Upcoming Higher Education Conferences to Put on Your Radar
Looking for higher education conferences to attend 2026? We’ve got you covered.
Attending higher education conferences is your avenue for discovering innovative strategies for enriching the higher ed community and enhancing student experiences. These dynamic events offer a deeper examination of the ever-evolving higher education environment, providing invaluable opportunities to connect with peers, industry leaders, and innovators. You’ll gain critical insights on the latest trends, challenges, and best practices within higher ed, while building a network that will serve you well beyond the conference. Beyond knowledge-sharing, these conferences for higher ed professionals empower you to lead with purpose and vision, delivering transformative benefits for both your institution and your career.
We’ve curated a list of 27 higher education conferences we’re excited about in 2026 and 2027. Use this list to narrow your choices for any upcoming must-attend events. We hope to see you at one or more of these conferences in the upcoming year!
Date: February 23-25, 2027
Location: Pheonix, AZ
EducationDynamics’ InsightsEDU is one of the only higher education marketing and enrollment management conferences focused on the Modern Learner. Every year, InsightsEDU brings together thought leaders, decision-makers and professionals from colleges, universities and education-related organizations nationwide. The mission of InsightsEDU is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, strategies and innovations that propel higher education forward.
Date: July 14-16, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
The eduWeb Summit is a community of higher education professionals and industry partners who are passionate about advancing their marketing, communications, and digital work. This conference gathers higher education professionals and industry partners from 16 countries and all 50 states. Attendees benefit from enhanced networking opportunities, engaging with peers and potential partners while gaining valuable insights into web and digital experiences, AI and analytics, leadership and innovation, and enrollment marketing.
Date: July 19-23, 2026
Location: Atlanta, GA
UNITE, powered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is the nation’s leading annual gathering for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs). This influential event brings together thought leaders, change agents, and community partners to accelerate institutional transformation, address shared challenges, and celebrate achievements. Through networking, discussions, and celebration, UNITE fosters innovation within higher education and propels institutions towards a brighter future for all students.
Date: July 29-31, 2026
Location: Boston, MA
SOLAR is a conference focused on digital transformation, innovation, and strategic leadership in online education. Designed for leaders, emerging professionals, and instructional designers, it offers keynotes, workshops, and discussions on topics like credential innovation, program design, and policy trends. Attendees will gain actionable strategies and insights to navigate the evolving landscape of digital learning.
Date: September 27-29, 2026
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
The CACUBO Annual Conference brings together higher education business and finance leaders to explore the strategies, policies and practices shaping the future of institutional operations. Designed for professionals across college and university business offices, the conference emphasizes peer learning, practical insights and collaboration around budgeting, compliance, technology and leadership.
Date: September 29-October 2, 2026
Location: Denver, CO
Date: October 14-15, 2026
Location: Online
The Educause Annual Conference is the premier event for higher education technology professionals, connecting the brightest minds in the field. This global gathering brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds within the higher education industry – practitioners, researchers, and solution providers – to share ideas, develop their expertise, and discover innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
Date: October 8-10, 2026
Location: Minneapolis, MN
The NACAC Conference will gather over 6,000 dedicated counselors to exchange best practices, gain inspiration, and explore cutting-edge research in admission counseling. This event provides higher education counselors with the chance to discover innovative strategies, engage with thought leaders and peers, stay updated with the latest research, and connect with a diverse community of professionals.
Date: October 13-15, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
The UPCEA Convergence conference explores contemporary trends and emerging models within the realm of alternative credentials. This event, a collaborative effort by UPCEA and AACRAO, serves as a platform for key campus figures involved in credential innovation. This includes deans of professional education, chief online learning officers, registrars, and their respective teams. Together, they aim to delineate and refine institutional strategies concerning alternative credentials.
Date: October 14-16, 2026
Location: Minneapolis, MN
The WCET Annual Meeting brings together higher education professionals and practitioners to foster critical discussions, share the latest advancements in digital learning, and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. With a registration limit of 500, the intimate and collegial setting of the WCET Annual Meeting offers unique opportunities for meaningful dialogue and insights, making it a valuable event for leaders and practitioners in digital learning.
