You are Invited to Denver: March 24–28, 2024
We are excited to welcome you to Denver for the 2024 ACUI Annual Conference! Early registration is now open; take advantage of the lowest registration rates before December 14.
The 2024 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.
The focus of our time together will be around the following pillars:
- Connections and Community
- Sustainability
- Belonging and Affirming Spaces
Additionally, the Annual Conference has educational goals to connect with three of ACUI’s Core Competencies—student learning, human resources, and planning.
All-Conference Sessions
Details about additional all-conference sessions will be available soon—with topic areas focused on community engagement in sustainability and human resources and the future of work.
TEMPLE GRANDIN
Temple Grandin is a distinguished professor of animal science at Colorado State University who will share how different kinds of minds add value to building teams and solving problems in the workplace. Appearing on numerous TV shows such as 20/20 and Prime Time, her books include Thinking in Pictures, Livestock Handling and Transport, and The Autistic Brain—with her books Animals in Translation and Visual Thinking having been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Temple was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame in 2023.
Schedule
The 2024 Annual Conference will be full of meaningful opportunities to learn and connect as a community of professionals. Each day will feature a conference-wide experience—keynotes, panel discussions, and adventure experiences. The event will start on Sunday, March 25, with welcome activities, regional gatherings, a dinner, and an opening event. Monday will include educational sessions and the opening of the ACUI Expo. Tuesday will feature educational sessions, lunch in the ACUI Expo, and the unique ACUI Adventure experiences in the afternoon. And Wednesday, March 27, will include educational sessions, a panel discussion, and the Closing Banquet. Learn more about highlights from this year’s schedule below.
We recognize undergraduate students may have unique needs and interests navigating the annual conference in Denver. Below is an overview of a specially designed schedule to ensure undergraduate student attendees can make the most of their conference experience.
- Creating a sense of belonging: On the first day of the conference, there will be an Undergraduate Student Welcome where we will cover tips for getting the most out of the conference as an undergraduate student attendee, including highlighting activities throughout the week that are especially beneficial for students.
- Exploring your college experience from a mile-high view: A workshop exclusively for undergraduate student attendees during the first two educational session blocks focused on building career readiness.
- Understanding the ACUI Expo: We will offer a specialized educational session called “How do you Expo?” to provide an overview for navigating the ACUI Expo as a student attendee.
- Spotlighting Educational Content: Educational sessions especially pertinent for undergraduate students will be highlighted in each block throughout the conference.
- Assisting in Career Exploration: The Annual Conference Career Center tour is a valuable opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the job search process and receive insightful information on available career-readiness resources, effective job searching strategies, and tips for interpreting job postings.
- Preparing for Next Steps: There will be an Undergraduate Student Closing Session during the final educational session block to debrief experiences and discuss how they can apply what they have learned to their time back on their home campus.
ACUI Adventure is back! Join us for an ACUI Adventure on Tuesday afternoon. During this educational opportunity, conference participants will get the chance to experience Denver, area campuses, or take a deeper dive on a topic of interest. Conference attendees will be able to select from a number of unique experiences at a later date—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.
Interested in skiing/riding at a famous Colorado ski area after the conference on March 28–31? If so, please take some time to read the FAQs and fill out our interest form. We need to determine how many folks might be interested in visiting Copper Mountain to help confirm pricing information and trip details.
Once a group hotel rate is secured, it is recommended that you reserve a room as soon as possible, as this opportunity is during spring break season and space may fill up. When we have a better idea of interest and details, your reservation will be able to be adjusted or cancelled.
Registration
The 2024 Annual Conference offers valuable professional development opportunities included in your registration fee:
- Ten 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 with colleagues, learn best practices, and explore opportunities to elevate their campus community through receptions, showcases, community gatherings, meals, and more.
Three meals are included in the registration: an opening dinner and reception; a lunch in the ACUI Expo, and dinner at the closing banquet.
