NACCU 2026 Annual Conference

NACCU 2026 
Registration Information

Registration Rates

What is Included with Registration?

Hotel Room Rate

Add-on Events

Guest Tickets

Exhibitor Rates

Cancellation Policy and Fees

Event Policy and Safety Disclosure (PDF)

Beware of Bogus Email and Telephone Solicitations!

NACCU does NOT use third party vendors for registration, attendee lists, or hotel accommodations. Learn more here. You may receive email or telephone solicitations from unknown parties offering to help you register for NACCU events or to help you reserve hotel accommodations. If you have any questions as to whether an email or telephone solicitation is a verified NACCU communication, contact the NACCU Office. 

Conference Registration Rates     

NACCU is excited to announce that conference rates are not going up in 2026!

Member–Early Bird Rate: $915 (through January 31, 2026)

Member–Full Registration Rate:  $1,015 (begins February 1, 2026)
On-site Registration Rate begins on April 18, where the rate will increase to $1,200

Member – Day Pass $425    

Non-Member–Full Registration $1,215

Non-Member – Day Pass $525

Please note: Vendor companies may not attend the conference if they are not exhibiting. Also, anyone who is presenting must have a full registration. Those with exhibit hall only passes may not present.

What is Included with Conference Registration?

Full registration includes:

• Admission to keynote and general presentations
• Admission to educational sessions
• Admission to breakfasts on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
• Admission to lunches on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
• Admission to refreshment breaks
• Admission to the Exhibit Hall
• Admission to conference events, including the Opening Reception and the NACCU Closing Event.

A day pass includes the above meals and events held on the day you attend.

Hotel Room 

Information coming soon.

Optional Event Add-ons

Pre-Conference Data Summit - $795
Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19
Learn more

Pre-Conference Industry Essentials Institute (IEI) - $150
Sunday, April 19
Learn more

Guest Tickets

If you are traveling with a spouse or friend who isn't attending the conference and they would like to join at one of the below events, they can attend as a guest. All attendees with full registrations already have access to these events. Guest tickets cannot be purchased for vendors without exhibit hall only passes.

• Opening Reception - $90 per person
• NACCU closing event - $90 per person

Guest tickets may be purchased online prior to the conference or at the registration desk during the conference. Ticket quantities may be limited.

Exhibitor Registration

Corporations/companies may not attend the conference if they are not exhibiting.  

Exhibit booth space purchase is handled through the exhibitor portal.

Exhibit Booth Space Purchase: rate per 10'x10' space
Member   $2,100

Non-Member   $3,100

Individual Exhibit Hall Pass - $250 (one pass is included with each booth space purchase) - this pass does not allow attendance at educational sessions, nor does it include meals or receptions. This pass only gains access to the exhibit hall. Any exhibitor who is presenting MUST have a full registration (see above). Exhibit hall passes do not allow an exhibitor to present.

Individual Exhibitor Meal Package - $680

• Includes breakfasts, lunches, and breaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Optional guest tickets:
Exhibitors with exhibit hall only passes can also attend guest passes for access to these events. All exhibitors with full registrations already have access to these events. Guest tickets cannot be purchased for corporate attendees without an exhibit hall only pass.

• Opening Reception - $90 per person
• NACCU Closing Event - $90 per person

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Full refunds will be given for cancellation requests received 30 days out from the conference or event. There is a 50% refund for cancellation requests received prior to the first day of the conference or event.

NO REFUNDS will be given beginning the first day of the conference/event or for no shows at the event. Refunds are not available to those registrants who choose not to attend an event or no-shows. The above applies to all events unless otherwise noted in the specific event materials. Please read all individual event information thoroughly. Other cancellation guidelines:

• Cancellations must be submitted in writing/e-mail; cancellations are not accepted by phone.
• All cancellations are subject to a $100 administrative fee per registrant.
• Tickets to tours, pre-conference events and special programs are nonrefundable.
• Refunds will be processed within 30 days following the end of the conference.
• Partial refunds will not be given to registrants who miss a session, meal, or other scheduled function during the event, regardless of reason.
• Any special circumstance refund requests may require supporting materials documenting circumstances necessitating the request (e.g., note from a physician for illness, etc.)

Participant Substitutions

Any substitutions for registrations must be completed 14 days out from the conference. Substitutions are not allowed beyond that date and will require a separate registration for the new participant. All substitutions are subject to a $75 administrative fee per registrant.

