
Amplify Your Impact
Visionaries is a transformative two-day event held in conjunction with ACA’s Fall Forum. Join forward-thinking women and members at all levels of an organization to learn, connect, and cultivate your potential together.
Visionaries provides an empowering space for all attendees to engage with fellow industry trailblazers through inspiring sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking. This goal-centered, engaging experience offers incredible opportunities for business networking, career empowerment, and personal growth.
By fully participating in the event, you will gain:
- New skills to unleash your inner leader, from exercises for building confidence and overcoming self-doubt, to practices for stepping into executive presence.
- Tools for creating and elevating your personal brand, honing your unique voice, and communicating your value.
- Tips for enhancing wellness and self-care even amid high achievement, reducing stress, avoiding burnout, and supporting longevity.
- Strategies for achieving greater work-life balance, setting boundaries, and integrating your professional and personal goals.
- Techniques for building strategic relationships and expanded networks that will uplift your career.
- Approaches to advocating for yourself through mentorship, sponsorship, and giving each other a seat at the table.
- Methods for managing up effectively, gaining visibility with senior leaders, and positioning yourself for advancement.
Visionaries provides every attendee – at any level – with inspiration and community to become their best self.
Thank You to Our Diamond Sponsor!
Schedule
Dinner with Strangers
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
An homage to ACA's popular convention Dinner with Strangers, this event takes you out to a local Chicago restaurant for dinner with 5 to 7 other Visionaries. You won't know who you're dining with or which Chicago hot spot you're going to until you check-in at our meet-up location. The meet-up location will be announced in the Know-Before-You-Go email. No registration fee is required but each person will pay for their own dinner and drinks at the restaurant. RSVP is required.
Continental Breakfast
7:45 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Take Care of YOU
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
We are still working with our speakers to make this session the best it can be. Thank you for your patience, and please check back soon for more information.
It’s All About Who YOU Know - Building Strategic Relationships
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM
When it comes to building strategic relationships, individuals who aspire to progress in their career and are steadfast in their pursuits go far beyond simply making casual connections or networking. Building Strategic relationships is an important part of the learning and development process. It is about being resourceful, learning from others and knowing how to connect with people. In this session, we will work on gaining the knowledge and tools needed to create and maintain valuable connections that drive personal and professional success.
Actionable objectives:
- Defining a strategic relationship for career development
- Identifying the types of relationships that you should develop and how to accomplish these.
- Understanding how to create successful relationships will help your future goals.
Morning Break
10:20 AM - 10:45 AM
Unleash YOUr Inner Strength
10:45 AM - 11:35 AM
We are still working with our speakers to make this session the best it can be. Thank you for your patience, and please check back soon for more information.
Lunch
11:35 AM - 1:00 PM
Advocating for YOUrself
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
We are still working with our speakers to make this session the best it can be. Thank you for your patience, and please check back soon for more information.
Creating and Elevating YOUr Personal Brand
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
We are still working with our speakers to make this session the best it can be. Thank you for your patience, and please check back soon for more information.
Cocktails with a Kick
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Close out the day by unleashing your inner warrior! We’ll learn basic self-defense moves from Circle City Safety while enjoying cocktails and light snacks. Self-care, self-expression and self-defense is the goal!
About Our Instructor
Clint Cloys has been active in the martial arts and self-defense since 1999. His martial art instructor was an Army Ranger and Army Special forces veteran that focused his training on the practical application of techniques and the importance of avoiding, escaping and surviving violent encounters. Clint also worked as a bouncer while putting himself through Purdue University. Here he learned that not everything taught in a martial art setting is applicable to real life violence. Clint has worked with officers from IMPD, Avon PD and Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department as well as taught numerous women how to keep safe using simple, direct and effective principles and concepts. He believes firmly that your number one weapon is your mind and that should be followed up with powerful knees and elbows! His classes strive to maintain a professional, safe yet fun learning environment. He loves answering questions and encourages active participation during courses.
Click each date above to expand the agenda and see full details currently available.
Additional details, including session titles and descriptions will be added once available in September.
