2026 UCDA Design Conference
Save the Date!
Join us in Kansas City, Missouri, for the 56th annual UCDA Design Conference: November 4-7, 2026.
Benefits of Attending
Each year, the UCDA Design Conference brings together designers, educators, communicators, and students to connect, learn, and get inspired. It’s your chance to dive into the latest design and communication trends—especially those that matter most in higher education—and explore what’s happening across the broader design world. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, creative energy, and new ways to collaborate. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to grow your skills, meet new people, and be part of a vibrant, supportive professional community.
Programming
The 2026 UCDA Design Conference will offer a mix of mainstage presentations and breakout sessions designed to inform, inspire, and energize. Our programming will focus on four key areas: Technology, Inspiration, Professional Practice, and Education—each curated to meet the needs of creatives working in and around higher education.
- Technology: Stay on top of the latest tools, trends, and tech shaping the design world. Whether you’re exploring new software, discovering how emerging technologies impact your institution, or preparing for what’s next, these sessions are designed to keep you informed and adaptable.
- Inspiration: These sessions are all about sparking creativity and shifting perspectives. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to see your work—and the world—through a new lens.
- Professional Practice: Dig into practical, hands-on learning designed to boost your everyday work. You’ll find “how-to” sessions, skill-building workshops, and advice on everything from communication and ethics to time management, freelancing, and career growth.
- Education: Tailored for design educators and lifelong learners alike, these content-rich sessions cover topics like research, pedagogy, curriculum development, and more. Whether you’re on a tenure track or expanding your design expertise, these sessions offer valuable insight and support.
In addition to sessions, we’ll celebrate outstanding work at the UCDA Design Awards Show, host the always-popular Publications Swap Shop, celebrate creative excellence with the Krider Prize winner, get into friendly bidding wars during the UCDA Foundation Silent Auction, and make plenty of space for networking and casual connection throughout the event. Plus, our Expo provides the perfect opportunity to connect directly with the vendors, sponsors, and professionals who support your work.
Who Should Attend
- Design and communication professionals at all levels of their careers from all departments within universities and colleges
- Designers in communications professions 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 that would like to build business relationships with our attendees
Use our Convince Your Boss letter template to advocate for your professional development by attending the UCDA Design Conference.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 conference will open in May. More information on registration rates and deadlines will be available soon.
Professional Development Scholarships
UCDA recognizes the importance of lifelong learning and supports members through the UCDA Foundation’s professional development scholarship program. This program provides opportunities for members to attend the UCDA Design Conference. This year, the UCDA Foundation is supporting two scholarships: Professional Development and Elevating Black Voices in Design.
Application deadline is June 30. For more details, visit the UCDA Professional Scholarships web page.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City is one of America’s most unexpectedly vibrant creative capitals. Sitting at the heart of the nation, KC is effortlessly accessible from every direction.
Kansas City’s cultural credentials are anything but flyover. The city boasts more fountains than Rome and more boulevard miles than Paris, but its greatest arteries pulse through one of the most concentrated corridors of art and design education in the country. The 2026 UCDA Design Conference takes place steps away from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Kansas City Art Institute — one of the nation’s premier colleges of art and design.
Gallery-hop between world-class collections, then lose yourself in the independent studios, bookshops, and coffee houses that line the surrounding streets. Kansas City’s famed barbecue, celebrated restaurant scene, and legendary jazz heritage give every evening its own distinct flavor.
Learn more at visitkc.com.
Conference Site
Programming and events for the 2026 Design Conference will take place across multiple venues in and around the city’s famed Country Club Plaza neighborhood. You’ll be steps from the premier shopping and dining district, as well as the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Our UCDA “home base” will be located in the conference hotel, the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza. Here, you’ll find our registration and info desk as well as the 2026 UCDA Design Awards Show, which will be on view throughout the conference. We’ll gather for mainstage presentations, breakout sessions, and workhops on the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute, just a short walk from the hotel.
Travel & Lodging
Conference Hotel: Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
4445 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
The Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza sits at the center of one of the city’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Kansas City Art Institute are all just steps away. The iconic Country Club Plaza is within easy walking distance, featuring upscale dining, boutique shopping, and vibrant nightlife. For those looking to explore further, the free KC Streetcar stops just outside the hotel, connecting guests effortlessly to downtown Kansas City and beyond.
