PROGRAM
IMPORTANT:
RUMPUS HAS ADDED AN EXTRA DAY
To participate in all Rumpus activities, we recommend you
arrive before 3 pm on Monday, November 9th and depart on Friday, November 13th.
For those hoping to spend a little more time in New Orleans, we have arranged for a discounted rate of $179/night subject to availability for the three days before and after the Rumpus (does not apply to suites). If you would like to extend your stay, simply indicate your preferred dates via your Rumpus registration. Should you have any questions, please contact John Hicks at johnhicks@ausdal.com or 630-869-0201.
MONDAY
Scattered Arrivals
3 - 5 PM
Check-In & Registration
6 -10 pm
Welcome To The Big Easy
(cocktails, dinner, entertainment)
TUESDAY
8-9 AM
Business Breakfast
9 AM - 4PM
AFP Meeting
General Session
Sponsor Presentations
10 AM
Spouse & Guest Excursion
Garden District Ride & Roam
6 -10 PM
MARDI GRAS AT AFP
Awards Celebration
feat: Kermit Ruffins &
The BBQ Swingers
WEDNESDAY
8-9 AM
Business Breakfast
9 AM - 4PM
AFP Meeting
General Session
New Practice Management & Business Development Track
10 AM
Spouse & Guest Excursion
JAM NOLA
& Faubourg Marginy Tour
Open Evening &
Dine-Arounds
THURSDAY
9 - 11 AM
AFP Compliance Meeting
Open Afternoon
6 -11 PM
Jazz Fest Comes To Rumpus
Farewell & Crawfish Boil
feat:
The New Orleans Suspects,
Big Chief Juan Pardo
& Tribal Gold
WELCOME
welcome to the big easy
MONDAY, nov 9
6 TO 10 PM
Every great Rumpus begins the same way—with friends reconnecting, new relationships taking shape, and excitement building for the days ahead. Our Welcome Reception at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans is designed to do exactly that. Set in the hotel's beautiful courtyard and the intimate Jazz Playhouse, this relaxed evening is the perfect opportunity to settle in, reconnect with familiar faces, and extend a warm welcome to those attending for the first time.
Enjoy New Orleans-inspired cocktails, exceptional cuisine, and live entertainment as the conference comes to life. Whether you're catching up with longtime friends, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of the French Quarter, the evening is all about celebrating the relationships that make AFP so special. It's the perfect beginning to an unforgettable week in New Orleans.
the fun stuff
TUESDAY, NOV 10
10 AM TO 4 PM
For those looking to experience one of New Orleans' most elegant neighborhoods, our Garden District Ride & Roam Tour offers the perfect introduction. Travel by motorcoach beneath towering oak trees and past magnificent antebellum homes as you discover the quieter, more refined side of the city. Along the way, you'll follow the iconic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, the oldest continuously operating street railway in the world.
The tour continues with visits to one of the city's historic mansions and one of New Orleans' famous above-ground cemeteries, where you'll learn the history and traditions behind these remarkable "Cities of the Dead." We'll conclude the afternoon with a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant, giving you time to relax, and share the experience with fellow guests. It's a memorable blend of history, architecture, culture, and Southern hospitality.
GUEST EXCURSION
garden district ride & roam
awards celebration
fat tuesday: mardi gras at afp
TUESDAY, NOV 10
6 PM TO 11 pm
No trip to New Orleans would be complete without experiencing the excitement and pageantry of Mardi Gras—and we're bringing it to Rumpus '26! Join us for an unforgettable evening at Mardi Gras World, where the city's legendary parades come to life. Surrounded by spectacular floats, colorful props, and vibrant Carnival traditions, you'll enjoy an authentic New Orleans celebration created exclusively Rumpus '26
The evening features legendary trumpeter Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, whose joyful blend of jazz, blues, and New Orleans soul has made them hometown favorites for decades. Bring your appetite, your dancing shoes, and your sense of adventure—this is one party you'll be talking about long after the beads are packed away.
WEDNESDAY, NOV 11
10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM
For those looking to experience New Orleans through a more colorful and contemporary lens, our second excursion heads to JAMNOLA. Short for Joy, Art & Music – New Orleans, this immersive, interactive art experience celebrates the city's music, neighborhoods, traditions, and culture through imaginative installations created by local artists. It's playful, engaging, and unmistakably New Orleans—with plenty of opportunities to explore, interact, and capture a few memorable photos.
Afterward, we'll visit the nearby Faubourg Marigny, one of the city's most eclectic and artistic neighborhoods. Together, these two destinations offer a fresh perspective on New Orleans, blending creativity, culture, and local character into an experience that's as fun as it is memorable.
guest excursion
everything we do gon' be funky
RUMPUS Farewell
jazz fest comes to rumpus
THURSDAY, NOV 12
6:00 TO 11 PM
We'll close Rumpus '26 by bringing the spirit of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to one of the city's most legendary music venues—Tipitina's. For more than 50 years, Jazz Fest has celebrated the music, food, culture, and community that define New Orleans. There's no better place to capture that spirit than Tipitina's, a legendary club that has showcased generations of the city's greatest musicians.
The evening will feature catering from the famed Jacques-Imo's Café, including an authentic Louisiana crawfish boil and other local favorites. Add an outstanding New Orleans music revue, and you've got all the ingredients for a memorable celebration. Leave the fancy attire behind—this one's gonna get down & dirty.
Come hungry, bring your dancing shoes, and help us close out another unforgettable Rumpus in authentic Crescent City style.
FEATURED PERFORMERS
KERMIT RUFFINS & THE BBQ SWINGERS
Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers embody the timeless spirit of New Orleans jazz. Inspired by legends like Louis Armstrong, Kermit combines world-class musicianship with an infectious sense of fun, creating performances that are equal parts concert, neighborhood party, and celebration of New Orleans culture.
If you want to experience the authentic sound and soul of the Crescent City, there's no better ambassador than Kermit Ruffins.
BIG CHIEF JUAN PARDO & TRIBAL GOLD
Big Chief Juan Pardo & Tribal Gold bring one of New Orleans' most vibrant and treasured cultural traditions to the stage. As a respected leader in the city's legendary Mardi Gras Indian community, Big Chief Juan Pardo combines powerful rhythms, soulful chants, and colorful pageantry into a performance that is uniquely New Orleans. More than a concert, it's an opportunity to experience a living tradition that has helped define the spirit, resilience, and cultural identity of the Crescent City for generations.
THE NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS
The New Orleans Suspects are a powerhouse collective of veteran musicians whose roots run deep in the city's legendary music scene. Blending funk, rock, blues, jazz, and unmistakable New Orleans grooves, the band delivers high-energy performances that showcase both extraordinary musicianship and the joyful spontaneity for which the Crescent City is famous. Their music is the perfect soundtrack for a Jazz Fest celebration—authentic, soulful, and guaranteed to keep the party going.
BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION
Big Sam's Funky Nation delivers exactly what the name promises—an electrifying blend of New Orleans funk, jazz, rock, and brass band tradition that gets audiences on their feet from the very first note. Led by acclaimed trombonist Big Sam Williams, the band captures the energy, soul, and joyful spirit of the Crescent City, making every performance feel less like a concert and more like a celebration. Get ready to clap, dance, and experience one of New Orleans' most exciting live acts.