You’re invited to New York City for the 2025 ACUI Annual Conference, March 16–20!

Register for #ACUI25 now!
Registration
Schedule
Travel
Justification
Program Team
The 2025 Conference Program Team is creating a meaningful and memorable experience in New York City, March 16–20. Through the planning process, the team was drawn to three main themes: Connecting, Innovating, and Big Ideas. 
  • Connecting: We want you to connect with each other, yourself, or and your work. We hope you’ll leave New York with a fuller heart than you came.
  • Innovating: We look forward to providing an educational experience that’s world-class, following in the footsteps of the city, which is led by creativity and the idea that anything is possible.
  • Big Ideas: New York is the Big Apple after all. We invite big ideas to be shared, so that when we leave, we’re ready to keep ourselves, our profession, and this Association moving forward.

It is our belief that guided by these themes and in partnership with our own ACUI Core Values we’re already working to create an impactful and meaningful Conference experience for everyone.

All-Conference Sessions

To connect and inspire, the 2025 Annual Conference will feature three all-conference sessions. Additional details will be available soon about the third session, but you won’t want to miss our opening and closing keynotes!

Opening Keynote: Rob Lawless

On a mission to spend one hour, 1-on-1, with 10,000 different people, Rob Lawless sees the world from an incredibly unique perspective. After earning a finance degree, working as a business analyst, and transitioning to a sales role at a venture-funded startup, he began to miss the authentic connection he’d experienced in college. As a result, he set off on a journey in November 2015 to meet 10,000 people for an hour each for no specific reason. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, and he began meeting people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. Lawless’s interactive and captivating keynote will take you through his incredible experience and share how making meaningful connections can drive growth and innovation within your organization.

Closing Keynote: Dr. Terrell Strayhorn

Dr. Terrell Strayhorn is a leading authority in the fields of education, psychology, and leadership—internationally known for his groundbreaking research and scholarship on sense of belonging. He currently serves as professor of education and psychology at Virginia Union University, where he also works as vice provost, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, director of research in the Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and principal investigator of The Belonging Lab. Authoring over 12 books, more than 200 academic publications, and dozens of op-eds, letters, and blogs, Dr. Strayhorn has dedicated his career to working with individuals from diverse, vulnerable, and system-impacted backgrounds.  

Monday All-Conference Session: ACUI Talks

Our Monday All-Conference Session will feature two speakers focused on resilience, learning, and determination. Anya Kamenetz is an award-winning former correspondent for National Public Radio with a passion for the complexities of how we learn, work, and live in a rapidly changing world. Mahogany Browne is a writer, playwright, organizer, and educator driven to rebuild communities and highlight diverse voices, currently serving as the inaugural poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center.

Journalist and author Anya Kamenetz is a futurist with a passion for the complexities of how we learn, work, and live in a rapidly changing world. An award-winning correspondent at NPR coordinating education coverage online and on air, her reporting has appeared in The Guardian, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Oprah’s “O” Magazine, Slate, The Village Voice, WIRED, The Washington Post, and many others. She’s covered learning, technology and educational transformation for two decades and in five books with a sense of empathy and a sense of humor.

Mahogany L. Browne, a Kennedy Center’s Next 50 fellow and MacDowell Arts Advocacy Awardee, is a writer, playwright, organizer, and educator. Browne received fellowships from All Arts, Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Baldwin for the Arts, Cave Canem, Hawthornden, Poets House, Mellon Research, Rauschenberg, Wesleyan University, and UCross. Browne’s books include “Vinyl Moon,” “Chlorine Sky,” “Black Girl Magic,” and banned books “Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice” and “Woke Baby.” Founder of the diverse lit initiative Woke Baby Book Fair, Browne currently tours Chrome Valley and is the 2024 Paterson Poetry Prize winner. Browne holds an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree awarded by Marymount Manhattan College and is the inaugural poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center.