Date: October 18-21, 2026
Location: Online and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Connect with colleagues and explore the impact of digital media on higher education at the HighEdWeb Annual Conference. Designed for professionals across all roles—programmers, marketers, social media experts, managers, designers, and writers—this event offers diverse track sessions, an inspiring keynote, and group discussions. Engage with a vibrant community, gain valuable insights, and address unique digital challenges faced by colleges and universities, all while expanding your network and enhancing your professional development.
Date: November 2-4, 2026
Location: Atlanta, GA
P3 EDU is an invitation-only annual conference that brings together university administrators, government officials, and representatives from foundations and corporations to discuss public-private partnerships in higher education. Attendees will delve into partnership opportunities, share best practices, and address the challenges of implementing successful public-private partnerships in higher education.
Date: November 8-11, 2026
Location: Aurora, CO
For over 30 years, the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education has offered a dynamic glimpse into the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. With a program featuring peer-reviewed content, attendees gain the strategic insights needed to elevate their marketing strategies, enhance their institutional reputation, and ensure financial strength. Beyond the wealth of sessions, the Symposium serves as a vibrant community where knowledge seamlessly transitions into actionable initiatives, making it an invaluable resource for marketers looking to shape the future of higher education, foster growth, and ensure vitality.
Date: November 30-December 2, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
UPCEA MEMS is a must-attend conference for education professionals who want to stay on top of the trends in higher ed marketing. Presented from a variety of perspectives, sessions elevate the conversation about today’s higher education landscape. For over 30 years, MEMS has drawn professionals from institutions of all sizes to showcase thought leadership in higher education and explore trends in adult student recruitment and retention.
Date: January 4–7, 2027
Location: San Diego, CA
The Council of Independent Colleges’ 2027 Presidents Institute serves as a pivotal gathering amid the shifting higher education environment, offering a space for leaders to address key challenges. The 2027 gathering will provide over 300 college and university presidents, along with nearly 750 participants, the opportunity to explore how strategic community engagement can transform challenges into opportunities. With a focus on critical issues like financial sustainability, legal challenges, DEI and belonging, and federal policy, this event offers timely insights for navigating higher education’s political landscape.
Date: January 31 – February 3, 2027
Location: Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
NAICU’s Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day is the premier policy and advocacy event for private, nonprofit higher education leadership, including college and university presidents, government relations personnel, and executives from state and mission-specific higher education associations. The meeting annually offers briefings on pressing policy issues affecting higher education and focuses advocacy efforts on these critical concerns.
Date: April 20-22, 2027
Location: Virtual
The OLC Innovate virtual conference showcases groundbreaking research and effective practices in online, blended, and digital learning. It offers a diverse range of sessions and activities designed to support administrators, designers, and educators by addressing the unique challenges and goals of the entire community. This event is a comprehensive resource for staying at the forefront of innovative practices in digital education.
Date: March 13-16, 2027
Location: Austin, TX
Immerse yourself in four days of unparalleled learning and collaboration at the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. Designed for education professionals, industry leaders, and policymakers, this pivotal event ignites creativity and fosters innovation in the field of education.
Date: April 17-19, 2027
Location: Phoenix Convention Center
HLC’s Annual Conference is geared towards administrators in the higher education community, including administrative professionals, faculty members, CEOs, presidents, and chancellors. Sessions, speakers, and workshops provide opportunities for institutions that seek accreditation and offer information on the latest developments, issues, and best practices in higher education.
Date: March 13-15, 2027
Location: Washington, DC
The AGB National Conference on Trusteeship brings together presidents, trustees and senior higher ed leaders to tackle today’s most pressing governance challenges. Through a mix of sessions and peer-to-peer dialogue, attendees share strategies on institutional governance, board–president partnership, academic freedom and financial sustainability.
Date: April 21-24, 2027
Location: New Orleans, LA
NAGAP’s annual summit unites professionals engaged in every aspect of the graduate enrollment lifecycle—from admissions and recruitment to financial aid, academic affairs, and beyond. As the only professional organization dedicated exclusively to graduate enrollment management, NAGAP provides a unique platform for addressing the specific concerns and challenges faced by those in this field.
