Higher Ed in Action
What are the strategies and solutions that will help your institution meet its goals for recruitment, student success, and institutional sustainability? Find out at the 2026 Encoura + RNL National Conference.
The 2026 Encoura + RNL National Conference will show you how institutions like yours are addressing their greatest challenges and meeting their goals. Explore the innovations and solutions that will help you do more with less, uncover your greatest opportunities for success, and interact with higher ed professionals and experts.
Encoura + RNL will convene the 2026 National Conference
RNL has joined Encoura, and together we will bring you the exceptional conference experience that has informed and engaged higher education professionals for 40 years.
Registration Information
| by June 15 | by June 29 | after June 29 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 attendees | $795 | $895 | $995 |
| 3+ attendees | $695 | $795 | $995 |
Registration fees are per person. Save when 3 or more people from your institution attend.
Hotel Accommodations & Travel
HOTEL OPTIONS
Our room block at the Marriott Marquis Chicago is now closed. We have found the following additional hotel options that are conveniently located near our event venue.
Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place
123 East Cermak Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60616
0.1 miles from Marriott Marquis Chicago
1100 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
1.1 miles from Marriott Marquis Chicago
261 West Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60616
0.7 miles from Marriott Marquis Chicago
11 West 26th Street South State Street, Chicago, IL 60616
0.7 miles from Marriott Marquis Chicago
2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Platon
World-Renowned Portrait and Documentary Photographer
Liz Murray
Best-Selling Author, Breaking Night: My Journey from Homeless to Harvard; Founder of The Arthur Project
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School
Kim Reid
Eduventures Principal Analyst, Encoura
CONFERENCE TRACKS
We invite you to submit your conference session proposal by January 30. Our conference tracks are as follows:
Undergraduate Marketing, Recruitment, and Financial Aid
Graduate and Online Enrollment
Strategic Enrollment and Institutional Planning
Student Retention and Success
Campuswide Strategies
Analytics and Technology
The National Conference will feature more than 100 sessions across six conference tracks. Campus presenters and enrollment management experts will lead sessions for four-year public universities, four-year private institutions, and community and technical colleges. More details on the conference program will be posted by April.
Encoura+RNL National Conference
July 21-23, 2026
Marriott Marquis Chicago | Chicago, IL
Who Should Attend
Enrollment and student success
- Chief enrollment officers
- Directors of admissions
- Directors of financial aid
- Enrollment deans
- Marketing/communications directors
- Directors of student success/retention
Financial/technology cabinet members
- Chief financial officers
- Chief technology officers
Agenda Overview
Monday, July 20
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:00am - 5:00pm | Pre-Conference Workshops |
| 5:00 - 7:00pm | Conference Registration Open |
Tuesday, July 21
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00am - 4:30pm | Registration / Exhibits Open |
| 11:00am - 12:30pm | Opening Remarks & Opening Keynote Session |
| 12:30 – 1:45pm | Hosted Lunch |
| 1:45 - 2:45pm | Breakout Sessions |
| 3:15 -4:15pm | Breakout Sessions |
| 4:30 - 5:30pm | Opening Reception |
| 5:30pm | Free Evening to Explore Chicago |
Wednesday, July 22
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00am - 4:00pm | Registration / Exhibits Open |
| 8:00 - 9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 10:00am | Keynote Session |
| 10:30 - 11:30am | Breakout Sessions |
| 11:30am - 1:15pm | Lunch on Your Own |
| 1:15 - 2:15pm | Breakout Sessions |
| 2:45 - 3:45pm | Breakout Sessions |
| 4:00 - 5:00pm | Keynote Session |
| 5:00 - 6:00pm | Cocktail Hour |
| 6:00pm | Free Evening to Explore Chicago |
Thursday, July 23
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00am - 12:00pm | Registration Open |
| 8:00am - 4:00pm | Exhibits Open |
| 8:00 - 9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 10:00am | Breakout Sessions |
| 10:30 - 11:30am | Breakout Sessions |
| 11:30am - 12:45pm | Hosted Lunch |
| 12:45 - 1:45pm | Breakout Sessions |
| 2:00 - 3:00pm | Keynote Session |
| 3:00 - 4:00pm | Closing Reception |
| 4:00pm | Conference Adjournment |
SPONSORS
Headline Sponsor
