All conference spaces are accessible by elevator and escalator. Additionally, there will be space reserved for wheelchair users in the front and back of each breakout room and in general sessions. If you have any other mobility concerns or if there is a way we can make your experience at the conference more comfortable, please chat with Compact staff at the registration desk.

What can I expect from different session types?

Here's a brief overview of the different types of breakout sessions you'll find on our schedule:

• Knowledge-to-Action Workshops: Knowledge-to-Action sessions are focused on sharing specific knowledge, theories, skills, or methods for practical application.

• Author Talks: Hear from the author of an impactful publication in the civic and community engagement field

• Promising Practice: These 30-minute sessions highlight examples of effective community engagement projects, infrastructure, or approaches.

• Roundtable: Join in on an intimate discussion focused on workshopping ideas, gathering feedback, and working collaboratively (limited to 8-10 participants per discussion topic)

• Meet-Ups: Meet-ups are held at the end of conference days for various groups to (you guessed it..) meet up! Find meet-ups for geographically focused groups, affinity networks, design teams, communities of practice, and more.

• Posters: Poster presentations are intended to promote exchange between presenters and attendees on civically and community-engaged projects. 

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, and AASCU’s American Democracy Project, 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. AASCU members who register for both ADP and Compact26 are eligible for the discounted Compact26 Campus Compact member rate. Use code ADPCHI26 at checkout. Not sure if your institution is an AASCU member? You can check here. These rates become available when early bird registration begins on September 16. Learn more about registration rates at events.compact.org/compact26/registration.

PROGRAM

How can I present a session?
Our call for proposals closed on October 10, 2025. Please click here to learn more about our program: 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.

 

ACCESSIBILITY

We want everyone to feel comfortable at Campus Compact events. We provide all reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Please review our accessibility page for more detailed information.

 

Who do I contact if I need help?

Kaitlin Rattigan, Events Manager (conference@compact.org), will be the key contact person for speakers leading up to and during the conference, but any Compact staff will be able to help. Your best bet, if you need assistance before or after your session, will be to stop by one of the Campus Compact Help desks on either the Lobby Level (outside of Crystal Ballroom) or the Ballroom Level (outside of Regency Ballroom). During your breakout session, there will be a Compact staff member assigned to your breakout room who can also provide assistance.

 

Where do I need to be for my session?

Check the conference schedule at compact.org/compact26/program or the Compact26 App to find your room assignment (the app is not yet live, but stay tuned). Please double-check your session location day-of, as room assignments may shift. Until the conference starts, you can always find the most up-to-date information on the program page at compact.org/compact26/program. During the conference, the Compact26 app (to be released the week before the conference) will be the best source of up-to-date information. 

 

When do I need to arrive for my session?

Please arrive for your session at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Many rooms will be in use for sessions back-to-back, so it is likely that your assigned room will be in use until 15 minutes before your session is scheduled to begin. 
 

What do I need to bring?

If you would like to show a presentation or other visual media, please bring your own laptop. You are also welcome to bring handouts or additional visual aids.
 

What will be available in my room?

• Knowledge-to-Action Workshops, Author Talks, and Promising Practices sessions will have:
  • Projector, screen, HDMI adapter, and a clicker you can use to progress slides (USB attachment)
    Microphone and speaker — We ask that all presenters facilitating these sessions use the microphone to accommodate hearing-impaired attendees. 
    • The following rooms will not have a microphone due to the intimate size: Columbian, Haymarket, Picasso, San Francisco, Soldier Field, New Orleans, Wrigley, Atlanta
  • Head table with three chairs
  • Flipchart paper and markers
  • HDMI cable and an aux cable if you will be playing a video or using audio for your session
  • The following breakout rooms will also have a podium: Acapulco, Crystal A, Toronto, Hong Kong, New Orleans, Regency A, Regency D, and Water Tower
  Roundtable sessions will have:
  • Signs on the table with the session title that indicate which table you are assigned to
  • No AV will be provided for Roundtables
  • Each roundtable will have 14 chairs per table—this is inclusive of the presenter(s). 
• All breakout sessions will be assigned a Compact staff member who can help with setup, crowd management, and timekeeping.

 

How should I make sure my presentation is accessible?

If you plan to play a video or audio file, please ensure that closed captions are available. Here is a video about how to do that for Microsoft PowerPoint. For videos on YouTube, use the closed caption button. Additionally, please test your audio within your presentation software prior to presenting. Breakout rooms (excluding roundtables and the exceptions listed above) will be equipped with a microphone and speakers. We ask that all speakers use the microphone provided to accommodate hearing-impaired attendees.

 

What do I do if I am having technical issues?

Get in touch with the Compact staff member assigned to your breakout room. They can help troubleshoot or get in contact with Encore, our technical support team.

 

What is the setup for Roundtable sessions?

For Roundtable Sessions, there will be multiple discussions assigned to the same room. Tables will be labeled for each group by a Compact staff member. Each table will have 10 seats. There will be a few extra empty tables if you need to spill over into an extra table or need additional chairs. Please do not take chairs from another active Roundtable.

 

How do Promising Practice sessions work?

We have revised how we operate Promising Practice sessions. These are now 30-minute session blocks with a single group presenting (as opposed to prior years, when we paired two groups of speakers). 

 

POSTER PRESENTERS

What size should my poster be?

The maximum tackable surface to hang your poster is 91" wide x 43" high. Posters should be single-sided and will be pinned to an 8 ft x 4 ft board. Pins will be provided.

How do I get my poster to the hotel?

Posters can be shipped to the hotel no earlier than March 3, 2026, using this address:

Campus Compact/[Your Name] Mar 16-18
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601

If you are looking for a local place to print your poster onsite, there is a FedEx attached to the hotel.

When and where do I set up my poster?

Setup begins at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17th. All poster presenters should have their posters set by no later than 3:50 pm. Space will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to set up early if you want your choice of spot!

The poster session ends at 5:30 pm, and all posters should be removed right after.

If you do not wish to take your poster with you at the conclusion of the poster session, you may leave it on the board and it will be disposed of by the hotel staff.
 

PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTE PRESENTRS

Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all presenters and participants of the pre-conference institutes. Breakfast will be available from 8:00 - 9:30 AM in the Water Tower breakout room. A boxed lunch will also be available from 12:00 - 1:30 PM in the Water Tower breakout room. 

It is up to the presenter to decide on a time to break for lunch that best works for your session schedule within the 12:00 - 1:30 PM timeframe. Participants should collect their food from the Water Tower breakout room and bring it back to their pre-conference breakout room.

 

CONTACT US

Need to get in touch with our team? Contact us at conference@compact.org to speak directly to a member of the Campus Compact team.