<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=9090954&amp;fmt=gif">

NACAS_FLU_LeadershipSummitWhite

The Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village 
Cape Coral, FL
November 1-4, 2026

(RSWWI) Exterior + Marina Hero Large 2

NACAS Leadership Summit

Inviting leaders with veteran experience in auxiliary services, oversight of more than one service department, key decision-making power on campus, as well as Business Partners that are disrupting the status quo and partnering with institutions to enrich the campus experience.

This event is part of the NACAS Leadership Series.

Select an option below:

Why Attend the New Summit?

  • Delivers greater overall value in response to tightened professional development budgets

  • Creates intentional connection between current and next-generation leaders

  • Expands peer networks across leadership levels

  • Increases program value and engagement

  • Builds a stronger, more unified NACAS leadership community

Download letter to supervisor

Spotlight on Prestigious Institutions who attended the NACAS 2025 Senior Executive Summit!

  • Texas Tech University - Lubbock
  • Stephen F. Austin State University
  • University of Virginia - Charlottesville
  • Michigan Technological University
  • United Tribes Technical College
  • University of British Columbia
  • New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  • Nova Scotia Community College - Halifax
  • Tulane University
  • University of North Carolina - Charlotte
  • Texas A&M International University
  • University of California - Davis
  • Brown University
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Spotlight on Prestigious Institutions who attended the NACAS 2025 Women in Higher Ed Leadership Summit.

  • Oakland University
  • Penn State
  • Santa Clara University
  • Simmons College of Kentucky
  • SUNY - Alfred College of Technology
  • University of Georgia - Athens
  • University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
  • University of Austin
  • Western University

Westin Cape Corla

 

Venue & Lodging

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
Cape Coral, FL

Experience Coastal Bliss at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. Discover one of the most inviting resorts near Fort Myers, where well-being comes easy. Nestled in a picturesque waterfront community, our Southwest Florida resort offers dream-home comforts, on-demand activities, and a deep connection to nature. Every room features stunning sunrise-to-sunset views of the marina and surrounding preserve. Enjoy kayaking through mangroves, dolphin cruises, or simply relaxing by the pool. With full kitchens, private balconies, and spacious suites, our accommodations feel like your own coastal retreat. Dine at Marker 92, unwind at Esterra Spa, or explore the Promenade Shops. Whether you're planning a getaway or a gathering, our hotel near Fort Myers invites you to embrace the rhythms of the water and feel your best—every moment of your stay

Transportation: The Westin Cape Coral Resort is located 40 minutes from the Southwest Florida International Airport. 

2026 Sponsorship Packages

This year, NACAS combined two highly successful leadership events into one streamlined experience. Business Partners can now reach a broader leadership audience in a single engagement, with more time, more decision-makers, and more opportunities to connect without the cost of sponsoring two separate events.

Sponsor Benefits:

  • Access to both leadership tracks

  • Greater decision-maker density

  • Expanded networking windows

  • Cross-track visibility instead of siloed exposure

Enhance your brand recognition within the NACAS community.

For sponsorship inquiries and to secure your sponsorship package, please contact Artem Mulitsa via email or call 414-491-3178.

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to connect with the most influential figures in higher education auxiliary services. Secure your sponsorship now and position your brand as a key player in the NACAS Leadership Summit 2026. We look forward to welcoming you as a valued partner in this transformative event
create an image for a platinum sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple-1

Platinum Sponsor $20,000: 2 1 available

  • Prominent logo placement
    • Event Website
    • Digital Agenda
    • Onsite Signage
  • Exclusive recognition as the Platinum Sponsor during opening and closing sessions
  • Opportunity to introduce a general session speaker
  • Sponsor Ancillary Activity
  • Four complimentary registrations for your team. 
  • Access to the attendee list with contact information.
  • Recognition in all pre and post-event communications.
create an image for a gold sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple-1

