2026 Annual Conference Registration is Now Open

Join us in San Antonio Feb 2-5 for the Qualitative Research event of the year!

Grab your Early Bird Discount Tickets until December 19.

Early Bird Rate

Individual QRCA Members

$1,245

NewQ/Emeritus/Student Members

$1,050

A group room rate of $139 (plus taxes/fees) is available at the Conference location, The Westin San Antonio North.

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Volunteer Opportunity – Creativity & Innovation SIG Co-chair

The purpose of the Creativity & Innovation SIG is to empower QRCA members to dramatically boost their creative firepower. Through specially curated speakers and content, we inspire members by sharing cutting-edge creativity tools and techniques and then ideating ways to enhance their research and innovation activities. If interested in co-chairing, contact Shaili Bhatt (shaili@enchantedresearch.com).

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Refer-a-Member Program

All current QRCA members who refer a new member will automatically receive a $25 gift card! Encourage your colleagues and friends to join and to list you as their referring member.

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️⭐️Submit a Star Volunteer ⭐️

If you know a QRCA member who has gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts recently, submit their name for recognition.

The board selects QRCA Star Volunteers to be acknowledged in QRCA communications.

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Overview of October 27 QRCA Monthly Board of Directors Meeting

Financials

· Membership dues income is lower than projected for 2025, contributing to a 2025 year-end projected loss of $53k. The website transition to the Tradewing platform was higher than budgeted, also contributing.

· Cash flow is stable. The operating account has a balance of $80k.

Association Business

· Candidates were discussed and selected for the Impact Award, Rising Star Award and President’s Award to be handed out at the San Antonio 2026 Annual Conference.

Strategic Discussion

· The Board launched an online discussion board to gather feedback from industry professionals about experiences with and perceptions of QRCA.

· The discussion board has over 100 completes. All board members are reviewing the results.

· Analysis has been split into three segments: current members, lapsed members and non-members. Each board member is focusing on one segment.

· The next step will be conducting follow-up IDIs with discussion board participants to be completed in the next few weeks, aiming to get representation from all segments. Non-board member moderators have been identified to lead fieldwork.

· At the next meeting, the Board will discuss the framework for reporting.

· The board will review the research findings prior to the February in-person strategy session.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback!

Leadership Reports

· SponCom – has been notified of the Canadian Chapter’s symposium in May. The Canadian event leader, Pascal Patenaude, will begin soliciting sponsors in early 2026, after the Annual Conference, and has been in correspondence with the SponCom Chair.

· Marketing – lots of brainstorming at their recent meeting. They plan to have two meetings/month and are drafting a marketing plan.

· ProDev – working on a business bootcamp event in the new year.

· YP – voting for Young Professional Grants underway with 40+ applicants.

· Membership – launching New Member orientation. Continuing QuallyTalks and Water Cooler talks.

Next Board Meeting will be scheduled for November 24.

QRCA members should reach out to any board member with any questions or suggestions:

· Lisa Horwich (President)

· Maria Virobik (Vice President)

· Martha Hayward (Treasurer)

· Elizabeth McKinley (Secretary)

· Catherine Dine

· Nicola Quail

· Dean Stephens

· Lauren McClusky

· Cher Chislett