The ACES National Conference is happening April 23-25, 2026, in Atlanta, and Dragonfly Editorial is thrilled to sponsor the event. We’ll be presenting in two sessions and hosting a booth.
Here are some tips to maximize your conference experience, plus details on connecting with us in person.
Before the conference
Top tip: Find the right balance
As you prepare for ACES, approach your trip with a balanced perspective. While being mindful of rest is essential, fully embracing the opportunities the conference presents is key to getting the most out of your experience.
“You’re going to be there for three days,” Dave Nelsen, Dragonfly’s deputy editorial manager, says. “You don’t want to let those three days go by and realize you should have attended more sessions or you should have networked more.”
Dave says it’s fine if you need to recharge or go to your room to rest. But it’s also important to remember that you — or your employer — paid money for the conference. “You have a three-day window to get as much as you can out of this, so you can always sleep on the flight back home,” he says.
More tips:
- Set goals: Define what you want to learn, who you want to meet, and how you want to engage.
- Research and plan ahead: Look at the agenda, highlight must-attend sessions, and schedule meetings in advance.
- Pack smart: Bring essentials like business cards, a notebook, comfortable shoes, and a charger.
During the conference
Top tip: Break the ice and start the conversation
Walking into a room full of strangers can feel intimidating, but a little courage goes a long way, says Emily Primeaux, Dragonfly’s chief content officer, who has presented on networking at past ACES conferences.
“Here’s what I’ve learned from years of attending and presenting at ACES (and other conferences): Everyone in that room feels a little awkward,” Emily says. “The secret isn’t that you need the perfect opening line; you just need to be naturally curious. Walk up to someone, ask what session they’re excited about or have enjoyed so far, and let the conversation flow from there. We’re writers and editors from all walks of life, so we’re naturally curious people. Lean into that.”
And remember, when you’re at a conference, you automatically have something in common with everyone.
“We’re all word people,” Dave adds. “In 2022 in San Antonio, I was sitting in the hotel lobby by myself on the first night trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Another editor saw that I had my ACES lanyard on and said ‘Hello, you look lonely.’ That person was Barbie Halaby. She’s on the ACES Board now, and we’re like BFFs.”
If they have an ACES lanyard on, Dave says that he can “almost guarantee they will be a nice person who is willing to talk to you too.”
More tips:
- Engage during sessions: Take notes, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
- Network strategically: Approach speakers, visit exhibit booths, and connect with peers.
- Share and reflect in real time: Post on social media using event hashtags, share key takeaways, and engage in online conversations.
After the conference
Top tip: Keep the momentum going
As you leave ACES, it’s important to reflect on the new connections you’ve made. These connections can provide support, guidance, and opportunities long after the event is over.
One of the biggest resources you can walk away with is an expanded network of other editors, Dave says.
“A lot of editors work solo,” he says. “We often have to explain to people what a copy editor does, so it’s good to go to a conference like this and meet 700 other people who already know what a copy editor does and build your network.”
Perhaps most importantly, allow the ACES conference to offer more than just professional development. The connections and inspiration you gain at ACES can fuel your work long after you get home.
“Every time I come back from ACES, I’m buzzing with new ideas and a reminder of why I love this work,” Emily says. “The sessions are valuable, of course, but it’s the conversations in between — at the booth, over coffee, in the hallways, at happy hour — that stick with me and push my thinking forward.”
More tips:
- Organize your notes and takeaways: Summarize key insights and action items.
- Follow up with new connections: Send LinkedIn invites or follow-up emails.
- Apply what you’ve learned: Bring new ideas to your team and integrate insights into your work.
Everything to know about Dragonfly Editorial at ACES
Don’t miss our team’s presentations at ACES! Here’s where you can find us:
Session 1: Polishing the Bot: Editing AI-Assisted Text for Clarity and Flow
Speaker: Emily Primeaux, Chief Content Officer
Saturday, April 25 | 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Savannah Ballroom
AI writing tools have introduced a new layer of cluttered, over-formal, and jargon-heavy prose, and have changed the way that editors work. This session will walk attendees through real examples of AI-generated sentences and show how to edit them “from this to that”: from verbose to concise, robotic to human, passive to active, and technical to plain language.
Session 2: Your Style Guide Isn’t a Moral Code: Editing Without the Ego
Speaker: Kaylin Brian, Senior Editor
Saturday, April 25 | 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Savannah Ballroom
Does it make your eye twitch when a client skips the Oxford comma? Or when they insist on “healthcare” instead of “health care”? Editors are trained to care deeply about details, but sometimes our devotion to “right” can get in the way of “appropriate.” This session is a practical look at the tension between editorial preference and professional responsibility. We’ll explore why certain style choices feel so personal, how to separate ego from expertise, and how to accept client decisions gracefully — especially when they clash with your editorial instincts.
Don’t miss these sessions packed with expert knowledge, practical takeaways, and engaging discussions!
Where to find us
Want to connect with our team? Visit our booth to chat, ask questions, and learn how Dragonfly Editorial can support your content needs.
While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to win a free T-shirt! Enter our raffle by visiting our booth and signing up for our newsletter. If you’re already a subscriber, just let us know and we can still add you to the contest. We’ll announce the winner on the Whova app near the end of the conference, so be sure to stop by before 1 p.m. on Saturday!