Gold Sponsor $14,500: 4 2 available

  • Prominent logo placement
    • Event Website
    • Digital Agenda
    • Select Onsite Signage
  • Opportunity to introduce a breakout or track session
  • Recognition as the Gold Sponsor during general sessions
  • Access to the attendee list with contact information.
  • Recognition in all pre and post-event communications.
  • Two complimentary registrations for your team.
create an image for a supporter sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple I will not be adding any logos can you just call it sup-3

Supporter Sponsor $10,000:

  • Prominent logo placement
    • Event Website
    • Digital Agenda
  • One complimentary registration for your team.
  • One complimentary registration for a guest institution
  • Access to the attendee list with contact information.
  • Recognition in all pre and post-event communications
create an image for a breakfast sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple I will not be adding any logos can you just call it bre-1

Breakfast Sponsor $8,500: 2 1 available

  • Logo placement during breakfast sessions.
  • Recognition on event materials and website.
  • One complimentary registration.
  • Opportunity to address the attendees during breakfast.
create an image for a lunch sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple I will not be adding any logos can you just call it lunch s

Lunch Sponsor $8,500: 2 available

  • Logo placement during lunch sessions.
  • Recognition on event materials and website.
  • One complimentary registration.. 
  • Opportunity to address the attendees during lunch.
create an image for a dinner sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple I will not be adding any logos can you just call it dinner-1

Dinner Sponsor $10,000: 2 1 available

  • Logo placement during dinner session.
  • Recognition on event materials and website.
  • One complimentary registration.. 
  • Opportunity to address the attendees during dinner.
create an image for a reception sposnosrship without being gaudy I would like something simple I will not be adding any logos can you just call it rec-3

Reception Sponsor $8,500: 1 available

  • Logo placement during reception.
  • Recognition on event materials and website.
  • One complimentary registration.. 
  • Opportunity to address the attendees during reception.

Introducing the NACAS Leadership Summit

Beginning in 2026, NACAS will combine the Senior Executive Summit and the Women in Higher Education Leadership Summit into a single, reimagined event. 

This new format offers a two-track leadership experience focused on executive strategy, leadership readiness, and professional growth. Participants will engage in peer-driven discussions, practical leadership development, and cross-level collaboration, all under one powerful event brand.

Senior Executive Track
Designed for vice presidents, associate VPs, and top auxiliary and campus operations executives focused on high-level strategy, innovation, and institutional impact.

Women in Higher Ed Leadership Track
Designed for professionals in senior and advancing roles who are preparing for expanded leadership responsibilities, with a focus on leadership skills, decision-making,
and career progression.
Jan Hargrave Head Shot - Womens Event Large

Jan Hargrave

Jan Hargrave, CEO of Jan Hargrave & Associates, is the nation’s leading behavioral authority and body language expert. As an international consultant, acclaimed speaker, distinguished educator and talk show guest, Jan has worked with many of today’s leading corporations such as, Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch, Starbucks, ESPN, NASA, Comcast and MARS Chocolate.

Jan is the author of 5 books on nonverbal communication: “Strictly Business Body Language" “Judge the Jury,” “Freeway of Love,” “Let Me See Your Body Talk,” and “Poker Face.”

Jan received her Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Education Specialist Degree in Education with emphasis in business psychology from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.

Jan proves with her contagious warmth, wit, andknowledge that there is a method, and a style, to success.

JamieTHS

Jamie Turner

Jamie Turner is a globally recognized author, professor, and CNN contributor who helps people transition from being "good" to being better.

As a regular contributor to CNN and a lecturer at Emory University, Jamie has spent decades decoding the mechanics of success for Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Mercedes-Benz, and Verizon.

Jamie doesn’t rely on motivational fluff. Instead, he uses a science-based approach to help others perform at their peak.

He is the creator of The Unspoken Rules of Leadership, a battle-tested system that uses his "Four Ms" framework—Mindset, Mentoring, Management, and Marketing—to help organizations eliminate "sideways energy" and unlock hidden potential.