Full Event Policy Disclosure (opens in new window)

NACCU 2026
Hotel and Transportation Information

The NACCU 2026 Annual Conference will be held in Covington, Kentucky at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

Room reservations will open this fall and will be managed strictly through the meetNKY Passkey system.

Hotel Information

NACCU has secured special conference rates at two distinct hotels, each offering its own unique advantages. Whether your priority is convenience or character, there's an option to suit your preferences as you focus on learning, connecting, and growing at NACCU 2026.

Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter

For those who value proximity and ease, the Marriott is an excellent choice. Located right on the river and connected to the convention center by skywalk, this modern hotel allows you to move effortlessly between sessions and your room. Some rooms offer scenic river views, making it a restful place to recharge during a busy conference schedule. Learn more about the Marriott at RiverCenter

Hotel Covington

If you’re looking for a stay that offers an authentic Covington vibe, Hotel Covington offers a boutique experience rooted in local history. Originally a luxury department store built in 1907, it has been transformed into a hotel that blends historic charm with upscale comfort and is on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Just a 10-minute walk from the convention center, it's also surrounded by great dining and entertainment options for your off-hours. NACCU will be providing a shuttle that will run between the convention center and Hotel Covington during conference hours. Learn more about Hotel Covington

Transportation

Fly in to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

The convention center and hotels are approximately 13 miles from the airport. Rideshare services are between $30 - $40. 

NACCU 2026
Mentor/Mentee Program

Attention Potential Mentees!

The NACCU Mentor/Mentee Program is offered each year as an opportunity for first-time attendees from colleges and universities to experience NACCU with the guidance of a seasoned mentor. We pair each mentee with a mentor at the start of the conference and encourage you to connect at least daily throughout the conference.

This is a great chance to get advice, grow your network and ask questions to help you in your role with the card operation. We kick things off with the Mentor/Mentee reception at the conference on Sunday, April 19! You will want to plan your travel so that you arrive in town with plenty of time to get to this reception.

Fill out the form to be a Mentee today! The deadline is March 20 - please contact John Ogle at john@naccu.org with questions.

Attention Potential Mentors!

We’re excited to once again offer the NACCU Mentor/Mentee Program as an opportunity for seasoned members to give back! Each year we have a high percentage of conference registrants who are first-timer attendees looking for some guidance as they experience their first NACCU Annual Conference. To provide them with the best experience, we need seasoned members like you to serve as mentors.

We pair each mentee with a seasoned mentor to connect with at the start of the event as well as daily throughout the conference. This is a great opportunity to serve the NACCU community by welcoming new attendees and guiding them through their first conference. We kick things off with the Mentor/Mentee reception at the conference on Sunday, April 19! You will want to plan your travel so that you arrive in town with plenty of time to get to this reception.

Fill out the form to be a Mentor today! The deadline is March 20 - please contact John Ogle at john@naccu.org with questions.

Scam Alert

Events like the NACCU Annual Conference are often targeted by third-party companies. It is important to only respond to event emails that originate from NACCU. Please report any unauthorized emails to NACCU. Save the email so you can forward it to us following your report.

In addition to the emails, there are now unauthorized calls being made to exhibitors. These calls do not originate from NACCU and should be ignored and blocked. 

Hotel Room Reservations

NACCU makes contracts with event hotels to ensure our attendees and exhibitors receive fair rates and to guarantee your reservations. You may receive emails from third parties trying to mislead you into booking reservations through their companies.

You may also receive emails or calls from third parties trying to mislead you into booking hotel reservations through their companies. As an exhibitor, please be aware that solicitation of hotel reservations from any company other than NACCU is not approved. Please only book through the official link provided on our website.

Reservations made by unaffiliated organizations may appear to have lower rates, however they may be illegitimate, not have the rooms to sell, have unreasonable cancellation or change penalties, not include perks or services packaged with your NACCU reservation, be completely non-refundable, or be an attempt to steal your credit card or personal information. Please only book through links provided directly by NACCU in email or on the NACCU website.

Attendee Lists

We are dedicated to ensuring the privacy of your data. As an event participant, to facilitate networking with colleagues, we include your name, title, and organization in the event mobile app, unless you opt out of sharing this information during the registration process. We also allow you to opt-in to share your contact information with exhibitors during the registration process, so that you can receive event invitations, booth promotions, prize drawings, and offers from our exhibitors. This information is only accessible by registered conference participants.

NACCU does not sell lists or email addresses to third parties or condone the harvesting of our attendee lists. We encourage you to reject all offers you may receive to purchase such a list, as the information provided will not be provided by NACCU and will be inaccurate, or the third party may intend to steal your credit card or personal information.

