The 62nd Annual AECA Conference

October 9-12, 2024

Wyndham Riverfront Hotel – North Little Rock, AR

The theme of this year's conference is Linking Hearts & Minds: Early Childhood Connections. This theme will focus our energies and attention on all the critical interactions that take place between providers, families and children. Those of us in the early childhood profession know that the connections forged within our community are some of the strongest that you will find! The neural, social, and emotional connections that are made during the early years are some of the most meaningful and consequential for lifelong learning and success. By participating in this year’s conference, you will play a key role in these connections that make linking hearts and minds possible!

Our keynote speaker on Thursday, October 10th will be DJ Pryor. DJ's global impact recently soared to new heights with a heartwarming video that captured a candid moment between him and his youngest son. This touching video went viral, amassing an estimated half a billion views across various web and social media platforms. Through this viral sensation, DJ has become one of the world's most influential voices on early childhood development. His story is a testament to his ability to turn personal challenges into opportunities for growth and change.

DJ’s success in his years as an entertainer is equally matched by his insight into relationships and how to make a heartfelt positive impact on others. DJ Pryor's mantra is rooted in service, empathy, and love. He believes that his talents are gifts meant to be shared with others, and he strives to embody these principles in every aspect of his life. In a world where laughter, love, and community are needed more than ever, DJ stands as a shining example of how one person's dedication can make a profound impact on the lives of many. His journey is a reminder that through compassion and creativity, we can all strive to create a brighter, more connected world.

On Friday, October 11th, we will feature Hilary Trudell (she/hers). Hilary is a non-profit executive with a background in team building, executive education, and storytelling. After teaching at the Clinton School of Public Service for seven years, Trudell became CEO of Just Communities of Arkansas where she develops strategic vision, executes diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and promotes JCA's brand. She also teaches leadership development workshops at Sam M. Walton College of Business, co-teaches the Group Facilitation Certificate program at Arkansas Public Administration Consortium, and produces theme-based storytelling shows through The Yarn Storytelling. Trudell has expertise in building community relationships, training volunteer and student leaders, designing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and creating spaces for human connection. In 2022, Truths We Tell, a compilation of stories curated through The Yarn Storytelling won national recognition for a work of non-fiction. To date, Trudell has coached over 300 Arkansans on how to deliver their unique narratives with impact and facilitated hundreds of workshops using structures that level power dynamics, enable all participant voices to be heard, and create space for genuine and results-based collaboration.

Trudell’s collaboration with Arkansas Early Childhood Education began in 2021 when she began working with a cohort of early childhood educators to craft and deliver their stories with impact via the Storytelling initiative. She has worked with two more AECA cohorts since then and is excited to support many more early childhood educators as they discover and delivery their stories about the essential work they provide in our state.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION
From 6/28/24 to 7/15/24

REGULAR REGISTRATION
From 7/16/24 to 9/30/24

LATE/ONSITE REGISTRATION
From 10/1/24 to 10/12/24

Please see our full list of pricing options for members and non-members over on the Conference Registration page. Online registration is available through the end of 10/8. Registrations on 10/9 and after will be onsite.

If you need to join or renew your membership, please do that BEFORE registering. (If your membership has expired, the system will not allow you to register for conference at the member rate.) We have made it less expensive to join and attend the conference as a member than to register as a non-member. For $39, you will receive a year’s membership in AECA and the Southern Early Childhood Association.

The Wyndham Riverfront continues to be a great conference partner for our space and lodging. Rooms will be available in our block for $109 per night. Use this link to make your reservation or call (501) 371-9000.

AECA invites you to submit a proposal to present a breakout session at this year’s conference. While the focus will be on connections and relationships, proposals may be on any topic related to early care and education. We want a broad range of appropriate topics that relate to working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. As always, we will welcome sessions that are relevant to all our roles in early childhood - teachers, directors, trainers, faculty and family child care. Find out more here.

Conference T-shirts will be available for order with your conference registration for $25 each. You can pick up your prepaid T-shirt orders at conference check-in. Limited quantities will also be available for sale at the conference.

Our partner A-State Childhood Services will sponsor a breakfast for directors and administrators on Thursday, October 10. If you are a director, we will reach out to you with details after you register. Seating is limited.

There will be an AECA business meeting on Friday morning from 7-8 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Voting will be limited to active AECA members. Breakfast will be served. Please indicate on your registration if you plan to attend.

This year's conference will feature several interest tracks--physical activity, leadership, advocacy/storytelling and family child care. Conference partner UA Early Care and Education Projects will also offer a luncheon for family child care on Saturday. (We will send out a separate registration for this.)

For those who want more in-depth, intensive training on various ECE topics, AECA will offer pre-conference sessions led by our state's early childhood experts on Wednesday for an extra charge. Three-hour sessions are $30 and six-hour sessions are $60. Registration includes a buffet lunch at the hotel from 12:00-1:00. Click here to see a description of classes.