Professional Connections Event FAQ
The home to all your PCE questions and answers. Don't see what you are looking for? Please reach out to our Program Coordinator, Katelin Schmedemann.
The 2026 PCE Event is hosted by the Personal Financial Planning program at K-State on the Manhattan campus on Wednesday, October 14.
(*A complete schedule of events and exact locations, including details about the after-hours event on Tuesday, Oct. 13, will be provided on the event's main page in early August.)
The 2026 PCE is hosted in Manhattan, KS, at the K-State Student Union, on the 2nd floor in the ballroom and adjacent spaces.
You can view the current schedule on our Event Schedule page.
Courtyard by Marriott - Reservation Instructions
Use the Booking Link to get the Group Rate for the KSU Personal Financial Planning PCE
Reservation Details
-
- Block Cutoff Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Check-In: Tuesday, October 13, 2026; any time after 4:00 pm (*Guests arriving before 4:00 pm will be accommodated as rooms become available.)
- Check-Out: Wednesday, October 14, 2026; no later than 11:00 am.
- Room Rate: $119.00
- Parking Included: Yes
Holiday Inn at the Campus - Reservation Instructions
(Reservations can be made in any of the methods listed below):
-
- Call Hotel directly at (785) 539-7531
- Call Holiday Inn at (888) Holiday
- Use our Direct Link: K-State Personal Financial Planning PCE - Holiday Inn KSU Campus
Group Code: PCE
*It is important to include the group code to receive the discounted rate.
Reservation Details
-
- Block Cutoff Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Check-In: Tuesday, October 13, 2026; any time after 3:00 pm
- Check-Out: Wednesday, October 14, 2026; no later than Noon.
- Room Rate: $124.95
- Breakfast Included: No
- Parking Included: Yes
REGISTRATION IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED!
As of 9/2/2026, 3:45 PM, we have met capacity for our registration.
Two weeks prior to the event, an email will be sent to all email addresses provided in the registration form, including a Resume Book (which includes resumes and information sheets for all participating students).
The resume book is organized into two sections: (1) students seeking full-time, post-graduation opportunities; and (2) students seeking internships for Summer 2027. Each student entry includes a brief cover sheet outlining their academic background (major, minor, organizations, and relevant coursework), followed by their resume.
After-Hours Networking Event
The After-Hours Networking Event is on Tuesday, October 13, the evening before the PCE, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Kite's Bar & Grill in Aggieville.
Kite's Bar & Grill in Aggieville
615 N 12th St
Manhattan, KS 66502
Participating firms, local alumni, faculty, and our K-State PFP Juniors and Seniors.
We recommend to our students that business casual attire is the choice. This event is less formal and provides an introduction to our participating firms and upperclassmen in a more relaxed setting.
Yes, a selection of appetizers and beverages. For many, it will not be considered a meal or dinner.
Venue Details
We will be using 6-foot tables. They will automatically have a tablecloth for those who do not bring their own.
Yes, but if you plan to bring any perishable items to hand out at your table (such as packaged snacks, candies, mints, gum, fruit, or beverages), you need to provide a completed K-STATE STUDENT UNION GIVEAWAY FORM. Please only fill out the highlighted sections. Any other required sections will be handled by our staff upon the form's return. Return the completed form to Katelin Schmedemann no later than Monday, October 5.
This form is not needed for any non-perishable swag or items such as stress balls, hats, t-shirts, stickers, etc.
Day-Of Details
Parking is available adjacent to the K-State Student Union in the K-State Parking Garage. A link was emailed on Wednesday, Sept. 30 with the resume book. A QR code will be available at the event check-in table (on the 2nd floor of the Union) for those who chose not to register in advance.
To complete the parking registration, you will need to provide a license plate number and a valid email address into the system.
A table check-in will be set up in the lounge space on the second floor of the K-State Student Union outside the ballroom.
Once you're checked in, you are welcome to set up your table and grab breakfast in the West Ballroom while we wait for the event to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Yes! We will provide an easy grab-and-go option such as breakfast sandwiches and wraps, coffee, and iced tea for firms starting at 7:15 am. This will also allow folks who want a little extra time for setup to come in and get checked in early.
Students will be ready to start promptly at 8:30 a.m. Firms should be checked in by 8 am.
The event will run in a speed networking format. Our internship-seeking students are paired up, and our job-seeking students will be solo. They will meet with each firm for 7-10 minutes, and then a signal will sound, and there will be a 2-minute transition. This time is for the conversation to close and allow both firms and students time to take notes and reset for the next table. The students will move from table to table until every firm has met with every student participating in that track.
We have invited all PFP majors and minors to lunch (Freshmen were not required to attend the main event but have been invited and encouraged to join lunch).
TBD. Traditionally, the rotations range from 7 to 10 minutes, but this depends on the number of participating students.
Due to the length of the main event, interview rooms after the event will not be available.
We recommend that you contact students to join your firm for dinner locally after the event, set up an off-site interview on another day and time, or to schedule a Zoom meeting. You also have the potential to utilize community spaces around the Union, but organizing and outreach will be your responsibility.