June 9-11, 2024
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country & Sonoma State University
Sonoma County (Rohnert Park, CA)
NACAS West CX
The NACAS West CX conference provides the premier exchange of campus-centric ideas, solutions, and connections to your regional area. Designed and delivered by your own professional peers, this event gives you the best opportunity to isolate your needs and nurture your relationships. At West CX, you can easily seek out other campus service leaders that have similar interests, requirements, and visions for how to empower campus communities.
Sunday, June 9, 2024
11:00am - 5:00pm
Registration
1:00pm - 2:30pm
General Session & Opening Keynote (Sponsored by Chartwells)
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Afternoon Break (Sponsored by Instawork)
2:45pm - 4:30pm
Extended Education Session
This unique initiative unites academia, industry leaders, and governmental bodies to catalyze systemic climate action and transform food systems. Although there is consensus on the necessary actions, scalable, real-world models for this transformation are notably absent. Serving millions of meals daily across North American campuses, we see each meal as a pivotal chance to promote sustainability and shape future leaders. Explore the intersection of Food, Health, and Climate with us, presenting our Lab as a collective platform for meaningful change. Together, we can create scalable, innovative solutions that translate academic discourse into practical applications, leading to a sustainable future.
Speakers:
Sid Mehta, Senior Director Ancillary Services, Simon Fraser University
Jim Dwyer, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Business Services, Arizona State University
Neil Markley, Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance, Sonoma State University
Joseph Person, Executive Director Auxiliary Enterprises, Central Washington University
2:45pm - 4:30pm
Extended Education Session
Discover how equitable access programs can transform your institution's educational landscape. Join business partners Vital Source, RedShelf and Barnes & Noble College, for an insightful session on the essential elements of implementing and managing successful equitable access initiatives. Gain firsthand insights into launching and managing these programs effectively, securing buy-in from stakeholders, and leveraging technology for seamless operations. Learn how to partner effectively with campus stakeholders and communicate strategically to drive student success and institutional growth. Explore trends and data on equitable access, including student preferences and improved affordability. Don't miss this opportunity to empower your institution and enhance student outcomes through equitable access solutions.
Speakers:
Kelly Tilstra, Director, Equitable Access, VitalSource
Cambria Dorado, Regional Director, RedShelf
Lori Schmit, Director of Stores, Barnes & Noble College
Moderated by Andy Lachman, University Housing, Food & Mail Services Manager, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
2:45pm - 3:30pm
Education Session: Fireside Chat
Colleges and universities are facing the dual challenges of attracting and retaining students and building a proficient workforce. To address these challenges, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and the California State University at Sacramento are partnering on student learning and employment opportunities that deliver valuable hands-on work experience and leadership skill development for future career growth, while increasing student connection to the campus community.
In a panel discussion, presenters will share how the expertise of both the Aramark and the Sacramento State teams is being leveraged to create meaningful co-curricular opportunities that elevate the student educational and professional experience. Panelists will discuss initiatives such as:
- Student Leads Program, which affords high potential student employees - who excel in their jobs and demonstrate leadership qualities - with additional learning opportunities in hospitality operations and customer service.
- Recent collaboration with professors and the chairman in the Food Management, Sciences Nutrition and Dietetics department to enhance the Hospitality Management educational program.
- Aramark™s S2L (Step Up to Leadership) and A2L (Accelerate to Leadership) internship and college hire development programs that help students expand their competencies in operations, businesses, and leadership to create a career pipeline upon graduation. Attendees will hear a first-hand account of the value of these programs from Sean Stratton, graduate of the programs and current Aramark Resident District Manager at Sacramento State.
Speakers:
Angela Rader, Director of Marketing and Communications UEI, University of California Sacramento StateSean Stratton, Resident District Manager, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality at University of California Sacramento State
Bryant Newman, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
James Accardi, Regional Vice President, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
Emily Oliver, District Manager, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
3:45pm - 4:30pm
Education Session
Twenty three years ago, UCSF Campus Life Services underwent a deliberate brand make-over focused on reinventing its mission to "making life better here" at UCSF through a service/customer-focused approach to offerings and services. There was a concerted effort to feature our people doing their work;messaging had a voice that was friendly and fun;and visuals were colorful and eye-catching. It forced marketing and production teams to work together—and to step outside of their silos—to create and multiply this strategy. Ultimately, eleven units benefitted from the power of one voice and centralized efforts.
