The 2026 IES Abroad Annual Conference will be held in Chicago at the Radisson Blue Aqua Hotel.
Our Conference features a program designed to optimize learning, networking, and professional development opportunities. This will be an Annual Conference to remember and you won't want to miss it!
Conference registration is now open. Register here.
- Dates: October 26-28, 2026 (Please note: This year's conference will take place Monday–Wednesday, rather than the traditional Wednesday-Friday schedule).
- Annual Conference Hotel Block: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Book your room.
Conference Registration
Annual Conference Registration remains FREE for Consortium Members (Associate and Full Members) as a benefit of membership. Non-Consortium registration cost is $750.
Registration for the Annual Conference is now open.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Annual Conference team at annualconference@iesabroad.org
What's Included in Your Registration
- Pre-Conference Workshop focused on student well-being and risk management abroad (Advance registration is required)
- Welcome Dinner at an iconic Chicago venue, Smith & Wollensky
- Experience Chicago through a DiscoverIES Architectural River Cruise (Space is limited and advance registration is required)
- A ticket to the 12th Annual Study Abroad Film Festival at the Chicago History Museum on Tuesday, October 27th
- Hear from Critically-acclaimed Plenary Speaker, Dr. Aditi Nerurkar
- Dozens of sessions with thought leaders discussing key topics in the field
Book Your Hotel
Our Annual Conference hotel block is at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, where you can enjoy convenient access to many of our conference events including sessions, plenary speaker, the Awards Lunch, and daily breakfast.
Our discounted Annual Conference room block is available for stays Wednesday, October 21, through Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Please note: A $26 USD per night Urban Fee will appear during the booking process. As an Annual Conference attendee, this fee will be waived, so you will not be charged for this at check-in.
Annual Conference Schedule
Monday, October 26
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Check-in – Grab your Conference badge and materials!
- 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Pre-Conference Workshop
- 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.: DiscoverIES – Experience Chicago on an Architectural Boat Tour
- 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.: Welcome Dinner at Smith & Wollensky
Tuesday, October 27
- 7:30 a.m.: Check-in – Grab your Conference badge and materials!
- 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast
- 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.: Welcome Remarks
- 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.: Plenary Speaker – Hear from Dr. Aditi Nerurkar
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Concurrent Session Block 1
- 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Awards Lunch
- 1:45 – 2:45 p.m.: Concurrent Session Block 2
- 2:45 – 4:00 p.m.: Center Expo & Poster Session
- 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.: 12th Annual Study Abroad Film Festival at Chicago History Museum
Wednesday, October 28
- 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.: Breakfast
- 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.: Concurrent Session Block 3
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Concurrent Session Block 4
- 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch
