ANC26 Opening Event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Saturday, July 11: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Kick off ANC26 with an unforgettable evening at the iconic NASCAR Hall of Fame, exclusively reserved for ANC attendees. This high-energy opening event offers private access to one of Charlotte’s most celebrated venues, blending interactive experiences, immersive exhibits, and nonstop excitement.
Guests will explore the Hall of Fame’s signature spaces—including the Great Hall, Hall of Honor, and Inside NASCAR exhibits—while enjoying hands-on activities like racing simulators, pit crew challenges, and a feature presentation in the High Octane Theater. Additional entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and special experiences will round out the night, creating a dynamic and social start to the conference.
With thousands of attendees expected, this one-of-a-kind evening sets the pace for ANC26—celebrating innovation, connection, and a little friendly competition, NASCAR-style.
Sponsored by
Baseball Night for a Cause at ANC26
ANC26 attendees—and Charlotte‑area locals—are invited to kick off the Annual National Conference with a fun night at the ballpark as the Charlotte Knights take on the Nashville Sounds. Held alongside ANC26, this game offers an easy and enjoyable way to give back while celebrating community, baseball, and school nutrition.
How Your Ticket Gives Back
For every ticket purchased through this offer, $2.20 is donated to the School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), supporting scholarships and professional development opportunities for SNA members.
Game Night Highlights
Gates open: 6:00 p.m.
First pitch: 7:04 p.m.
Grateful Dead Night + Friday Knight Fireworks
Grateful Dead T‑shirt giveaway for the first 1,000 fans
Grab your tickets, cheer on the Knights, and help support school nutrition professionals—one game at a time.
First-Timers Session
Sunday, July 12 | 10:30 am
Is this your first time attending ANC? If so, this informative session will guide you in the right direction to make the most out of the conference. Join the ANC 2026 Program Advisors for a rundown of can’t miss highlights and events and get your who, what, when, where and whys answered for ANC!
Culinary Demonstrations
Sunday, July 1–Tuesday, July 11
There’s nothing more delicious than discovering fresh ways to prepare and serve school meals. Meet with experts who can share culinary secrets and nutrition tips to increase participation at your school. Seating is limited. Check back to learn more details about the dishes planned for this year’s demos.
Star Club Breakfast
Monday, July 13 | 7:30 am
The SNA Star Club is a program for recognizing and thanking members who are working hard to ensure the future of the Association by recruiting new members. This is an invitation-only event and Star Club members must RSVP to attend.
Membership Section Meetings
Sunday, July 12–Tuesday, July 14
These targeted sessions are special “professional learning communities” that allow peers from all over the country to come together to discuss challenges and solutions. Check the schedule for your section meeting topic, date and time and plan to attend.
District Directors/Supervisors Section Meeting:
Sunday, July 12 - 8:00 – 9:00 am
Major City Directors/Supervisors Section Meeting:
Sunday, July 12 - 9:15 – 10:15 am
State Agency Section Meeting:
Monday, July 13 – 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Employee/Manager Section Meeting:
Tuesday, July 14 – 9:45 – 10:45 am