Looking for a way to get connected?! Join us at our next Regional Conference to become more engaged with ACUI. Regional Conferences focus on building community, offering professional development, expanding networks, connecting with mentors, and learning skills that can translate to any career. Regional Conferences have been designed with a renewed focus on emerging professionals and students to help them connect with others, share ideas, and learn best practices.
2026 ACUI Region I Conference: Rise, Thrive, & Belong
November 12–14, 2026 | Cal State University San Bernardino
The ACUI Region I Conference Planning Team is excited to announce the theme and logo for the 2026 ACUI Region I Conference. Hosted by the Santos Manuel Student Union at California State University–San Bernardino, in partnership with NIRSA, this year’s conference celebrates growth, wellness, leadership, and the power of community. Together, we’ll explore new ideas, build meaningful connections, and support one another as we navigate our professional and personal journeys.
Inspired by the mountains surrounding campus, our conference logo symbolizes the climb toward new opportunities and shared success. The three ascending figures represent our conference community, with colors inspired by ACUI and NIRSA and a blended figure at the center reflecting the strength of our partnership. Together, these elements remind us that we rise through growth, thrive through connection, and belong through community—because we don’t climb alone.
Mark your calendars for November 12–14, 2026, and join us for this year’s conference. We are excited to see you there!
Help us celebrate the passion, talent, and dedication of those throughout Region I by submitting a nomination for one of our ACUI Region I awards. Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. on October 7.
Schedule
Pre-Conference Experience
Thursday, November 12, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. – Facilities in Focus: A Pre-Conference Campus Tour Experience
($65 per person includes: tours, transportation and lunch)
Thursday, November 12
- 10 a.m. – Registration Table Open
- 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. – Facilities in Focus:
A Preconference Campus Tour Experience (Claremont Colleges Recreation Center and Student Life and Cal Poly Pomona Recreation Center, Student Union and Rose Float Facility) - 3–4 p.m. – Guided SMSU Tour
- 4–5 p.m. – Networking Mixer: NIRSA/ACUI Professional Staff
- 4–5 p.m. – Networking Mixer: Students
- 4–5 p.m. – Steal This Idea Collection
- 5–5:15 p.m. – Conference Welcome
- 5:15–7 p.m. – Keynote and Dinner
- 7–9 p.m. – Social at CSUSB (Optional with Shuttle Service)
Friday, November 13
- 7 a.m. – Registration Table Open, Steal This Idea Display
- 7:30–9 a.m. – Shuttle Service
- 9–9:50 a.m. – Educational Session Block 1
- 10–10:50 a.m. – Educational Session Block 2
- 11–11:15 a.m. – Group Photo
- 11:15 a.m.–Noon – Guided SMSU and Recreation & Wellness Center Tour
- Noon–1 p.m. – Lunch and Regional Business Meeting
- 1–2 p.m. – All-Conference Panel
- 2:30–3:20 p.m. – Educational Session Block 3
- 3:30–5 p.m. – Vendor Event
- 5–6 p.m. – Shuttle Service, Dinner On Your Own
- 6–8 p.m. – Dinner Social (Optional)
- 7–9 p.m. – Evening Activity: Drag Bingo (Optional)
Saturday, November 14
- 7 a.m. – Registration Table Open
- 7–7:50 a.m. – Morning Yoga (Optional), Shuttle Service
- 9–9:50 a.m. – Educational Session Block 4
- 10–10:20 a.m. – Steal This Idea Awards
- 10:30–11:20 a.m. – Educational Session Block 5
- 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. – Lunch and Regional Awards
Registration
Regular (through October 22)
- Professional Member: $360
- Professional Nonmember: $460
- Student Member: $260
- Student Nonmember: $260
- Retiree: $360
- One-Day Registration: $165
Late (October 23–November 5)
- Professional Member: $410
- Professional Nonmember: $510
- Student Member: $310
- Student Nonmember: $310
- Retiree: $360
- One-Day Registration: $165
Travel
Ayres Hotel Rialto Fontana
Room Rate: $129 for November 12 | $139 for November 14 (plus taxes and fees)
Parking: Free
Registration Deadline: October 13
Conference Planning Team
Anthony Roberson
CSU–San Bernardino
Chair
Jeremy Hamlet
California State University–Northridge
Chair and NIRSA Track
Alejandro Herrera
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Business Education
Anahi Elida Bauman
California State University–Stanislaus
Business and Marketing
Andrea Okoh
California State University–Fullerton
Entertainment/Hospitality and Marketing
Andrew Reddish
Sacramento State
NIRSA Track and Marketing
Cesar Rumayor
California State University–Stanislaus
Business and Entertainment/Hospitality
Elizabeth Junker
California State University–San Bernardino
Business and Student Track
Emily-Ann Lopez
University of New Mexico
Student Track
Fabi Avina
California State University–Los Angeles
Business Education
Jasmine Heredia
California State University–Los Angeles
Business Education
Jelaine Esquerra
California State University–Stanislaus
Entrainment/Hospitality and Student Track
Karina Rios-Alvarez
California State University–Monterey Bay
Entertainment/Hospitality and Marketing
Monica Baeza
California State University–San Bernardino
Education and Entertainment/Hospitality
Raine Hernandez
California State University–Northridge
Education and Marketing
Sonny Venegas
California State University–Northridge
Student Track and NIRSA Track
Request approval to attend the ACUI Region I Conference with this justification letter template. It highlights the benefits of attendance, from professional growth to institutional impact, empowering you to build a strong case for your request.