2026 SEC Business School Development Conference
The University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business looks forward to welcoming development and advancement professionals from across the SEC to the 2026 SEC Business School Development Conference, July 28–30, in Columbia, South Carolina. A nationally recognized leader in business education, research, and global engagement, the Moore School is consistently ranked among the top public business schools in the country and is honored to host this year’s conference. We are excited to bring SEC colleagues together in Columbia for collaborative discussions, the exchange of best practices, and meaningful conversations focused on advancing excellence in business education.
Conference Agenda
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Check-In
2:00 PM
Pre-Conference Tours
Long Family Football Operations Center and Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility, or Anne Frank Center at USC
3:00 PM
Social Hour and Welcome Dinner
5:30 PM
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Breakfast
8:00 AM
Conference Welcome
9:00 AM
Landing the Transformational Gift
Michelle Dodenhoff
Vice President of Development, University of South Carolina9:15 AM
Donor Panel
Various Darla Moore School of Business Donors10:00 AM
Break
10:45 AM
From Spark to Strategy: Turning Ideas into Innovation
11:00 AM
Lunch and Team Photos
12:00 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Development Track:
Unlocking Opportunity: How Strategic Board Engagement Fueled New PhilanthropyAdvancement Track:
Engage Moore to Inspire Moore: Creating Meaningful Alumni Connections at ScaleMarketing and Communications Track:
Building the Premier Social Brand in the SEC1:45 PM
Break
2:30 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
Development Track:
Your Best Co-Solicitor Is the Expert: Engaging Faculty in “The Process”Advancement Track:
Saturdays in South Carolina: Leveraging Game Day for Donor StrategyMarketing and Communications Track:
The Future of Fundraising is Human: With Assistive Intelligence2:30 PM
Optional Break Out Sessions and Moore School Tour
3:30 PM
Social Hour and Dinner
5:30 PM
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Breakfast
8:00 AM
Morning Welcome
9:00 AM
Always On, Not Always Well: Sustaining Yourself in Advancement Work
9:15 AM
AI in Advancement: Practical Tools for Engagement and Fundraising
10:00 AM
Conference Closing
10:30 AM
Passing the Torch
10:45 AM
Closing and Box Lunches
11:00 AM
- A hotel block has been reserved at the Hilton Columbia Center, conveniently located in the heart of downtown Columbia within walking distance of the Darla Moore School of Business and just minutes from the University of South Carolina’s main campus.
- The hotel offers comfortable accommodations and scenic views of downtown for all guests. Guests may fly into Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), approximately 15–20 minutes from campus, or choose a nearby major airport, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) or Charleston International Airport (CHS), both approximately 1.5 hours from Columbia.
Contact Us
For any questions, contact Kendrick Reed
803-576-8022 | kendrick.reed@moore.sc.edu