2025 Conference Overview

Three days with more than 30 sessions and 40 speakers, moderators and panelists.

Dates: (Pre-Conference Workshops) Tuesday Afternoon, July 22, through Friday Early Afternoon, July 25

Tuesday, July 22 – Pre-conference afternoon workshops on “Introduction to Annual Giving” or “Fundamentals of Advancement Services” at DePaul Conference Center; (Free – Registration required.) Evening welcome drinks reception at the famous Buckingham Fountain (a 6-minute walk from the DePaul conference venue).
Wednesday, July 23 – Day 1 of conference sessions with opening welcome and plenary sessions at the Harold Washington Library (across the street from DePaul), and afternoon breakout sessions back at DePaul. In-person Pop-Up Drinks Lobby Reception at the Palmer House Hotel; Conference begins at 9:30 a.m. with drinks reception 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 24 – Day 2 of conference breakout sessions at DePaul; Full day of breakout sessions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, July 25 – Day 3 of conference sessions at DePaul, with closing plenary session at Noon at DePaul; Conference begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.

Location: DePaul University Conference Center – 8th Floor, 1 East Jackson St. in the heart of the Loop in Downtown Chicago. The Wednesday morning opening plenary sessions will be across the street at Cindy Pritzker Auditorium on the lower level of the Harold Washington Library (400 S. State St.)

Parking: There is no parking at the DePaul building. You can use ParkWhiz or SpotHero to find available nearby locations and prepay at a (usually significant) discount. The closest garage is the Grant Park South Garage which is two blocks away and typically costs around $15 for the day. The conference is close to CTA and Metra train stations.

Cost: Early-bird registration is just $395 with an additional institution discount of 20% off for three or more attendees. Early bird registration will open soon!

Session Video Library: All in-person attendees will receive access to an archive of selected video recordings

Food and Drink: Continental breakfast will be provided on Thursday and Friday morning. There are abundant morning coffee shops (Starbucks, Dunkin) and restaurants within the DePaul building and in close walking distance of the conference. Please note that no food or drink is permitted at the Harold Washington Library on Wednesday morning. The two evening networking receptions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are complimentary. Lunches and dinners are on your own.

Conference Attire: Is business casual. Good walking shoes are recommended.

Wifi: Complimentary wifi is available in all of the conference rooms at DePaul and in the auditorium at the Harold Washington Library.