His latest book, Better: A Guidebook to a New and Improved You, was born from a profound moment of personal clarity. After realizing that professional "success" often comes at the cost of personal "presence," Jamie pivoted his research to focus on how we can leverage modern technology—including Artificial Intelligence with a Soul—to enhance, rather than replace, the human experience.

Jamie’s work has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider. Recognized as a Top 10 Speaker by Socialnomics (alongside icons like Brené Brown and Gary Vaynerchuk), Jamie delivers high-energy, action-oriented presentations that move audiences past inspiration and directly into action.

When he isn’t on a global stage, he is the driving force behind UnspokenRules.Live, a platform dedicated to mastering the mindset of peak performance.

657A4729

Eve Turow-Paul

Eve Turow-Paul is founder and Executive Director of Food for Climate League and a globally-recognized thought leader on food culture and lifestyle trends. Her latest book is Hungry: Avocado Toast, Instagram Influencers and Our Search for Connection and Meaning (BenBella, 2020). Through her nonprofit and thought leadership, she explains the ‘why’ behind today’s biggest trends. Turow-Paul has worked with some of the largest foodservice and CPG companies in the world, along with city governments and agriculture groups, to help them deliver solutions that are better for people and the planet. She has appeared in various media outlets to discuss her insights into the changing landscape of food culture. She views food culture as a key lever for improving mental, physical, and environmental health around the world.

Fotini headshot warm

Fotini Iconomopoulos, CSP

Fotini Iconomopoulos, CSP, is a bestselling author and globally ranked Top 15 Negotiation Expert who helps leaders harness workplace friction as fuel for performance. With more than two decades of boardroom experience and over 15 years advising organizations worldwide, she equips leaders to navigate tension productively — avoiding hesitation and backlash while driving stronger decisions and follow-through. Trusted by organizations including Microsoft, Walmart, and Rolls-Royce, Fotini delivers practical frameworks that turn resistance into traction and elevate leadership performance under pressure.

Sunday, November 1

3:30PM - 5:00PM
Registration
5:30PM- 6:30PM
Welcome Happy Hour
Dinner on Your Own

Monday, November 2

8:00AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Registration
9:00AM - 9:20AM
Welcome
9:30am – 11:00am
Opening Keynote: Lead Without Backlash: Rewrite the Script for Success
Many capable leaders hesitate to push back, challenge decisions, or hold others accountable — not because they lack confidence, but because they fear backlash. They’ve seen directness misread, pushback punished, or relationships strained. The cost of staying quiet is just as real — stagnation, missed opportunities, and performance that never quite matches the effort being put in.

In this keynote, Fotini Iconomopoulos, CSP shows leaders how to build credibility and step into tension strategically — applying pressure with precision so they can challenge ideas without the fallout. She reframes friction as a growth mechanism rather than a threat, and equips audiences with practical language frameworks and decision tools to convert resistance into traction, strengthen alignment, and drive the performance their efforts deserve.

Tension handled skillfully doesn’t burn relationships — it builds respect, clarity, and momentum.

Audience Takeaways

Navigate moments of dismissal, interruption, or mislabeling without losing composure or ground
Tools to advocate for themselves as effectively as they advocate for others
Language to challenge ideas and decisions without being labeled aggressive or difficult
Apply power dynamic frameworks without shrinking or overcorrecting
Use questions to redirect conversations without confrontation
11:00AM - 11:15AM
Morning Break
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Peer-to-Peer AI Learning Lab: Practical Applications for Everyday Leadership - Sid Mehta

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way professionals communicate, collaborate, plan, and solve problems — but many leaders are still searching for practical, approachable ways to begin using AI effectively in their daily work. This interactive peer-to-peer learning session is designed to move beyond theory and into hands-on exploration.

