National Association of College & University Business Officers - NACUBO 2026
Event Date
July 18–21, 2026
Location
Anaheim, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe NACUBO Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, bringing together senior higher education finance and administrative leaders for professional development, networking, and shared problem-solving. The 2026 edition, themed "Mission Meets Moment," takes place July 18–21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Under this theme, the event supports colleges and universities navigating uncertainty while reinforcing institutional mission and value.
The meeting is built for higher education business officers and the senior leaders who influence institutional finance and operations. Attendees typically include CFOs, vice presidents of finance, controllers, and senior administrators from public and private universities, community colleges, and independent institutions. Sessions address the most pressing issues facing campuses today—federal policy and regulatory change, the evolving federal grant environment, indirect cost recovery, budget model reform, financial health, and institutional resilience.
With substantive, peer-driven programming (including sessions reserved exclusively for institution attendees to enable candid discussion), an exhibit hall of higher education solution providers, and CPE credit available, the meeting is a valuable stop for business officers and the vendors who serve them. An online version is also offered for those unable to travel.
Show Highlights
- Theme: "Mission Meets Moment" — helping higher education leaders meet a pivotal moment with clarity of purpose, bold strategies, and innovative business office solutions.
- Timely policy sessions: Briefings on federal legislative, regulatory, and political developments affecting higher education, including White House actions and implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, plus updates on the evolving federal grant environment and the proposed Joint Associations Group FAIR model.
- Inside Higher Ed Business Officer Survey: The results of Inside Higher Ed's latest annual survey of college and university business officers are published in conjunction with the meeting, with journalists and a panel of chief business officers exploring the findings.
- Peer-only sessions: Networking breakfasts and roundtable discussions on Sunday and Monday (July 19–20) are reserved for higher education institution attendees to facilitate candid discussion; sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and media are not eligible to attend these.
- Case-study programming: Practical sessions such as budget model transformation (e.g., Temple University's move away from Responsibility Center Management with NACUBO Consulting).
- Exhibit hall (EXPO): A marketplace connecting business officers with higher education service providers, featuring a Mobile App game (QR Quest).
- CPE credit is available for eligible sessions.
Booth Pricing
All exhibit booths are 10' x 10', priced at $4,750 for NACUBO members and $6,790 for non-members. Each 10x10 booth includes:
- A 10'x10' piped and draped booth
- One (1) complimentary full registration per booth (additional full registrations $1,050 each)
- Two (2) Expo-only registrations per booth (additional Expo-only registrations $425 each)
- Printed one-line booth identification sign and 24-hour security
- Company listing on the annual meeting website and Mobile App
- Access to the pre- and post-meeting registered attendees list
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in the EXPO and participation in the Mobile App Game (QR Quest)
Note: NACUBO warns that fraudulent vendors sometimes offer to sell the attendee list; the official registration list is sent only to contracted sponsors and exhibitors from a NACUBO email address.
Registration
Registration for the NACUBO 2026 Annual Meeting is handled through the official event pages on nacubo.org, with both an in-person option (Anaheim) and an online option (held via Zoom, July 20–21).
- Attendees: Register via the NACUBO event website; NACUBO membership offers member pricing benefits.
- Exhibitors: Reserve a booth through the Exhibitor Details page; booth fees include complimentary full and Expo-only registrations.
- Media: Members of the media may attend with advance registration, though NACUBO reserves the right to close any session or event to the press. Contact Katy McCreary with media questions.
- Online prerequisite: The online program is aimed at professionals with a minimum of 1–2 years of experience in higher education or a related private industry.
Please refer to the official website for current registration rates and deadlines.
History
The meeting is the annual gathering of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the membership organization serving chief business and financial officers at colleges and universities across the United States. The Annual Meeting rotates among major U.S. host cities each year; the 2026 edition is held in Anaheim, CA, under the theme "Mission Meets Moment."
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the NACUBO 2026 Annual Meeting?
The NACUBO 2026 Annual Meeting takes place July 18–21, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. An online version of the meeting is also offered via Zoom on July 20–21 for those unable to travel.
Who should attend the NACUBO Annual Meeting?
The meeting is designed for higher education business and financial leaders, including chief business officers, CFOs, VPs of finance, controllers, and senior administrators from public and private universities, community colleges, and independent institutions. Vendors and service providers that serve higher education also attend as exhibitors and sponsors.
What topics and sessions are featured at the 2026 meeting?
Under the theme 'Mission Meets Moment,' sessions cover federal policy and regulatory developments, the evolving federal grant environment and indirect cost recovery, budget model reform, and institutional resilience. The meeting also features the release of Inside Higher Ed's annual business officer survey and peer-only roundtable discussions, with CPE credit available.
How much does an exhibitor booth cost?
All booths are 10' x 10' and priced at $4,750 for NACUBO members and $6,790 for non-members. Each booth includes one complimentary full registration and two Expo-only registrations, with additional registrations available for a fee.
How do I get to the Anaheim Convention Center?
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the closest airport, about 13–14 miles and a 20-minute drive from the venue, while LAX is roughly 34–35 miles away. Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) buses stop at the Convention Center, and rideshare, taxis, and airport shuttles are widely available; the venue also offers more than 3,500 on-site parking spaces.
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