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Event ovERVIEW


Join your colleagues at AIRC's 18th Annual Conference, held at the Omni Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, from December 1-4, 2026. The AIRC Annual Conference brings together 400+ professionals to discuss best practices and strategies in international enrollment management. The 4-day conference features 35+ breakout sessions, engaging plenaries, community meet-ups, exhibit hall networking hours, and social activities.


The 2026 conference theme, “Strategic IEM Approaches for a New Era,” emphasizes the necessity of forward-thinking leadership within a rapidly transforming international education landscape. The realities of this new era require stakeholders to unify and co-create innovative solutions, leveraging new tools, models, and ways of thinking to ensure a sustainable and purposeful future for international enrollment management.


Who Attends?

  • Four-Year Colleges and Universities
  • Community Colleges
  • Secondary Schools
  • Graduate Schools and Programs
  • English Language Programs
  • AIRC Certified Educational Agencies and Phase 1 Applicants
  • Service Providers
  • AIRC Sponsors and Strategic Partners


Top Reasons to Attend

  • Improve your international student recruitment strategies
  • Build stronger and more diverse global partnerships
  • Access exclusive in-person professional development opportunities
  • Ensure compliance with AIRC's Standards and best practices
  • Learn from top experts on the latest trends and insights in international enrollment management


Attending the AIRC Annual Conference is an investment in your professional growth, your institution or organization, and the quality of international student recruitment. AIRC is committed to helping make attendance more accessible and affordable for as many members as possible.


Hotel Travel Grants

To help reduce the cost of attending, AIRC offers a limited number of hotel travel grants for eligible attendees. These grants are designed to offset lodging expenses and make it easier for professionals from a variety of institutions and organizations to participate in the conference. Learn more and apply for the Hotel Travel Grant here.


Make the Case to your Leadership

Need approval from your supervisor or leadership? AIRC has developed customizable template letters to help you communicate the value of attending the Annual Conference.

These templates highlight how participation can strengthen your IEM strategies, expand your professional network with trusted partners, provide practical insights on emerging trends, and deliver actionable ideas you can bring back to benefit your team. Simply personalize the letter with your goals and expected outcomes before sharing it with your supervisor.

Download Template for Agencies Download Template for Institutions

registration fees

Early bird rates end October 2, 2026


Registration fees cover all conference days and include all plenaries, sessions, and meals listed below. Pre-conference workshops on Tuesday are extra as are exhibits and sponsored items. Guest tickets for receptions are for non-conference attendees/family members.


AIRC Certified Agency 

  • Early Bird - $700.00
  • Regular - $775.00

AIRC Applicant Agency Phase 2

  • Early Bird - $700.00
  • Regular - $775.00

AIRC Individual Member 

  • Early Bird - $775.00
  • Regular - $850.00

AIRC Institutional or Service Provider Member

  • Early Bird - $775.00
  • Regular - $850.00

Non-Member Institution 

  • Early Bird - $1,125.00
  • Regular - $1,200.00

Non-Member Sponsor 

  • Early Bird - $1,125.00
  • Regular - $1,200.00


Meals Included

  • [Pre-conference workshops include lunch on Tue]
  • Refreshments/apps at the opening reception, happy hour, and trivia
  • Breakfast Wed, Thu, Fri
  • Lunch Wed, Thu
  • Coffee breaks Wed, Thu, Fri
  • Closing toast (non-alcoholic) Fri


SECONDARY SCHOOLS

New this year, we are pleased to offer a 2-day conference package for secondary schools. Registration fees cover all sessions, plenaries, and social activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Contact staff@airc-education.org to register.


AIRC Secondary School Member 2-Day Package

  • Regular - $475.00

Non-Member Secondary School 2-Day Package

  • Regular - $625.00

SCHEDULE

Tentative schedule, subject to change


Monday, November 30th

  • Dallas-Area Fam Tours


Tuesday, December 1st

  • Dallas-Area Fam Tours
  • Registration
  • Pre-Conference Workshops
  • NEW! AIRC Connect B2B Networking Event
  • Newcomer Session
  • Attendee Welcome Reception


Wednesday, December 2nd

  • Opening Plenary & Awards Ceremony
  • Exhibit Hall Hours
  • Concurrent Learning Sessions
  • Networking Luncheon
  • AIRC Member Town Hall
  • Coffee Breaks & Demo Sessions
  • AIRC Happy Hour


Thursday, December 3rd

  • Exhibit Hall Hours
  • Concurrent Learning Sessions
  • International Student Voices Plenary
  • Networking Luncheon
  • Community Meet-ups & Trivia
  • Coffee Breaks & Demo Sessions


Friday, December 4th

  • Fitness Activities
  • Exhibit Hall Hours
  • Concurrent Learning Sessions
  • Coffee Break
  • Closing Toast
  • Dallas-Area Fam Tours

Sponsor & ExhibitOR opportunities


The Annual Conference is an ideal venue for effective networking and for showcasing your products and services to current and prospective partners. AIRC offers a range of sponsorship, exhibit, and advertising opportunities which bring outstanding visibility to your company or organization. AIRC depends on the generosity of its sponsors to make the Annual Conference a success. Demonstrate your support of AIRC and its Annual Conference while promoting your services to conference attendees by securing a sponsorship today! Sponsorship items and exhibit tables can be added directly to your conference registration form.

View Exhibitor & Sponsor Brochure

EVENT POLICIES


Attendee Cancellation Policy

Cancellation notices must be received in writing via email: staff@airc-education.org. All refunds are granted at the discretion of AIRC. From May 18, 2026 to October 2, 2026, a 50% refund may be granted at the discretion of AIRC. Please note, refunds are not guaranteed. From October 3, 2026, no refunds will be made.  Pre-conference workshops are non-refundable.


Attendee Conference Registration Credit and Registration Transfer Policy

In lieu of a cancellation, you may request a registration credit or transfer to a colleague. Conference registration credit requests must be received in writing via email: staff@airc-education.org by November 27, 2026. Conference registration credit is good for one calendar year, can only be used towards the 2027 conference registration fee, and the credit will only be in the amount of the 2026 conference fee. Registration transfer requests must be received in writing via email: staff@airc-education.org by November 27, 2026. A registration transfer can only be made one time to a member within the same organization.