Palo Alto May 2026 National Board Meeting Registration

To all ARCS Members:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the National Board Meeting May 14-16, 2026, in Palo Alto, California! Don't miss this chance to round out the year with your ARCS colleagues and lay the foundation for a stellar 2026-27 ARCS year of programs.

Plan to arrive to the ARCS Foundation Board Meeting in Palo Alto, CA on Thursday, May 14. Concurrent committee meetings will likely take place that afternoon starting at 1 pm. After meetings, attendees will travel to the Menlo Country Club for a hosted Welcome Reception and Dinner, with shuttles provided to and from the The Graduate Hotel in Palo Alto. We will also honor the 2025 and 2026 ARCS Light award winners at this dinner.

On Friday, May 15, participants will gather at the Stanford Faculty Club for a continental breakfast, and then participate in the ARCS National Board Meeting. After the meeting, attendees will hear from Ken Goodson, the VP Provost for Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs with an update on Stanford’s focus.  Afterward, attendees will enjoy a buffet lunch, hear from an ARCS Northern California Chapter Scholar and then take part in both an immersive tour of the Stanford Robotics Lab, and a guided walk through the Cantor Arts Center.  The day will conclude with a dine around with fellow ARCS colleagues in easy walking distance from the hotel.   

Saturday, May 16, before you travel home, optional activities include a visit to the Gamble Garden and the Allied Arts Guild with lunch. 

Please take note of the schedule details and location below. We look forward to seeing you in Palo Alto, CA! 

Hotel Information:
Location: The Graduate Hotel, 488 University Ave, Palo Alto, California, 94301, USA
Reservation information: Please use this link to book your hotel room by April 15! 

Registration & Schedule Information: 

Member and Guest Registration: $400
Thursday Dinner at Menlo CC Only: $100
Virtual Attendee Registration: $75

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Early Arrivals *no activities scheduled for this day*

Thursday, May 14, 2026
1:00 PM — Badge and welcome packet pick-up (The Graduate, Palo Alto)
1:00 PM — Concurrent committee meetings
5:00 PM — Happy Hour (Rooftop Bar, The Graduate, Palo Alto)
6:00 PM — Shuttle pick-up to travel to Menlo Country Club
6:30 – 9:00 PM — Welcome Dinner at Menlo Country Club and ARCS Light Recognition. Dress code: no denim; Phone use is limited.
9:00 PM — Shuttle return to The Graduate

Friday, May 15, 2026
(Dress code for the day is smart casual)
7:30 AM — Shuttle pick-up to travel to Stanford Faculty Club
8:00 AM — Continental breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 AM — ARCS Board Meeting
10:30 – 11:15 AM — Insights from Stanford (Ken Goodson, VP Provost)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM — ARCS Board generative discussion - “Ask Jill”
12:00 – 1:00 PM — Lunch buffet
1:00 – 1:30 PM — Travel to Robotics Lab
1:30 – 2:30 PM — Robotics Lab guided tour
3:00 – 4:00 PM — Cantor Arts Center & Rodin Sculpture Garden guided tour
4:30 PM — Shuttle back to hotel
6:00 PM — Dine Around Palo Alto (walkable)

Saturday, May 16, 2026 (Please indicate your interest in attending these in the registration form. Final details will be provided closer to the event. You may attend either, or both!)
Optional Activity #1 — Gamble Garden Tour

• Historic 2.5-acre public garden with themed gardens and seasonal blooms
• Location: 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
• Transportation: Uber on your own (approximately 1 mile)

Optional Activity #2 (includes lunch) — Allied Arts Guild visit and group lunch at Café Wisteria

• Historic garden setting with shops, artists’ studios, and café 
• Location: 75 Arbor Road at Cambridge Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
• Transportation: Walk or Uber on your own (approx 1 mile)

For those unable to travel, we are offering the option to participate virtually for the Friday morning Board Meeting.  More to come on this.

Thank you, and we can’t wait to see you in Palo Alto! 

Jill Bray
National President
ARCS Foundation Inc.