Conference history
The Washington Activity Coordinators Association's long and heralded history began in 1970 when a group of Seattle area activity coordinators voted to get together and underwrite a conference. With this in mind, the first annual conference was held in the spring of 1971. Over 40 years later, the conference is still going strong and today attracts activity coordinators, cheer coaches, ASB and club advisers, administrators, athletic directors, leadership teachers and activity secretaries from across the state of Washington.
Under the direction of Walt Dawson of Shorecrest High School, Coke Roberts of West Seattle High School, Pat Woodward of Cleveland High School and Fritz Mahlert of Nathan Hale High School, funds for the first conference were partially defrayed by the generous contributions of business firms who exhibited their products. This supportive tradition continues today with our partners and sponsors at each year's conference.
Under the direction of Walt Dawson of Shorecrest High School, Coke Roberts of West Seattle High School, Pat Woodward of Cleveland High School and Fritz Mahlert of Nathan Hale High School, funds for the first conference were partially defrayed by the generous contributions of business firms who exhibited their products. This supportive tradition continues today with our partners and sponsors at each year's conference.
Recent Conferences: 2010-Present
WACA 2024: WACA Relays
President: Tim Turner Location: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima WACA 2023: Cultivating Community President: Jaime Johnson Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver WACA 2022: The Leadership Library President: Michelle Munson Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver WACA 2021: Leadership: Voyage of a Lifetime President: Susie Bennett Location: Virtual WACA 2020: Whatever the Question, Love is the Answer President: Guy Simpson Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick WACA 2019: The Greatest Show On Earth President: Karen Blomquist Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick WACA 2018: Tune into Leadership President: Laurel Robillard Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick WACA 2017: Fishin' For Ideas President: Dick Caldwell Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver |
WACA 2016: For the Love of the Game
President: Rebecca Latham Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick WACA 2015: Ordinary Heroes President: Sue Metzler Location: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima WACA 2014: Help! WACA Meets the Beatles President: Tim Turner Location: Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick WACA 2013: Leadership On Tour President: Kari Bradley Location: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima WACA 2012: Building Tomorrow's Leaders Through Student Activities President: Kevin Judkins Location: Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine WACA 2011: Brewing with Creativity President: Alyssa St. Hilaire Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver WACA 2010: The Colors of Leadership President: Jen Durham Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver |
Past Conferences: 1990-2009
WACA 2009: A Wild, Wild WACA
President: Eleanor Ledbetter Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver WACA 2008: WACA's Memorable Moments President: Leslie Ivelia Location: Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver WACA 2007: The Jackpot of Ideas President: Josh Meek Location: Resort Semiahmoo, Blaine WACA 2006: A World of Opportunity President: Cari Johnson Location: Resort Semiahmoo, Blaine WACA 2005: Leadership and All That Jazz! President: John Bittinger Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 2004: WACA: Once Upon a Time President: Teri Corwin Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 2003: March Madness President: Rich Boerner Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 2002: WACA: A Feeding Frenzy of Ideas President: Lana Yenne Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 2001: 2001: A WACA Odyssey President: Tammy Caldwell Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 2000: Light, Camera, Activities! President: Lindy Stewart Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine |
WACA 1999: A League of Our Own
President: Pam Kinkela Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1998: Be True to Your School President: Marie Kanooth Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1997: WACA on the Wild Side President: Doris Bender Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1996: WACA 500 • Setting the Pace President: Mark Venns Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1995: 25 Years of WACA President: Jim McConnell Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1994: Northern Exposure President: Jack R. Reynolds Location: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo, Blaine WACA 1993: S.S. WACA • Full Speed Ahead! President: John Aultman Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1992: Gold Medal Moments President: Greg Rawlings Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1991: Mystery on the WACA Express President: Bobbie Jo Gregor Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1990: 20 Years of Magic President: Susan Fortin Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco |
Past Conferences: 1970-1989
WACA 1989: The Rising Spirit of Student Activities
President: Mike McKnight Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1988 President: George Valison Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1987: Caring By Sharing President: David Anderson Location: Red Lion Inn, Pasco WACA 1986 President: Robert Kraig Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee WACA 1985 President: Peter Barrett Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee WACA 1984: New Dimensions, New Directions President: Gary Bridgman Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee WACA 1983: Activities: It's a Matter of You President: Marty Fortin Location: Thunderbird Inn, Wenatchee WACA 1982 President: June Anderson Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima WACA 1981 President: Joe Vucinovich Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima WACA 1980 President: Rick Slater Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima |
WACA 1979
President: Sherry Ortman Location: Greenwood Inn, Bellevue WACA 1978 President: Del Carmichael Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima WACA 1977 President: Robert Nelson Location: Thunderbird Inn, Yakima WACA 1976 President: Jerry Andrews Location: Holiday Inn, Bellevue WACA 1975 President: Rick Lamkin Location: Sherwood Inn, Tacoma WACA 1974 President: Mort Gronseth Location: Holiday Inn, Bellevue WACA 1973 President: Pat Woodard Location: Holiday Inn, Everett WACA 1972 President: Coke Roberts Location: Sheraton Inn, Renton WACA 1971 Location: Roosevelt Hotel, Seattle |