SEC Business School Advancement Conference 2024

The University of Georgia Terry College of Business is excited to host the SEC Business School Advancement Conference July 23 – 25 in Athens. Below you’ll find travel information, programming and more.

Conference attendees are primarily staying at the SpringHill Suites and HomeWood Suites hotels in downtown Athens. We have private transportation reserved for Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon/evening. Buses will leave from SpringHill Suites only. If you were unable to secure a room at SpringHill Suites but would like a complimentary parking pass for the property, please email jcochran@uga.edu by 10 a.m. on Monday, July 22 (limited number available).

Attendees will walk between the SpringHill Suites and Terry Business Learning Community Wednesday/Thursday mornings and afternoon (.3 mi from SpringHill Suites). For ADA accommodation, please contact jcochran@uga.edu.

The nearest major airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The drive from the airport to the UGA campus is about an hour and a half.

Transportation to Athens:

• Airport car rental services include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and more
• Groome Transportation shuttle service (pre-booking recommended; more than 20 trips provided each day between the airport and campus)

A visit to the University of Georgia always calls for experiencing the town of Athens itself. Whether it’s enjoying a cold beverage at the Creature Comforts taproom or a meal from local staples such as the Royal Peasant, Seabear or the World Famous, there are ample reasons to extend your stay or plan a return trip. Learn more about visiting Athens.

If it’s your first year attending the conference, please remember: it’s peak summer; dress with the heat in mind. General attire is business casual, and school colors are encouraged.

Tuesday: casual attire (shorts, heat-friendly tops, comfortable shoes) and walking shoes encouraged for tours of UGA Indoor Practice Facility [group photo] and Terry College Business Learning Community

Wednesday: business casual; walk to BLC early morning and walk to SpringHill Suites later afternoon (.3 mi), programming indoors, team photos at lunch

Thursday: SPIRIT DAY! Rock your best school spirit attire while staying comfortable as everyone prepares to return home

Time	Event
2 – 5 p.m.	Hotel arrival and check-in
2:45 p.m.	Bus arrives for optional tours at SpringHill Suites
3:00 p.m.	Bus departs from SpringHill Suites
3:15 p.m.	UGA Athletics — Indoor football facility tour
4:15 p.m.	Tour of the Terry College Business Learning Community (BLC)
5 p.m.	Return to hotels for refresh
6 – 8 p.m.	Walk to dinner on-campus at Studio 225 (next to SpringHill Suites) Official welcome from Brandon Cochran, Principal Gifts Officer, Terry College

Time	Event
7 – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast at hotels
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.	Walk to the Terry College Business Learning Community from SpringHill Suites
9 a.m.	Morning welcome Benjamin C. Ayers, Dean, Terry College
9:15 a.m.	Making the Most of Naming Opportunities Kathy Ortstadt, Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Terry College
10 a.m.	Panel: Exploring Opportunities with Certificate Programs
10:45 a.m.	Break
11 a.m.	Leveraging Alumni Boards Natalie Glenn, Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Terry College
Noon	Lunch
1 p.m.	Team Photos
1:45 p.m.	Breakout Session 1 Session 1a: Development: Implementing a Liaison Model for Programs and Departments Session 1b: Advancement: Student Philanthropy Session 1c: Marketing and Communications: Effectively Leveraging LinkedIn: B-Schools’ Social Media Wheelhouse
2:30 p.m.	Break
2:45 p.m.	Breakout Session 2 Session 2a: Development: Blended Gifts & Planned Giving Session 2b: Advancement: Celebrating your Alumni  Session 2c: Marketing and Communications: The Value of Directional Research in Higher Ed
3:30 p.m.	Breakout Session 3 Session 3a: Development: Collaborating with Partners Across Campus Session 3b: Advancement: Recurring Giving Strategies Session 3c: Marketing and Communications: Operations Overview — open forum with Terry College Office of Marketing and Communications
4:15 p.m.	Return to hotels for refresh
5:45 p.m.	Transportation begins cycling between SpringHill Suites and Georgian Hall
6 – 8 p.m.	Dinner at the Georgian Hall

Time	Event
7 – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast at hotel
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.	Walk to the Terry College Business Learning Community
9 a.m.	Morning welcome
9:15 a.m.	An “Academic and Athletic Powerhouse” — Aligning for greater institutional strength Kathy Ortstadt, Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Terry College Ford Williams, Executive Associate Athletic Director / Executive Director of the Georgia Bulldog Club
10 a.m.	Terry College’s “Best Year Ever” — Strategies from a landmark year Ruth Seiler, Senior Director of Development, Terry College
10:30 a.m.	Optional Working Lunch: Passing the torch to the Aggies — Planning for the year to come
10:30 a.m.	Farewell and boxed lunches for the road

Conference registration closed July 3 at 5 p.m. ET. Conference registration is no longer refundable but can be transferred to another individual until July 12. Questions? Contact Gracie Oney-Hansen or James Cochran.