2026 Annual Meeting

Columbia, South Carolina | September 23-25, 2026

Join colleagues from across the country in Columbia, South Carolina, for the 2026 CoSA Annual Meeting. Conference sessions will be held at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29225), where attendees will gather to learn, collaborate, and discuss the issues shaping state and territorial archives.

To make getting around easy, complimentary transportation will be provided between the official conference hotels and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History throughout the meeting. Whether you're attending educational sessions, networking with peers, or exploring Columbia, we look forward to welcoming you to South Carolina this fall.

Meeting Details At-a-Glance

Dates: September 23-25, 2026
Conference Venue: South Carolina Department of Archives & History
Address: 8301 Parklane Rd., Columbia, SC 29225
Hotels: Holiday Inn Columbia Downtown (CoSA Members) & Aloft Columbia Downtown (CoSA Staff, Board, Non-Members, and Vendors)
Transportation: Complimentary shuttle service between the conference hotels and the archives

Annual Meeting Registration NOW OPEN!

Call for Posters & Promos Session Participation

View the Call for Participation

Registration

Lodging

Schedule

Silent Auction

Registration

Register NOW for the 2026 CoSA Annual Meeting

Download a PDF form to include in travel requests

Email events@statearchivists.org for information about onsite registration.

CoSA is committed to hosting an affordable annual meeting that maximizes the value of in-person engagement with peers.

	Early Bird Through Aug 20	Advance Aug 21-Sept 14	Onsite (if available)
Full Conference (member)	$200	$260	$340
Single Day (member)	$75	$75	n/a
Full Conference (non-member)	$320	$415	$540
Single Day (non-member)	$100	$100	n/a
Guest Registration	$75	$75	n/a

All registrations are subject to the Refund and Cancellation policy below.

Lodging

Conference Attendee Hotel Options

CoSA has negotiated the government rate for our members with two downtown Columbia hotels. Negotiated rates are available until September 8, 2026 or until the blocks are filled. These special rates are available several days prior and post the scheduled meeting (September 23-25) should you choose to extend your stay in Columbia.

Holiday Inn Columbia Downtown (CoSA Members)
1233 Washington St.
Columbia, SC 29201

Member Hotel rate Single $115/night (plus tax) or Double $125/night (plus tax) - all individuals who work in one of CoSA 56 member institutions are eligible to book their stay at this rate. Book the Holiday Inn member rate online.

Aloft Columbia Downtown (CoSA Staff, Board, Non-Members, and Vendors)
823 Lady St.
Columbia, SC 29201

Member Hotel rate $115/night (plus tax) - CoSA staff and board members are eligible to book their stay at this rate. CoSA Staff and Board should contact the CoSA Team for booking.
Non-member/vendor hotel rate $145/night (plus tax) - Vendors and non-members are eligible to book their stay at this rate. Book the Aloft Non-member/Vendor rate online.

By booking within CoSA's room block, you help CoSA keep our costs low and negotiate the best rates for future meetings. Thank you!

Getting to the Conference
The official conference hotels are located a short distance from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29225), where all meeting sessions will take place. Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided between the conference hotels and the archives throughout the conference.

Schedule

Draft Schedule Overview

Schedule subject to change.

The conference will be held at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29225).

Complimentary transportation will be provided between the official conference hotels and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History throughout the meeting, so attendees can stay at either conference hotel without needing to drive to conference sessions.

Wednesday, September 23 (all attendees)

Morning - Pre-conference workshops and tours
Afternoon - Opening session and affinity group discussions
Evening - Opening Reception

Thursday, September 24 (all attendees)

All Day - Educational sessions
Evening - Reception and networking

Friday, September 25 (members only)

Morning - Networking breakfast and closing session
Mid-Day - Networking box lunch and educational sessions
Afternoon - Local walking tours

Saturday, September 26

Post-conference educational excursion

View Full Schedule (draft)

Silent Auction

CoSA Silent Auction

Previous silent auctions have been a key fundraiser for CoSA educational activities, and this year we’re aiming for similar success in Columbia — but we need your help providing auction items!

To help make this year another success, here are some helpful tips for popular auction items:

Think small - items that are easy to pack in carry-on luggage or easily consumed during the course of the meeting
Share a taste of your state - what foods, snacks, treats, or specialty products are unique to your area?
Share your state's unique stories, history, culture, food, or drink with your colleagues!
Local favorites are always popular! Consider donating items such as locally roasted coffee, specialty teas, unique sodas, regional snacks, hot sauces, jams, honey, baked goods, or small bottles of wine, beer, or spirits
America250-themed items, memorabilia, swag, books, educational materials, apparel, or locally inspired patriotic items would make especially fun and timely donations this year

Please complete the 2026 CoSA Silent Auction Donation Form and include it when submitting your silent auction item(s).

We can’t wait to see all the fun, unique, and interesting items you all have to donate. And get ready to bid often and bid high on your favorite items!

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Annual Meeting Attendee Registration Refund Policy

Annual Meeting Fees

Cancellation of an Annual Meeting registration is subject to the following policy:

For a Full CoSA Annual Meeting Conference registration, cancellations thirty (30) days or more prior to the conference, refunds will be offset by a $50 cancellation fee.
For a Single-day CoSA Annual Meeting Conference registration, cancellations thirty (30) days or more prior to the conference, refunds will be offset by a $25 cancellation fee.
For a CoSA Annual Meeting Conference registration (Full and Single-day) cancellations between twenty-nine (29) and seven (7) days of the conference, refunds will be offset by a cancellation fee of 50% of the registration fee.
No refunds will be given for no shows or cancellations after 12:00 PM (Eastern) seven (7) days before the annual conference.
Requests for refunds of payment for Guest Registrations and Excursions will be considered and approved by the Executive Director on a case-by-case basis.
A substitute attendee may be designated provided that the payment has been made and the CoSA team has been notified in advance.
A written request for a refund must be emailed to CoSA at events@statearchivists.org prior to the event.

Annual Meeting Sponsorship Cancellation

Annual Meeting Corporate Sponsorship

Cancellation of an Annual Meeting sponsorship is subject to the following policy:

For cancellation of a CoSA Annual Meeting sponsorship thirty (30) days or more prior to the conference, refunds will be offset by a 50% cancellation fee.
For cancellation of an Annual Meeting sponsorship within thirty (30) days of the Annual Conference, a refund will not be given.
A written request for a refund must be emailed to CoSA at events@statearchivists.org prior to the event.

Meeting attendees and exhibitors are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements and should expect to abide by the policies of those external entities.

This policy was adopted by the CoSA Board of Directors in 2024. Revised March 6, 2025.