Because of the efforts to insert this focus into the ethos of Campus Life Services, the university has turned to CLS to undertake enterprise-wide communication and marketing (ex: campaigns: COVID, Sustainability, Shop Local and patient communications) and service as a branding expert (reproductions, digital displays, logo lockups) to ensure the university communication efforts are compelling and relevant.
Through the power of branding, and our expertise of supporting the UCSF enterprise in a novel way, Campus Life Services has positioned itself as THE go-to communicators at UCSF.
Speakers:
Monica Mapa, Associate Director Strategic Marketing and Communications, University of California San Francisco
Mario Carmona, Associate Director Documents and Media, University of California San Francisco
4:30pm - 5:30pm
First-Timers Reception (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
5:30pm
Bus Transportation to Opening Reception (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
Buses will depart outside the DoubleTree near the Ballroom at 5:30 & 5:45 pm.
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Opening Reception (Sponsored by Chartwells)
Join us for the Opening Reception, sponsored by Chartwells on Sunday, June 9 from 6-9 p.m. at Paradise Ridge Winery! We're thrilled to announce an unforgettable evening filled with delectable cuisine, captivating conversations, and endless social time. It's the perfect way to kick off an incredible NACAS West CX!
But wait, there's more! We're delighted to share that celebrity chef Jet Tila will be gracing us with his presence, bringing his culinary expertise and vibrant personality to the festivities. Get ready to indulge in a culinary journey like no other! Chartwells is thrilled to announce that they will be providing signed copies of 101 Epic Dishes by Jet Tila and Ali Tila to the first 100 attendees at the Opening Reception.
9:00pm
Bus Transportation to DoubleTree (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
Buses will depart at 9:00 pm to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country.
Monday, June 10, 2024
8:00am - 4:00pm
Registration
8:00am - 9:15am
Breakfast (Sponsored by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality)
8:30am - 9:30am
General Session and Keynote with Amy Gutierrez (Sponsored by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality)
Amy Gutierrez will be speaking about the San Francisco Giants’ incredible run of three World Series Championships in five years in relation to the NACAS core values of Integrity, Leadership, Adaptability, Excellence, Inclusiveness, Respect and Community. Amy will emphasize that following the core values will create opportunity, both personally and professionally, to “advance campus experiences that enrich the quality of life for students”, which is a key element of the stated NACAS mission. Each NACAS member deals with a student “touchpoint” that can greatly influence how a student feels about their college experience. By enhancing those touchpoints all of the vested parties – students, parents, administrators, and the surrounding community – feel good about their decisions and their direction.
Speaker: Amy Gutierrez
9:45am - 10:45am
Education Session
On August 18, 2023 the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia was issued an order to evacuate as a result of the McDougall Creek wildfire burning out of control. Within 2 hours the entire campus population was evacuated (included student and conference guests living in residence) for a period of more than 48 hours less than 2 weeks before the start of the fall academic term. The presentation will walk through the process the campus experienced, including what went well and what we might do differently next time from the lens of the ancillary services. Suggestions on how other campuses can to begin to prepare for such an event will be provided.
Speaker:
Shannon Dunn, Director Business Operations, University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus
9:45am - 10:45am
Education Session
Auxiliary Services represents a broad and dynamic sector within higher education. The National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) has witnessed a significant expansion in the scope of this field. As roles evolve and the hiring process becomes more complex, there is a growing demand for immediate access to resources that equip professionals with essential knowledge for their roles in auxiliary services. This session will introduce the West Regional members to the new Auxiliaries 101 course, crafted by the Professional Development committee to address these educational needs. We invite you to join the conversation, explore the potential of this course, and share your insights on the resources you consider vital for our collective success.
