2024 UCDA Design Conference

Thursday, September 26 - Sunday, September 29
JW Marriott  |  Indianapolis, Indiana

Join us for the 54th UCDA Design Conference at the beautiful JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. Known as the Crossroads of America, this centrally located, mid-size city is a great place for members from all over the country to converge, network, and engage in professional development programming. The theme of our conference this year is Interchange—referring to the action in communication of freely exchanging ideas and information between two or more people. 

Benefits of Attending

Every year, designers and other communications professionals, as well as design educators and students, look forward to connecting with one another at the conference to enjoy the numerous benefits. The annual conference provides a forum for taking an in-depth look at the latest design and communication trends, issues, and developments that are especially pertinent to designers who work within academic institutions. We also take a look at issues and trends important to the design profession and design-adjacent professions on a broader scale. We gain insight and inspiration to spark our creativity, increase our motivation, and improve our collaborations. The conference provides vital in-person professional development, education, networking, and opportunity to expand our professional community. 

Programming

The 2024 conference will provide a balanced and broad menu of main stage and breakout session offerings that will cover four areas of focus: technology, inspiration, professional practice, and education. We will also feature the Design Awards Show and the popular silent auction, as well as plenty of opportunities to network and socialize with fellow conference attendees.

Technology: Technology sessions provide attendees an opportunity to learn about new technologies relavent to the design role within an institution; see how new technology or software can be used to their advantage, or to learn what can be expected in the near future, and how it will impact their colleges or universities.

Inspiration: Inspiration sessions involve engaging your intellect and sparking your creativity. These sessions inspire us to look at our work or our lives in a different way, help us see things in a different light, or rejuvenate our senses. 

Professional Practice: Professional Practice sessions provide practical learning, hands-on experiences, or "how-to" type sessions on design and design-related topics, these are “Steps to do this…” or “How to....”, this can also include information on developing soft skills such as communications, ethics, schedule management, and project management as well as guidance for career advancement, building a freelance practice, or other professional topics. 

Education: Education sessions provide content rich offerings for educators, especially those seeking a tenured track position. Topics may include research, writing, pedagogy, and curriculum. Education sessions may also cover educational topics for professional designers who are looking to deepen and broaden their knowledge of design. 

Who Should Attend

• Design and communication professionals at all levels of their careers from all departments within university and colleges.
• Designers in communications professionals who work in other sectors.
• Design educators and design students.
• Newcomers to the profession.
• Creatives who would like to connect with their peers across the country.
• Companies who would like to build business relationships with our attendees.

Use our Convince Your Boss letter to advocate for your professional development by attending the UCDA Design Conference. https://www.ucda.com/membership-convince-your-boss/

Registration

Register online now to get the best rates and secure your spot. Choose your rate and click on the Register button on the right column of this page. Register before May 31 to get the best rate. 

 Single Day Pass option will be released on June 1. 

Lodging and Travel

Conference Site:
JW Marriott
10 S West St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-822-8554
MarriottIndyPlace.com

Discounted Hotel Rate: $199 standard room rate available between Sept. 23-30, 2024. Standard rates apply outside of these dates. To receive the discount and ensure a room, reservations by attendees must be received before Friday, August 23, 2024, at 4:00 PM EST. 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. Use this link to make your reservations under the conference discount:  https://book.passkey.com/go/UCDAAnnual2024

Insider Tip: Book your room and flight early. 
UCDA has a limited room block at the conference hotel, so you are encouraged to book early.

Air Travel: Indianapolis International Airport (https://www.ind.com/) is accessible by all major airlines. While we are not endorsing one airline over another and attendees should make their own choice based on preference, Southwest Airlines offers very competitive rates and flights from numerous locations around the country. 

Schedule and Speakers

Schedule and speaker announcements coming soon.

UCDA Design Awards Competition and Show

Enter your design work today. Winning entries will receive recognition and be on display at in the Design Awards Show at the UCDA 2024 Design Conference. 

UCDA Design Awards Call for Entries Open Now
Standard Rate Deadline: May 24  |  Late Entry Fee Deadline: June 3

 https://www.ucda.com/designawards/

Design Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

Showcase your product or service and build business relationships with graphic designers and other communication professionals in higher education. Connecting with our group of influencers and decision makers is the best way to get your company connected with educational institutions and forward your brand.

There are four (4) branding exposure opportunities: 

Presenting Sponsor: This is available to only one (1) company. Put your brand above all others, stand out, and get noticed by making this the UCDA Design Conference presented by your company. Numerous points of access and promotional benefits above regular sponsorship including being featured at one (1) virtual Creative Conversation or Webinar.

Design Awards Presenting Sponsor: This is available to only one (1) company. Put your brand above all others, stand out, and get noticed by making this the UCDA Design Conference presented by your company. Numerous points of access and promotional benefits above regular sponsorship including being featured at one (1) virtual Creative Conversation or Webinar.

Event Sponsor: Three levels—gold, silver, bronze—each with benefits and a cost point to meet your company's marketing goals and budget. Sponsorship can be provided monetarily or as in-kind donation. 

Design Expo Exhibitor: Place your company's representatives directly in front and in conversations with our attendees. At an incredible value, you get multiple hours with our attendees, plus breakfast, at this lively and much anticipated exhibition event. 

Contact Sponsorship Director Stephen Russell at ucdasponsorship@gmail.com or Executive Director Susan Matherne at susan@ucda.com.

Conference Chairperson and Co-Chairperson

Volunteer — Join the Design Conference Committee
To volunteer for the design conference committee, contact Leslie Ehler at ucdamembership@gmail.com. 

Past Conferences: https://www.ucda.com/past-conferences-1/

Special Accommodations
If you require special accommodations, please call the office at 615-459-4559 or email us at info@ucda.com

Photos of Indianapolis provided with permission by Visit Indy.
Photos from past design conferences by Matthew Lester.