About the conference
ACES 2026: Atlanta was held April 23–25, 2026, at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta.
The program included 38 breakout sessions in four topic areas: Words and Language, Core Editing Skills, Business of Editing, and Soft Skills for Editors. Sessions were offered at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
On April 22, the preconference workshop “ACES Fast Lanes and Off-Ramps: A Roadmap for Career Pivots” was led by career coach Hallie Crawford and book editor Grace Wynter. That evening, first-time attendees gathered at the First-Timers Reception.
Peer Connection Coffee Chats on April 23 gave small groups of peers a chance to discuss professional topics within their specialty areas. The ACES Education Fund Spelling Bee was held the same day.
The ACES Education Fund Silent Auction ran from Thursday through Friday evening, with proceeds supporting the fund’s scholarship and fellowship programs. The conference also featured the Pun Slam and the ACES Awards Banquet.
Keynote speaker
Hollis R. Towns, chief operating officer of Deep South Today, gave the keynote at the ACES Awards Banquet on April 24.
Towns is a media executive with more than 30 years of experience. Deep South Today is a nonprofit network of local newsrooms that includes Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The Current. He previously served as vice president of content for AL.com and as vice president of local news for USA Today/Gannett.
A former Pulitzer Prize juror, Towns was executive editor of The Asbury Park Press and held editor roles at The Cincinnati Enquirer and Kalamazoo Gazette. He mentors for the National Association of Black Journalists and serves on the Poynter Institute’s National Advisory Board.
Towns grew up in Middle Georgia, attended Fort Valley State University, and got his first job at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Sessions
Featured sessions
- Merriam-Webster presentation — Peter Sokolowski
- AP Style presentation — Anna Jo Bratton
- Chicago Manual of Style presentation
Tracks
The 38 breakout sessions were grouped into four topic areas, each offered at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.
- Core editing skills
- Words and language
- Business of editing
- Soft skills for editors