TN AHEAD 2026 Annual Conference
March 9-11, 2026
Columbia State Community College
Williamson Campus
Join colleagues from across the state for the annual TN Ahead Conference in Franklin, TN!
Registration Fee:
In-Person - $175/Members and $200/Nonmembers
Payment Options:
Please make checks payable to TNAHEAD and mail to:
University of Tennessee Student Disability Services
ATTN: Ed Zirkle
1534 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996
Credit card payment may be made using Personify once registration is complete.
Lodging Information:
Tru by Hilton
1001 Knolltop Ln, Franklin, TN 37067
Phone: (615) 814-6440
Group rate: $104/night
Booking link for the discounted rate - https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/tnahead2026columbiastate/
Attendees can also call in at 615-814-6440 - press 0 and ask to reserve under the TN Ahead block. To receive the group discount rate, make reservations no later than 2/27.
Conference Agenda
Monday, March 9th
Time
Activity
12:00-2:00pm
Check-in
2:30-4:30pm
New Professionals Presentation/Interactive Workshop
5:30-7:00pm
Dinner at The Factory: Join other attendees for dinner; individual payment required.
Tuesday, March 10th
8-9:00am
Conference Check-in (Silent Auction bidding begins)
9-10:30am
Keynote Address: Grace Clifford
10:45-11:15am
Sponsored Break: Jamworks Demo
11:15-12:00pm
Discussions by Institutional type
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch (Lunch Provided)
12:30pm
Scholarship and Award Announcements
1:00-2:00pm
Session 1: VPAT Reviews and Vendor Conversations-Amie Nephew
2-3:00pm
Session 2: OCR Case Review- Dr. Ed Beason
3-3:15pm
Break
3:15-4:15pm
Session 3: Students, Systems, and Parents: Supporting Neurodiversity Across Campus-Jamie Butler and Amy Rutherford
4:15-5:15pm
Session 4: Behavioral Conduct/Case Studies-Dr. Julie Williams
5:15-5:30pm
Silent Auction Bidding Closes/Winners Announced (payment and pick-up)
Dinner Break (on your own)
7-10:00pm
Colleague Connection-light refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday, March 11th
9:00-10:30am
TN Ahead Annual Business Meeting
Parking Information: All conference activities will be held in the Administration Building, located nearest the flagpole (positioned on the hill). Attendees may park in any designated visitor spaces or in student parking areas marked by white lines. Please note that visitor parking near the Administration Building is limited. Additional parking is available behind Buildings B and C, which are the next closest options.
Tennessee AHEAD
Sara Conrad, President, 26-27, 1534 White Avenue Blount Hall First Floor Knoxville, TN 37996. Email: sconrad@utk.edu
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