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.

• Attendees typically include presidents, academic deans, and other institutional leaders.
• Each school designates one voter—the CEO or a person appointed by the CEO—to vote on business matters.
• While only one member per school may vote, member schools may send as many representatives to attend the Biennial Meeting as they choose.
• Individuals may also attend.

• The 2026 meeting will be held from Tuesday, June 23 to Thursday, June 25, 2026.
  • Pre-registration begins the evening of Monday, June 22, 2026
  • Full days of activities are planned for Tuesday June 23 and Wednesday June 24, with a half day of activity on Thursday, June 25, 2026
  • People may plan to leave late afternoon Thursday, June 25

• Biennial meetings change locations. The 2026 event will be in Chicago, IL at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare.

• 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.

• 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 March 2026 and costs $400 per person.
• Hotel Stay: ATS has arranged for a block of discounted rooms at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago hotel, where the Biennial is being held.
  • Individual Room - $199 per night, plus applicable taxes
  • Shared Double Room - $199 per night, plus applicable taxes
  • A unique reservation link will be provided to access these rates. Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations.
  • To secure the discounted rate, reservations must be made by June 1, 2026.

• Meals:
  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided as part of the registration fee on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with breakfast provided on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, ATS will hold the Biennial dinner banquet.
  • Tuesday evening is unscheduled, allowing you the opportunity to explore the area at your own leisure and expense.

• Airport Shuttle Service: The Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago offers complimentary, continuous 24-hour shuttle service to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
  
  Shuttles run approximately every 15 minutes from 4:00 a.m. to midnight, and every 30 minutes from midnight to 4:00 a.m. Pickup locations vary by terminal.
  
  For full details—including pickup instructions and shuttle tracking—please visit the hotel’s transportation page.

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.

• New ATS and COA Board members and committee members
• New Associate members
• Changes to the ATS and COA Bylaws

• 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.

Each Biennial will include the activities below. A full detailed agenda will be shared in the spring of 2026.

• Plenary Sessions, Seminars, 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 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.
• Meals: The registration fee covers breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and breakfast on Thursday. Also included is a special banquet and awards ceremony dinner on Wednesday evening. Tuesday evening is open, giving you the chance to explore the area at your own pace and expense.
• Awards: Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award and Women in Leadership Award are recognized at the Wednesday dinner banquet.

• Email biennial@ats.edu with any questions.