{"id":1369,"date":"2026-09-03T01:53:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T01:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seagc.org\/?page_id=1369"},"modified":"2026-09-03T12:10:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T12:10:59","slug":"2026-monday-schedule-sept-28th","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/seagc.org\/?page_id=1369","title":{"rendered":"2026 Monday Schedule – Sept 28th"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8:30-9 a.m. – Pre-Conference Registration<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

9-11:30 a.m. – Pre-Conference Workshop: An Introduction to Annual Giving<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Free Pre-Conference Monday Morning Workshop<\/em> – Registration Required<\/em><\/a>
SGA Room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals who want to strengthen their annual giving programs, participants will explore the art and science of annual giving, from storytelling and omni-channel strategies to data-driven decision-making and campaign planning. This pre-conference workshop is free with your conference registration, but workshop registration is required.
More information is here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. – Lunch Break<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Noon – Conference Registration and Sponsor Hall Open<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1-2:00 p.m. – Opening Welcome and Conference Preview<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bob Burdenski, with Heather Junod, Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at the University of Central Florida, and the Conference Committee, Sponsors and Presenters<\/em>
Ballrooms A and B<\/strong>

We will launch the 2026 Southeast Annual Giving Conference with a special welcome from Heather Junod, Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at the University of Central Florida, followed by a rapid-fire rundown of the great annual giving conference sessions and speakers to follow. We will also highlight our sponsors, our scholarship recipients, and maybe even you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-2:15 p.m. – Break<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refreshments in the sponsor foyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2:15-3:15 p.m. – Plenary Session: An Annual Giving Directors’ Forum<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Above the Annual Giving Trees \u2013 An Advancement Leaders Forum
<\/strong>Harold Williams, Old Dominion University, (Moderator), Heather Junod, UCF, Andria Silva, Rollins College, and Skylar Beaver, The Out-of-Door Academy<\/em>
Ballrooms A and <\/strong>B<\/strong>

Join a terrific panel of advancement leaders for a discussion of this year\u2019s hot topics that impact us all, including:
\u2714 Emergency Education Fundraising
\u2714 Annual Giving Integrations in Advancement
\u2714 As Usual, AI
\u2714 Budget Challenges and the Impact on Annual Giving
\u2714 The Continuing Use of Alumni Giving Participation as a Metric
\u2714 What Else is Next For Annual Giving?
\u2026and More.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3:15-3:45 p.m. – Break<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refreshments in the sponsor foyer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5:15 – 8 p.m. Special Event<\/strong> – Opening Reception<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening Conference Reception
<\/strong>Fairwinds Alumni Center
<\/em>
Join your conference attendees for an evening of networking, food, drinks, music and… karaoke! Either outside on the Fairwinds Alumni Center patio, or in the Karaoke Ballroom, we’ll have complimentary drinks, nibbles and entertainment, compliments of MCR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8:30-9 a.m. – Pre-Conference Registration 9-11:30 a.m. – Pre-Conference Workshop: An Introduction to Annual Giving Free Pre-Conference Monday Morning Workshop – Registration RequiredSGA Room Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals who want to strengthen their annual giving programs, participants will explore the art and science of annual giving, from storytelling and omni-channel strategies to … <\/p>\n

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3:45-5 p.m. – Breakout Sessions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Digital Fundraising Forum
<\/strong>Joe Nullet, Florida Atlantic University and Sadiki Perry, MS, Florida State University<\/em>
Ballroom A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s more to digital fundraising than your giving day! Join a terrific team of hosts for a chat about all things digital fundraising. What\u2019s actually working right now\u2014and why? From email and social media to giving days, automation, personalization, and donor journeys, participants will explore practical strategies that drive engagement and inspire giving across online platforms. Come ready to discuss lessons learned, compare tools and tactics, and exchange ideas you can immediately apply to strengthen your digital fundraising results.

Behind the Magic: Building a Smarter Crowdfunding Program<\/strong>
Sharon Horinka<\/a>, UNC Charlotte and Alex Echeveste, UTSA<\/em>
Ballroom B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowdfunding can be a powerful way to engage new donors, support specific projects, and give faculty, staff, students, and volunteers a hands-on role in fundraising\u2014but building a successful program takes more than launching a website. This session will explore how to create and grow a sustainable crowdfunding program, from identifying the right projects and recruiting campus partners to setting expectations, developing compelling stories, and promoting campaigns across multiple channels. We\u2019ll discuss strategies for training project leaders, building internal support, establishing timelines and guidelines, and measuring success beyond dollars raised. Whether you\u2019re starting from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing program, you\u2019ll leave with practical ideas for making crowdfunding an effective part of your annual giving and donor engagement strategy.

An Independent Schools Fundraising Forum<\/strong>
Skylar Beaver, Out-of-Door Academy (Sarasota) <\/em>
Ballroom C<\/strong>

Bring your questions, answers, challenges and solutions to this open discussion session on the unique opportunities and challenges facing fundraising programs at independent schools. From annual giving and parent participation to alumni engagement, stewardship, volunteer management and events, this session will encourage the sharing of ideas, lessons learned, and practical solutions. We\u2019ll exchange successful strategies, discuss emerging trends, and collaborate on ways to strengthen donor relationships and build a culture of philanthropy within our school communities.

Direct Mail Still Delivers
<\/strong>Matt Sulzer & Sara Pond, MCR<\/em>
SGA Room<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct mail remains the primary driver of donors and dollars for most annual giving programs. Join MCR for an interactive session that explores classic best direct mail performers, as well as cutting-edge ideas to get your mail opened, read and churning results. Together we\u2019ll dive into:
\u25aa\ufe0fAudience Styling \u2013 unique campaign packaging, creative marketing, as well as eye-popping designs and copy for your core segments
\u2013 Leadership
\u2013 Renewal\/Retention
\u2013 Acquisition
\u25aa\ufe0fPriming & Timing \u2013 connect your message with other channel
\u2013 Giving Days
\u2013 Donor Journeys
\u25aa\ufe0fAsk Strategies \u2013 when, where and how much to ask<\/p>\n\n\n\n