Orlando, FL | November 16-19, 2026
Gather with colleagues, recharge your practice, and celebrate the work shaping the future of digital learning at #OLCAccelerate2026.
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The Accelerate 2026 conference, hosted by the Online Learning Consortium, showcases groundbreaking research and highly effective practices in online and digital learning across K-12, higher education, and corporate L&D. This event is designed to empower and support leaders, instructional designers, educators, and training professionals by offering a wide range of sessions and activities. These are specifically curated to address the unique challenges and shared goals of our entire community, helping to shape the evolving landscape of digital learning and workforce development.
Multiple Pathways to Learn. OLC is committed to fostering collaborative spaces where educators and L&D professionals across K-12, higher education, and workforce learning can share their experiences and work together to enhance learning communities and environments.
The Call for Proposals is now open through May 20, 2026.
The 5th Annual Leadership Network Symposium will take place on Monday, November 16. The Leadership Network Symposium is a space for current and aspiring leaders in digital education to learn, to collaborate, and to network with colleagues from around the world. At this ticketed pre-conference event, attendees will discuss the current trends, pressing issues, and major challenges facing leaders in digital learning today.
Get impactful strategies you can immediately apply to your work in these hands-on, experiential workshops held Monday, November 16 at the conference in Orlando, FL. Join us for these ticketed classes covering critical topics in digital learning!
Tuesday morning, November 17, delve deeply into vital subjects at 4 available Accelerate summits, including artificial intelligence (AI), instructional design, K12, and affordable learning solutions for HBCUs. Hear from distinguished thought leaders and participate in robust discussions on the hottest topics in digital, online, and blended education. These summits are included in your Conference Pass registration, enhancing your onsite experience with invaluable insights and discussions.
Different topics need different presentation affordances! Expect to be actively involved in sessions at OLC Accelerate. Our sessions range from traditional Education Sessions to deep-dive Workshops, engaging “Conversation, Not Presentation” sessions, interactive Gamified Sessions, 15-minute Express Sessions, and in-depth conversations through Discovery Sessions. Presentations will encourage deep thinking and engagement around relevant topics.
Get more out of your experience by forming meaningful connections and sprouting new collective ideas with the best and brightest in our field.
Interested in leading an engagement session? Engagement activities are an important part of our programming at OLC Accelerate. Have a great idea for a fun and interactive session? Submit a proposal to lead an Engagement activity at the conference. The call for proposals opens March 17.
Need help determining which sessions best fit your professional development needs? Our Field Guides are here to help. Make connections and navigate the conference with other attendees.
Connect with other attendees through lightweight, collaborative activities.
Explore challenges and craft innovative approaches for better reaching our unique populations of learners.
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Leadership Network Symposium (ticketed event)
Southern Hemisphere III, IV, V
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Immersion Classes (ticketed event)
Asia 3, 4
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Immersion Classes (ticketed event)
Asia 3, 4
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Early Registration & Field Guide Consulting
Convention Foyer
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Preview Reception
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
4:15 – 4:45 pm
First Time Attendee Welcome & Orientation
Asia 1
4:45 – 5:30 pm
Field Guide Tours of the WDW Dolphin Convention Center
Departures from Convention Foyer – Field Guide Station
6:00 pm – Evening
Dinner on your own. We recommend making dinner reservations in advance. In addition to the hotel, dining is available via an easy walk or boat ride to the Disney Boardwalk or by Disney bus to Disney Springs
6:30 – 7:30 am
Yoga
Asia 2
Morning
Breakfast on your own
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Desk Open; Field Guide Consulting Station Open until 12:00pm
Convention foyer
8:00- 9:30 am
Summits – Part 1
AI Summit – Southern IV-V
HBCU Summit – Asia 5
ID Summit – Southern I-II
K12 Summit – Asia 4
9:00 – 9:30 am
First Time Attendee Welcome & Orientation
Asia 1
9:00 am – 6:45 pm
Exhibits Open
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Engagement Hub and The AI Exploration Zone Open
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
9:30 – 10:15 am
Field Guide Tours of the WDW Dolphin Convention Center
Departures from Convention Foyer – Field Guide Station
9:30 – 10:30 am
Networking Coffee Break, The AI Exploration Zone, & Engagement Hub Activities
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Summits – Part 2
AI Summit – Southern IV-V
HBCU Summit – Asia 5
ID Summit – Southern I-II
K12 Summit – Asia 4
12:00 – 1:15 pm
Attendee Lunch Marketplace, Exhibit Hall Open – a limited menu of salads, sandwiches, snacks, and beverages available for purchase
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
Start of Regular Conference Sessions
1:15 – 2:00 pm
Concurrent Session 1; Discovery Sessions begin
Breakout Rooms
1:15 – 4:15 pm
Engagement Hub and The AI Exploration Zone Open
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
2:15 – 3:00 pm
Concurrent Session 2
Breakout Rooms
3:15 – 3:30 pm
Express Sessions 1
Breakout Rooms
3:30 – 4:15 pm
