UCDA Design Conference: Confluence

The beautiful thing about our line of work is there are a multitude of paths to take to accomplish the same goal. A project often begins with a concept, that concept evolves into a network of ideas, and those ideas begin to take shape and express themselves over a vast array of photography, design, illustration, and writing. It often resembles a system of tributaries that, when isolated, may not have much impact, but at their confluence, a mighty river of type, image, and message influences their audience in a way that every single channel could not.

The 53rd annual UCDA Design Conference is hosted in the diverse international city of Atlanta where trade, design, and innovation are seeing unprecedented growth. A booming arts district, a confluence of culture, and a line-up of dynamic speakers, workshops, and community are sure to ignite your senses, providing you with the inspiration that you need.

Benefits of Attending

Every year, we look forward to connecting with our design community at the conference where we take an in-depth look at the issues and trends in design and communication communities, both in and out of educational institutions, and gain inspiration to spark our creativity and improve our collaborations. The UCDA Design Conference is an incredibly important event for UCDA and it’s one of our favorite ways to celebrate all of you. It will have main stage and breakout session speakers, the annual UCDA Design Awards, and the UCDA Foundation’s auction.

EDUCATION
Specially curated main stage and breakout sessions over four days that cover the gamut of work you do, plus additional content happenings throughout the conference.

NETWORKING
UCDA is your people. It's time to connect and share stories with the folks who do what you do so you can charge your creative battery.

INSPIRATION
Get inspired by the stories of others in your field, and by the award-winning work in the UCDA Design Awards Show.

Convince Your Boss

Tired of online meetings and need some inspiration? UCDA has you covered. Connect with your design community in person at the 2023 UCDA Design Conference!

Use our Convince Your Boss letter to advocate for your professional development by attending the 2023 UCDA Design Conference in Atlanta.

2022 UCDA Design Conference attendees and opening night entertainment (photos by Matthew Lester).

Who Should Attend

• Communication professionals at all levels of their careers
• Designers in communications, marketing, alumni relations, and development
• Newcomers to the profession
• Creatives who would like to connect with their peers across the country
  
  

Conference Pass

The Conference Pass gets you access to all the scheduled conference activities, programming (main stage and breakouts), and meals except the pre-conference workshops/add-ons where pre-registration and an additional fee are required. 

2022 UCDA Design Conference attendees and speakers (photos by Matthew Lester).

Registration

Be sure to log in before you click the Register button to take advantage of your UCDA member or emeritus discounted pricing.

 Register here for single-day passes

See UCDA’s cancellation policy.

TWO WAYS TO REGISTER
1. Online
Click the "REGISTER" button at the right to register online. You will be able to register for the conference as well as any optional activities (add-ons) including pre-conference workshops, publication swap shop, guest meal pass, and more.

2. Call Us
Call us at 615-459-4559 and we can register you by phone. Please have your payment information available.

The 2022 UCDA Design Conference offered opportunities for inspirational speakers inside the meeting room with hands-on opportunities and additional sponsor-led content during the Expo. (photos by Matthew Lester and Tadson Busssey).

VOLUNTEER
Be sure to indicate “yes” on the Conference Registration form and a volunteer coordinator will be in touch. For more information, contact the UCDA Home Office at 615-459-4559, or email info@ucda.com.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Looking for a powerful way to introduce your product or service to graphic designers in higher education and at educational institutions this year? Make plans now to join the University & College Designers Association for its annual UCDA Design Conference! Interested in exhibiting at the UCDA Resource Center at the conference or becoming a sponsor? Contact UCDA at info@ucda.com or 615-459-4559 to learn more!

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

EXHIBITORS

PARTNERS

Conference Chair/Co-Chair

Sean Payne, Conference Chair
Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing, College Advancement
Ogeechee Technical College

Alex Parsons, Conference Co-chair
Creative Director of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)
Michigan State University

The recently renovated InterContinental Hotel Buckhead will be host to the 2023 UCDA Design Conference.

