The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) School of Business is recognizing the organizations supporting its second annual Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference, scheduled for May 21–22, 2026.
TEC‑USA, a Knoxville-based engineering firm led by LMU alumnus Mitch Turner, will serve as title sponsor. Additional sponsors include Pearson, a global education company focused on digital-first learning solutions; Cengage and McGraw‑Hill, providers of course materials and digital learning platforms for higher education; Bodyswaps, an immersive learning platform that uses AI-driven roleplay to develop professional and soft skills; Peregrine, a higher education assessment and accreditation support provider; and Ball Realty, a full-service real estate firm based in Tazewell, Tennessee.
Support from both global education leaders and local partners makes it possible for the conference to expand opportunities while advancing LMU’s commitment to serving the Appalachian region through high‑quality academic programming.
“The School of Business is deeply grateful for the support of our 2026 ABE conference sponsors,” said Dr. Kelsey Metz, dean of the School of Business. “Their shared commitment to innovation, student success and the future of business education plays a vital role in making this conference a meaningful and impactful experience. We are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to advancing business education.”
The ABE Conference promotes teaching excellence through collaboration, research and forward‑thinking instructional strategies. Faculty and students from institutions nationwide are invited to submit presentation proposals aligned with innovative pedagogy, business research, student‑led scholarship and regional and community development initiatives.
The conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. C. Allen Gorman, an associate professor of management in the Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Gorman teaches leadership and human resource management and serves as an associate editor for Leadership and Organization Development Journal and Organization Management Journal. His work also spans multiple editorial boards, and he provides consulting services in leadership development, performance management and organizational effectiveness.
Designed to support educators and emerging professionals alike, the conference offers space for idea sharing, networking and engagement with tools shaping the future of business education.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email admissions@LMUnet.edu.