Networking Coffee Break, The AI Exploration Zone, & Engagement Hub Activities
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
4:15 – 5:30 pm
Welcome and Keynote Address
Pacific Ballroom
5:30 – 6:45 pm
Welcome Reception
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
6:45 pm – Evening
Dinner on your own. We recommend making dinner reservations in advance. In addition to the hotel, dining is also available via an easy walk or boat ride to the Disney Boardwalk or by Disney bus to Disney Springs
6:00 – 7:30 am
Accelerate 5K Fun Run/Walk (ticketed event)
Walt Disney World Swan (causeway entrance)
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Registration Desk Open
Convention Foyer
8:00 – 9:30 am
OLC Awards Recognition, Breakfast Celebration, and Fellows Panel
Pacific Ballroom
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Exhibits Open
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Engagement Hub and The AI Exploration Zone Open
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
9:45 – 10:30 am
Concurrent Session 3
Breakout Rooms
10:30 – 11:15 am
Networking Coffee Break, The AI Exploration Zone, & Engagement Hub Activities
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Session 4
Breakout Rooms
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Attendee Lunch Marketplace, Exhibit Hall Open – a limited menu of salads, sandwiches, snacks, and beverages available for purchase
Pacific Ballroom
1:00 – 1:45 pm
Concurrent Session 5
Breakout Rooms
2:00 – 2:45 pm
Concurrent Session 6
Breakout Rooms
3:00 pm
Exhibit Hall closes; Discovery Sessions end
Atlantic Exhibit Hall
3:00 – 3:15 pm
Express Sessions 2
Breakout Rooms
3:30 – 4:15 pm
Concurrent Session 7
Breakout Rooms
4:15 pm – Evening
Dinner on your own. We recommend making dinner reservations in advance. In addition to the hotel, dining is also available via an easy walk or boat ride to the Disney Boardwalk or by Disney bus to Disney Springs
6:30 – 7:30 am
Yoga
Asia 2
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration Desk Open
Convention Foyer
8:15 – 9:45 am
Specialty Coffee Service & Continental Breakfast
Pacific Ballroom
9:00 – 9:45 am
Plenary Address
Pacific Ballroom
10:00 – 10:45 am
Concurrent Session 8
Breakout Rooms
11:00 – 11:45 am
Concurrent Session 9
Breakout Rooms
12:00 – 12:45 pm
Concurrent Session 10
Breakout Rooms
12:45 – 1:30 pm
Accelerate 2026 Closing Celebration
Southern Hemisphere Foyer
Conference Ends
This schedule is subject to change.
Leadership Network Symposium and OLC Immersion Classes are Monday, November 16 pre-conference ticketed events with additional registration fees.
AI, HBCU, Instructional Design, and K-12 Summits Tuesday, November 17 are included as part of the regular conference program at no additional fee.
The program will be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL. Stay onsite and take advantage of our special conference room rates!
Spending extra time in Orlando and bringing family? Get discounted Disney tickets for your conference stay.
Session materials and resources for OLC Accelerate 2025 are available for nine months following the conclusion of the conference. Visit our page for past OLC conferences to access resources, the full conference program, and a list of past sponsors.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the latest conference updates, including registration discounts, calls for proposals, and programming announcements.
Registration and Call for Proposals are Now Open!
OLC Accelerate is the premiere online learning conference showcasing groundbreaking research and highly effective practices in online and digital learning across K-12, higher education, and corporate L&D.
Registration and Call for Proposals are Now Open!
OLC Elevate is a bold new initiative from OLC that brings high-impact digital learning discussions, hands-on workshops, and thought leadership directly to your regional community.
We are delighted to welcome you to the 32nd annual Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Accelerate Conference. This year’s theme, “Illuminate the Future: Envisioning our Next Era of Digital Learning,” invites educators, researchers, and learning professionals from across higher education, K-12, and workforce development to explore bold ideas shaping the next generation of digital learning.
Join us November 16–19, 2026, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida, for an inspiring gathering of leaders and innovators committed to advancing online, blended, and digital education.
As institutions and organizations continue their path towards highly effective and transformative experiences for their learners, OLC Accelerate 2026 provides a space for the digital learning community to come together to imagine, innovate, and grow. This year’s program brings together leading voices from across education and workforce development to share research, explore emerging practices, and improve the learner experience through collaboration. Participants will examine the opportunities and challenges shaping digital education today through five distinct program tracks: Innovative and Effective Digital Learning Design; Leadership, Partnerships, and Organizational Strategy; Learner Success, Engagement, and Empowerment; Professional Development, Quality Assurance, and Support; and Community Engagement.
Accelerate is known for its dynamic and highly interactive program. In addition to traditional education sessions and panels, presenters can share their knowledge and skills through session types such as: Conversation Not Presentation sessions; Discovery Sessions; Gamified Sessions; Express Sessions; Engagement Activities; and Hands-on Workshops, each designed to spark dialogue, encourage experimentation, and foster meaningful collaboration. The conference also features immersive experiences such as the AI Exploration Zone, where attendees can explore emerging generative AI tools and consider their implications for teaching, learning, and workforce development.