Book with our UCDA Discounted Hotel Rate: $169 per night
Rate available Monday, November 2, to Saturday, November 7.
Standard rates apply outside of these dates. To receive the discount and ensure a room, your reservations must be received by the hotel before September 27, 2026, and booked directly with the Marriott Country Club Plaza. Booking link available soon.
Your hotel stay is not included in the conference registration fees, and you are responsible for making your own reservations. The room block may fill before the hotel deadline, so please make your reservation early to ensure availability and the discounted rate.
Air Travel
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) offers direct flights from major cities across the country — making it one of the most convenient regional airports in the Midwest. Recently transformed by a stunning new terminal that opened in 2023, MCI greets travelers with a modern, stress-free experience from the moment they land. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the conference hotel, making arrival and departure a seamless part of your Kansas City experience.
2026 Krider Prize Winner Astha Thakkar
Krider Prize for Creativity
Created in 2009, the Krider Prize for Creativity honors creative excellence wherever it may be found. Recognizing that inspiration can come from a broad range of fields and experiences, the Krider Prize honors and showcases the accomplishments of standout creatives and serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for conference attendees.
Named in honor of John A. Krider, a UCDA founding member and advocate for creativity in design, the Krider Prize is a key component of the annual UCDA Design Conference. Learn more about the Krider Prize and past recipients.
UCDA Design Awards Show
The 2026 UCDA Design Awards Show will feature the winning entries from this year’s design competition. Winning entries are recognized during a Mainstage presentation, followed by the opening of the awards show, which will be on view throughout the conference.
For more than 50 years, the UCDA Design Awards competition has recognized the best in exceptional design and creative work as part of our mission to promote design excellence, support educational institutions, and drive the exchange of ideas and information relating to the unique role creatives play in education and the world.
The UCDA Design Awards are judged by a hand-picked panel of peer jurors composed of designers, design educators, photographers, and illustrators working in or doing a significant portion of their work for educational institutions—they understand the environments in which you create.
The 2026 UCDA Design Awards call for entries opens April 15. Learn more.
View the gallery of the 2025 winners.
UCDA Foundation Silent Auction
Support professional development in design by participating in the UCDA Foundation Silent Auction. Held during the conference, the auction raises funds for scholarships that help members—both new and long-standing—attend the event.
Bring your donation with you to the conference or send it ahead. Popular items include member-made artwork, unique collectibles, and locally inspired treasures from the host city. All proceeds go directly to supporting UCDA and its mission to advance designers in education. Donate or bid to make a meaningful impact while celebrating creativity!
Learn more about the UCDAF Silent Auction.
Vendor Expo
The Vendor Expo is a highlight of the UCDA Design Conference, giving attendees a dedicated opportunity to connect directly with vendors and learn about their products and services related to printing, paper, digital solutions, and other tools essential to marketing, communications, and design work. The Expo is designed to provide ample time for attendees to visit with vendors and explore topics relevant to producing high-quality design and communications work. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view exhibitors’ products and walk away with inspiring physical samples to spark creativity back home.
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities
Showcase your product or service and build business relationships with creative professionals working in education. Connecting with our group of influencers and decision-makers is the best way to connect your company with educational institutions and move your brand forward.
There are multiple levels of sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact UCDA Executive Director Katharine McCann (katharine@ucda.com) and UCDA Sponsorship Director Stephen Russell (sponsorship@ucda.com).
Conference Chair and Co-Chair
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Sergio Solorzano |
Kelly McMurray |
Get Involved! Join the design conference committee or the on-site volunteer team.
To join the design conference committee, contact UCDA Membership Directors Leslie Ehler and Alex Parsons at membership@ucda.com.
Special Accommodations
If you require special accommodations, please get in touch with the UCDA office at info@ucda.com or 615-459-4559.
Cancellation Policy
Please review the UCDA Cancellation Policy for details on registration cancellation, refunds, or transfers.
Hotel photos courtesy of Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza. Kansas City photos courtesy of Visit Kansas City.
Location:
Kansas City
Missouri