PDUs:
Attending fall forum gives you 5 Professional Development Units towards ACA’s Designations.
Hotel

Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
ACA looks forward to welcoming you to the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel in Chicago, Illinois. With a prime location in the heart of downtown Chicago, you can walk to Millennium Park, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier, when you’re not in sessions, of course! Secure a room here at ACA’s low rate of just $229. Rooms are limited – book soon!
Room Reservations
Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
221 Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Room Rate Cut-Off: October 15, 2023
Room Rate: $229 Run of House plus state/local taxes
A limited number of rooms are blocked for ACA attendees; therefore, we cannot guarantee rooms will be available through the reservation deadline. Make your reservations early! To receive ACA’s group rate, be sure to book using the reservation link above. For those looking to extend their stay, group rate is also available three days pre- and post-event based on hotel availability at the time of booking. Credit card is required to hold your reservation. Room cancellations must be submitted directly to the hotel at least three (3) days prior to arrival or otherwise one night’s room, fees and taxes will be charged.
Check-In Time: 3:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM
Subject to change.
Beware of Unknown Housing Services
No third-party company or housing service is authorized to act on behalf of ACA International or the official event hotel(s) listed above. Be aware of potential fraud with third-party companies. Please use only the phone numbers and links provided above to reserve your room. Any companies claiming to represent ACA International, the ACA Convention or the above venues should not be trusted.
Important Travel & Ground Transportation Notes
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is located 13 miles from the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is located 18 miles from Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago. In addition to car rental and taxi, ground transportation options to/from either MDW or ORD include Lyft, Uber and airport shuttle and train.
Registration Pricing Deadlines
Early = on or before October 4
Late = on or after October 5
ACA Members
$299 Early
$399 Late
Non-Members
$425 Early
$525 Late
Registration and Cancellation
By registering for and/or attending an ACA International (“ACA”) event in any capacity, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to ACA’s policies listed on this page and included on its website, located at www.acainternational.org including, without limitation, ACA’s Terms of Use Agreement, ACA’s Privacy Policy, ACA’s Copyright Policy and Reprint Requests, ACA’s Logo Use Policy, and ACA’s Antitrust and Anti-Harassment Policies.
Additionally, you are authorizing ACA to use your image in any promotional or informational material produced by or on behalf of ACA. This includes, without limitation, video, audio and photographs which may be distributed in ACA Daily, on the ACA website, event recap videos, future event promotions, photo libraries, social media, and email.
If you decide to cancel after registration, a full refund minus a $75 processing fee will be provided for cancellations received by ACA in writing no later than Wednesday, October 4,2023. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received by ACA on or after October 5, 2023. Registrations may not be transferred to another individual unless approved by ACA. No refunds will be given for no-shows.
ACA reserves the right to cancel any meeting.
Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability
By registering for and/or attending this event, you hereby acknowledge and agree that ACA International, Inc. (“ACA”) is not responsible for any injury, claim, liability or other cause of action of any kind based upon or resulting from your participation in this event. You assume all risk and accept sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind (“Claims”), that you may experience or incur in connection with attending this event. You hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless ACA and its officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, affiliates, shareholders, members, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), of and from any such Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.
Specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, you (a) acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that you may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death, (b) voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any Claims that you may experience or incur, and (c) hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless the Released Parties from Claims of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.
In addition to all other policies relating to your attendance at an ACA event, you agree to comply with all COVID-19-related safety procedures that may be implemented by ACA or the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago (“Hotel”), or that may be required by law or recommended by public health agency, in order to protect as much as possible, the health and safety of all event attendees.
Antitrust and Anti-Harassment Policy
ACA holds its members to the highest standards of professional conduct. These standards apply equally to all event participants. ACA expects event participants in any capacity to act responsibly and ethically when interacting with others at events. Please take a moment to review ACA’s Antitrust and Anti-Harassment Policies. If you have questions or concerns about possible non-compliance at an event, please inform a member of ACA’s staff.
