Association of College Unions International - ACUI 2027
Event Date
February 28 – March 4, 2027
Location
Baltimore, MD
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe ACUI Annual Conference is the flagship gathering of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), a nonprofit that brings together college union and student activities professionals from across higher education. The 2027 edition, branded #ACUI27, invites delegates to Baltimore, Maryland, from February 28 to March 4, 2027, under the themes of Belonging, Empowerment, and Restorative Energy and Action.
The conference draws student union directors, campus activities staff, facility managers, graduate assistants, and undergraduate student leaders from institutions around the world, along with corporate partners who serve the college union field. Programming centers on shared learning and community, with keynotes, more than 100 educational breakout sessions, regional meetups, and the ACUI Expo trade show.
Rooted in Baltimore's spirit of resilience and creativity, #ACUI27 is designed to equip participants with tangible tools and renewed motivation to drive meaningful change on their campuses. Attendees leave with practical strategies across ACUI's core competencies—from fiscal management and assessment to programming, marketing, and advising—making it a worthwhile professional development investment for anyone who builds campus community.
Show Highlights
Signature features of the ACUI Annual Conference typically include:
- All-conference keynotes and ACUI Talks featuring speakers on leadership, community, and innovation.
- 100+ educational breakout sessions spanning ACUI's core competencies, including fiscal management, assessment and research, marketing, technology, programming, and advising.
- ACUI Adventures — a signature tradition offering experiential learning at local attractions and host-city campuses.
- The ACUI Expo, where attendees meet vendors such as architects, furniture manufacturers, technology providers, and dining service partners.
- Regional meetups, first-time attendee orientation, and communities of practice gatherings for structured networking.
- Battle of the Regions and social events that build connection across the association.
The #ACUI27 program is being shaped through an open Call for Sessions, with a submission deadline of September 1, 2026.
Attendance
At the most recent (2026) Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, ACUI reported 721 total delegates. That event featured four all-conference sessions with nine speakers and panelists, 109 educational sessions delivered by 132 unique presenters, and hundreds of participants across adventures, tours, preconferences, and social activities. Attendance figures for the 2027 Baltimore conference have not yet been published.
Registration
Registration for #ACUI27 opens through ACUI's website; attendees can manage their profile and add preconferences, tours, and other options at www.acui.org/myaccount. Based on the association's typical structure, registration tiers include Professional Member, Professional Nonmember, Student Member, Student Nonmember, One-Day, and Retiree rates, with tiered pricing for early, regular, and late registration windows. Full conference registration generally includes select meals and networking events such as the opening reception and closing banquet. ACUI members save significantly compared with nonmembers, and early registration offers the best pricing. Prospective presenters can submit an educational session proposal via the Call for Sessions, which closes September 1, 2026.
History
ACUI is one of the oldest associations in North American higher education. The organization dates to 1914, when it was founded in the Midwestern United States by a small group of students and a faculty advisor interested in how other universities were managing their college union organizations. It first organized as the National Association of Student Unions and became international early in its history—its first president was J.B. Bickersteth of the University of Toronto. Today ACUI is a nonprofit educational organization representing college union and student activities professionals at hundreds of institutions across multiple countries, and the Annual Conference has grown into its premier professional development and networking event. Recent host cities include Pittsburgh (2026), with Baltimore hosting in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 ACUI Annual Conference?
The 2027 ACUI Annual Conference (#ACUI27) takes place February 28 through March 4, 2027, in Baltimore, Maryland. The host hotel is the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 700 Aliceanna Street.
Who should attend the ACUI Annual Conference?
The conference is designed for college union and student activities professionals, including union directors, campus activities and programming staff, facility managers, graduate assistants, and undergraduate student leaders. Corporate partners serving the college union field also participate through the ACUI Expo.
What is the theme of ACUI 2027?
The #ACUI27 theme is Belonging, Empowerment, and Restorative Energy and Action. The program aims to foster belonging through shared learning and community while equipping attendees with tangible tools to drive change on their campuses.
How do I present a session or register for the conference?
Educational session proposals can be submitted through ACUI's Call for Sessions, which closes September 1, 2026. Attendee registration is handled through ACUI's website, where members receive discounted rates and can add preconferences, tours, and other options to their profile.
What is the closest airport to the conference?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is the closest airport, located about 12 miles from the venue. Additional travel planning resources are available through the Baltimore Official Visitor's Guide.
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