2026 International ACAC Annual Conference
July 14-16
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
#BridgeBuilders
Registration Information
Conference registration will open on March 18, 2026.
- Registration pricing is tiered based on when you register. See registration costs and timeline.
- See the Conference Schedule.
- Find more information about College and Counselor Fairs.
Conference Bursaries
Conference bursaries encourage member participation in the annual conference by supporting members working at institutions not able to financially support conference attendance. Bursaries also support independent counseling members and non-profit members.
- Conference bursaries may cover part or all of the cost of Early Bird registration fees and on-campus housing.
- Bursaries do not cover other travel expenses such as flights, visa fees, ground transportation, and other incidentals.
Application Deadline: January 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
About Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University and The University of Pittsburgh are excited to welcome you to Pennsylvania in July! Learn more about the universities and the city of Pittsburgh on the conference website.
Invitation Letter for Your Visa Application
A letter of invitation can be imperative to securing a visa. Request an invitation letter for the 2026 Conference by submitting the request form below.
The visa application process can be long, so we encourage you to start the process early if you will need a visa to enter the United States.
For more information about the U.S. Visa Process, please consult the following resources:
- Use the Visa Wizard to determine whether you need a visa to travel to the U.S.A.
- Learn more about the Visitor Visa B and Visa Waiver Program.
- Look up the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest you.
Monday, July 13
The International ACAC Pre-Conference Institute is intended to provide our membership the opportunity to learn from fellow International ACAC members in a more intimate environment ahead of the annual conference.
Members are invited to serve as Faculty for the 2026 Pre-Conference Institute.
Interested International ACAC members can apply submitting the form below by Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Sponsorship & Exhibits
International ACAC Members are invited to sponsor the conference at various levels. The Sponsorship Application became available on Thursday, December 18 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time. Read more on the Sponsorship website.
The Exhibit Hall is back in 2026 and better than ever! Read more and find the application to apply on the Exhibit Hall website.
International ACAC Counselor Bus Tour
The International ACAC Bus Tour will again be offered immediately after the conclusion of the annual conference in Pittsburgh. The Bus Tour team is planning a schedule from July 17-23 (6 nights), which will include visits to approximately 10-12 diverse university campuses between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. We anticipate including up to 30 counselors, who will be selected through the application process. More information and the application will be released in early 2026.
#BridgeBuilders Photo Challenge
Building bridges is what International ACAC is all about. Our members bridge cultural differences, connect communities around the world, and traverse myriad challenges to promote international student mobility.
Show us how you are a #BridgeBuilder! We want to highlight our community and celebrate the ways we connect with each other. Email photos to Admin@InternationalACAC.org of:
- Your favorite local bridge; or
- You and others building bridges between cultures. Think...
- Eating at a fusion restaurant
- Visiting a new place with a local friend being the tour guide
- Learning a dance from a culture that isn't yours
Your photo may be featured on the website, in upcoming conference update newsletters, and at the annual conference in Pittsburgh.
