Get ready to make memories and connections at the special events hosted during the 35th Annual International ACCT Conference and Exposition! These events are designed to celebrate our vibrant community, highlight industry achievements, and create opportunities for networking and camaraderie. From the exciting items found at the Raffle to the energetic Harnessing ACCT adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re rekindling old friendships, forging new connections, or just soaking in the excitement, these special events promise to add an unforgettable dimension to your conference and expo experience. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the celebration and create lasting moments with fellow attendees!
Quick Links
- ACCT Scholarship Fundraiser – Raffle and Human Slot Machine
- After Hours Social
- Artisan’s Corner and Open Mic
- Awards Ceremony
- Harnessing ACCT
- Kindred Events
- Yard Games in the Exhibit Hall
ACCT Scholarship Fundraiser
Support a great cause and win exciting prizes!
Be a part of making a difference at our conference and expo by donating items or services as prizes in our Raffle and Human Slot Machine. Your contributions directly support our scholarship program, helping to make this professional development opportunity accessible to all. Donors are recognized on our dedicated Special Event page and in Awards Ceremony presentation materials. Support by donating to the raffle, participating in the raffle, or testing your luck at the human slot machine. More information about the scholarship fundraiser is typically released by January.
2025 Raffle and Human Slot Machine Update
Tickets are $3.00 for one (1) or $5.00 for two (2) and can be purchased at Registration. Credit/debit cards and tap-to-pay accepted, no cash or checks. Thanks to your support, we awarded scholarships to four individuals this year! To keep this tradition alive, we’re offering two fun ways for you to contribute to the 2026 Scholarship Program:
Human Slot Machine
Test your luck at the Human Slot Machine, located next to the ACCT booth. Play for just one (1) ticket, available for purchase at Registration. The machine will be active starting at 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and runs until the prizes are gone!
How It Works:
- Step up and take a spin. One ticket per spin.
- Cheer as the “reels” (ACCT volunteers) roll into action.
- Walk away with fun prizes and the joy of making a difference!
Raffle
Enter the raffle during Exhibit Hall hours for your chance to win amazing items! Purchase tickets at Registration and look for the raffle boxes by the ACCT Booth. Submit your ticket (complete with your name, email and phone number) for a chance to win—multiple entries permitted. Winners will be drawn by 2pm on Saturday in the Exhibit Hall and announced at the Awards Ceremony.
Important Details
- Winners must pick up their prizes by Sunday at 5pm.
- ACCT is unable to ship any unclaimed items.
Join the fun, win big, and make a difference in someone’s professional journey!
After Hours Social Hosted by Granite Insurance
Get ready for the must-attend networking event of the conference and expo! Granite Insurance invites you to an unforgettable evening at Five Iron Golf—where indoor golf meets entertainment and vibrant social vibes.
This year’s After Hours Social features:
- 15 state-of-the-art golf simulators for you to test your swing.
- A pool table and putting green to keep the fun rolling.
- Incredible art vibes to set the scene.
- Delicious food and cocktails to fuel the night.
When: Friday, January 24th, 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Where: Five Iron Golf, 1101 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a social butterfly, or just looking for a fun way to wind down, this is the place to be. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and bring your A-game! We’ll see you there!
Artisans Corner and Open Mic
Share Your Talent at the Conference and Expo!
Are you a painter, sculptor, photographer, designer, industry historian, or artist of any kind? Showcase your creativity at the next conference and expo in the Artisans Corner within the Exhibit Hall. This special space allows artists and industry historians to exhibit their work and collections during select hours and provides a serene escape for all conference and expo attendees. Available activities typically include coloring and button making.
Call for Artists
Showcase your work and be part of this special experience. Artist Applications are now open, so don’t miss your chance to inspire and connect with our community. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Alexis Webb-Bechtold, the Artist Liaison at: alexisbechtold@gmail.com
Don’t want to worry about bringing items back home? Consider donating them to the ACCT Scholarship Fundraising Program—all funds raised directly supports individuals seeking to attend the annual conference and exposition. Learn more about how the association is helping to make this professional development opportunity accessible to all below!
Call for Musicians
Got a talent to share? Play an instrument? Sing your heart out? (Even crows count as birds—just saying.) We want to showcase YOUR skills at this year’s conference and expo! Join us for the first time at the Open Mic After Party following the Awards Ceremony or perform in the Artisan’s Corner in the Exhibit Hall.
