Now is the Time to Make Your Plan for #ACUI26 in Pittsburgh
Regular registration for ACUI’s 2026 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh will continue through Thursday, January 29. With sign-ups now available for the conference’s popular tours and adventures, it is the time to secure your presence in Pittsburgh.
Official conference activities get underway Sunday, March 8, with welcome events that include a keynote from change leader DeEtta Jones, regional meetings, and an opening event at Acrisure Stadium.
Jones is a visionary leader, strategist, and CEO with over 30 years of experience guiding organizations through transformational change. Her expertise includes equipping leaders with the skills, confidence, and strategic mindset to navigate complexity and change. With a dynamic presence and a deep understanding of leadership and organizational behavior, Jones has trained and inspired thousands of professionals worldwide. A singular mission drives her work: to help leaders and organizations create stronger, smarter, and more resilient workplaces—where both people and businesses thrive.
The opening evening event at Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will include time to browse the Hall of Honor Museum to relive memorable moments in NFL history, participate in a complimentary guided tour of Acrisure Stadium, mingle and take in the stellar views of the city skyline and North Shore from the exclusive UPMC Club, and, of course, spend time building connections with others from your region and across the Association, while enjoying food and drinks.
Sunday’s kickoff is followed the next day with a full slate of educational sessions, an all-conference panel discussion, and an afternoon of the popular ACUI Adventure experiences. In addition to more educational sessions and an ACUI Talks session, Tuesday puts the focus on members meeting the industry leaders who support higher education through a variety of cutting-edge services with the opening of the ACUI Expo. And finally, on Wednesday, the conference closes with the final blocks of educational sessions, a keynote from Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, and the evening banquet dinner and celebration.
Jackson is known for providing strategies for accomplishing purposeful work without burnout as an educator of almost 25 years and an executive coach for more than 10 years. She is creator and host of the “Disrupting Burnout” podcast, as well as author of the Amazon best-seller, “Disrupting Burnout: The Professional Woman’s LIFELINE to Finding Purpose.”
Preconferences on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, are expected to help set the tone for the Annual Conference, with sessions on finance, student organizations, leadership, and strategic planning. ACUI’s Community of Practice for Student Basic Needs will also be hosting a full-day workshop entitled “Bridging Gaps: Meeting the Current Moment and Building for the Future of Basic Needs.”
For more information about registering for the conference, the pre-conference, and the schedule of events, visit Register for #ACUI26.
