SOS Conference
August 20-23, 2026
The Saving Ourselves Symposium (SOS) is an annual conference designed to educate and empower the Black LGBTQ+ community in the South. Founded in 2013 by Marvell L. Terry II and the Red Door Foundation, SOS is a one-of-a-kind space built for and by the community; where cutting-edge research, promising health practices, and cultural celebration meet under one roof. In 2020, the Southern AIDS Coalition became the proud home of SOS.
SOS 2026 carries that legacy forward under the theme Collective Action for Collective Impact; a call to move beyond conversation and into coordinated strategy, shared accountability, and cross-sector collaboration. This is an intentional, irreplaceable space for community members, service providers, advocates, and leaders to share with, learn from, and celebrate one another.
Join us in Atlanta
Join us for dynamic plenaries, skills-building workshops, strategic planning sessions, cultural celebrations, and intentional networking - all in the heart of the South.
Dates:
August 20–23, 2026
City:
Atlanta, GA
Venue:
Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria
Ready to attend?
Whether you’re a community member, service provider, or advocate, there’s a seat at this table for you. Register early to lock in the regular rate.
*All conference registrations include a ticket to the Gala and Brunch.
Conference Registration Rate
Dates: April 1 – August 23
Cost: $150
Special events tickets can also be purchased separately:
Gala Only
Date: Friday, August 21st
Cost: $75
Soulful Queer Brunch
Dates: Sunday, August 23
Cost: $50
Book your Stay
We’ve secured a block of rooms at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria, the official host hotel for SOS 2026. Book early to lock in the conference rate before the room block sells out.
Conference Rate: $129/night
Booking Deadline: August 3, 2026
Reserve Your Table
Exhibiting at SOS 2026 puts your organization directly in front of community members, decision-makers, advocates, and service providers from across the South.
Exhibition Includes:
- One 6 ft. skirted table and two chairs
- Up to two discounted conference registration tickets ($125 each)
Organization Type:
Corporate / For-Profit
$1500
Federal, State, or Local Gov. Agency
$1000
Nonprofit (budget ≥ $1M)
$400
Small Business / Entrepreneur
$250
Nonprofit (budget < $1M)
$200
Become a Sponsor
SOS is more than a conference; it’s a movement. When you sponsor the Saving Ourselves Symposium, you’re investing in the health, visibility, and power of Black LGBTQ+ communities across the South. Your investment removes financial barriers to participation, strengthens conference infrastructure, and ensures that the voices closest to the work are present in shaping the solutions.
We offer a range of sponsorship tiers to fit your organization’s goals and capacity. Download the full sponsorship packet for complete details.
Collective Impact Presenting Sponsor
$150,000Presenting Sponsor – Featured Tier
- 25 conference registrations
- Prime gala & brunch seating for 20
- Preferred sponsorship of a breakfast or lunch plenary
- Exclusive pre-conference event or Institute sponsorship
- Logo on all print, digital, video, and on-site materials
- Full-page program ad
- Mobile app banner with push notifications
- Exhibit table with prime placement
- Welcome remarks
- Recognition at all conference events
Pride & Power Sponsor
$50,000- 10 conference registrations
- Gala table for 10 with prime placement
- Exclusive breakfast plenary sponsorship
- Mobile app banner with push notifications
- Prime onsite ad placement
- Exhibit table with prime placement
- Welcome remarks
- Conference-wide recognition
Movement Builder
$25,000- 5 registrations + 5 Gala tickets
- Exhibit table
- Primary sponsor of one conference activity
- Logo on website and select materials
- Sponsor materials in attendee bags
- Conference-wide recognition
The Black Print
$10,000- 3 registrations + 3 Gala tickets
- Exhibit table
- Sponsor materials in common areas and attendee bags
- Logo on conference materials
- Conference-wide acknowledgment
Champion Sponsor
$5,000Community-Based / Nonprofit Only
- 2 registrations + 2 Gala tickets
- Exhibit table
- Sponsor materials in common areas
- Conference-wide acknowledgment
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities
- Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) Event – $50,000
- Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) Reception – $25,000
- Exclusive SHAAD 2026 Activations – $75,000
Sponsorship Contacts:
Custom sponsorships: [email protected]
General questions: [email protected]