EMBAC USA/Southwest Regional Meeting 2026

We're excited to host the upcoming EMBCA USA/Southwest Regional Meeting here at SMU Cox. This conference welcomes stakeholders who work closely with the Executive MBA degree from all over the Southwest region of the USA to attend. For information on the conference, email the conference organizer, Radhika Brinkopf, at rbrinkopf@smu.edu.

Register to Attend


Logistics Recommendations

You'll be on your own for lodging and transportation to campus. Below are nearby recommendations.

Nearby Hotels

Two options for you to personally book your stay: The Graduate (5 minute walk to conference) or The Highland Dallas (10 minute walk to conference).

Nearby Airports

Two options if you choose to fly to Dallas: Dallas Love Field (15-35 minutes to hotel) or DFW International (30-60 minutes from hotel).

Preliminary Schedule

Exact schedule to come closer to meeting date.

  • Tuesday, April 7th:
    • 5:30-7:30pm: Networking Happy Hour
  • Wednesday, April 8th: 
    • 8:00-9:00am Breakfast
    • 9:00-9:45am: SMU Dean Welcome: Todd Milbourn
    • 9:45-10:00am: Conference Overview
    • 10:00-10:45am: Regional School Spotlight
    • 10:45-11:00am: Break
    • 11:00-12:00pm: Defining the Executive MBA: Positioning for a Changing Market
    • 12:00-1:00pm: Lunch + Sponsor Spotlights
    • 1:00-2:00pm: EMBAC Trends and Data Feature Session with Michael Desiderio
    • 2:00-3:00pm: Keeping Executive Talent in the Southwest: A Regional Collaboration Strategy
    • 3:00-3:15pm: Break
    • 3:15-4:15pm: Modern Marketing & The Executive Funnel
    • 4:15-5:15pm: Executive MBA Student Experience Panel
    • 5:15-5:30pm: Wrap-Up
    • 6:00-8:00pm: Networking Dinner & Event
  • Thursday, April 9th:
    • 8:00-8:30am: Breakfast
    • 8:30-10:00am: Keynote Speaker Jeff Strese: Leading Change in Times of Uncertainty
    • 10:00-10:15am: Break
    • 10:15-11:00am: Eric Griffin – Dallas Regional Chamber: The Importance of Dallas to the Southwest Region
    • 11:00-11:45am: Driving Career Outcomes and Aligning the EMBA Expectations with Market Realities
    • 11:45am-12:30pm: Closing and Next Steps
    • 12:30pm: Boxed Lunches and Farewell

Conference Organizing Committee

  • Shelly Heinrich, Senior Assistant Dean, Career Management Center and Graduate Admissions
  • Radhika Brinkopf, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Working Professional MBA Programs
  • Jamie Fuller, Director of Admissions, Executive MBA Program
  • Bri'Anna Jones-Harper, Assistant Director, Working Professionals Generalist
  • Tricia Sherwood, Coordinator