Events & Conventions

39th Annual Professional Convention

Thank you for joining us · September 4–6, 2026 · Hyatt Regency Chicago, Illinois

Photos & Materials View Program

Photo Gallery

Relive the Parade of Colors, Talent Night, Gala, and more from Chicago. Browse photos.

Convention Program

See the full three-day schedule of sessions and events. View the program.

CPE Session Materials

Download handouts and slides from the CPE sessions. Get the materials.

39th Annual Convention

Schedule of Activities

September 4–6, 2026 · Hyatt Regency Chicago, Illinois · Theme: Honoring Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future

8:30–12:00 PM

Chicago Free Walking Tour

Maribel Tamoria · Hotel Lobby

12:00–5:00 PM

Registration

Crystal Foyer · West Tower, Lobby Level

1:00–2:30 PM

NCPACA Past President's Meeting

Essie Claveria · Dusable Room, West Tower 3rd Floor

2:40–4:15 PM

NCPACA Executive Meeting

Czar Lopez · Dusable Room, West Tower 3rd Floor

4:30–5:30 PM

NCPACA Board of Councilors' Meeting

Aileen Damaso · Dusable Room, West Tower 3rd Floor

1:00–5:00 PM

Chapters' Talent Night Rehearsal

New York & Seattle (1:00–2:15) · New Jersey & Los Angeles (2:15–3:30) · Houston & Toronto (3:30–4:15) · Acapulco/Toronto Rooms

6:00–11:00 PM

Talent Night & Welcome Dinner

Theme: Spotlight — The Sound and Soul of the Decades · Crystal Ballroom, West Tower Lobby Level

6:30–7:45 AM

Breakfast

Crystal Ballroom

7:45–8:45 AM

Parade of Colors & Chapter Group Photos

Crystal Foyer / Crystal Terrace

8:45–9:00 AM

Invocation, Welcome Remarks & Convention Messages

Essie Claveria · Czar Lopez, NCPACA President · Stella Santos

9:00–9:50 AM

The Future of the CPA Profession: What Comes Next?

Geoffrey Brown, Illinois CPA Society President & CEO

10:00–10:50 AM

Hire the Agent: Building AI Systems for the Toughest Hours in Accounting

Francis Miranda, Tagline 360 CEO

11:00–11:50 AM

AICPA & National Commission on Diversity: Program Updates

Okorie Ramsey, AICPA Past Chairman

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00–1:50 PM

Finding Signal in the AI Noise

Jody Jankovsky, Blackline IT Founder & CEO

2:00–2:50 PM

Digging Deeper: Overlooked Tax Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Dan Arnell Belarmino, IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison

3:00–3:50 PM

Auditing the Algorithm: Ethics & Compliance in the Age of AI

Julie DeMuth Mellendorf, Crowe Studio

4:00–4:50 PM

Never the Final Chapter

Anna Gomez, Inspired Thinking Group Americas CFO

5:00–5:50 PM

Generational Differences in the Workplace

Adam San Juan, RWS Group

8:00–11:30 PM

Karaoke Night

Raffy Tañada, PCPA of Greater Chicago VP

Concurrent · Youth Program — Dusable Room

8:00–8:50 AM

Registration

8:50–9:00 AM

Welcome Remarks & Convention Messages

Leilani Rodrigo, NCPACA Treasurer & 2026 Convention Chair · Abigail Unada

9:00–9:50 AM

Accounting: One Degree, Infinite Doors

Anna Gomez

10:00–10:50 AM

Start Young, Invest Smart

Adam San Juan

11:00–11:50 AM

Panel: Careers in Public Accounting

Joan Nicolas · Nora Galleros · Vee Cristobal

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00–1:50 PM

Panel: Careers in Industry

Anna Gomez · Girlie O'Donoghue · Charlene Rhinehart

2:00–2:50 PM

Building Your LinkedIn Profile & Resume

Charlene Rhinehart

3:00–3:50 PM

From Student Leader to Young Professional

Yssabelle Callanga

3:50–4:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Photo Session

Stella Santos

6:30–7:45 AM

Breakfast

Crystal Ballroom

8:00–9:40 AM

Protect. Preserve. Pass On: Smart Estate & Trust Strategies

Violeta D. Cristobal · Juliet Burton · Marissa Bueno

10:00–10:50 AM

Protecting Wealth and Investments in the Philippines

Rhodora "Iry" Icaranom, RGI Accounting & Audit

11:00–11:50 AM

A Career Less Travelled… Internal Auditing

Arvin Floresca, Claritev VP Internal Audit

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch

12:30–12:50 PM

Presentation of New NCPACA Councilors

Aileen Damaso

1:00–1:30 PM

Fireside Chat: The Future of the Philippine Accountancy Profession

Dr. Gladeys Jill Santos · Lope Bato Jr. · Dr. Ferdinand Rodriguez

1:30–2:20 PM

H-1B Visa: Process Walkthrough, Tips & Tricks

Andrew J.M. Lena, Arrive Immigration Services

2:20–2:25 PM

Closing Remarks

Richard Gustilo

2:30–4:30 PM

General Membership Meeting

7:00 PM–12:00 AM

The President's Gala Night

Theme: Black & White — Timeless in Every Decade · Formal attire · Crystal Ballroom

Before You Arrive

Know Before You Go

Everything you need before Convention weekend — transit, attire, packing, and hotel details.

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Arrival & Transit

From O'Hare: CTA Blue Line, $5 or less, ~40–45 min, runs 24/7. From Midway: CTA Orange Line, $2.50 or less, ~20–25 min (no overnight service). Rideshare to downtown: O'Hare $35–50, Midway $25–40.

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What to Wear

Daytime sessions: business casual, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Talent Night: festive and polished. President's Gala Night: formal black-and-white attire.

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Pack Smart

Photo ID + registration confirmation, hotel & travel confirmations, black-and-white gala attire, business cards or LinkedIn QR code, chargers, comfortable walking shoes, reusable water bottle.

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At the Hotel

Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. Follow NCPACA signage or ask the front desk for registration and meeting rooms. Guests must be 21+ to check in. Free WiFi, dining, and a 24-hour fitness center are included. Valet parking from $57 (0–3 hrs) to $102 (6–24 hrs); rates may change.

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Chicago Weather

Early September typically runs a high of 79°F and a low of 61°F. Pack a light layer and an umbrella, and check the forecast the week of the Convention.

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