FAQ for 2026 Conference

There has been some questions recently about the upcoming Seaside Conference (OyACE).  Here are a few answers for your frequency asked questions:

Are meals included?
Yes! Breakfast and lunch are provided for both adults and children. There will be no evening event on Friday night, so families are free to enjoy dinner together in Seaside.


Is childcare provided?
Yes! There will be two levels of childcare, both offering a variety of engaging and age-appropriate activities. Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day.


What will older students be doing?
Older youth will have plenty of fun, hands-on options sponsored by the Young Leaders Program. There will be at least three activities available at any time—most based on our SimuNation™ experiential learning model.


Will parents be expected to purchase anything?
No!  We don’t allow direct sales or solicitations during breakout sessions. Anyone wishing to sell materials must reserve a table in the exhibit hall.


What should parents bring?
Nothing special is required—just whatever you and your family need for your stay in Seaside.


What kind of presentations will there be?
We already have several presenters confirmed, including sessions for Title I-C for parents and educators in English and Spanish.  We would love others to get involved!  Visit us at SeasideConference.org to register as a presenter.


How did you come to run this conference?
I founded OyACE after many colleagues, families, and students expressed disappointment over the closure of OACE. As OACE’s former president, I couldn’t let such an impactful event end. With support from a nonprofit organization, the Young Leaders Program, I stepped in to continue the tradition. 




What is your experience running events?
Prior to being President, I coordinated and emceed the OACE Conference for nearly a decade. Before that, I served as President of OATAG and ran the statewide TAG Conference for about ten years. Through YLP and my work in public education, I’ve organized large-scale events, residential summer camps, and ongoing educational programs year-round for more than two decades.  




How are you connected with past organizers?
I, myself, was one of the longtime organizers of this event, and as such I hold deep respect for OACE and the many dedicated individuals who made it such a meaningful experience over the years. Indeed, it has been an important part of my life—and the lives of countless families and educators—for a long time.  For that reason, I could not let it just fade away.
Additionally, and more importantly, OyACE continues and expands upon the original vision of the conference, while honoring the traditions that made it so special. We were deeply saddened by the passing of Yolanda Tavera, a dear friend and longtime OACE organizer. Through OyACE, we seek to honor her legacy and ensure that this valuable learning experience endures for future generations.


How is Young Leaders involved?
The Young Leaders Program (YLP) fosters youth leadership, civic engagement, and essential life skills through immersive SimuNation™ learning experiences. We believe that empowering parents strengthens families and communities—so expanding our work to include adults was a natural evolution. We are fully committed to making OyACE an exceptional educational experience for all, built intentionally from the ground up in Spanish. Even the conference name, OyACE—Oportunidades y Aprendizaje Conferencia Educativa—was created in Spanish first, rather than translated from English as an afterthought.


What is changing?
We’re working to preserve the best parts of the conference while introducing fresh, engaging elements. For example, this year we’re replacing the traditional keynote address with the Kaleidoscope event—an interactive and creative experience designed to spark new ideas and connections. We’ve also condensed the schedule to two full days (Friday and Saturday) and removed the evening reception to give families more time together. In addition, we’re bringing back childcare, an essential and much-appreciated part of the program.


In Conclusion...
We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring and family-friendly event! The OyACE Seaside Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, January 30–31, 2025, at the Seaside Convention Center.
Come connect, learn, and celebrate with educators, families, and students from across Oregon.
We can’t wait to see you there!  Register at www.SeasideConference.org