National Meeting 2026
RISE. PROTECT. WIN.
APRIL 27-29, 2026 | COLUMBIA, SC
Monday, April 27th – Welcome Party
Attire: Casual.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | Hilton, Hampton Inn & Hyatt Place Hotel Check-In | Hilton – 924 Senate St Hampton – 822 Gervais St Hyatt Place – 819 Gervais St The Lantern - 1001 Senate St |
| 5:00 PM | Bus departs from Hyatt Place for First Time Attendee Reception | Hilton, Hampton Inn *Lantern and Hampton Inn guests should go to Hilton for this shuttle. |
| 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM | First Time Attendee Reception (Invite-only | Segra Park 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| 5:45 PM | Buses depart from all host hotels | Hilton, Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place *Lantern guests should go to Hilton for shuttles |
| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Welcome Party & Badge Pickup Attire: Casual Dinner & drinks included | Segra Park 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| 6:30 PM | AMAROK Group Photo | Berm under the Jumbotron |
| 8:45 PM | AMAROK Fireworks Show | Segra Park |
| 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Buses depart to host hotels | Hilton, Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place *Lantern guests will be brought to Hilton. |
Tuesday, April 28th – National Meeting
Attire: Casual AMAROK gear encouraged
| Agenda (EST) | Topic | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 6:55 AM - 7:15 AM | Buses depart from Hyatt Place to Convention Center | Hyatt Place - 819 Gervais St |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast | Columbia Convention Center 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| 7:45 AM | Doors open | General Session – Columbia Convention Center |
| 8:00 AM - 9:45 AM | • Intro & Housekeeping • Keys to Success in 2026 and The Future • R&D Fireside Chat • A Special Tribute | • Mike Dorrington / Hayelom Tadesse • Mark Wesley • Mike Dorrington & Panel • Mark Wesley |
| 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM | Break | Columbia Convention Center |
| 10:00 AM - 11:55 AM | • Welcome back • New Markets, Same Mission • Keynote Speaker | • Mike Dorrington / Hayelom Tadesse • Nathan Leaphart & Panel • Eric Thomas |
| 11:55 AM - 12:50 PM | Lunch | Columbia Convention Center |
| 1:00 PM - 1:40 PM | Group 1 - Breakout Sessions • Using AI to Be More Effective • Social Media Best Practices • How to Motivate My Peers Group 2 - Product Showcase | Columbia Convention Center (Lower Level) |
| 1:40 PM - 1:50 PM | Break / Rotate | Columbia Convention Center (Lower Level) |
| 1:50 PM - 2:30 PM | Group 1 - Product Showcase Group 2 - Breakout Sessions • Using AI to Be More Effective • Social Media Best Practices • How to Motivate My Peers | Columbia Convention Center (Lower Level) |
| 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM | • Welcome Back • Customer Journey: Performance Food Group • Best in Class Service | • Mike Dorrington / Hayelom Tadesse • Tammy Gonzalez & Kerry Gibson • Liz Coffey & Panel |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | • 2025 MVP & Value Awards • Wrap Up / Housekeeping | • Mark Wesley / Melody Moss • Mike Dorrington / Hayelom Tadesse |
| 5:00 PM | Buses depart from Convention Center to Hyatt Place |
Tuesday, April 28th – Concert & Dinner
Attire: Casual
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5:45 PM | Shuttles depart from host hotels | Hilton, Hampton Inn & Hyatt Place *Lantern guests will go to Hilton. |
| 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Concert and Dinner Attire: Casual Concert: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Dinner & drinks included | Central Energy 2030 Gregg St Columbia, SC 29201 |
| 9:30 PM | Shuttles depart from Central Energy | Hilton, Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place *Lantern Guests will be brought to Hilton. |
Wednesday, April 29th – Travel Home
| Time | What & Where |
|---|---|
| All Day | All Out of Town Employees Travel Home |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hotel check-in is at 4PM at the Hilton and Hampton Inn Hotels and 3:00PM at the Hyatt Place. Your room is not guaranteed earlier, but you can request it with the hotel once reservations have been made.
Check-out is at 11AM at the Hilton and Hampton Inn Hotels and 12:00PM at the Hyatt Place.
All events are business casual (Jeans OK). We encourage you to wear AMAROK gear Tuesday during the meeting.
No, this is an AMAROK only event.
Yes – both venues have parking.
The Columbia Convention Center Parking Lot offers complimentary parking for driving team members.
Overflow parking will be available in the garage attached to the Hilton Hotel 1007 Park St.; Columbia, SC 29201 and we can reimburse as needed for those that park there.
No. Airport transportation and evening event transportation will be provided. We will send a schedule as we get closer to the event. The shuttle driver will have an AMAROK sign and be located at baggage claim.
