Yale Conferences & Events team members recently took part in several professional development opportunities across the country, bringing back new ideas, strengthened networks, and fresh perspectives to support our work.
Megan Palluzzi-Breault, Assistant Director, Events: ACUI Annual Conference (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Annual Conference brings together campus life professionals to share ideas and best practices that strengthen student engagement and campus communities. This year’s conference highlighted strategies for leadership development and effective student staffing, with sessions focused on empowering student employees, building strong student leaders, and creating meaningful workplace learning experiences within campus operations. Participants explored ways to mentor and develop student staff through intentional supervision, leadership training, and opportunities for professional growth. The conference also emphasized the way campuses prepare students for future careers by fostering teamwork, responsibility, and leadership skills.
Christina Hill, Senior Manager, Events: CaterSource Conference + Venue Tours (Los Angeles, CA)
From March 2–5, 2026, Christina Hill, Senior Manager of Events, attended Catersource + The Special in Los Angeles, California. This annual industry conference brings together catering and event professionals for educational programming, immersive showcases, networking opportunities, and a comprehensive vendor tradeshow.
During the conference, Christina participated in educational sessions focused on event operations, emergency preparedness, and sales and marketing strategies. She also attended a tablescape competition for fresh inspiration on table design, and an opening keynote on emotional intelligence that engaged the full audience with a singalong and dance party led by a former DJ turned motivational speaker.
A standout part of the week included behind-the-scenes tours of iconic Los Angeles venues, including SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Los Angeles Zoo. These tours offered a closer look at how large-scale, world-renowned venues operate and host events. Highlights included stepping onto the NFL field at SoFi Stadium, viewing the Olympic torch and taking in panoramic city views at the Coliseum (a host site of multiple Olympic Games and the future home of track and field events for the 2028 Olympics), and exploring the LA Zoo after hours with rare access to animals and event spaces in a non-public setting.
Christina shared the following reflection on her experience attending the conference: “Attending Catersource + The Special Event for the first time was an incredibly valuable experience. The conference offered insight into emerging industry trends, meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, and hands-on inspiration through behind-the-scenes access to iconic Los Angeles venues. I’m grateful to work at a place where professional development and continuous improvement are truly supported and valued.”
Linda Torres, Financial Analyst and Natalia King, Sales and Operations Coordinator: 46th Annual ACCED-I Conference (Louisville, KY)
Linda and Natalia attended the 46th annual ACCED-I conference in Louisville, KY. Lets hear what they had to say about their experiences.
Linda Torres, Financial Analyst:
“I would say my experience attending ACCED-I was very engaging and valuable! I was able to network with collegiate event professionals from all around the country and gain insight in how their conferences & events departments structure their business models and generate revenue. I was able to learn about the new innovative event technology and consider what can be brought to YC&E to further streamline our internal processes. Overall, attending ACCED-I was a valuable experience because I was able to learn what other institutions do differently than us and also be given the opportunity to showcase YC&E’s strengths!”
Natalia King, Sales and Operations Coordinator:
“My first ACCED-I Conference was such a meaningful experience. I really enjoyed learning how other event professionals at universities approach planning and how their processes differ from ours—it gave me a fresh perspective on our work. I’m excited to share these insights with our team and continue learning at future ACCED-I events.”
These experiences reflect our commitment to continuous improvement, and we’re eager to apply what we learned to elevate the YC&E event experience.