EARLY REGISTRATION
(THROUGH DECEMBER 14)
- Professional Member: $825
- Professional Nonmember: $995
- Student Member: $425
- Student Nonmember: $525
- One-Day Member Registration: $325
- One-Day Nonmember Registration: $425
- Retiree Registration: $425
REGULAR REGISTRATION
(DECEMBER 15–FEBRAURY 8)
- Professional Member: $925
- Professional Nonmember: $1,095
- Student Member: $450
- Student Nonmember: $550
- One-Day Member Registration: $375
- One-Day Nonmember Registration: $475
- Retiree Registration: $425
LATE REGISTRATION
(AFTER FEBRUARY 8)
- Professional Member: $995
- Professional Nonmember: $1,195
- Student Member: $475
- Student Nonmember: $575
- One-Day Member Registration: $450
- One-Day Nonmember Registration: $550
- Retiree Registration: $425
The cancellation policy for the event is available here.
Interested in just attending one meal or joining us for the closing banquet? Email acui@acui.org to explore these options.
Travel & Hotel
HOTEL
The hub of all conference activities and lodging is at the Sheraton Denver Downtown at: 1550 Court Pl, Denver, CO 80202. Book your hotel by February 23 to secure the ACUI group room rate of $219 (plus taxes and fees).
TRANSPORTATION
The closest airport to the conference venue is the Denver International Airport, located just over 20 miles from the conference hotel.
- We are pleased to partner with United Airlines for air travel to the annual conference in Denver. To make flight reservations online please click on discount code ZNXA982339. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code.
- You may also call United Meetings Reservation Desk Monday – Friday at (800) 426-1122 for booking assistance. Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.
To save energy and cost, utilize the RTD A Line for ground transportation, which departs every 15 minutes from the airport to Union Station for just $10.50. Then, catch the Free MallRide from Union Station to Court Place and arrive at the Sheraton Denver Downtown.
Amtrak routes through Union Station are also available to get you to downtown Denver.
Meet the 2024 Conference Program Team
- Eve Esch, University of Houston, Chair
- Isaac Barber, University of Connecticut
- Katie Beaulieu, Wayne State University
- Larissa Bonnet, Sheridan College
- Beth Goad, University of Denver
- Amanda Griffiths, University of Tennessee
- Aidan Grills, Leeds University Union
- Clayton Kolb, West Chester University
- Molly Orr, University of North Texas
- Mike Schmit, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
- Scott Shea, Northeastern University
- Justin Rudisille, ACUI, Staff Liaison
Justifying Your Attendance
With such a variety of cost saving opportunities and valuable experiences available for the 2024 Annual Conference, template letters have been created for you to use to help submit your requests for approval on campus. These templates are intended to provide a structure with key information included, and space for you to fill in specific information based on your campus and professional development needs.
Feel free to use any of the information available through the conference website to include as additional details to the letter. Below are some additional Frequently Asked Questions to help you prepare for the event. Email acui@acui.org with any questions.
Denver 2024 Graphics Inspiration
In embracing the location of the Annual conference, it was important to integrate key elements of the landscape and culture of the area into our design pieces. The Conference Program Team wanted to incorporate the location into the design and help create a visual identity that connects our Association with our host location to help elevate the conference experience.
The color palette of dark blue and red were inspired by the flag of Denver while also combining ACUI secondary colors from the brand guide. The official flag of the city of Denver includes four specific elements:
- The yellow circle represents the sun above and the region’s Gold Rush history
- The blue represents the unmatched skies experienced in the mile-high city
- The red represents the sandstone soil, the mountains, and the meaning of “Colorado”
- The zigzag pattern represents the snow caps and has connections to the indigenous history in the state. Specifically, the Zigzag and “Z” have symbolic meanings of:
- Navigating sharp turns while moving forward along the path of our lives, facing forces from above and within, with many separate journeys along the way
- Connection or gateway that links Mother Earth and Father Sky, the spirit world above and the mortal world, and
- Rapid change, like the lightning striking from the sky to the earth during a cleansing rain
We hope you enjoy these intentional design elements throughout the conference experience.