National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) 2026
Event Date
September 27–30, 2026
Location
Chicago, IL
Expected Exhibitors
170
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe NACAS C3X Annual Conference & Expo is the flagship annual event of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS). Branded around the theme "Cultivate Campus Commerce," C3X brings together more than 1,000 higher-education auxiliary services leaders and NACAS Business Partners to exchange knowledge and build professional connections. The 2026 edition takes place September 27-30, 2026, in Chicago, IL.
The conference is designed for professionals who manage campus auxiliary operations — including dining, retail and campus stores, housing, parking and transportation, printing and mail, one-card programs, conference and event services, and facilities. Attendees come from institutions across the United States and Canada, alongside the vendors and service providers who partner with them.
C3X pairs a large Expo Hall with an extensive education program of 50+ sessions, keynote presentations, regional networking, campus tours, and award ceremonies. Sessions address timely topics such as AI in campus services, dining innovation and sustainability, revenue generation, contract strategy, and student engagement. For institutional members it is a place to source solutions, benchmark against peers, and develop leadership skills; for business partners it offers direct access to campus decision-makers who influence purchasing and long-term partnerships.
Show Highlights
- Opening keynote by Melissa Majors — "Better Together: The Surprising Science and Joy of Social Connection," a talk blending psychology, neuroscience, and storytelling on human connection.
- 50+ educational sessions covering dining, retail, housing, facilities, finance, parking/transportation, and student engagement.
- Expo Hall featuring 170+ exhibiting companies serving higher-education auxiliary and campus services (the Expo sold out the two prior years).
- Climate Action Lab — a dedicated sustainability program included with registration, focused on net-zero commitments, waste reduction, resilient food supply chains, and Indigenous food practices.
- Campus tours of the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University.
- Signature sessions including a "Stump the Experts" parking panel, Big Ten auxiliary leaders panel, NIL-meets-dining models, and AI/robotics in campus services.
- Networking touchpoints — regional receptions and breakfasts, a first-time attendee lunch, opening and closing events/dinners, wellness activities, and award presentations.
Attendance
NACAS reports that C3X draws over 1,000 higher-education leaders and NACAS Business Partners, with attendees representing 200+ institutions from across the United States and Canada.
Booth Pricing
Exhibit space is sold as 10' x 10' booths, which include an 8' draped backwall, 3' draped siderails, one 6' draped table, two chairs, a wastebasket, and an identification sign. Carpet, internet, and electrical are not included.
- Standard 10x10 booth: $4,200
- Premium 10x10 booth: $4,600
Each 10x10 booth includes one Full Conference Registration and two Booth Staff Registrations (booth staff can upgrade to full registration for $600 each). Sponsorship add-ons are also available:
- Gold Sponsorship (booth add-on): $2,500
- Silver Sponsorship (booth add-on): $1,000
- Programmatic Advertising: $1,600–$3,200
Registration
Registration is completed online through the official C3X registration portal (hosted on Cvent). Early Bird pricing applied through the July 17, 2026 deadline; regular rates applied afterward. Full and single-day passes are available, and groups of 3 or more save $45 per registration.
Full Conference Early Bird / Regular rates:
- Institution Member: $995 / $1,095
- Institution Non-Member: $1,325 / $1,425
- Business Partner: $1,850 / $1,950
- Non-Member Business Partner: $3,200 (regular)
- Retiree Full Registration: $500 (email info@nacas.org for the rate code)
Day and guest registrations are also offered (Institution Member Day: $450 early / $500 regular; Member Guest: $450 early / $500 regular). Registration includes access to keynote and education sessions, the Expo Hall, receptions, meals, and the Climate Action Lab.
History
C3X is the annual conference and expo of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS), an association serving higher-education auxiliary services professionals. The event rotates among major U.S. cities each year; the 2025 conference was held in Las Vegas, and the 2026 edition moves to Chicago. In recent years demand has grown steadily, with the Expo Hall selling out for two consecutive years. NACAS has also published future host cities: Washington, DC (2027), Grapevine, TX (2028), and Denver, CO (2029).
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: July 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is NACAS C3X 2026 taking place?
The 2026 NACAS C3X Annual Conference & Expo is held September 27-30, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Conference activity centers on the McCormick Place district, and NACAS shares official hotel details directly with registered attendees.
Who should attend C3X?
C3X is designed for higher-education auxiliary services professionals — those who manage dining, campus stores and retail, housing, parking and transportation, printing and mail, and conference and event services — along with the business partners and vendors who serve them. Attendees come from more than 200 institutions across the U.S. and Canada.
How much does it cost to register, and is there an early bird deadline?
Full Conference Early Bird rates were $995 for institution members, $1,325 for institution non-members, and $1,850 for business partners, with the Early Bird deadline on July 17, 2026. Regular rates and single-day passes are also available, and groups of 3 or more save $45 per registration.
What does exhibiting at C3X include and cost?
A 10' x 10' booth costs $4,200 (standard) or $4,600 (premium) and includes a draped backwall, siderails, a 6' table, chairs, and signage, plus one full conference registration and two booth staff registrations. Carpet, internet, and electrical are ordered separately, and Gold and Silver sponsorship add-ons are available.
Why is C3X worth attending?
C3X offers 50+ education sessions, marquee keynotes, campus tours, and a large sold-out-caliber Expo Hall with 170+ exhibitors, all focused on advancing campus commerce and student success. It gives institutional leaders a place to source solutions and benchmark with peers, and gives business partners direct access to campus decision-makers.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement