Solver ASCEND 2026 is almost here. Four days in Nashville, 52 sessions across 7 tracks, 50 speakers, and a Welcome Honky Tonk night that has already become one of the most talked-about moments on the Solver community calendar. Whether this is your first ASCEND or your fifth, this guide covers everything you need to pack, plan, and know before you arrive at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville on August 17.

What to Pack for Nashville

Nashville in mid-August is warm and humid. Expect daytime highs around 87-89°F (31°C) with overnight lows near 68°F (20°C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so plan for sunshine and sudden downpours in the same day. Here are the essentials:

Clothing

• Light layers for air-conditioned session rooms (conference halls run cold)
• Comfortable walking shoes (downtown Nashville is very walkable, and you will want to explore)
• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for any outdoor time
• Business casual attire for session and training days
• A couple of fun evening outfits for the Welcome Honky Tonk on Tuesday, Whiskey Wednesday Happy Hour, and exploring Broadway after dark (boots optional but encouraged)

Essentials & Gear

• Laptop, phone, and chargers (see training-ready section below for IT requirements before classes begin)
• An umbrella or packable rain jacket for afternoon storms
• Reusable water bottle (staying hydrated matters in the Tennessee heat)
• Headphones for travel or downtime

Getting to Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville

ASCEND 2026 is hosted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Nashville, a modern all-suite hotel located next to Music City Center and Bridgestone Arena. Spacious rooms, complimentary breakfast, and easy access to downtown attractions make it an ideal home base for the week.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is about 8 miles from the hotel. John C. Tune Airport is approximately 9 miles away. Shuttle service from either airport is not available, so ride-share (Uber, Lyft) or taxi options are your best options for the trip in.

Hotel Details

• Conference rate: $299/night (access the booking link through your ASCEND registration confirmation email. Note: room inventory is low on certain days, so don't wait too long to reserve your rooms.)
• Check-in: 4:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
• Valet parking: $67/night
  • The Music City Center Parking Garage across the street has overnight parking, with EV charging if needed, for $45/nightSelf-parking and EV charging are not available in hotel
  • Looking for a budget friendly option? Book ahead of time on parking apps like SpotHero

A bonus for conference evenings: the hotel's own restaurant, Hand Cut, features live music every night, and amazing food. It's a great option when you want to wind down without leaving the building.

Get directions:

Staying Connected with the ASCEND Event App

The ASCEND event app keeps you organized throughout the conference. Use it to build your personal agenda, access the event schedule and venue map, and complete session surveys. Here is how to get set up:

1. Download the "CVENT Events" app from the App Store or Google Play.

2. Enter the Event ID: Solver ASCEND 2026.

3. Log in with the email address you used to register for ASCEND.

The app will be your go-to resource for navigating sessions, locating rooms, and staying on schedule once the conference kicks off.

Navigating ASCEND 2026: Day by Day

ASCEND is a four-day event built in two parts: 2 days of user hands-on training and partner days to start, followed by 2 days of the full conference experience. Breakfast is provided by the hotel each morning, and lunch is provided by Solver each day.

Meals and Social Events

Breakfast and lunch are provided each day of the conference. Here is what to know about the social programming.

• Welcome Honky Tonk (Tuesday, 7:00-10:00 PM): RSVP and badge required. This is the official kickoff social event.
• Whiskey Wednesday Happy Hour (Wednesday, 5:30-7:00 PM): A chance to network and explore Nashville on your own afterward.
• Lunch and Closing Remarks (Thursday, 12:00-1:30 PM): Prize drawings, Q&A with the Solver team, and a proper sendoff.

Breakout Sessions Worth Bookmarking

With 52 sessions on the schedule, building your agenda early pays off. A few sessions generating buzz ahead of the conference:

• You CAN Do That in Solver! (Advanced Reporting, led by Corey Barak, COO at Solver). Offered on both Wednesday and Thursday, so you have two chances to catch it.
• Custom Line Item Details: DW Configuration and Template Design (Strategic Planning, led by Dean Bellville, Functional Architect at Solver). A two-part hands-on series on Wednesday morning for teams building more complex planning models.
• Ad Hoc Reporting Essentials: Build Flexible Reports with Ease (Solver Basics, led by Nikki Davison). A practical hands-on session for teams looking to create reports on the fly without heavy configuration.
• Advanced Data Management: Creating and Using Rules in Solver (Data Warehouse Administration, led by Charles Allen, Senior Manager at Forvis Mazars). An intermediate/advanced session covering data extraction, transformation, allocations, and currency conversion rules.

Browse the full session list on the ASCEND 2026 sessions page and start building your personal agenda in the event app.

Play the Solver Road to Fame Game!