For more information on what data we collect, why we collect it, and how we protect it, please view our Privacy Policy.

Exhibit at the NACCU 2026 Annual Conference

Exhibit hall sales will open the week of November 10. 
Join NACCU now for advance priority access.

Registration Fees

Companies are required to exhibit in order to attend the conference.

Exhibit Booth Space Registration

NACCU member $2,100

Non-Member $3,100

Individual Registration Options

• Full Conference Registration - Members: $915 through 1/31; $1,015 begins 2/01; Non-Members: $1,215 - Full registration includes admission to keynote and general presentations and educational sessions; breakfasts, lunches, and breaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; admission to Exhibit Hall; and admission to the Opening Reception and Closing Event. Presenters must have a full registration.

OR

• Exhibit Hall Only Pass - $250 (one included with each 10X10 booth space purchase) - This pass does not allow attendance at educational sessions, nor does it include meals or receptions. This pass only gains access to the exhibit hall. Any exhibitor who is presenting MUST have a full registration. Exhibit Hall Only Passes do not allow an exhibitor to present. Badge swapping/sharing is not allowed.
• Optional Add-On: Individual Exhibitor Meal Package - $680 Includes breakfasts, lunches, and breaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
• Optional Add-On: Opening Reception - $90 per person
• Optional Add-On: NACCU Closing Event - $90 per person

Exhibitor Policies and Terms and Conditions

Visibility

There is no better way to reach the higher education credentialing/transaction market than to exhibit at the NACCU Annual Conference.

The exhibit hall will be open for nearly 6 hours of exclusive, dedicated time, offering a good flow of attendee traffic.

• Exhibitors are listed in the conference program
• Logo, company name, and URL of exhibitors are published in the NACCU 2026 mobile app
  Exhibitors are listed on the exhibit hall map sign at exhibit hall entrance
• One month prior to the conference, exhibitors will receive an electronic file containing contact information for conference registrants to be used for pre-conference mailings. (Attendees have the option to opt-out of inclusion in this file.)

  ---

Networking Opportunities

Exhibitors will receive one exhibit hall only pass with each booth space purchase. This badge allows access to the exhibit floor only. Additional exhibit hall badges may be purchased in advance for $250 each. In addition, we encourage at least one person from every company to register for the full conference. This enables you to learn what is happening on campuses today and helps you in preparing to meet the needs of this constantly changing marketplace.

Reasons to Exhibit at NACCU 2026

Who are the attendees at the NACCU Annual Conference?

Our attendees are the people on college and university campuses who manage the ID card program and related services, including access control, IT, security, banking, POS, off-campus merchant programs, and more.

In some cases, these programs are huge departments with many employees, and in others, there is one person who wears many hats - and everything in between. Whether your company is looking for accounts with large clients or for personal relationships with smaller institutions, there is something for you at NACCU.

Because each institution has its own structure, these programs can fall under Auxiliary Services, dining, student services, campus security, finance, or other departments.

How many individuals attend NACCU?

There are typically between 500-600 individuals in attendance.

What companies exhibit at NACCU?

We have a wide variety of exhibitors. The list below includes a sample of types of companies that exhibit or that have exhibited at NACCU. If you do business - or want to do business - with the higher education campus card market, which encompasses transaction processing, campus security, access control, identification management, and more, consider exhibiting at NACCU!

• Access control services and equipment
• Banking institutions
• Biometrics
• Camera services and equipment
• Campus card system providers
• Campus security solutions
• Card production services and equipment
• Consulting services
• Event transaction management
• Identification management services and software
• Kiosks
• Laundry
• Locker systems
• Locks (online & offline)
• Loyalty reward programs
• Mobile credentials
• Off-campus POS options
• Online photo submission
• Pay-to-print
• Payment processing
• POS
• Print services and equipment
• Promotional products
• Security
• Software development
• Student payment apps
• Vending
• Video surveillance
• Wearable access solutions
• And more! 

Exhibitor Schedule*

* Subject to Change

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026

12:00PM – 5:00PM Exhibitor Move-In

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2025

8:00AM – 1:00PM Exhibitor Move-In

2:00PM – 5:00PM Exhibit Hall Opening with Break

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026

9:00AM – 11:45AM Dedicated Exhibit Hall; Break/Drawings

12:00PM - 5:00PM Exhibit Hall Move Out

We will see you in Covington!