2024 Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education | Sept 30 - October 2, 2024 | Ritz Carlton | New Orleans, LA | UPCEA + AACRAO

2025 Convergence Exhibiting and Sponsorship Opportunities


Presented jointly by UPCEA and AACRAO, two of the organizations most critical to the future development and implementation of innovative credentials, this event brings together key campus stakeholders in credential innovation—deans of professional education, chief online learning officers, registrars, and their staff—to define and develop their institutional strategy with respect to alternative credentials.


For more information on exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities below, please contact:
Brandan Kaiser, 202-844-4242, email bkaiser@upcea.edu


 

Audience
The event offers content for: 

  • Senior leaders responsible for institutional strategy for alternative credentials  
  • Administrators working in the credentialing space, including program development, credential delivery, etc.    
  • Registrars and other related professionals 

Exhibit Registration Type   

Price

Member (UPCEA or AACRAO)

$3,200 by August 15, 2025; $3,400 after

Non-Member

$4,900 by August 15, 2025; $5,100 after


Note: Prices include two (2) full conference registrations. Additional registrations for exhibitors can be purchased at the Member or Institutional Non-member attendee registration rate. Registering for an exhibit only reserves a table in the exhibit hall. Please read the Rules/Regulations for further information. Please note, this is an exhibit table and NOT an exhibit booth. Included with the exhibit is a 6’ table and two chairs. Please limit any signage or backdrop to no wider than 6’ and less than 18” in depth.


Expected Attendance: 600+
Exhibitors: 40 Tabletop Exhibits

2025 Dates and Location
September 29-October 1, 2025
Gateway Marriott - Arlington, VA
Your Exhibit Table Package Includes:
  • Two (2) full conference attendee registrations Participate with attendees and learn first-hand about the challenges, strategies and new developments at their institutions.
  • Dedicated time in the exhibit hall for networking with attendees
  • Logo placement on conference website and signage, as well as company information in printed program, and/or in the mobile conference app. Logo will link to company web address on website and mobile app.
  • Pre-event Exhibit Hall email UPCEA will send out a communication to all attendees one week prior to the event that highlights exhibitors, exhibit hall activities and conference sponsors
  • Pre- and post- attendee mailing address list (no emails or phone numbers included)
  • Furnished exhibit space
  • Each exhibit package includes (1) 6-foot draped table and (2) chairs.
  • Free WiFi is included in all conference spaces, including the exhibit area.

  • * Please note that electricity is not included and if needed, will need to be purchased in advance of the conference to guarantee an electrical hook up at your table.


Events in the Exhibit Area
  • Opening Night Reception
  • Breakfasts on September 30 and October 1
  • All Networking Breaks

Exhibit Area Hours (Tentative)
  • September 29 - 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
  • September 30 - 7:15 AM to 5 PM
  • October 1 - 7:15 AM to 12:15 PM

Customized Sponsorship Options  
UPCEA is open to customized options to help you reach your goal and build brand awareness. 

Options include, but are not limited to: 

  • Wireless Internet sponsor 
  • Conference meals and refreshment breaks 
  • Notepads and pens at registration desk
  • Charging Stations
  • Reception bar sponsor
If interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brandan Kaiser, bkaiser@upcea.edu or 202-844-4242. 

Corporate Membership
We invite you to learn more about UPCEA and take advantage of the benefits afforded the corporate community. Contact Brandan Kaiser, bkaiser@upcea.edu to learn more.


Cancellation of Booth Space
All requests to cancel a booth space must be made in writing to Brandan Kaiser at bkaiser@upcea.edu. If an exhibitor places a cancellation, the following shall apply:

  • A 40% refund will be granted where notice of cancellation is received by UPCEA 60 days prior to the first day of the event
  • No refund will be granted for cancellation requests received less than 60 days prior to the first day of the event. Once the booth is canceled, UPCEA reserves the right to resell the space.



Affiliated Events Policy 

The association has gone to great lengths and expense to negotiate and contract for a reduced room rate at conference hotels. That rate is based upon the projected attendance at the meeting. If corporate member and nonmember attendees elect to stay at other hotels, it subjects the association to attrition penalties that can cause significant financial loss to the association. We count on our corporate community to support the association, and one of the ways to do that is to honor our efforts to secure a sufficiently large room block at a reduced rate at a first-class hotel/conference venue.   

For these reasons, corporate member and nonmember attendees are prohibited from holding any meetings (briefings, seminars, etc.) within a 25-mile radius, targeting professional, continuing, and online leaders in higher education during the scheduled hours of UPCEA events unless otherwise negotiated and scheduled with and by UPCEA. Any such meeting occurring within 36 hours before or after the UPCEA conference must be coordinated with UPCEA and, space permitting, be held at the conference hotel. This policy helps ensure that the association’s contracted obligations to the hotel for guest rooms and food and beverage minimums are met, which is essential for the financial health of the association and its members. If UPCEA cannot find space for the corporate member or nonmember attendee’s event at the contracted hotel, we will work to help find alternative space. In no circumstances, however, is it permissible for a corporate member or nonmember attendee to contract a separate hotel block, either at the conference hotel or elsewhere. 

UPCEA reserves the right to prohibit corporate member and nonmember attendees who violate this policy from exhibiting or participating at UPCEA events.