Don’t be shy—grab a friend, dust off those campfire classics, and show us what you’ve got!
To secure your spot, email don@theadventureguild.com or text/call Don at: +1 (423) 321-2504
Awards Ceremony
Discover the awards presented during the Awards Ceremony hosted on Saturday night during the annual conference and expo, including past winners and nomination opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to recognize outstanding contributions within our community!
Pre-Registration for this free event was due on January 6th, 2025 to collect dietary needs and allow the host venue to prepare the food and beverage order accordingly. Remaining seats will be released before the event on a first-come, first-served basis as they become available.
Award Categories:
- Critical Link Award
- Community Service Award
- Harnessing ACCT Winners
- Innovator of the Year Award – New in 2025!
- Mover of Mountains – New in 2025!
- Volunteer of the Year Award
Learn more about all of our awards, nomination criteria, and see a complete list of past recipients on the Awards page of the association website.
Have an idea for a new award that you believe deserves recognition within the ACCT community? We welcome your suggestions! Submit your proposal for a new award by emailing us at events@acctinfo.org. Your input could shape the future of our awards program and celebrate even more remarkable contributions within our community.
Harnessing ACCT
Be Part of the Ultimate Team Challenge!
Embark on an adventure with Harnessing ACCT—our optional team challenge that helps attendees experience all that our host city has to offer. This revised edition of the ACCT Olympics (formerly the Builders Olympics) invites attendees to create or join teams to tackle individual and group challenges throughout the event, with winners celebrated during the Awards Ceremony on Saturday. How will you Harness CLE this year?
Create a team of up to six (6) participants or join a randomly assigned group—it’s your choice! With over 200 unique challenges to explore, you can dive into the best of Cleveland, from our host venues to the city’s vibrant attractions. Whether you’re networking with fellow attendees, discovering hidden gems, or simply having fun, this experience is designed to complement your conference and expo journey. Don’t worry—there’s plenty of time to enjoy all the other event activities too!
How to Play
- Pre-Register by clicking here!
- Request teammates during registration or create new connections with a random team assignment.
- The Conference Work Group will connect with you before the conference and expo starts with information about your team and to get you set up in the Goosechase app.
- Gather your team at the conference and expo and work together to complete missions to earn points!
- The top three teams are recognized during the Awards Ceremony while the top team earns a small prize and serious bragging rights.
Timeline
- Kickoff: Thursday after the Opening Ceremony in Hope DE—look for the Harnessing ACCT sign!
- Closing: Saturday when the Cocktail Hour starts at 6:30pm.
- Winners Announcement: Saturday at the Awards Ceremony from 7:30-9:30pm.
Bonus Missions Alert: Stay sharp before Thursday’s kickoff—bonus missions might drop early! Gather and register your team in advance!
Activity Locations
Experience the adventure on the ground in Cleveland, Ohio! Missions vary from event-related to location-independent, so be prepared for an exhilarating mix!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click a question to learn more:
Can a team sign up at the annual conference and expo?
Yes, but hurry! Only 20 teams max, sign up early!
Will I still be able to attend workshop sessions and other special events?
Of course! Harnessing CLE is designed to enhance the conference and expo experience—fun missions, connecting with attendees, and exploring the city!
Is this part of the ACCT Olympics?
Yes! This is the ACCT Olympics, reimagined. Harnessing CLE is the updated version of the original Builders Olympics, evolving the event to better align with its founding goal: fostering connections among attendees in a fun, laid-back environment.
Kindred Events
Each year it is typical for there to be separately-organized meetups such as Affinity Group and Work Group meetups that complement the conference and expo experience. This section is updated as the Conference Work Group becomes aware of these gatherings. Contact us to add your event!
Yard Games in the Exhibit Hall
Get ready to play and connect! The Exhibit Hall is the place to unwind, compete, and have fun with a variety of yard games during regular hall hours. This year’s lineup includes:
- Pickleball
- Spikeball (making its debut!)
- Sitting Volleyball (hosted by the Universal Design, Accessibility, and Inclusion Affinity Group)
- Jumbo Pong
Feeling competitive? Test your skills and practice your cable whip Thursday and Friday from 5:30–6:30pm to gear up for the Harnessing ACCT showdown on Saturday from 12:30–1:30pm.
Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming for glory, the yard games are your chance to engage with fellow attendees and make unforgettable conference and expo memories!