While technology continues to transform education, the heart of this conference remains the people who design, teach, research, and support learning every day. Many sessions this year highlight human-centered approaches to digital learning, focusing on how thoughtful design, learner-centered practices, and strong communities can create meaningful learning experiences for students and educators alike.
The OLC Accelerate experience is made possible by the dedication and expertise of our global community of volunteers. Our steering committee, proposal reviewers, track chairs, session facilitators, and field guides represent institutions and organizations from around the world. Together, they help shape a program created by and for professionals working in the online and digital learning space. Their continued work throughout 2026 ensures that this conference reflects the collective knowledge, creativity, and commitment of our OLC Community and attendees.
This year’s program aims to light the way for the digital learning community during a time of both disruption and opportunity. Attendees will gain insight into the outstanding work being led by educators, researchers, and practitioners. Through research presentations, collaborative discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities, participants will explore strategies for designing engaging digital experiences, supporting learner success, and leading meaningful institutional change.
Returning to the familiar setting of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, OLC Accelerate 2026 offers a vibrant environment for connection and collaboration. Throughout the conference, attendees will have opportunities to engage with peers, discover emerging technologies, share their work, and build partnerships that will extend far beyond the conference itself.
For those presenting, OLC provides a range of presenter services and support resources to help make sessions engaging, accessible, and impactful. The conference also offers valuable leadership opportunities for volunteers and presenters alike—creating pathways for professional growth and continued involvement in the OLC community.
Our Call for Proposals opened March 17th, and we encourage educators, researchers, and practitioners to submit proposals that highlight innovative practices, emerging research, and creative approaches to digital learning. The full conference program will be announced later this summer.
It is an honor to help convene this extraordinary community of educators, researchers, and innovators. OLC Accelerate has long been a place where new ideas take shape, partnerships begin, and the future of digital learning is imagined together.
We look forward to welcoming you to Orlando and to the conversations, collaborations, and discoveries that await at OLC Accelerate 2026.
Join us in Orlando and be part of the #OLCAccelerate experience.
Executive Conference Chair
Jennifer Mathes, PhD
Online Learning Consortium
Conference Co-Chair
Andrew Wiss, PhD, EdM, FNAP
George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Conference Co-Chair
Lisa Hassler, EdD, EdS, EdM
National Louis University, College of Education
Dear Colleagues,
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to OLC Accelerate 2026! Now in its 32nd year, Accelerate builds on its legacy of innovation and leadership in online and digital learning. Join us November 16–19 for an event packed with insightful discussions, dynamic sessions, and exciting celebrations as we explore this year’s theme, Illuminate the Future: Envisioning our Next Era of Digital Learning. You won’t want to miss a moment!
As the premier annual conference for digital learning professionals, OLC Accelerate brings together experts from higher education, K–12, and corporate learning and development. Our attendees include instructional designers, media specialists, trainers, educators, administrators, and senior leaders, all committed to shaping the future of digital learning. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned innovator, you’ll find meaningful opportunities for growth, networking, and inspiration.
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, education and workforce development are experiencing continuous transformation. Professionals across all sectors are being called to lead with expertise, innovation, and solutions that advance learning outcomes. This conference offers a unique opportunity to refine best practices, advance learner success, and push the boundaries of digital learning. Leading up to Accelerate 2026, we’ll continue to share emerging trends and highly effective practices to help you stay at the forefront of digital education.
This year’s conference offers an engaging and immersive experience, providing opportunities to connect with thought leaders, share effective practices, and consider new approaches to digital education. With a wide range of tracks and session formats, OLC Accelerate 2026 offers meaningful opportunities for every professional dedicated to advancing the future of digital learning.
Track themes for Accelerate 2026 include:
OLC presenters go through a rigorous three-stage, double-blind review process upon conference proposal submission. Acceptance to present at OLC Accelerate is competitive! The tracks outlined above have a limited number of available slots, determined by the presentation formats offered at Accelerate. Presentation formats for this year’s Call for Proposals include:
As part of our Call for Proposals, we invite you to submit Engagement Activity ideas (in the Community Engagement track only, please) that introduce dynamic and meaningful ways for attendees to connect. If you have activities that can spark conversation, build partnerships, or engage participants in fresh and creative ways, we encourage you to share them. Learn more and bring your creativity, expertise, and passion for fostering connection to this year’s conference.
If you’re hoping to present at OLC Accelerate 2026, it’s never too early to review our Submitter FAQs, Presenter FAQs, and other excellent resources from our Presenter Services team. We’ve created helpful guides to support you in developing the strongest presentation possible.
Thank you for being part of this transformative event and for contributing to the rich history and future of OLC Accelerate. We look forward to the insights, innovations, and connections that will emerge from our time together.
Kind Regards,
Program Co-Chair
Amy Johnson, University of Arizona Global Campus
Program Co-Chair
Haley Sampson, University of Arizona Global Campus