Join organizers from around the country to learn and build community.
We’re excited to welcome all comers to the 2026 Organizer Convention!
All convention sessions will be held via Zoom from January 29-31, 2026.
We will continue to balance the great benefits of learning and connecting in person with the accessibility the virtual format provides by alternating in-person and virtual conventions.
If you are planning to attend as the 2026 Organizer Convention as a representative of a USA Ultimate affiliate organization, please submit this form to register.
USA Ultimate is committed to increasing access to the Organizer Convention for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) members of the ultimate community. Through the Delrico Johnson Fund, we will help cover costs for BIPOC attendees. If you are interested in financial assistance, please fill out this Google Form.
We encourage registrants who are able to make a donation to the Delrico Johnson Fund via your USA Ultimate member account to help cover the costs of BIPOC organizers and coaches who may not otherwise be able to attend the convention.
Questions about the 2026 Organizer Convention? Contact us at convention@usaultimate.org.
Organizer Convention Speakers
Speakers will be added as they are confirmed.
Meet the great speakers who will share their knowledge and expertise with us during the 2026 Organizer Convention!
Organizer Convention Schedule
All times MT.
* Schedule details are subject to change.
All sessions will be held via Zoom
Thursday, January 29
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Working with Teams in Your Community: College, Club and Pro
Panelists: Sam Farnsworth, Ally Fion, Jack McCleary, Joe Strong
Join us to hear from local organizers who have built partnerships with established teams in their communities and have turned them into mutually beneficial relationships and developed player and coach pipelines.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Developing Middle School Programming
Panelists: Eric Rosenfeld, Andrew Seymour, Nicole Welch
Learn from local organizers experienced in building and developing middle school programming, with considerations for different types and formats of playing opportunities, recruiting players, and developing coaches for middle-school-aged kids.
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. – USA Ultimate Updates
Speakers: USA Ultimate Staff
Topics:
- Competition (college, club, masters, beach) Programs – Will Deaver
- Youth Programs – Dan Raabe
- Girls’ Ultimate Movement – Leah Dolan-Kelley
- Women’s Development Initiative – Sam Kehl
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. – Networking Breakouts
Friday, January 30
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – How to Grow Your Revenue and Staff
Speakers: Daron Byerly, Nolan Benoit
Have you been thinking about how to get over the hump to hiring your first employee? Expanding your existing staff size? Hear from staff and board members from Vermont Ultimate about how they were able to strategically grow their revenue streams to support a first staff person, which quickly expanded into a staff of four.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Data Analysis: Making Your Data Work for You
Speaker: Drew Wotton
Data-driven decision making is a ubiquitous term these days. But how do you employ those tactics in the everyday operations of your local disc org? Learn some basic skills and tips from a professional data scientist and fellow local organizer to help you analyze and utilize your existing data, leading to better long-term outcomes and growth of your organization.
6:10 – 7:10 p.m. – TBD
7:10 – 7:45 p.m. – Networking Breakout Sessions
Saturday, January 31
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Workshop: How to Have Difficult Conversations
Speaker: Serenity Donnellon
Difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of any local organizer’s role. Board members, players, coaches, captains, parents, staff, volunteers, and every other stakeholder can present myriad challenges. Join this workshop to learn some best practices and strategies for addressing those challenges and conversations in a productive and impactful manner.
10:25 – 11:05 a.m. – Networking Breakouts
11:10 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. – Research Findings: Clemson Study on Girls’ Participation
Speaker: Sarah Stokowski
Clemson University sports researchers will present the findings of a months-long study into participation and retention in ultimate, focusing on the experience and takeaways from the participation of girl-matching players. Discussion will be held around action items or areas of focus to increase girl-matching participation and retention going forward.
Coach Convention Speakers
Meet the great speakers who will share their knowledge during the Coach Convention!
Coach Convention Schedule
All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom
Session Topics:
- Alex Ghesquierre – What Offense Should I Run?
- Ben Van Huevelen – Coaching Brains to High Performance
- Melissa Witmer – Coaching the Fire: How to Harness Intensity without Getting Burned
Dates and times TBA
FAQs
Will the Organizer Convention be held in-person or virtually in 2025?
The Organizer Convention will be held virtually in 2026! All sessions will be hosted on Zoom.
How do I register for the Organizer Convention if I am attending on behalf of a USA Ultimate affiliate organization?
Use this form to register as a representative of an affiliate organization. Reach out to Leah Dolan-Kelley with any questions.
Are registration fees refundable?
If you are no longer able to attend the Organizer Convention, we will refund your registration fee until Tuesday, January 27, 2026. After that, no refunds will be granted.
We can also transfer your registration to someone else who will be able to participate in your place.