Speakers:
Raj White, Director of Education, NACAS
Elysa Doss, Systems Analyst and Assistant to the AVP, Auxiliary Services, Gonzaga University
9:45am - 10:45am
Education Session
When the oldest and first cafe at the UCSF Mission Bay campus closed for business after 20 years (opened in 2003), we went to the UCSF community to ask what they wanted to do in the space. There was an open call to the campus to submit ideas for the next use for the space. The intent was to "co-create" the space with the campus leading the way! We will present the inspiration, process, and outcome of the co-creation process to share for possible application at other universities.
Speakers:
Hannah Evans, Campus Life Services- Facilities, Project Manager, University of California San Francisco
Tamara Villarina, UCSF, Campus Life Services- Retail, Manager, University of California San Francisco
11:00am - 2:15pm
Business Partner Showcase
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch in Business Partner Showcase
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Education Session
Shared Mobility continues to expand throughout North American cities and is becoming an integral part of cities and campuses transportation plans. This session will look at the positive and negative impacts of having shared micromobility programs on campus. The discussion will center around best practices for integrating shared mobility on campus, the positive impacts of shared mobility programs, and how data from shared mobility operators can be harnessed to make informed decisions on infrastructure and wayfinding improvements. The panelist will also discuss how shared mobility could be integrated into campus operations.
Speakers:
Leanne Bhuler, Senior Manager, BCAA's Evolve E-Bike Share
David Agosti, Director-Parking & Sustainable Mobility Services, Simon Fraser University
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Education Session
In a panel discussion format, we plan to delve into the wide variety of innovations taking place on our campuses. We will be highlighting ideas that have been groundbreaking revenue generators and the cost-saving strategies that have been impactful to our operations. Each of the panelists come from diverse backgrounds in higher education, sharing insights on how their initiatives have significantly impacted their institutions, both financially and operationally. This session will rely on audience engagement, sharing the journey from concept to implementation, the challenges faced, the initiaitive outcomes, and will close out with a Q&A session.
Speakers:
Suzie Mize, Associate Vice President, Auxiliary Enterprises, Gonzaga University
Jared Ceja, CEO, Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises
James Dwyer, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Business Services, Arizona State University
Nicole Nimmons, Associate Vice President, Campus Services, Boise State University
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Education Session
NACAS is an extraordinary organization that connects, educates and promotes campus commerce, supporting auxiliary services professionals and business partners. The organization offers many resources to assist you in meeting the dynamic challenges we are all facing in a rapidly evolving landscape. Regardless of your tenure with NACAS, or your current position, you could level up your NACAS experience in a few important ways!
Learn more about becoming a Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP), and how to get involved as a volunteer - several committees offer the opportunity to serve in a way that is meaningful for you, AND provides you professional growth.
Speaker:
Eileen Richey, Director of Auxiliary Services, San Juan CollegeAndy Lachman, Manager of University Housing, Food & Mail Services, Univeristy of Hawai'i at Manoa
Joseph Pearson, Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, Central Washington University
Elysa Reichert, Systems Analyst & Asst to the AVP, Gonzaga University
3:30pm - 3:45pm
Afternoon Break (Sponsored by RedShelf)
3:45pm - 4:45pm
NACAS Town Hall Meeting
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Karaoke Nightcap Reception (Sponsored by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality)
Because it was so much fun in 2023, we’re bringing it back! Warm up your voices, pick your favorite songs, and come ready to end the day on a fun-filled note with a NACAS West sing-along for the record books! Wine, beer, light snacks, and microphones will be provided.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
8:00am - 2:00pm
Registration
7:30am
Bus Transportation to Sonoma State University (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
8:00am - 9:00am
Breakfast (Sponsored by Sodexo)
8:10am
Bus Transportation to Sonoma State University (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
8:30am - 10:00am
General Session (Sponsored by Sodexo)
Join us for an enlightening session on the current trends in auxiliary services, featuring Jared Ceja & Neil Markley. Leaning on their combined expertise and significant contributions to the industry, this session will discuss innovative strategies for enhancing student life and financial sustainability through auxiliary services. Together, we will explore how these services are adapting to new challenges and opportunities, providing a critical source of revenue and support for institutions, especially in the face of changing educational environments. Don't miss this opportunity!