Schedule

The 2025 Annual Conference will be full of opportunities to learn and connect as a community of professionals. Each day will feature a conference-wide experience—keynotes, talks, and adventure experiences. Following a wide range of preconference and tour programs, the event will start on Sunday, March 16, with welcome activities and keynote, regional meetings, an opening gathering, and special off-site regional campus visit and dinner experiences. Monday will include educational sessions, an all-conference sessions, and lunch at the opening of the ACUI Expo. Tuesday will feature educational sessions, the ACUI Expo, and the unique ACUI Adventure experiences in the afternoon. And Wednesday, March 27, will include educational sessions, the final keynote, and the annual closing banquet and celebration. Learn more about highlights from this year’s schedule below.

View Tentative Schedule
Senior Managers Program: Creating Inclusive Communities
Saturday, March 15, 1–8 p.m. & Sunday, March 16, 8:30 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $175

This preconference program is designed for senior managers to address critical topics in student unions and student life. As student affairs practitioners, we are often charged with providing and creating spaces for our campus community members. The expectations and needs of our students, our staff, our community members as well as ourselves to be seen, heard, and valued is more important as ever. Often we are charged with creating and sustaining an inclusive campus culture while navigating a changing professional landscape and student demographic along with a variety of societal/political pressures and differing perspectives. How do senior professionals navigate understanding the work of creating a space of belonging and inclusion and increase learning and practicing the skills needed to support the humans that need that space, including themselves? These and other topics of conversations will be led by Dr. Tanya Williams of Authentic Coaching and Consulting, equity and belonging educator and consultant. Materials, one dinner, and coffee/breakfast snack are included as part of the registration fee.

Mental Health First Aid Training | Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $160

Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course that teaches adults 18 years and older how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. All participants would receive a Mental Health First Aid certification after attending. Lunch and materials are included as part of the registration fee.

International Symposium – The Changing Role of the Student Union & Student Life
Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration Fee: $150

The International Symposium: The Changing Role of the Student Union & Student Life aims to bring together student union and student life leaders from around the globe. This thought-provoking event explores the evolving landscape of student unions and student life, and the critical role they play in shaping campus communities. Participants will be challenged to consider the future of student unions and student life, projecting themselves 10 years forward. What will change? How should we prepare? What should we prioritize?  This session will help professionals navigate what lies ahead, prioritize innovation, and develop future-oriented strategies. Lunch and materials are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the International Student Unions & Student Life Community of Practice.

Lessons Learned from the Commuter Student Capital of the World
Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55 

Participants will utilize New York City public transportation to visit campuses throughout the experience. We’ll depart the Marriott Marquis with a MetroCard and a sense of adventure as we ride the rails and walk the trails of an NYC commuter student. We’ll tour four distinct urban campuses along the #2 train line focusing on the commuter experience of each unique student body. We will visit Pace University (small, private), Medgar Evers College (small, public), SUNY–Downstate (medical school), and Brooklyn College (mid-size, public) throughout the day, meeting with constituents and touring spaces that focus on their commuter student experience. Along the way, we’ll be sure to build some community and probably some blisters, too! Transportation expenses are included as part of the registration fee. Lunch will be on your own during the experience, but we will have dedicated time to eat. Please note this experience will require a significant amount of walking. This session is being presented by the Commuter Campus Community of Practice.

Community of Practice for Multi-Ethnic Professionals & Allies (COMP): Transformational Leadership – An Exploration of Best Practices | Saturday, March 15, Noon–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55 

This preconference will be a discussion to prepare leaders in higher education with the knowledge, tools, and courage to meet complex challenges and create change at their institutions. The preconference will be a process where leaders engage and influence others by recognizing their needs, raising motivation, and providing ethical frameworks for data driven decision-making. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Multi-Ethnic Professionals & Allies Community of Practice (COMP).

Campuses in the Spotlight: Free Speech and Student Activism Center Stage
Saturday, March 15, 1–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55 

In the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the dynamics of free speech, campus activism, and active dialogue are critical. Join us for an engaging full-day preconference workshop where we delve into these pivotal topics through the lens of the performing arts. This preconference will provide participants with the tools and strategies needed to navigate and promote constructive conversations on campus. By the end of the day, attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to balance free speech, student activism, and your community standards; how to support diverse viewpoints; and how to turn potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and learning. Join us on this journey to ensure that every voice is heard and respected, both on and off the stage. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the planning team of ACUI’s 2024 Active Dialogue Institute.

