Please note that a submission to “Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning” is a submission to the ABSEL Conference and not a journal submission.
CLICK HERE to submit your conference paper or extended abstract. Please page down through The Call below for descriptions of the Conference Tracks and contact the Track Chairs if you have questions.
Call
for
Papers, Extended Abstracts, Experiential Learning Activities, Simulations, Games, Demonstrations, Panels & Other Submissions
54th Annual Conference
March 17-19, 2026
Drury Plaza Hotel Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas, USA
THEME: “Experiential Learning at the Speed of Disruption”
Please contact ABSEL at [email protected] if you have questions.
Submission Due Date: October 26, 2026
The Association for Business Simulation and Experiential Learning (ABSEL) Conference
ABSEL is the premier conference for evidence-based, innovative best practices in experiential business education.
Experience the unique culture of an ABSEL conference, where the strength of the organization lies not only in offering ground-breaking research and cutting-edge practices in experience-based learning but also in providing attendees, from all across the world, a setting for presenting their research that is warm, supportive, and friendly. The collective knowledge of ABSEL attendees, along with their passion for improving student learning and engagement, is surpassed only by the welcoming environment that has been cultivated over fifty-three annual meetings. ABSEL is an exceptional place to connect, share, and rejuvenate your passion for teaching the next generation of business leaders. Please join us at the 2027 ABSEL Conference and become part of this vibrant, engaging, and incredibly supportive community. We promise it will be an experience you’ll want to return to year after year.
We encourage you to further explore the ABSEL website and our past proceedings to get an idea of the breadth and depth of our research on Simulation and other Experiential Learning pedagogues.
Call for submissions to the 54th ABSEL Conference
ABSEL invites new and experienced academicians, professionals, and students from all disciplines to submit papers for presentation and demonstration on business simulation and experiential learning. We especially encourage young faculty and doctoral candidates to participate in ABSEL and benefit from interacting with some of the most renowned figures in business simulations and experiential learning. Student participation in ABSEL is highly encouraged.
We welcome quantitative and qualitative research, theoretical models, literature reviews, cases, demonstrations, exercises, panels, and other work related to creative or innovative teaching and learning methods for our main tracks: Simulations; Experiential Learning; Innovations and Future Directions in Education.
The proceedings of the conference will be posted online in an open-access, word-searchable publication, Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning (DBSEL), available at www.absel.org. A complete archive of ABSEL papers (from 1974) is available for direct access or for searching through Google Scholar.
Submission Types
Extended Abstract* – an extended abstract is a minimum of 1,000 words, including references. Extended abstracts will be included in the online proceedings.
Full Paper* – full papers will be published in the online proceedings and will enter the best paper review procedure.
Professional Development Workshop and Games Ready-to-Play Sessions – for detailed submission information, please refer to the website or contact the designated Track Chair or Program Chair.
*Note: While we accept extended abstracts, we encourage submission of full papers as they improve the quality and timeliness of the research available in the proceedings. Our policy allows for subsequent journal publication of a later version. If a journal’s editorial policy precludes publishing a revision of a published conference paper, ABSEL allows authors to withdraw the original paper from the proceedings prior to submission or final journal publication.
Submission Timeline
October 26, 2026 Due date for all submission types for review. All submissions must be done electronically by following the submission link at www.absel.org NOTE: After October 26, please contact the applicable track chair for late submission guidance.
November 23, 2026 Notification of reviewer decisions on acceptance of papers.
December 21, 2026 Due date for submission of revised, fully formatted manuscripts for inclusion in the conference proceedings.
February 1, 2027 ABSEL Conference registration fees must be paid by at least one author to be included in the conference program and conference proceedings. Register at: www.absel.org
Conference Tracks and Sessions
Competitive Tracks
Simulations: Manuscripts in this track focus not only on the development and creation of business simulations and games, but also on their use in the classroom. Research related to theory development about the role of simulations in learning, best practices of using simulations in the classroom, assessment of learning outcomes, and other related work with business simulations and gaming are welcomed.
Track Chair: Meg Nolan, [email protected]
Experiential: This track focuses upon experiential methods including but not limited to classroom experiential exercises, service learning, cultural immersion/study abroad, flipped classroom, business planning/new venture creation, internship, consulting/live case, experience-based projects etc. These methods may be employed in the classroom, community as laboratory, or workplace as a learning community. This track will also accept papers that focus on theory building, development, application, and assessment associated with any form of experiential learning activities.
Track Chair: Rebecca Schmeller, [email protected]
Innovations and Future Directions in Education: The Innovations Track focuses on research addressing developments in education that reflect emerging educational and/or technological innovations, as well as their use to enhance learning experiences. These include, but are not limited to, online learning, distance education, and the use of emerging teaching technologies such as generative AI. Papers that address developments in education, both conceptually and in application, are highly welcomed.
Track Chair: Jason Evans, [email protected]
Non-Competitive Tracks
Games Ready to Play: This Session will allow conference attendees to participate in games that can be played to completion or, for some, for at least a single round within a 1–1.5 hour time frame. This track is specifically designed for educators to showcase games that they have developed for their classes and get feedback from their peers. This session is NOT meant for discussion of commercial simulation/game-based products for adaptation.
Session Chair: Tracy Cheetham, [email protected]
Professional Development Workshop: The ABSEL Pre-conference Workshop supports members and educators in strengthening their work with learners through hands-on experiential exercises. Sessions typically last 1–2 hours and focus on practical strategies for enhancing teaching effectiveness.
Workshop Chair: Kim Abel, [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE:
- Submissions for the Games Ready to Play and Professional Development Workshop Tracks are listed on the program, but are not published in the proceedings. Attendees who wish to publish their work in the proceedings are encouraged to submit their work for one of the other three tracks that best fits their work for consideration for acceptance.
- Corporations and other entities interested in discussing and promoting their simulation and game products for adoption by attendees are encouraged to reach out to the Program Chair and discuss sponsorship opportunities.