Moderator: Kelsey Harmon Finn, Compass Group
Speakers:
Jared Ceja, CEO, Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises
Brett Jackson, AVP for Auxiliary Services, University of Georgia
Neil Markley, AVP for Administration and Finance, Sonoma State University
9:45 am
Bus Transportation to Sonoma State University (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
Buses will depart outside the DoubleTree near the Ballroom at 9:45 am.
10:15am - 11:15am
Education Session
In an era where climate change and sustainability are at the forefront of global discussions, the food choices we make are increasingly under scrutiny. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock are responsible for approximately 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet animal-source foods remain a crucial component of our diets, offering essential nutrients that are challenging to obtain from plant-based sources alone.
This proposed session aims to bridge the gap between the often polarized views on animal agriculture and sustainable food systems, especially within the context of university campuses. By bringing together a diverse panel of experts from the animal agriculture sector and university services, we intend to foster a comprehensive discussion on how meat, milk, and eggs can fit into diets that are both healthful and sustainable.
Speakers:
Eric Mittenthal, Chief Strategy Officer, North American Meat Institute
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist, UC Davis CLEAR Center
Conor McCabe M.S., UC Davis CLEAR Center
Sid Mehta, Senior Director Ancillary Services, Simon Fraser University
Alexandra Hart MAI, Hart Ranch
10:15am - 11:15am
Education Session
We will delve into the strategic analysis of Arizona State University's (ASU) Auxiliary Services through the lens of Supply Chain Management. In this session, we'll explore the intricacies of our auxiliary operations, from procurement to logistics, and how the application of supply chain principles can elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of these vital university functions.
We'll uncover the strategic nuances of how ASU procures and collaborates with vendors. Demonstrating how a supply chain perspective can enhance the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and overall quality of services provided to our academic community.
Speakers:
Tim Maguire, Senior Program Director Auxiliary Supply Chain Strategy, Arizona State University
Jim Dwyer, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Business Services, Arizona State University
10:15am - 11:15am
Education Session: Fireside Chat
Forging a vested alliance: a deep dive into growing relationships from service provider to trusted partner.
11:30am - 1:00pm
NACAS West Business Meeting & Lunch
Hear highlights from the NACAS West board about the past year and learn what's coming up next. The slate of nominees for the incoming board will be presented for West institutional member votes. Come learn about the location for the 2025 NACAS West CX. Don't forget about NACAS Foundation Flip A Coin, purchase your beads as you enter. Attendees from the West region and Business Partners are all welcome to join the business meeting and lunch.
Lunch will be served family style and will include a brewery beer flight tasting
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Education Session
Today's colleges and universities face increasing financial challenges. However, there are opportunities campus leaders should consider in order to create a sustainable, financial future. Looking past tuition fees is a good place to start. There are potential revenue streams across campus, from auxiliary functions to student services, and everything in between. A key to finding these hidden revenue gems is a unified payment environment that manages payment acceptance across campus while easing reconciliation, back office processing, compliance and reporting. In addition, the ability to bring on third-party merchants and vendor TouchNet payment experts will walk you through practical examples from institutions that are driving new revenue streams while delivering a premium experience for all.
Speaker:
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Education Session: Fireside Chat
In today's multigenerational workforce, understanding and catering to the unique needs and preferences of each generation is crucial for successful recruitment and retention. This presentation delves into the nuances of generational diversity, providing insights into communication styles, values, and motivators to help organizations attract and engage a robust and diverse candidate pool.
Speaker:
Marcie Glenn, CEO and Chief Talent Strategist, Another Source
1:15pm - 2:30pm
Education Session
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Afternoon Break (Sponsored by Aladdin Campus Dining)
2:45pm
Bus Transportation to DoubleTree (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
Bus will depart at Sonoma State University Parking Lot D at 2:45 pm.
2:45pm - 4:15pm
Sonoma State University Tour
Come enjoy a beautiful and informative campus tour of Sonoma State University. During the tour visit the Student Center, University Bookstore, dining venues, Recreation Center, and campus housing.
4:30pm
Bus Transportation to DoubleTree (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
5:30pm
Bus Transportation to Closing Reception (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Closing Reception (Sponsored by Sodexo)
9:30pm
Bus Transportation to DoubleTree (Sponsored by Groome Transportation)
Buses will depart Sonoma State University at 9:30 pm to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country.