QRCA 2026… WOW.
I’m still shaking off all the feels.
Serving as Conference Chair for this year’s annual conference in San Antonio was one of the most meaningful (and stretching!) wild, wonderful rides I’ve ever been on. From budget conversations and speaker programming to marketing plans and attendee experience, I had a front-row seat to every moving piece. Keynote development, networking moments, content review, timeline tracking… all of it.
And so much love went into this.
This conference will always hold a piece of my heart.
Behind the scenes Magic
Here’s the truth: conferences don’t “just happen.”
They happen because volunteers care. Deeply.
Every agenda review.
Every speaker prep call.
Every marketing deadline.
Every tracking sheet (you know I love a good tracking system 😊).
There was intention behind it. Real care for the attendee experience. A shared goal of making sure that no matter what session someone chose, they walked away better for it.
Being part of this collaborative team, problem-solving, pivoting when needed, and genuinely rooting for each other was something I’ll never forget. I wouldn’t have made it through this year without them.
Leadership in QRCA isn’t about a title. It’s about service. And this group embodied that.
The Experience
From incredible content to delicious food, cultural moments, exploring a beautiful city, and yes, dancing the night away, QRCA 2026 did not disappoint.
It was a whirlwind of a week. And I would absolutely do it all over again.
Even in the craziness of chairing, I was lucky enough to jump into a few sessions that grounded me and reminded me why this community matters so much.
A keynote that set the tone and energized the entire room.
Workshops that challenged how we show up, personally and professionally.
Roundtables that pulled back the curtain on qualitative recruiting and sparked honest, necessary conversations.
And evenings that reminded us what togetherness really feels like.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is about.
Community.
Why It Matters
Being part of QRCA means the sky is the limit when it comes to learning, networking, and thriving in your career. But more than that, it’s the genuine friendships. The authentic humans. The support that feels real, not performative.
In this crazy world of market research, having a community like this is priceless.
Reuniting with conference friends. Making new ones. Celebrating big wins. Sharing laughs. Having thoughtful, human conversations. Dancing like no one’s watching (even though everyone definitely was).
That’s what I’ll remember.
I’m proud. I’m grateful. I’m still a little tired. And my heart is very full.
Palm Springs… we’ll see you next year. 🌴