2026 AIR Forum
Call for Proposals Open through September 26, 2025
The call for proposals is now open for the 2026 AIR Forum, May 26–29 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., with pre-conference education May 25–26.
AIR Forum provides our community a unique opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, and learn from practical workshops and sessions led by subject matter experts.
Why present?
- Share your expertise with a community of colleagues through various pre-conference and concurrent session topics.
- Empower others to use data, analytics, information, and evidence to make decisions that benefit students, institutions, and improve higher education.
- Advance your professional portfolio and skillset.
- Grow your network at the “must-attend” event for both seasoned and early-career professionals in higher education.
Proposal submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, September 26.
Important Dates
- September 26, 2025: Call for proposals closes
- January 2026: Sessions accepted
- February 2026: Registration opens
Quick Links
Save the Date
May 25–26: Pre-Conference Education
May 26–29: AIR Forum
Mark your calendars to join us May 26–29 in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 AIR Forum! Pre-conference educational opportunities will be offered May 25–26 for an additional fee.
With more than 200 crowd-sourced sessions by colleagues and thought leaders from around the globe, AIR Forum is the “must-attend” event for higher education professionals who build and support data-informed decision cultures.
Conference Space and Host Hotels
For hotel links, special group rates, and additional information, visit Travel and Hotel.
Main Site
All AIR Forum sessions, meetings, and events will take place here.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
901 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Additional Host Hotel
6-minute walk from the main site.
The Westin DC Downtown
999 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Getting There
The closest airport to the Marriott Marquis and The Westin is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA is located approximately 4.6 miles from the hotels.
Flights | Ground Transport
#AIRForum Buzz
See what attendees said about the 2025 conference:
Just wrapped up another incredible #AIRForum in Orlando! 🦩 A big thank you to the Association for Institutional Research staff and all our dedicated colleagues who made this year’s forum a success. Grateful for the insights, connections, and shared commitment to improving higher education through data and research. Already looking forward to next year in DC! #AIRForum #InstitutionalResearch #HigherEdData #Gratitude"
"I’m departing the 2025 #AIRForum inspired by my #InstitutionalResearch colleagues. From data literacy to data privacy to machine learning to cluster analysis and strategic foresight, the sessions and posters covered a range of relevant topics..."
"#AIRForum 2025 has ended after a week of learning, sharing, and meeting new friends. Kudos to AIR and the organizing committee for a great conference. Hope everyone had safe travels home and looking forward to next year in DC!"
"Met some great IR folks at #AIRForum 2025"
"#AIRForum is over for 2025 and looking forward already to 2026! Fantastic closing session filled with important information about today’s higher education climate. What did we learn from our panel? That what we don’t know is a troubling and significant issue but what we do know is this: We are a strong #datacommunity of caring and resourceful professionals with the support of an incredible association at our backs - and with our voices, we can help our institutions create collaborative relationships and new strategies to support our colleagues and students. See you in 2026! #data #irprofessional #ieprofessional #datamakesadifference #changeagentsforgood"
"My first #AIRForum has come to an end and I had such a wonderful experience! I am leaving feeling inspired and ready to take so many theories back into practice at Montgomery County Community College. Being able to connect with other #InstitutionalResearch professionals and learning more about their work has been so insightful and motivational. I am eager to apply so much of what I’ve learned including data governance guidelines, data literacy tools, and best practices for applying AI. Until next time #AIRForum!"
"Another fantastic AIR Forum in the books! Grateful for the opportunity to connect with clients, colleagues, and fellow higher education data professionals over the past few days. I enjoyed all of the impactful data driven conversations and am looking forward to AIR 2026 already! @Association of Institutional Research #InstitutionalResearch #HigherEducation #Data #USNews #AcademicInsights #AIRForum"
"Just wrapped up the 2025 AIR Forum in Orlando—an energizing week of learning, reflection, and deep dives into data-driven decision-making in higher ed, enriched by timely discussions on current topics and policy perspectives. 📊 It was great connecting with both old and new peers who share a passion for using data to support student success and drive meaningful impact. #AIRForum #HigherEdData #InstitutionalResearch #HigherEducation"
"I'm going to be brutally honest. There were some great speakers talking about important things at the #AIRForum this year. Congratulations to them all and thanks for your hard work to bring new ideas and inspire conversation! And thanks so much to all the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) staff who do so much (visible and invisible) to make this happen for the members!"
"What a great #AIRForum this year! I always learn so much from our higher ed data community 👏 We loved sharing all of the collaboration technology tools our Institutional Effectiveness team has been implementing to streamline our reporting and communication 📈"
"It's my first time to attend the #AIRForum in Orlando, one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of institutional research. This experience not only deepened my understanding of my own role within the field, but also provided numerous insights and meaningful connections with professionals from around the world. It has greatly motivated me to pursue new research projects and submit to international conferences in the future. #AIRForum #Orlando #RosenShingleCreek"
"Through a grant from the Robert E. Meyerhoff Foundation to support my research interests at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) I am wrapping up my time at the AIR Forum. Always was cool to be a quant data geek, and even cooler to be among other professionals with the same interests. Would recommend attendance by any Institutional Research professional, or interested faculty, such as myself. Next year...Washington, DC. #AIRForum #CCBC #Institutionalresearch #MeyerhoffScholarM3"
"My second #AIRForum has come to an end, and I'm leaving Orlando feeling truly inspired. It's been a wonderful experience connecting with fellow #InstitutionalResearch professionals, exchanging insights, and exploring innovative approaches to data in higher education. I’m especially excited to bring back practical strategies to NU - ranging from data governance and literacy tools to enhanced reporting, dashboard development, and thoughtful applications of AI. The entire forum was rich with meaningful discussions and engaging speakers. It’s always a pleasure to be among professionals who share the same interests. If you’re working in Institutional Research, I highly recommend attending this event - it's a unique opportunity for learning, networking, and growth. #AIRForum Association for Institutional Research (AIR)"
"Grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2025 AIR Forum in Orlando, Florida — an incredible gathering of institutional researchers, data leaders, and changemakers from across the country. As today marks the final day of this year's conference, I'm reflecting on how valuable this experience has been. From diving into student success metrics and predictive analytics to exploring AI governance, privacy, and innovative dashboard design, every session offered practical insights I’m excited to bring back to my work. What stood out most was the collaborative spirit — the shared drive to transform higher education through thoughtful, ethical, and actionable data. It's inspiring to see how institutions are building data cultures that prioritize impact over volume, and storytelling over spreadsheets. Thank you to the Association for Institutional Research for curating such a meaningful experience. Here's to applying what we've learned and continuing the momentum beyond this forum! #AIRForum #AIRForum2025 #InstitutionalResearch #HigherEdData #DataForGood"