Reservation Information-Sharing
ACA may provide personal registrant information, including the names, addresses, phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of attendees and their guests, to Hotel and ACA may receive personal guest reservation details from Hotel for the limited purposes of event-related meeting planning and contract fulfilment. Your registration information will be shared with exhibitors and sponsors of the event as noted when you register. ACA may also contact you regarding your event participation or Hotel stay based on registration and reservation information received. You agree to receive communications from ACA, which may include marketing and promotional emails regarding ACA’s products and services. You can change your preferences at any time.
ACA’s full privacy policy can be found here.
Visit the Hotel website for their full privacy policy.
Updated August 1, 2023
A safe and comfortable experience at ACA International’s (“ACA”) 2023 Visionaries (“Event”) is a top priority for ACA as we plan for your arrival in Chicago. The venue we are using is the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago (“Hotel”). We have prepared these COVID-19 Safety Protocols with the health, safety and enjoyment of attendees in mind.
These safety protocols are based on local, state and federal recommendations and mandates. However, given the evolving nature of the pandemic and changing local, state and national guidelines and requirements, safety protocols will naturally be fluid. ACA reserves the right to modify or update these safety protocols at any time so that they are appropriately tailored to the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, its attendant health and safety risks, and national, state, and local requirements and guidelines, during the dates of the event.
Please check back periodically so you are aware of the safety protocols you will be expected to follow while attending the event.
By registering for and/or attending the Event, you and anyone travelling with you agree to follow the safety protocols set in place by ACA, the Hotel, the City of Chicago, State of Illinois and the CDC, including those stated herein and onsite at the event. ACA and Hotel reserve the right to ask any attendee or guest to leave the event and/or Hotel premises at any time in the event of a suspected COVID-19 infection, exposure or symptoms.
ONSITE
Masks
- Mask protocol will follow local, State of Illinois and CDC guidance.
- Please bring your own masks if you elect to wear one. ACA will have disposable masks available if you need them.
Self-Screening and Personal Accountability Commitment
Attendees’ commitment to act responsibly with respect to their own health and the health of others at the Event will be critical to the success of the Event. In that regard, ACA expects all attendees and their guests to conduct daily self-screenings and to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Please review the CDC list of symptoms and CDC Quarantine & Isolation protocols before attending the Event.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, or are exposed to someone who has COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, during the Event, we ask that you please promptly notify an ACA staff member and excuse yourself from event activities. You may want to reference the CDC Coronavirus Self Checker at that time to obtain the CDC’s guidelines on staying away from others, testing and medical attention. ACA and Venues staff will work with you to determine whether and when it may be appropriate for you to return to event activities.
Sponsors
Demonstrate your support for women in the industry by sponsoring the Visionaries conference. Click here to see available sponsorship opportunities.

CCMR3
DIAMOND SPONSOR
CCMR3 provides modern, technology-driven revenue recovery solutions, debt purchasing, and litigation services for enterprises that need engagement with empathy, experience with compliance, and excellence in revenue recovery. Leveraging state-of-the-art analytics and machine learning combined with a service-focused approach, CCMR3 helps organizations from a variety of industries protect their brands and improve their bottom lines.
318 S Clinton St Ste 400
Syracuse, NY 13202-1127
(315) 256-9744

ARM Compliance Business Solutions, LLC
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
ARM Compliance Business Solutions is a woman owned consultancy business that specializes in operationalizing consumer financial laws. Established in 2020, ARMCBS has provided compliance services to over 50 unique clients in the accounts receivables management industry through its compliance risk assessments, RMAi certification audits, training development, and compliance outsourcing services.
300 Richards Cir
Pell City, AL 35128-4110
(205) 753-1861

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
SUPPORTER
Founded in 1968, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck practices in the areas of real estate, corporate law, public policy, natural resources, intellectual property and litigation. With 300 attorneys and policy professionals in offices across the western U.S., Atlantic City and D.C., you’ll see us involved in some of the largest cases and most significant deals around the country, as well as the most important legislation affecting business in America.
1155 F St NW Ste 1200
Washington, DC 20004-1329
(202) 296-7353