The ASCEND "Passport" Game is back. This year we are following the "Road to Fame", starting Tuesday afternoon visit different stations throughout the conference, complete activities at each stop, and collect stickers on your game board. Complete select stations to enter drawings. Complete the full game board to qualify for "Superstar Status" & a grand prize drawing! 

Winners will be announced during Lunch and Closing Remarks on Thursday (must be present to win). It is a fun way to make sure you experience everything the conference has to offer.

Attending Hands-On Training Monday & Tuesday?

A little prep at home means more time learning and less time troubleshooting in the session room. You should have received an email with a survey link with pre-training IT requirements to ensure you have Report Designer installed.

Quick reminders:

• Bring your laptop, charger, and adapters
• Check your email to complete the IT Tech Check Survey
• Ensure you have Report Designer installed
• Install and update any other required software before you arrive

Solver is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education. Credits are awarded in two phases: attend Monday and Tuesday training classes to earn a portion, then pick up the rest by attending Wednesday and Thursday breakout sessions. CPE certificates are issued upon completion of post-event surveys.

Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications. Type: Group Live.

Exploring Music City

Nashville is more than a conference backdrop. The Embassy Suites' downtown location puts you within walking distance of live music, world-class dining, and iconic Southern landmarks. Whether you arrive early or stay after the conference wraps, exploring the city will take extra time.

Right at the Hotel

• The Embassy Suites Downtown Nashville includes a complimentary breakfast each morning and an evening reception with drinks and snacks
• Hand Cut Chophouse: on-site restaurant for steaks, burgers, and a full bar without leaving the hotel
• Starbucks in the hotel lobby for your morning coffee fix before sessions

Live Music & Nightlife

• Broadway's Honky Tonk Highway (5-min walk). Free live music in every bar, every night
• Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk (5-min walk). Garth Brooks and Trish Yearwood's massive multi-level honky tonk on Broadway. Lucky for you, we are heading there for the Welcome Honky Tonk on Tuesday night!
• The Ryman Auditorium (10-min walk). "Mother Church of Country Music"; check the calendar for shows
• Bluebird Cafe (15-min rideshare). Intimate songwriter venue in Green Hills (reservations recommended)
• Grand Ole Opry (20-min rideshare). A Nashville bucket-list experience

Must-See Landmarks

• Country Music Hall of Fame (5-min walk). Right around the corner from the hotel
• Johnny Cash Museum (10-min walk). Small but excellent
• Tennessee State Capitol & Bicentennial Mall (20-min walk or 5-min rideshare). Great for a morning walk

Where to Eat & Drink

• Hot chicken: Hattie B's (10-min walk to Midtown location) or Prince's Hot Chicken (10-min rideshare)
• BBQ: Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (8-min walk to downtown location) or Edley's BBQ (10-min rideshare to 12 South)
• Hot dogs done Nashville-style: Daddy's Dogs (8-min walk). Local favorite gourmet hot dog joint with a cult following, featured on tv series, "Somebody Feed Phil"
• Upscale Southern: Husk Nashville (12-min walk) or The Catbird Seat (7-min walk)
• Fancy team dinner: 60 Vines (5-min walk). Upscale wine bar and restaurant, perfect for an elevated group dinner with the team
• Rooftop views: L.A. Jackson in The Gulch (10-min walk) or White Limozeen (15-min walk or 5-min rideshare)
• Coffee: Frothy Monkey, local coffee chain with several downtown locations
• Donuts: Five Daughters Bakery, famous 100-layer donuts, multiple locations
• Brunch: Biscuit Love (10-min walk to The Gulch). Iconic Nashville brunch

Shopping & Local Goods

• Boot Country on Broadway (5-min walk). Famous "buy 1, get 2 free" cowboy boots if you want to take the Honky Tonk vibe home
• GooGoo Chocolate Co. (5-min walk). Home of the original GooGoo Cluster (a Nashville icon since 1912). Stop in for the candy shop, or book a "Make Your Own GooGoo" class for a fun hands-on souvenir

Free / Quick Things to Do

• John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (10-min walk). Best skyline photo spot, especially at sunset
• Centennial Park & The Parthenon (10-min rideshare). Yes, a full-scale Parthenon replica
• Walk along the Cumberland River waterfront

Catch a Game

• Nashville Sounds (Triple-A baseball, 10-min rideshare to First Horizon Park). Closing remarks wrap at 1:30 PM Thursday. If you are not flying out until Friday, the Sounds have a home game that night with first pitch at 6:35 PM. A great way to send off the week.

Plan Your Visit

• Visit Music City, Official Nashville Guide, for events, maps, and itineraries

Now You Are Ready for ASCEND 2026

Bags packed, app downloaded, agenda built. Four days of training, breakout sessions, product insights, live music, and the kind of peer connections that only happen when everyone is in the same room. See you in Nashville.

For any questions, contact us at ascend@solverglobal.com