StrengthsFinder: Leveraging Your Strengths in Higher Education | Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon Registration Fee: $65

Come join your peers on a journey to discover and leverage your strengths! This engaging and entertaining session will focus on learning about and applying your strengths in higher education. This session would be applicable for students and higher education professionals looking for specific strategies on using the StrengthsFinder assessment for personal and community growth. Using Gallup’s “Name It, Aim It, Claim It” philosophy, participants will leave the session with a new approach to goal setting, navigating difficult situations, and self-exploration. This session includes a code to take the Strengths assessment; however, participants do also have the option to use existing results. Materials, a StrengthsFinder assessment code, and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee.

Another PreCon for the Ages: Intergenerational Communication for Women in Student Affairs
SUNday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $55

Join us for a second, deeper dive into intergenerational communication in the student union. Through a lively discussion, you will learn about the different generations in the workforce including character traits and best practices for interacting with these generations.  After our learning session, we will host an intergenerational panel discussing women in the workplace and how we can learn from and support each other.  We will wrap up the preconference by creating connections through roundtable discussions. Open to all genders, this session will build on our discussions from Denver, but attendance at last year’s event is not required. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Women’s Leadership Community of Practice.

The Complexities & Rewards of Student Organizations | Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $55

Join us in discussing and sharing the many complexities and rewarding aspects of advising student organizations. We’ll talk about the historical significance of student organizations to a college campus and how they continue to impact the higher education landscape. With free speech and freedom of assembly once again at the forefront of this work, a collaborative educational session can’t come at a better time. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Student Organization Advisors Community of Practice.

Behind Broadway: A Broadway Walking Tour | Sunday, March 16, 9–11:30 a.m. | Registration Fee: $55 

Embark on an enchanting Broadway outdoor walking tour, where the bustling streets of New York City transform into stages of theatrical history. Led by a knowledgeable guide, participants weave through the iconic theater district, learning captivating tales of legendary performances and historic venues. Along the way, the tour offers delightful surprises as cast members emerge sat their stage door (from a show of the groups choice), eager to greet fans and share insights. It’s a magical journey where the magic of Broadway comes alive amidst the vibrant pulse of the city, creating unforgettable memories for theater enthusiasts and curious explorers alike! 

This is a walking tour that departs from and returns to the conference hotel. Registration includes a ticket to the guided walking tour.

Circle Line Cruise of Manhattan | Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55 

During this two hour and 30 minute cruise, you’ll cruise along all three NYC rivers, pass under 20 bridges, and see over 130 of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Manhattan skyline, Little Island, Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Brooklyn, Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge and, of course, an up close look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! Led by world-famous tour guides, telling the story of New York City as you journey around the full island and enjoy the best sightseeing experience NYC has to offer!
 
This cruise experience will require navigating to Pier 83 Midtown, approximately one mile from the conference hotel. Registration includes a ticket to board the temperature-controlled, state-of-the-art cruise boat for the guided tour.

Walking Tour: Greenwich Village & High Line | Sunday, March 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Registration Fee: $35 

On this three-hour walking tour, we’ll see 19th century row houses and cobbled streets which in the 20th century became where Jazz, art, gay rights, and culture thrived. We’ll be sure to include pop culture sites from movies and tv shows and where Bob Dylan arrived to New York. In the Meatpacking District, we’ll study how this neighborhood went from being half abandoned to being one of New York’s hippest areas. (Includes Chelsea Market, Meatpacking District, and Washington Square Park).
 
This is a walking tour that departs from and returns to the conference hotel. Registration includes a ticket to the guided walking tour and any required transportation to/from destinations.

Walking Tour: Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO | Sunday, March 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Registration Fee: $35 

On this three-hour walking tour, we pass beautiful brownstones on picturesque tree-lined streets and make our way through one of New York’s nicest new waterfront parks. We also venture into DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Underpass). Now fashionable, it was once a desolate industrial wasteland. Along the way, we’ll get incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.
 
This is a walking tour that departs from and returns to the conference hotel. Registration includes a ticket to the guided walking tour and any required transportation to/from destinations.

