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.
Centralized Location. Maximum Convenience.
All 2026 AIR Forum events, including pre-conference education and hotel accommodations, are seamlessly linked under one roof at the Mariott Marquis in Downtown Washington, D.C. with additional hotel rooms available just steps away at the Westin D.C. Downtown. Both host hotels will offer special discounted rates for AIR Forum attendees.
Located within walking distance of historic attractions, dining and shopping in CityCenterDC, museums, monuments, Chinatown, and more! Discover the vibrant heart of the city—immerse yourself in the allure of iconic experiences and culture.
Important Dates
- Late August 2025: Call for proposals opens
- January 2026: Sessions accepted
- February 2026: Registration opens
Quick Links
Conference Space and Host Hotels
Main Site
All AIR Forum sessions, meetings, and events will take place here.
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
901 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Special group rate: $210 single/double
Additional Host Hotel
6-minute walk from the main site.
The Westin DC Downtown
999 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Special group rate: $205 single/double
Why Stay at the Host Hotels?
You’ll be at the center of all conference activity! When you choose to stay at an AIR Forum host hotel, you’re choosing to fully submerge yourself in the experience, maximize networking opportunities, and be close to workshops, sessions, and events.
When negotiating destinations for the AIR Forum, keeping prices within reach of attendee budgets is top of mind. A combined package of meeting space and hotel room blocks affords AIR the ability to hold the conference at deeply discounted prices—which allows us to pass along the savings via reduced registration fees.
When you stay at our host hotels, you support the ability to deliver our valuable content at prices most can afford. Achieving our room block commitments is critical to keeping the conference registration fees within reach of all potential stakeholders.
Perks like discounts on meeting space, food and beverage, upgraded amenities, and other enhancements for the conference also depend on us making our room block.
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"