FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Bethany, Okla.] — Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is excited to welcome business education leaders from across the south-central United States this fall as it hosts the 2026 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Region 6 Conference on September 17-18, 2026.
Hosted under the leadership of Region 6 Chair Dr. Keith Toles Jr., Program Director for SNU’s Graduate Programs in Business, the conference will bring together faculty, administrators, and accreditation professionals representing approximately 80 colleges and universities across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Centered on the theme “The AI Revolution: Reshaping Business, Reinventing Education, and Transforming Our World,” the conference will explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence on business education and the evolving skills needed to prepare tomorrow’s workforce.
Attendees will participate in a keynote presentation, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative discussions focused on innovation, accreditation, student success, business, leadership, and emerging trends in higher education.
“AI is forcing us to wrestle with a deeper question. We shouldn’t simply ask what technology can do. We should be asking what education must become,” explains Dr. Keith Toles Jr. “This conference gives us an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and shape the future together, rather than react to it.”
In addition to conference sessions, business educators are invited to submit presentation proposals highlighting innovative teaching practices, accreditation strategies, leadership experiences, student success initiatives, and other topics that strengthen business education. Accepted presentations will also be eligible for the Best of Region Award, with the winning presentation advancing to compete at the ACBSP Annual Conference.
Registration is now open. Conference registration includes educational sessions, meals, scheduled conference activities, and transportation between the conference hotel and SNU.
Conference attendees may reserve accommodations at the Lively Hotel on OAK Oklahoma City, Tapestry by Hilton, where a discounted conference room rate is available while space remains.
“One of the greatest strengths of Region 6 is the collective knowledge and experience found across our institutions,” said Dr. Toles. “We are excited to bring our community together at SNU. This conference will allow us to strengthen relationships, share what is working, and remind ourselves that the advancement of business education is something none of us do alone.”
To register for the ACBSP Region 6 Conference, please visit the conference webpage. To submit a presentation proposal, please visit the Call for Presentations webpage. For questions about the conference, please contact Dr. Keith Toles Jr. at ktoles@snu.edu.
Southern Nazarene University, located in Bethany, Oklahoma, is a private Christian institution committed to shaping servant leaders since 1899. With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs offered on campus and online, SNU emphasizes accessibility, purpose-driven education, and holistic student support.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs is a global business education accrediting body that promotes continuous improvement and recognizes excellence in business education programs worldwide.