Enhance your conference experience with a variety of additional opportunities to learn, connect, and engage beyond the main program. From pre-conference Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) and Workshops to networking receptions, wellness activities, and other special events, these experiences are designed to help you build meaningful connections, gain new insights, and make the most of your time in Baltimore.
Participants in these events must also be registered for the full conference. Some events require an additional fee or pre-registration. You can add can add them when you register or by modifying an existing registration.
Browse the experiences below, and hover over or click on each box to learn more about the available programs and activities.
Pre-Conference Workshops (Sunday, October 4)
These educational offerings take place before the official start of the conference and require an additional registration fee. Looking for more hands-on opportunities to hone your skills while you’re in Baltimore? Consider registering for one of the three pre-conference workshops, designed to go more in-depth than most sessions and allow you to the opportunity to refine specific areas of your work. The workshops take place on Sunday, October 4 from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on-site at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Cost is $95 (AASHE members), $125 (AASHE non-members) or $50 (students). Lunch is not included, check-out options in the area.
This interactive workshop reframes planning and project design as the first phase of implementation and positions engagement as a core driver of organizational change.
Participants will leave with a practical groundwork template to support their pre-planning efforts, enabling them to design strategic plans and projects that lead to meaningful, actionable outcomes.
This workshop is ideal for sustainability professionals, campus leaders, and practitioners leading strategic plans, cross-functional projects, and other complex change efforts.
This interactive workshop introduces the Sustainability Education Accreditation Commission (SEAC), an emergent programmatic accreditor for academic programs in Sustainability.
Programmatic accreditation for sustainability is a new initiative which will shape the professional field and align professional-leaning programs with employer perspectives.
This session is primarily for faculty, administrators, or directors of degree and certificate programs interested in joining this international effort to improve the training and preparation of graduates of sustainability-degree programs and future sustainability professionals.
Have you felt frustrated with students seeming apathetic, resistant, or powerless? Conversely, have you seen students struggle to take lofty aspirations and bring them to life? Have you yourself wondered if your current practice and training has prepared you to teach, mentor, develop, and lead through these times?
Through hands-on practice and peer collaboration, this workshop combines the creative problem-solving techniques of human-centered design with facilitation methods that enable students to integrate challenging realities and prepares faculty and staff to transform teaching, curriculum, programming, and mentoring to help students become confident and ethical problem-solvers.
Experiential Learning Opportunities (Sunday, October 4)
ELO are immersive activities that take attendees outside the traditional conference session room to explore host institutions, local organizations, or projects related to the sustainability. They provide unique learning experiences not available in the standard conference program. Schedules and costs vary, hover over each opportunity to learn more. If lunch is not included, check-out options in the area.
$55
Join us for an exclusive visit to Swarthmore College to explore hands-on approaches to campus decarbonization and sustainability.
We will take an in-depth tour of Swarthmore’s geoexchange plant, followed by a walking tour of the campus highlighting sustainable features like the recent Living Building Challenge projects, and insights into long-term facilities and climate action planning.
Shared bus transportation to and from the conference hotel and lunch at the College is included.
$10
Join us for a guided sustainability walking tour of Johns Hopkins University’s iconic Homewood campus! This experiential learning opportunity will highlight key sustainability initiatives and infrastructure improvements like the new mass timber Bloomberg Student Center, sustainable landscape features, LEED-certified buildings, and more.
Transportation on one of the university’s new EV buses to and from the campus is provided. Lunch is not included. Bring a reusable water bottle.
Early Bird Activities (Monday, October 5)
Start your day before conference sessions begin in a fun or relaxing way. Whether you prefer to get moving, recharge, or engage in an interactive experience these optional activities provide opportunities to connect with fellow attendees, promote well-being, and spark new ideas in a relaxed, informal setting.
AASHE & JHU Fun Run/Walk (Pre-registration required)
When: 7-8:30 a.m.
Where: meet in the hotel lobby by the registration desk
Important details: This is an Early Bird activity that is included in the conference registration, however participants must pre-register. Any attendee can add it to their registration either at the time of registration or by modifying an existing registration.
Description: Join Johns Hopkins University for a run/walk and networking opportunity along the Baltimore waterfront promenade with a few informative stops to highlight local sustainability efforts. This is meant to be an inclusive run, and there will be multiple pace groups with nobody left behind, regardless of pace. There will be a walking group as well! If you’re feeling speedier, we’ll share the route, and you can go as fast as your heart desires. The route will be a 3-5 mile out and back run, and for the walk a 1-2 mile out and back walk. T-shirts will be available for the first 50 registrants and will be available during registration on Sunday October 4th. Sizes are not guaranteed, but we will do our best!
Start Your Day With Light Stretching
When: 8-8:45 a.m.
Where: Session Room Key Ballroom 9
Important details: This session starts your day with movement and meditation.
Description: During this session, you’ll be guided through a gentle stretching session along with an invitation to visualize what you want to get out of your experience at the AASHE conference. The session will start with a brief grounding exercise to help you get embodied and centered, then you’ll flow through some movement before ending with a simple guided meditation.
The 2030 SDGs Game: Building Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
When: 8-9:45 a.m.
Where: Session Room Peale
Important details: Just show up and have fun!
Description: The 2030 SDGs Game is an interactive, experiential workshop that simulates possible futures based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants manage time, money, and resources to complete projects aligned with their personal missions, all while navigating a shared global system. The game highlights the interconnectedness of People, Planet, and Prosperity, and challenges participants to think critically about the impact of their decisions.