14 Higher Education Conferences to Attend in 2023

Since March 2020, higher ed conferences have been canceled, postponed, or pushed online. Many are returning to in-person formats for 2023; a few are staying fully virtual; and others are adopting hybrid models to accommodate attendees’ concerns. Some that have not been held since 2019 have set return dates, while others are bidding farewell after one final in-person conference. No matter the format, many more sessions are now available to registrants as on-demand content – a trend that seems likely to stay.

Of course, networking at virtual events simply is not the same, and many are happy to return to informal conversations and gatherings with old colleagues and new coworkers without the need for a web cam.

Here is our guide to the college leadership conferences that typically dot the higher education professional development calendar, with a breakdown of the current plans for how each will be held in 2022-23.

Jump to Section:

• Spring 2023
• Summer 2023
• Fall 2023
• Winter 2023-24

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Spring 2023

SXSW EDU Conference & Festivals 2023

• Website: https://schedule.sxswedu.com/?year=2023 
• When: March 6-9, 2023
• Where: Austin, TX
• Attendance: In-person and virtual
• Cost: $695

Held in Austin, Texas, the 2023 SXSW EDU Conference and Festivals is a four-day event offering compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, engaging learning experiences, mentorship, film screenings, future-focused competitions, an expo, networking opportunities and more. 

CUPRAP 2023

• Website: https://cuprap.org/conferences/spring-conference/
• When: March 8-10, 2023
• Where: Lancaster, PA
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: $500

The annual spring conference for College and University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania will be held at the Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott Penn Square in March. More information will be provided as it becomes available. 

AAC&U Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success

• Website: https://www.aacu.org/event/2023-conference-on-diversity-equity-and-student-success 
• When: March 8-11, 2023
• Where: Henderson, NV
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $125

After a return to an in-person format in 2022, the American Association of Colleges and Universities will host the annual conference on diversity, equity and student success in Henderson, Nevada. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

2023 UPCEA Annual Conference

• Website: https://conferences.upcea.edu/annual2023/ 
• When: March 22-24, 2023
• Where: Washington, D.C.
• Attendance: 
• Cost: Starting at $990

Boasting record attendance for the in-person event in spring 2022, the University Professional and Continuing Education Association will meet in Washington, D.C., in March 2023 to focus on partnerships, resilience, access and inclusion in higher education. 

AACRAO Annual Meeting

• Website: https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/annual-meeting
• When: March 26-29, 2023
• Where: Aurora, CO
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $495

Known for popular presenters since 2014, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will meet at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Conference Center for the March 2023 conference. More information will be provided as it becomes available. 

NASPA Annual Conference

• Website: https://conference.naspa.org 
• When: April 1-5, 2023
• Where: Boston, MA
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $485

After 4,000 connections made and 1,200 pre-conference attendees during the 2022 conference, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators will be welcoming attendees to Boston for the 2023 conference. More information will be provided as it becomes available. 

NAGAP 2023 Graduate Enrollment Management Summit

• Website: https://www.nagap.org/events/conferences
• When: April 12-15, 2023
• Where: New York, NY
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $350

Mark the calendar for the April 2023 conference hosted by the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals in New York. With a growing list of exhibitors and presenters, the conference is a must attend for those dedicated to graduate enrollment management. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

University of Illinois Web Con

• Website: https://webcon.illinois.edu/
• When: April 13-14, 2023
• Attendance: Virtual only
• Cost: $200

In its 23rd year as a virtual conference, the University of Illinois Web Con showcases web technology and tools to content producers, social media marketers, web developers and more. The two-day event will include high-tech and low-tech presentations, as well as content regarding diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and allyship as these topics relate to web development and marketing.   

Confab

• Website: https://www.confabevents.com/
• When: April 30-May 3, 2023
• Where: Minneapolis, MN
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $1,595

Confab will be abandoning the in-person event after the spring 2023 conference. First hosted in 2011, Confab has been dedicated to content strategy; however, after much consideration in light of the pandemic, the team has decided to have “one last hurrah” before venturing into new territory. 

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Summer 2023

HETL Conference 2023

• Website: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/conferences/hetl-2023.php 
• When: June 12-14, 2023
• Where: Aberdeen, Scotland
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $255

The University of Aberdeen will be hosting the 2023 International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association conference in June. Focusing on re-imagining education through collaboration and compassion, the conference will encompass four themes: inclusive, interdisciplinary, international and sustainable. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Watermark Engage 2023

• Website: https://watermarkengage.com 
• When: June 13-15, 2023
• Where: Austin, TX
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $349

Watermark Engage will hold the 2023 conference at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Texas. The event will span two days and be filled with keynotes, presentations, networking with peers and education leaders, product trainings and certifications for higher education administrators.

CASE Annual Conference on Marketing and Branding

• Website: https://www.case.org/conferences-training
• When: June 26-28, 2023
• Where: Seattle, WA
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $1,075

Designed for professionals with mid-level responsibility, CASE’s annual conference on marketing and branding will provide insights into how to start the brand strategy process, gain stakeholder buy-in, build the optimal organization and determine metrics that matter and develop inspiring creative work that supports the team’s effort.

eduWeb Summit

• Website: https://www.eduwebsummit.com
• When: July 18-20, 2023
• Where: Washington, DC
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at $975

Rethinking the conference experience, eduWeb has moved away from soliciting session proposals to asking direct questions of session goers. The summit partners then work together to find solutions to the problems facing the higher ed industry. Heading into its 18th year, the 2023 summit will include workshops, master classes and leadership institute.

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Fall 2023

NACAC National Conference

• Website: https://nacacconference.org
• When: September 21-23, 2023
• Where: Baltimore, MD
• Attendance: In-person
• Cost: Starting at 

With more than 6,000 registered attendees and 200 exhibitors, the Baltimore Convention Center will be brimming with college admission counseling professionals sharing best practices, inspirational ideas, cutting-edge research and professional stories.

Higher Education Conferences Happening in Winter 2023-24

Did we miss any higher ed conferences? Have any of these been updated already? Let us know on Twitter @volthighered.