Date: April 23-27, 2027
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference hosts a premier professional development event for leaders and stakeholders in the community college sector. It features impactful keynote presentations, focused breakout sessions, technology showcases, and peer-to-peer exchanges, all aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in two-year colleges. With a focus on innovation, problem-solving, and extensive networking opportunities, the AACC Annual Conference serves as an essential platform for shaping the future of community college education.
Date: April 4-7, 2027
Location: San Diego, CA
The ASU GSV Summit brings together leading thinkers in digital learning and workforce skills to create a future where everyone has equal access to opportunity. It is a community of educators, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the educational technology and higher education industry who are motivated in reshaping society and education through innovation.
Date: April 13-15, 2027
Location: Anaheim, CA
UPCEA’s Annual Conference is one of the most significant assemblies of thought leaders and practitioners today in the field of professional, continuing and online education. Deans and other senior university leaders, key staff, and teams responsible for the management, administration and growth of professional, continuing and online education programs attend every year to gain insights on the most pressing topics in the higher education landscape – including federal policy, finance and operations, marketing and enrollment management, instructional design, noncredit programs, alternative credentialing and more.
Date: April 4-7, 2027
Location: Long Beach, CA
Join a global network of higher education professionals at the AACRAO Annual Meeting, where leaders from various disciplines come together to explore, engage, and advance the field. This event provides an opportunity to discuss the ever-changing landscape of higher education, share valuable insights, and collaborate on practical solutions to real-world challenges. Each year, the AACRAO Annual Meeting tackles emerging issues and trends, offering attendees the chance to deepen their knowledge, expand their network, and contribute to the future of higher education.
Date: June 21-23, 2027
Location: Charlotte, NC
The Engage Summit focuses on practical applications of AI, equipping attendees to lead their institutions through AI transformation. Participants will gain insights into the modern student’s mindset—understanding their motivations, interactions, and expectations in today’s digital landscape. This event serves as a great opportunity for educational leaders to prepare their campuses for the evolving future of learning.
Date: June 21-23, 2027
Location: Denver, CO
The North American Career Education Convention is regarded as the largest gathering of private career education professionals nationwide. Featuring renowned keynote speakers, expert-led sessions, and ample opportunities to connect with sector leaders, this conference attracts a diverse audience each year, fostering collaboration and innovation in postsecondary career education.
Date: June 2-4, 2027
Location: Nashville, TN
The Slate Summit, an exclusive event led by the Slate community, provides a deep dive into specific Slate topics through expert-led sessions and offers networking opportunities with like-minded peers in affinity group breakouts. This year’s Summit, tailored for admissions, student success, and advancement professionals, promises to be the most engaging and informative yet, featuring industry experts, interactive workshops, and unparalleled networking opportunities.
The Value of Attending Conferences for Staying Informed and Connected
Conferences offer invaluable opportunities for higher education professionals to stay current with industry trends, discover innovative strategies, and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re seeking to advance your career, enhance your skills, or simply stay informed, attending a relevant conference can be a hugely rewarding experience.
- Sharpen your expertise: By participating, you stay current with industry trends in marketing and enrollment management, ensuring relevance in a dynamic landscape.
- Unlock opportunities: Engaging with national leaders at these events goes beyond networking; it provides a unique opportunity to form invaluable connections that can significantly impact the future of your institution.
- Discover innovative solutions: These conferences offer more than just ideas; they provide tangible, actionable strategies for program growth. Moreover, they serve as platforms for strengthening team dynamics, fostering collaboration, and aligning goals within your unit.
- Invest in your future: Beyond being mere events, conferences are opportunities for professional development, allowing you to climb the career ladder with newfound knowledge and skills.
- Expand your perspective: Attend not only to learn but to draw inspiration, as conferences have the power to inject fresh energy into your work, sparking creativity and initiating new initiatives.
Connect with the EDDY team at a higher education conference near you.
If you see any of our experts at EducationDynamics (EDDY) at one of these events, come and say hello! We’re excited about making new connections with people from all over the world who share a passion for learning more about what it means to understand, find, enroll, and retain adult, online, or non-traditional students.
We look forward to seeing you there; drop us a line if you’re attending any of the conferences above.