Participants will engage in guided activities and collaborative exercises that demonstrate how AI tools can support leadership responsibilities, improve productivity, enhance communication, streamline workflows, and spark innovation across campus and auxiliary operations. Through real-time experimentation and shared discussion, attendees will learn directly from one another’s experiences, challenges, and discoveries.

This session creates a supportive environment where both beginners and experienced users can exchange ideas, test prompts, explore practical use cases, and build confidence using AI responsibly and strategically. Whether attendees are curious about AI fundamentals or looking to expand existing skills, they will leave with actionable techniques and immediately applicable tools.

Session Highlights:

Hands-on exploration of AI tools and practical workplace applications
Peer-to-peer collaboration and shared learning opportunities
Strategies for improving productivity, communication, and decision-making
Best practices for writing effective prompts and generating useful results
Discussion of ethical considerations, responsible use, and emerging trends
Practical examples tailored to leadership, operations, and campus environments

Attendees will leave with greater confidence, new ideas, and practical AI skills they can immediately apply within their teams and organizations.

12:30PM - 1:30PM
Lunch
1:45pm – 3:00pm
Speakers Presentation - ALL: Speak Like a Human, Think Like AI: How to Blend AI and Human Communication Skills
In a famous speech, investor Warren Buffett offered to pay graduates 50% more for their services if they simply took a course to improve their communication skills. Today, that skill gap has become a crisis.

In this keynote, Jamie Turner will discuss how we are entering a phase of professional life where most basic communication tasks—from drafting emails to summarizing reports—will be handled by generative AI.

If human employees are not trained to deliver the unique, high-value communication that only we can provide, they will quickly be rendered redundant. The future of work is not about replacing humans with AI; it’s about making humans indispensable through superior emotional intelligence and strategic communication.

This innovative, engaging, and science-based keynote guides leaders and teams through a step-by-step process designed to blend the efficiency of AI with the indispensable power of human connection, ensuring participants become the most valuable communicators in their organizations.

The Problem: The Automation Trap
The average employee spends more than 50% of their time on emails and internal meetings. As AI automates these low-value tasks, the human communication skills that remain—empathy, conflict resolution, and complex negotiation—become the ultimate differentiators. Organizations that fail to intentionally upskill their teams in these core areas risk falling into the “Automation Trap,” losing their most valuable talent to companies that understand this new equation.

Key Takeaways: From Automation to Indispensability
Participants will not just learn to use AI; they will learn how to use it to make themselves better at the things that matter most.

1. The Human Algorithm: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence (EI)
We explore how the brain processes difficult conversations and conflict. Attendees learn science-based techniques to engage the prefrontal cortex over the emotional amygdala, leading with empathy and composure in high-stakes moments. This section teaches employees how to deliver feedback, negotiate difficult contracts, and handle high-stress client interactions with unwavering confidence.

2. Mastering the AI Co-Pilot: Enhancing Clarity and Speed
This section demystifies AI’s role in communication. Participants learn specific, tactical methods for using generative tools to immediately improve clarity, distill complex thoughts into precise language, and accelerate drafting time by up to 40%. The goal is to make AI a partner for efficiency, freeing up human time for high-value strategic work.

3. The Polarity Principle: Building Trust Through Authenticity
In a world of synthetic content, authenticity is the highest form of currency. We show participants how to leverage their personal brand through strategic vulnerability to quickly build trust with colleagues and clients. This involves understanding how to master their message, establish certitude in their voice, and practice polarity—courageously standing for a unique point of view to attract loyalty.
3:00PM - 3:30PM
Afternoon Break
3:30PM - 4:30PM
Interactive Discussion - (NACAS Panel/Industry Panel or panel) - SES

Topics May Include:

  • AI and Automation in Auxiliary Operations

  • Revenue Diversification Beyond Traditional Service Models

  • Workforce Retention, Culture, and Leadership Succession

  • Marketing Strategies Promoting Value of Auxiliary Services

  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Operational Analytics

  • Sustainability as an Operational and Financial Strategy

  • Crisis Preparedness and Operational Resilience

  • Customer Experience and Service Expectations

  • Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management

  • Capital Planning and Infrastructure Modernization

  • The Future Role of Auxiliary Services in Organizational Strategy

3:30PM - 4:30PM
Interactive Discussion - (NACAS Panel/Industry Panel or panel) - WIL

Topics May Include:

  • AI and Automation in Auxiliary Operations

  • Revenue Diversification Beyond Traditional Service Models

  • Workforce Retention, Culture, and Leadership Succession

  • Marketing Strategies Promoting Value of Auxiliary Services

  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Operational Analytics

  • Sustainability as an Operational and Financial Strategy

  • Crisis Preparedness and Operational Resilience

  • Customer Experience and Service Expectations

  • Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management

  • Capital Planning and Infrastructure Modernization

  • The Future Role of Auxiliary Services in Organizational Strategy

5:30PM - 7:30PM
Cocktails/Dinner

Tuesday, November 3

7:45AM - 8:30AM
Breakfast
8:30AM - 9:00AM
Day 1 Follow-up Discussion
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Speaker Presentation - ALL: Hungry for Wellbeing: What Student Food Trends Reveal—and What to Do About It 
What are today's college students really hungry for? Eve Turow-Paul—author, researcher, and founder of BITE: Building Impact Through Eaters—brings fresh data and behavioral science to one of campus dining's most urgent questions. Drawing on the landmark Hungry research and new generational analysis, Eve unpacks the emotional and psychological forces driving student food behavior today. Then she goes further to translate those insights into bold, actionable strategies that will delight. Students are navigating anxiety, disconnection, and a constantly changing world—and the menu needs to reflect that. But meaningful change requires more than vision; you need proven tactics to make these changes successful. Expect a candid look at the emotional and economic forces reshaping student food behavior, a glimpse of what tomorrow's resilient dining operation looks like, and concrete tools to shift dining experiences. 
10:00AM - 10:30AM
Morning Break
10:30AM - 11:30PM
Speaker Presentation - WIL: Actions Speak Louder Thank Words: Employing Effective NonverbalCommunication During Every Conversation 
Communication does not begin with words — it begins the moment we enter a room. From facial expressions and posture to gestures, eye contact, and vocal tone, nonverbal communication shapes trust, credibility, influence, and connection long before a single sentence is spoken.

In this engaging and high-impact keynote, internationally recognized body language expert Jan Hargrave reveals how leaders can harness the power of nonverbal communication to strengthen relationships, improve team dynamics, elevate customer interactions, and communicate with greater confidence and authenticity in every setting.

Attendees will learn how to interpret hidden messages, recognize signals of engagement or resistance, and align verbal and nonverbal behaviors for more effective leadership conversations. Through real-world examples, audience interaction, and practical strategies, Jan demonstrates how intentional nonverbal communication can improve collaboration, negotiation, service excellence, and overall organizational culture.

Designed for today’s leaders and professionals, this session equips participants with actionable techniques they can immediately apply in meetings, presentations, networking environments, and everyday workplace interactions.

Audience Takeaways:

Understand the critical role nonverbal communication plays in leadership effectiveness
Recognize common body language signals that influence perception and trust
Learn techniques to project confidence, credibility, and approachability
Improve listening and observation skills to better read conversations and reactions
Strengthen interpersonal communication across teams, clients, and stakeholders
Apply practical body language strategies to create more meaningful connections and successful outcomes
10:30AM - 11:30PM
Peer to Peer Learning with Solution Focused Discussions - SES

Topics May Include:

  • AI and Automation in Auxiliary Operations

  • Revenue Diversification Beyond Traditional Service Models

  • Workforce Retention, Culture, and Leadership Succession

  • Marketing Strategies Promoting Value of Auxiliary Services

  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Operational Analytics

  • Sustainability as an Operational and Financial Strategy

  • Crisis Preparedness and Operational Resilience

  • Customer Experience and Service Expectations

  • Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management

  • Capital Planning and Infrastructure Modernization

  • The Future Role of Auxiliary Services in Organizational Strategy

11:45PM - 12:45PM
Lunch Sponsored
1:00PM - 5:00PM
Extended Networking
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Cocktails/Dinner