Lodging and Travel

CONFERENCE SITE
The 53rd annual UCDA Design Conference will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta (north of downtown). Rooms will be limited this year because of all the activities going on in and around Atlanta mid-October.

Intercontinental Hotel
3315 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326                               
404-946-9000

INSIDER TIP: BOOK YOUR ROOM EARLY
UCDA has a limited room block at the conference hotel, so you are encouraged to book early.

DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES
To secure your room, contact the hotel directly at 404-946-9000 and mention the UCDA Design Conference to receive your room at the rate of $209 (single or double). You may also. book online at https://book.passkey.com/go/UCDADesignConference23. The deadline to receive this rate has been extended until September 18, based on availability.

The rate is also available two days pre- and post-conference, based on availability. After that date, rooms may be available at the prevailing rate.

The hotel stay is not included in the conference registration fees. You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations. Room blocks may fill before the hotel deadline and have sold out the last few years, so please make your reservation immediately to ensure the discounted rate and availability.

GETTING TO ATLANTA
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ALT) is located just south of downtown Atlanta and is a global gateway, offering nonstop service to more than 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. 
https://www.atl.com

The Peachtree Station (Amtrak) and is approximately 5 miles south of the InterContinental Buckhead hotel standing in the Brookwood Hills neighborhood. The depot was conceived as an Italian Renaissance pavilion with classical features including pilasters, columns, and a prominent entablature.
https://www.amtrak.com/stations/atl

MARTA
MARTA is Atlanta’s rapid transit rail system. It carries passengers from the airport up to Buckhead and beyond, and east and west through Atlanta’s neighborhoods. When flying into the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it's easy to get to the hotel using the Atlanta metro train transport system (MARTA). MARTA's Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal, between the North and South baggage claims.
https://www.itsmarta.com

Red Line
The Red line travels directly to Buckhead (the station is approx. 3 blocks from the hotel) Note: If you’re traveling after 8:30 p.m., you may need to take the Gold line (Doraville) train from the airport and transfer to a Red line (North Springs) train at Lindbergh Center station. 

Train Stations and Schedules
https://www.itsmarta.com/train-stations-and-schedules.aspx

Mobile App
https://www.itsmarta.com/marta-on-the-go.aspx

INSIDER TIP: TAKE MARTA TO THE HOTEL
We recommend taking Marta from the airport. With Atlanta’s well-known traffic, it’s the easiest (and quickest) form of transportation. You may buy a one way ticket (includes four free transfers within a three-hour period) or a one-day pass. You can also use MARTA to travel between downtown Atlanta if there are any locataions you want to visit while there!

CARBON OFFSETS
For $20, you may purchase and offset the carbon created by your travel. Participants will receive a luggage tag and will be purchasing 1-1/2 tons, no matter the distance.

Details

GUEST MEAL PASS
A guest meal pass gets your guest access to all of the event-sponsored meals and breaks including Saturday night’s opening mixer; lunch and dessert reception on Sunday; breakfast on Monday and Tuesday; and the closing reception of the UCDA Foundation Auction on Monday.

UCDA FOUNDATION AUCTION
Each year we ask our members, speakers, sponsors, and anyone in our profession to submit items to be auctioned off during the UCDA Design Conference. Funds collected are used for the foundations' scholarships programs.

Objects made by our members including photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, posters, jewelry, ceramics, weavings, cards, books, etc., are especially well-received by conference attendees. Also, quirky and unusual items such as pop-up books, collectibles, and objects d'art do extremely well in the silent auction.

Items for the auction can be mailed to the UCDA Home Office, or bring them with you to the conference and turn them in at the registration desk.

You may also contribute to the UCDA Foundation outside of the auction with a monetary donation.

1. Give or pledge online at the UCDA Foundation website
2. Give using CashApp: $UCDAFoundation
3. Give using PayPal

CODE OF CONDUCT
Please see UCDA’s Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy, including our Statement of Inclusiveness. We expect conference participants to follow these rules at program venues and program-related social events, along with the COVID-19 Code of Conduct (subject to change based on local requirements).

CANCELLATIONS
See UCDA’s cancellation policy.