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Registration is now open for the 2026 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, which will take place October 25-27 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

This three-day event brings AACI cancer center members together with national cancer research and advocacy groups, industry, and government health agencies to develop solutions to common challenges and network with their peers. Unique among professional conferences, the meeting addresses cancer research and patient care issues with educational content specifically designed for leaders of North American academic cancer centers.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly provided by the Partners for Advancing Clinical Education and Association of American Cancer Institutes.

Support Opportunities: 2026 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting

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The following meetings will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting at the same location:

AACI Leadership Development Workshop

Emerging leaders will convene Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 for didactic and experiential leadership development sessions during the AACI Leadership Development Workshop (LDW). An offshoot of Dr. Caryn Lerman’s AACI presidential initiative, the LDW aims to enhance the oncology leadership pipeline with top talent. AACI invites cancer center directors to select one emerging leader from their cancer center to attend the 2026 workshop.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Currently hold the role of cancer center deputy director; assistant or associate director; program leader; assistant, associate or full professor or cancer center director (within two years of appointment)

• Demonstrate a track record of leadership and evidence of a desire for career evolution within the cancer center leadership structure

• Expresses commitment to attending both days of LDW

Please contact AACI Events Manager Dawn Gobble for more information on the self-nomination process or to send additional participants from your cancer center.

Support Opportunities: AACI Leadership Development Workshop

Impact Summit 

On Saturday, October 24, the Impact Summit will bring together cancer center leaders, researchers, and other stakeholders for a one-day event focused on developing the oncology workforce and strengthening the future of cancer center leadership. Hosted by AACI in partnership with the Cancer Center Network, the summit provides a collaborative forum for attendees to explore emerging challenges and opportunities, with an emphasis on fostering supportive and resilient organizational cultures. Through thoughtful dialogue, participants will gain insights that can be implemented at their cancer centers to help advance cancer research and care.

Planning is currently underway for the Impact Summit. Please contact AACI Senior Program Manager Kate Shaw with any questions.

Support Opportunities: Impact Summit

New Cancer Center Directors Meeting

The New Cancer Center Directors Meeting will also take place on Saturday, October 24. AACI designed this meeting to prepare new cancer center directors for their leadership roles and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer networking. Past discussion topics have included fundraising, collaborating with individuals across the cancer center, and communicating effectively with institutional leaders. Participation in this meeting is by invitation only.

Register Today