Wednesday, November 4

8:00AM - 8:45AM
Breakfast
9:00AM - 10:00AM
Closing Keynote: Beyond Hearing: Strategic Listening AcrossCommunication Differences

In today’s fast-paced and increasingly diverse workplace, effective leadership requires more than simply hearing words — it demands the ability to listen strategically, interpret meaning accurately, and connect across varying communication styles, perspectives, and personalities.

In this insightful and interactive keynote, Jan Hargrave explores the powerful role strategic listening plays in leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building. Attendees will discover how unconscious biases, communication preferences, generational differences, and nonverbal behaviors can either strengthen or hinder understanding in professional interactions.

Drawing on her expertise in behavioral communication and body language, Jan provides practical tools to help leaders become more intentional listeners, better observers, and stronger communicators. Participants will learn how to recognize verbal and nonverbal cues, adapt their communication approach to different audiences, and foster environments where people feel heard, valued, and understood.

Through engaging stories, real-world examples, and actionable strategies, this session empowers attendees to move beyond surface-level conversations and develop the listening skills necessary to build trust, resolve conflict, enhance teamwork, and lead with greater empathy and effectiveness.

Audience Takeaways:

Understand the difference between passive hearing and strategic listening
Identify communication barriers that impact understanding and collaboration
Recognize nonverbal signals that reveal engagement, confusion, resistance, or trust
Adapt listening and communication styles across diverse personalities and generations
Strengthen leadership presence through intentional and empathetic communication
Improve workplace relationships, team dynamics, and overall communication effectiveness

This compelling keynote will challenge attendees to rethink how they listen, respond, and connect — demonstrating that true leadership begins when people feel genuinely understood.

10:00AM - 10:15AM
Morning Break
10:15AM - 11:00AM
Peer to Peer Learning with Solution Focused Discussions - Rich Steele, CASP - SES

Topics May Include:

  • AI and Automation in Auxiliary Operations

  • Revenue Diversification Beyond Traditional Service Models

  • Workforce Retention, Culture, and Leadership Succession

  • Marketing Strategies Promoting Value of Auxiliary Services

  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Operational Analytics

  • Sustainability as an Operational and Financial Strategy

  • Crisis Preparedness and Operational Resilience

  • Customer Experience and Service Expectations

  • Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management

  • Capital Planning and Infrastructure Modernization

  • The Future Role of Auxiliary Services in Organizational Strategy

10:15AM - 11:00AM
Peer to Peer Learning with Solution Focused Discussions - WIL

Topics May Include:

  • AI and Automation in Auxiliary Operations

  • Revenue Diversification Beyond Traditional Service Models

  • Workforce Retention, Culture, and Leadership Succession

  • Marketing Strategies Promoting Value of Auxiliary Services

  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Operational Analytics

  • Sustainability as an Operational and Financial Strategy

  • Crisis Preparedness and Operational Resilience

  • Customer Experience and Service Expectations

  • Strategic Vendor and Partnership Management

  • Capital Planning and Infrastructure Modernization

  • The Future Role of Auxiliary Services in Organizational Strategy

11:00AM - 11:30AM
Closing Remarks
Lunch On Your Own

*Schedule is subject to change

Registration

Member Institution: $1,145
Nonmember Institution: $1,245

The NACAS Leadership Summit allows registration for Member and Non Member Institutions only. We invite Business Partners to participate and attend through the various sponsorship opportunities noted in the “2026 Sponsorship Packages” under the Sponsorship tab of the NACAS Leadership Summit Page. Contact Artem Mulitsa for more information.

Member Registration   Non-Memeber Registration