The Organizer Convention is back in person in 2027!

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to downtown Colorado Springs, January 29-31, 2027.

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 attending on behalf of a USA Ultimate Tier 1 or Tier 2 affiliate organization, please complete the affiliate registration form. Each tier 1 and 2 affiliate org receives up to two free registrations (one man-matching and one woman-matching and/or BIPOC attendee). USA Ultimate staff will register affiliate participants. Do not register yourself.

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 2027 Organizer Convention? Contact us at convention@usaultimate.org.

Speakers will be added as they are confirmed.

Meet the great speakers who will share their knowledge and expertise with us during the 2027 Organizer Convention!

All times MT.
* Session times and descriptions are subject to change. Speakers will be added as they are confirmed. 

All sessions will be held at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Friday, January 29

2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Event Registration

4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Welcome

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. – Organizational Audit
Speaker: Cari Hanrahan

6:00 p.m. – Break

6:10 – 6:55 p.m. – Networking Round Tables
Round-table discussions centered on specific topic areas.

6:55 p.m. – Day One Wrap-Up

Saturday, January 30

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Marketing
Speakers: Andy Lee, Bryan Geenen, Samantha Kehl
The USA Ultimate communications team will share the marketing resources hub they designed for local organizers. You’ll learn how best to use the resources to promote your organization and ultimate programs in your community.

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – HR: Hiring and Firing
People are your most valuable resource. The relationship starts with the job description, and if it ends up not being a good fit, things can get complicated fast. In this session, learn how to conduct an effective hiring process, welcome and support your staff and volunteers, but also how to deal with difficult situations, up to and including letting someone go, if the time comes.  

9:30 a.m. – Break

9:40 – 10:25 a.m. – Non-Profit Governance
Speaker: Kevin Erlenbach
Learn about the legal and administrative processes and guidelines your organization needs to know to be both effective and legally compliant. We’ll talk about board roles, bylaws, duty of care, fiduciary responsibilities and more.

9:40 – 10:25 a.m. – Captain’s Training
League captains are an integral part of your community. They are often the primary faces of your leagues and the ones who can keep players coming back year after year. Or the ones who can alienate players. Learn from fellow organizers who have taken steps to ensure their league captains are good stewards who create a culture and environment that fits your mission – and keeps people coming back for more ultimate.

10:25 – 11:25 a.m. – Middle School Ultimate: Are We F’ing It Up?
Speakers: Malachi Raymond, Raphael Savir, Dan Raabe

10:25 – 11:25 a.m. – Adult Grassroots Programs

11:25 a.m. – Break

11:35 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – USA Ultimate Updates
Speakers: USA Ultimate Staff Members
Hear from USA Ultimate department heads and managers about what is going on in their programs, ask them questions and connect with them in person.

12:20 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Creating Spaces Where Girls and Women Succeed
Speaker: Alicia Pelton

2:00 p.m. – Break

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. – Networking Breakout Sessions

3:10 – 4:10 p.m. – Growing a High School Team in an Ultimate Desert
Speaker: Sal Pace

4:10 p.m. – Day Two Wrap-Up

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Happy Hour at Cottonwood Center for the Arts

Sunday, January 31

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Growth in Woman-Matching Player Programs
Speakers: Sam Kehl, Women’s Growth Grant Recipients
Hear from National Women’s Growth Director Sam Kehl and the 2026 recipients of the Women’s Growth Grants. Learn what has worked, what hasn’t, and what’s next for continuing to build women’s ultimate.

9:30 a.m. – Break

9:40 – 10:40 a.m. – Building and Implementing a Judicial Process
Speaker: Sam Callan
Dealing with conduct issues and complaints is a (not-fun) part of the local organizers’ role. Having a defined conduct policy and process are imperative to easing the strain of dealing with those issues. USA Ultimate Judicial Committee Liaison Sam Callan and experienced local organization leaders will share their experiences developing and implementing conduct policies and processes – and how you can do the same for your organization.

10:40 – 11:45 a.m. – Finding Your Why: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive
Speaker: Jess Kirby

11:45 a.m. – Break and To-Go Lunchboxes Available

11:55 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Networking Breakout Sessions

12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. – Convention Reflection Workshop

1:05 – 1:15 p.m. – Convention Wrap-Up

Meet the great speakers who will share their knowledge during the Coach Convention!

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