SCHEDULE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Check out a snapshot of what’s ahead for the 2026 GIA Conference below. As more details are confirmed, the schedule will be updated. And, be sure to look out for communications from the GIA team about the Whova app for creating your schedule, signing up for off-site sessions, and connecting with fellow conference-goers!

Full session descriptions, speakers, locations and more will be available for view in the Whova app for selection when registration opens on Tuesday, August 4.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

  • Morning

    8:30-5:30 PM

    Mississippi Blues Trail
    Cultural Tour

    9:30-12:30 PM

    Morning Locally Hosted Memphis
    Cultural Tours

    10:00-3:30 PM

    Toward Collective Action
    Preconference Workshop

  • Afternoon

    12:30-5:00 PM

    Cultural Organizing in the South
    Preconference Workshops

    1:00-4:30 PM

    Afternoon Locally Hosted Memphis
    Cultural Tours

  • Evening

    4:30-6:00 PM

    Affinity Gatherings & Mixers

    7:30-9:30 PM

    Opening Reception

Monday, October 19, 2026

  • Morning

    8:00-9:00 AM

    Breakfast

    9:30-11:45 AM

    Monday Plenary

  • Afternoon

    12:00-1:00 PM

    Affinity Group Gatherings

    12:30-2:00 PM

    Lunch

    2:30-5:00 PM

    Sessions in the Field

  • Evening

    4:30-8:00 PM

    Affinity Group Gatherings

    Dinner On Own

    A chance to explore the culinary
    expertise of Memphis!

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

  • Morning

    8:00-9:00 AM

    Breakfast

    9:30-12:00 PM

    Sessions in the Field

  • Afternoon

    12:00-1:30 PM

    Lunch + Affinity Group Gatherings

    2:00-3:30 PM

    Tuesday Plenary

    4:00-5:30 PM

    Sessions in the Field

  • Evening

    6:00-7:00 PM

    Affinity Group Gatherings

    7:30-10:00 PM

    Closing Reception

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

  • Morning

    8:00-9:30 AM

    Breakfast + Affinity Group Gatherings

    9:45-11:45 AM

    Collective Action Assembly

  • Afternoon

    12:15-1:35 PM

    Wednesday Plenary

    2:30-5:00 PM

    Afternoon Locally Hosted Memphis
    Cultural Tours

  • Until Next Time!

    See you all in 2027!

STAY CURRENT!

Visit the conference website often for schedule updates & be sure to register on Whova to access all the sessions, workshops, preconferences, and postconferences available this year!

Please keep in mind, regular sessions will take place around the city and are not in the traditional hotel format. Sessions will have set capacities based on venue size and safety regulations. GIA is unable to change session capacity for these reasons.