Walking Tour: Central Park and Upper West Side | Sunday, March 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Registration Fee: $35 

On this three-hour walking tour, we visit the must-see sites of the New York City’s massive 843-acre Central Park. Learn the secrets and backstories of Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Terrace, and the Dakota amongst others. We’ll also get a feel for neighborhood life in the Upper West Side, a classic New York neighborhood.
 
This is a walking tour that departs from and returns to the conference hotel. Registration includes a ticket to the guided walking tour and any required transportation to/from destinations.

Radio City Music Hall Tour | Tuesday, March 18, 9–11 a.m. | Registration Fee:  $35

Step into the spotlight with the Radio City Music Hall Tour Experience! Follow in the footsteps of legends like the Rockettes and musical greats on this captivating 60-minute guided tour. Immerse yourself in the unrivaled glamour and splendor of Radio City’s iconic architecture. Explore the Great Stage, discover the hidden gem, The Roxy Suite, and meet a Rockette in our newly designed experiential moment. Make your visit unforgettable—capture moments and share the magic!
 
This is a walking tour that will require walking approximately 0.5 miles (four blocks) to the venue. Registration includes a ticket to the private tour.

Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour | Tuesday, March 18, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration Fee: $135

ACUI, take a taste of NYC! Enjoy the Best Food Tour in Little Italy & Chinatown, established 2009, featuring a three-hour food tour of two historic NYC neighborhoods! This tour has two to three seated tastings and five to six on-the-go tastings to ensure that you explore both neighborhoods in three hours. Experience Chinatown and Little Italy through flavor, culture, and history. As your intimate group is led through the maze of the streets that make up Chinatown and Little Italy, your licensed guide will make sure to entertain you with fascinating historical stories and fill your stomach with delicious tastings. You will be sure to discover secrets of the city, historic parks, and exquisite NYC architecture. After the tour, your guide will provide plenty of tips on additional places to see and eat. More information on this experience is available here.
 
Please note that due to scheduling obligations, participants of this experience will not be able to participate in ACUI Adventure.
 
This is a walking tour, and will require a subway ride between the hotel and the neighborhoods. Registration includes a guided tour, the outlined tastings, and subway transportation.

MetLife Stadium Tour | Wednesday, March 19, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55

Join ACUI for a one-of-kind experience! MetLife Stadium is home to not just one, but two NFL franchises, the NY Giants and NY Jets, is one of the largest stadiums in the NFL, and is one of the busiest stadiums in the world. MetLife has hosted major events including Super Bowl XLVIII, WrestleMania, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, NHL Stadium Series, and the Copa America Centenario Final. Additionally, they are honored to serve as the upcoming host stadium for the FIFA World Cup 26 Final. Now is your time to enjoy access as this tour invites you to take a behind the scenes look at all this stadium has to offer! Your guided tour will visit some of the stadium’s premium spaces, such as the Commissioners Club, Press Box, and luxury suites, as well as includes a walk on the field where some of your favorite athletes have played each week. Note that all aspects of this tour are subject to availability based on the stadium-wide event schedule.
 
This is a walking tour, and will require approximately a 30-min bus ride to the stadium. Registration includes a guided tour and bus transportation.

Apollo Theater Tour | Wednesday, March 19, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Registration Fee: $35 

Located in Harlem, The Apollo is a vibrant nonprofit organization that celebrates and presents work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. The tour will be led by Mr. Billy Mitchell, who has interacted with thousands of visitors from around the world, transporting them through The Apollos history and pivotal eras in Harlem. Through a unique presentation that is part performance and part historical lecture, he will share his backstage memories and stories about Apollo legends like James Brown, Stevie wonder, Mary J. Blige, and more. He connects the past, present, and future of The Apollo with his inspiring storytelling and behind-the-scenes insights.
 
This is a walking tour, and will require a subway ride between the hotel and the theater. Registration includes a guided tour and subway transportation.

