Higher Education Conferences in 2025 to Put on Your Radar

By: Jesse Homan Sep 20, 2024

Looking for higher education conferences to attend in 2025? 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 28 higher education conferences we’re excited about in 2025. 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!

InsightsEDU 2025 – Marketing and Enrollment Management for Adult and Online Education
Date: February 12-14, 2025
Location: The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans

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.
2025 Presidents Institute
Date: January 4–7, 2025
Location: San Antonio, TX

The Council of Independent Colleges’ 2025 Presidents Institute serves as a pivotal gathering amid the shifting higher education environment, offering a space for leaders to address key challenges. The 2025 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.
SXSW EDU Conference & Festival 2025
Date: March 3-6, 2025
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.
2025 UPCEA Annual Conference
Date: March 24-26, 2025
Location: Denver, CO

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.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) 2025
Date: April 12-16, 2025
Location: Nashville, TN

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.
The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO) 110^th Annual Meeting
Date: March 30 – April 2, 2025
Location: Seattle, WA

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.
OLC Innovate 2025
Date: April 1-4, 2025
Location: Nashville, TN

The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a group of higher education leaders and innovators who work to advance quality digital teaching and learning experiences. OLC Innovate 2025 offers educators of all experience levels to explore, share, and advance digital and blended learning. Themed “The Rhythm of Innovation: Hitting the High Notes in Digital Education,” the conference will reimagine how today’s disruptions shape tomorrow’s classrooms.
2024 Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Annual Conference
Date: April 5-8, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL

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. The 2025 conference will explore how colleges and universities use higher education to address evolving student and societal needs, impart workforce skills, fuel innovation, and tackle today’s most pressing challenges.
ASU+GSV Summit 2025 – Learning at the Speed of Light
Date: April 6-9, 2025
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.
NAGAP, The Association for Graduate Enrollment – 2025 Graduate Enrollment Management Summit
Date: April 23-26, 2025
Location: San Francisco, CA

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.
Digital University Week – Inside Higher Ed/Times Higher Education
Date: May 2025
Location: TBD

Digital University Week, hosted by Inside Higher Ed and Times Higher Education, brings together leaders in higher education’s digital transformation to explore the opportunities and challenges of a digital-first future. The event focuses on overcoming institutional silos, fostering industry collaboration, and maximizing resources while emphasizing a human-centered approach for equitable digital learning. The series offers an intimate setting for impactful conversations, sparking new ideas and building connections to reshape the future of education.
2025 Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) Convention
Date: May 27-29, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV

The 2025 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.
Slate Summit 2025
Date: June 25-27, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV

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.
eduWeb Summit 2025
Date: July 15-17, 2025
Location: Portland, ME

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.
UPCEA DT&L and SOLA+R 2024 – Distance Teaching & Learning Conference and Summit for Online Leadership & Administration + Roundtable
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

UPCEA’s DT&L and SOLA+R event combines 2 conferences into 1 seamless experience. It captures all the elements of digital transformation and leadership in a holistic way—from teaching and learning to leadership and administration—preserving the salient issues for two distinct professional communities, while catalyzing dialogue across all facets of the larger field. This event is ideal for key campus leaders – presidents, provost, deans, instructional designers, faculty, and other focused on digital leadership.

UPCEA DT&L and SOLA+R 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
UNCF Unite 2025
Date: July 20-24, 2025
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.

UNCF Unite 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
HashtagHigherEd 2025
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

HashtagHigherEd is a dedicated forum of professionals in higher education marketing and communications to converge, fostering the exchange of best practices amidst the complexities of a competitive and ever-evolving landscape. This dedicated forum provides a space for these professionals to collaboratively discuss effective communication, marketing, and branding strategies tailored to the unique challenges of the higher education sector.

HashtagHigherEd US 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
HighEdWeb Association Annual Conference 2025
Date: September 28-October 1, 2025
Location: Online and Grand Rapids, Michigan

Connect with colleagues and explore the impact of digital media on higher education at the HighEdWeb Annual Conference 2025. 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.
NACAC Conference 2025
Date: September 18-20, 2025
Location: Columbus, OH

The NACAC Conference 2025 will gather over 6,000 dedicated counselors in Los Angeles 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.
UPCEA Convergence
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

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.

UPCEA Convergence 2025 conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
P3 EDU – Innovation and Public-Private Partnership in Higher Education
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

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.

P3 EDU 2025 conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
Educause Annual Conference 2025
Date: October 27-29, 2025
Location: Nashville, TN and 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.

The Educause Annual 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

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.

The 2025 AMA Symposium Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
OLC Accelerate 2025
Date: November 17-20, 2025
Location: Orlando, FL

The OLC Accelerate 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.

The OLC Accelerate 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
UPCEA MEMS 2025
Date: TBD
Location: TBD

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.

UPCEA MEMS 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view the 2024 event page for more information.
NAICU 2025 Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day
Date: February 2-5, 2025
Location: 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.
WCET 37th Annual Meeting
Date: October 21-23, 2025
Location: Denver, CO

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.

WCET 2025 Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.
2025 Engage Summit
Date: June 24-26, 2025
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.

The 2025 Engage Summit Conference details have not been released at this time, but you can view last year’s event page for more information.

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.