ATS/COA Biennial Meeting

• The Biennial Meeting is a gathering of member schools of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Commission on Accrediting (COA).
• As called for in the Bylaws of the Commission on Accrediting and the Association Bylaws, this occurs every two years (“biennially”).
• Representatives from member schools meet in one location to conduct official business, learn from each other, and build community.
• The term “biennial” also refers to the two-year period during which decisions made at the meeting remain in effect.
• Activities include meetings, plenary sessions, seminars, workshops, a Resource Expo, and more.

• Conduct Essential Business and Work: Fulfill the Association and Commission's commitments to membership in service of one mission.      
• Share Insights and Wisdom: Release the abundance and wisdom in the room.
• Promote Collaborative Leadership: Foster strong connections and mutual support to develop effective and sustainable leadership.
• Nurture Future Leaders: Encourage member school leadership to identify and invite emerging leaders who would benefit from Biennial.
• Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and honor accomplishments among membership.

The Biennial meeting is designed with the assumption that each school will be represented by its CEO and CAO. Attendees also include invited speakers, presenters, and representatives of partner organizations. In addition, ATS encourages each member school to consider selecting and sending one or two additional leaders who would benefit from attendance at the gathering in support of the strategic direction of the school.

• The 2028 meeting will be held from June 21 to June 22, 2028 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

• Biennial meetings change locations. The 2028 event will be in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

Each Biennial will include the activities below. A full detailed agenda will be shared in the spring of 2028.

• Plenary Sessions, Workshops, Resource Expo: Topics, schedules, and presenters differ each year, but always cover topics relevant to theological education. Guests may choose from several options throughout the Biennial Meeting.
• Business sessions of the BOD and COA: These include reports from different committees, presentations of nominations for ATS and COA leadership and committees, voting on new ATS and COA Board members and committee members as well as the admission of new associate members. The business meetings are open to all attendees, but each school has just one designated voter.
• Prayer and worship: Prayer and worship are woven throughout the Biennial Meeting, offering moments of shared spiritual reflection that honor the diverse traditions represented among member schools.
• Gathering spaces set aside for various groups to gather for conversation, fellowship, information sharing, networking, and business.
• Meals: The registration fee covers most meals as well as a special banquet and awards ceremony dinner. More details will be provided closer to the next meeting.
• Awards: Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award and Women in Leadership Award are recognized at the dinner banquet.

• Engage in leadership development and networking.
• Learn about industry trends in theological education.
• Celebrate achievements and recognize distinguished service.
• Experience a sense of community and shared mission among peers.
• Participate in voting on important business matters.

Conference Registration opens in Spring 2028 and costs will be announced at that time. As a point of reference, the 2026 Biennial registration fee was $425 per person.

Hotel Stay: ATS arranges for a block of discounted rooms at the selected conference locations. To secure the discounted rate, there is usually a reservation deadline. 

• New ATS and COA Board members and committee members
• The admission of new Associate members
• Changes to the ATS and COA Bylaws
• Revised Standards of Accreditation

• According to the ATS and COA Bylaws, each member school is entitled to one vote on each matter before the membership.
• Each member school is responsible for designating its voter. Typically, this is the highest-ranking official (such as the CEO or CAO). If another individual is chosen, the CEO must provide written authorization.
• An agenda and the items up for vote will be sent to each member school no later than 45 days prior to the Biennial Meeting. 
• To vote, the member school must send the designated voter to the Biennial Meeting.

ATS hosts online, hybrid, and in-person events throughout the year, but the Biennial Meeting is designed as an in-person gathering. The ATS Board of Directors, COA Board of Commissioners, and ATS staff affirm that meeting face-to-face every other year is essential to uphold the Association’s commitment to excellence and shared mission.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Biennial Meeting was held online. In 2022, it was held as a hybrid meeting with the business portion online and the conference portion in-person. In 2024, ATS returned to a fully in-person format. It is the called meeting of the membership, where business such as voting on membership, standards, and leadership takes place. Conducting these actions in person ensures clarity, transparency, and integrity.

Further, the Association’s core values of collegiality, leadership, quality and improvement, and diversity are most fully realized in shared physical space. In-person gatherings foster trust, spontaneous collaboration, and meaningful dialogue across theological traditions and institutional contexts.

• Email biennial@ats.edu with any questions.