Market 57 Chelsea Food Tour | Wednesday, March 19, 2:30–5:30 p.m. | Registration Fee: $105

ACUI, take a taste of NYC! Savor the culinary diversity at Market 57 Food Hall, New York City’s newest dining destination, curated by the James Beard Foundation. It showcases an array of deliciously innovative vendors from unique minority-and women-owned businesses. This two-hour indoor food tour features seven exclusive tastings, each skillfully prepared, providing a delectable exploration of New York City’s culinary landscape. The stunning views of NY Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Little Island, and Historic Pier 57, all within proximity to Chelsea Market and the High Line, create opportunities for the perfect New York City moment. More information on this experience is available here.
 
This is a walking tour, and will require a subway ride between the hotel and the neighborhoods.

Sunday, March 16, 6:30–9 p.m. | Registration Fee: $65 

Connect with colleagues from your geographic area on an opening night experience at a local campus on Sunday, March 16, which will include dinner. Participants will travel to a nearby institution to see their facilities and enjoy a meal, while networking with others from your region. Specific locations for each region’s experience will be shared by January when you will be asked to sign up for a Tuesday afternoon ACUI Adventure. 
 
You belong to a region, and all conference registrants are encouraged to participate in these unique gatherings. Find out more about ACUI’s regions at www.acui.org/regions! 
 
Registration for these experiences will be an add-on during registration, and transportation and dinner are included in this registration fee. 
 

Tuesday, March 18, 1–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: Included with registration

ACUI Adventures will continue in New York City on Tuesday afternoon. During this educational opportunity, conference participants will get the chance to experience the city, area campuses, or take a deeper dive on a topic of interest. In January, conference registrants will be able to select from a number of unique experiences—all included in your conference registration fee.
 
Special thank you to our local partners working with the Conference Program Team to make this adventure possible! More details will be available closer to the event.

We are excited to feature educational sessions that help create a meaningful and engaging educational experience for all of our attendees. Students and professional staff from all specialities, levels of leadership, regions, and involvement within ACUI have been invited to submit a proposal reflecting the key conference themes and targeted core competencies

The deadline for educational session submissions was Tuesday, September 10 and is now closed. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about a submission.

Registration

The 2025 Annual Conference offers valuable professional development opportunities included in your registration fee:

  • 10 educational session blocks
  • Three all-conference sessions
  • Two times to discover product solutions from exhibitors
  • One afternoon of unique learning adventures

Each day of the conference will feature multiple programs to facilitate attendees to connect as a community, discover innovative and creative practices, and be inspired by bid ideas through receptions, showcases, community gatherings, meals, and more. Full conference registration will include a light opening reception, a lunch in the ACUI Expo, and a dinner at the closing banquet. The cancellation policy for the event is available here.

EARLY REGISTRATION
(THROUGH DECEMBER 17)
  • Professional Member: $825
  • Professional Nonmember: $995
  • Student Member: $425
  • Student Nonmember: $525
  • One-Day Member Registration: $325
  • One-Day Nonmember Registration: $425
  • Retiree Registration: $475
REGULAR REGISTRATION
(DECEMBER 18–FEBRUARY 6)
  • Professional Member: $925
  • Professional Nonmember: $1,095
  • Student Member: $475
  • Student Nonmember: $575
  • One-Day Member Registration: $375
  • One-Day Nonmember Registration: $475
  • Retiree Registration: $475
LATE REGISTRATION
(AFTER FEBRUARY 6)
  • Professional Member: $995
  • Professional Nonmember: $1,195
  • Student Member: $525
  • Student Nonmember: $625
  • One-Day Member Registration: $450
  • One-Day Nonmember Registration: $550
  • Retiree Registration: $475
Register Now
Additional Registration Options

Interested in just attending one meal or joining us for the closing banquet? Email [email protected] to explore these options.

Seasoned Professionals & Retirees Homecoming (Wednesday Only) | Registration Fee: $275
Looking to reconnect with ACUI colleagues?  Want to know what is happening with ACUI? Enticed by the opportunity to take advantage of the sights and sounds of New York City?  The Seasoned Professionals and Retirees (SPAR) Community of Practice has planned an afternoon experience specifically designed for ACUI retirees. Seasoned professionals are welcome!  The agenda will include an update on the state of ACUI, followed by educational sessions of interest to retirees, a cash bar social, and the traditional closing banquet. Make time to renew old friendships and reconnect with your professional organization!

Registration for this option includes access to sessions on Wednesday, light snacks at the social, and dinner at the closing banquet.

Wednesday, March 19:
  • Noon–1 p.m. – Check-in
  • 1–2:50 p.m. – All-Conference Session
  • 3–3:50 p.m. – State of ACUI Session
  • 4–4:50 p.m. – Educational Sessions
  • 5–7 p.m. – Social (cash bar)
  • 7–9 p.m. – Closing Banquet

You may also add a optional post-conference tour for Thursday, March 20.

Travel and Hotel

HOTEL

The core of all conference activities and lodging is at the New York Marriott Marquis at: 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Book your hotel by February 11 to secure the ACUI group room rate of $289 (plus taxes and fees).

Book HOtel

Enjoy this inspiring location on Times Square in the heart of Manhattan for your stay during the conference to support the association in minimizing risk and offsetting costs. 

TRANSPORTATION

Three are major airport hubs serve New York City and are recommended for arranging your travel to the conference: 

Amtrak routes through New York Penn Station are also available to get you into Manhattan, just one mile from the New York Marriott Marquis.

Closer to the event, additional recommendations will be published about public and ground transportation options from these locations.

Justification to Attend

To support your professional development requests to join us at the 2025 ACUI Annual Conference, here are a variety of resources that can be utilized. We have drafted two template letters with key information included that you can download and edit for your purposes. Please review all the information to ensure it is relevant to your situation, and feel free to remove or add details prior to submitting as part of a request at your institution.

Download Template Letters

As you consider participating in this meaningful networking and learning opportunity, the items below should help to clarify more information about the event details.

About the Conference

The 2025 Annual Conference will be an opportunity to come together in a caring community of colleagues who also tie-in to the work you do to rejuvenate, elevate, connect, and celebrate each other. Through the planning process, the team was drawn to three main themes:

  • Connecting
  • Innovating
  • Big Ideas

Additionally, the Annual Conference has aligned with the priorities of the ACUI Education Plan and additional learning needs identified by the ACUI Education Council. Learn more about the ACUI Core Competencies. 

Yes! The ACUI Annual Conference will have various sessions for professionals of different levels to network and discuss their experiences. This will range from scheduled networking opportunities such as a first-time attendee session to attendees with similar job responsibilities through our communities of practice. There will also be opportunities to network with other attendees from the same region to build stronger regional connections.

  • Attending keynotes/all-conference sessions on current topics & trends
  • Optional community service events
  • College and local landmark tours
  • Social and networking opportunities
  • Learning product solutions at the ACUI Expo
  • Keynotes – Featuring our opening speaker Rob Lawless. On a mission to spend one hour, 1-on-1, with 10,000 different people, Rob Lawless sees the world from an incredibly unique perspective. After earning a finance degree, working as a business analyst, and transitioning to a sales role at a venture-funded startup, he began to miss the authentic connection he’d experienced in college. As a result, he set off on a journey in November 2015 to meet 10,000 people for an hour each for no specific reason. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, and he began meeting people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. Lawless’s interactive and captivating keynote will take you through his incredible experience and share how making meaningful connections can drive growth and innovation within your organization. 
  • ACUI Adventure – An opportunity for attendees to experience New York City, area campuses, or take a deeper dive on a topic of interest. 
  • ACUI Expo – An opportunity to meet vendors including architects, furniture companies, operations software, dining, and more. 

New York is a vibrant city with a variety of colleges and universities and world-class attractions. This atmosphere, combined with the conference themes of “Connecting, Innovating, and Big ideas,” will surely offer a rich tapestry of perspectives and ideas to stimulate creativity and drive positive change.

There are currently nine preconference opportunities that attendees can register for. Each opportunity provides unique and specific content from mental health and first aid training to supporting student organization leadership. 

A variety of local tours have also been included throughout the conference, with several taking place prior to the official opening event of the conference.

View more information these opportunities on this Tentative Schedule.

We are excited to welcome all first-time attendees to New York City! Our Annual Conference typically has over 200 newcomers in attendance—so you will not be alone! We will be offering an orientation virtually prior to the start of the conference and an in-person session on Sunday to provide an overview of the Annual Conference experience and to begin the networking experience.

The ACUI Expo will host a diverse array of vendors, showcasing offerings relevant to attendees’ interests and needs. Expect representation from architects, furniture companies, dining options, student activity vendors, and more—providing a valuable opportunity to explore and engage with industry professionals and exciting products.

Registration

The conference will be hosted at the New York Marriott Marquis at 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. All keynotes, educational sessions, exhibit hall, and meals will occur in this hotel, so you’ll want to stay on property for ease of access to all activities and for the full conference experience.  Attendees will be able to book hotel rooms at the hotel through a link on the conference website.  ACUI has secured a group room rate of $289, which must be secured by February 11, 2025.

Three major airport hubs serve New York City and are recommended for arranging your travel to the conference:

Amtrak routes through New York Penn Station are also available to get you into Manhattan, just one mile from the New York Marriott Marquis.

Closer to the event, additional recommendations will be published about public and ground transportation options from these locations.

If attending a preconference or navigating long distance travel, we suggest arriving on Saturday, March 15, so that you have time to settle into the hotel space and get checked-in. The hotel block rate opens as early as March 11 and is based on availability. Book your hotel by February 11, 2025, to secure the ACUI group room rates.

Also, it may be helpful to note that on Sunday, March 16, the NYC Half Marathon will be occurring in close proximity to our conference hotel. This could present travel challenges for those arriving by car. As such it is recommended to arrive on Saturday, March 15. 

The conference will conclude with the annual closing banquet on the night of Wednesday, March 19—which includes a celebration of the event experience, presentation of select awards, and the presidential speech. It is recommended that you depart on Thursday, March 20.

Yes! Graduate and undergraduate students can register for the conference with the same process as full-time staff. There will be special activities provided at particular times during the conference for these individuals, but they’ll be able to enjoy the same all-conference sessions, meals, educational content, and conference experiences. Student member rates vary and also have a discount prior to December 17, 2024. 

  • Tuesday Lunch in the ACUI Expo
  • Wednesday Closing Banquet

Yes. After your initial conference registration, you are able to go back and add additional experiences such as pre-conferences and tours. 

  • Visit www.acui.org/myaccount and login using the email address for your registration.
    • If someone else registered you and/or you have not logged in to the website, you will have an existing record—so click on the “Forgot Password” link and complete the process to verify your email and get logged in.
  • On your account dashboard, in the “Event” section, you should see the “2025  ACUI Annual Conference” listed as “Registered.” Select this event.
  • On the list of events you are already registered for, next to the conference, click the “Edit” button.
  • You will then see the list of items available. Add each of the activities you are interested in, noting that you will only be able to add one experience during particular concurrent time blocks.
  • Once you have selected your activities, click the “Checkout” button at the top of the screen.
  • On the summary page, click the “Confirm Order” button to complete your selections.

Consider the following ideas:

  • Register early and save! Early registration is through December 17, 2024, and for professional members is $825. Save $100!
  • Being an ACUI member also saves $200+ on registration compared to nonmembers. 
  • Book your hotel room by February 11, 2025, to secure the ACUI group rate. 
  • Book your transportation early to ensure the best rates. 
  • Consider connecting with other colleagues who are coming to the Annual Conference to travel together or share hotel rooms. 
  • Utilize NYC subway and bus systems from the three area airports to Midtown Manhattan will cut costs on Rideshare or Taxi.
  • ACUI offers a variety of scholarship opportunities, as well, which will have an application deadline of November 20. Explore those options at www.acui.org/awards/scholarships.

Meet the 2025 Conference Program Team

  • Susan Canady, Chair, University of Maryland
  • Sarah Aikman, Northern Kentucky University
  • Alisha Campbell, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  • Mara Dahlgren, Indiana University
  • Yakima Melton, Arizona State University
  • Anthony Roberson, California State University–San Bernardino
  • Martin Ryan, University of Limerick
  • Stan Sweeney, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Melissa Ulmer, Rowan University
  • Julie Wagner, University of Michigan
  • David Wilder, Middlebury College
  • Justin Rudisille, ACUI Central Office