Share Your Expertise. Shape the Conversation.
Campus housing facilities professionals are on the front lines of some of higher education’s most complex and fast-moving challenges — from aging infrastructure and sustainability mandates to workforce pressures and the evolving expectations of today’s students. The Housing Facilities Conference is where those conversations happen, and we want your voice at the table.
We invite proposals from practitioners at all experience levels — whether you’re presenting for the first time or are a seasoned conference contributor. We’re looking for sessions that reflect real-world expertise, honest lessons learned, and forward-thinking perspectives on the issues that matter most to our field.
The Housing Facilities, Business Operations, and Residence Education conferences will be held concurrently in Minneapolis, MN, October 26-29. This format creates a rare and valuable opportunity to reach a broader professional audience, collaborate across functional areas, and develop sessions that speak to the full ecosystem of campus housing.
We strongly encourage cross-conference co-presentations and proposals that bridge facilities, operations, and residential education perspectives.
What Makes a Strong Session
The Housing Facilities Conference Committee reviews all submissions with an eye toward content that is practical, engaging, and broadly applicable. The strongest proposals tend to:
- Deliver clear, measurable learning objectives that attendees can apply immediately.
- Feature two or more presenters who bring diverse perspectives, roles, or institutional backgrounds.
- Engage the audience actively — through discussion, case-based learning, or interactive formats — rather than relying solely on lecture.
- Address broader issues and transferable lessons rather than focusing narrowly on a single campus program or initiative.
- Speak to a range of institution types and sizes, including community colleges, research universities, and international campuses.
- Tackle both emerging challenges and persistent issues that continue to shape campus housing facilities work.
Session Details
Session formats include lecture, panel discussion, roundtable, and interactive workshop. Sessions are typically 60 minutes in length. A/V support is provided for all accepted sessions. Submission fields include a session title, abstract, learning objectives, presenter bios, and preferred format.
Call For Proposals Schedule:
- Open for Submissions: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
- Priority Proposal Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET (US)
- Goal Date for First Round of Proposal Acceptance Notifications: Friday, June 5, 2026
- Early Conference Registration Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
Topics of Interest
The committee welcomes proposals across a wide range of subject areas. The following topics reflect current attendee interest and emerging trends in the field:
Facilities Operations & Maintenance
- Trades & Custodial Operations Innovations
- Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Programs
- Room Turnover & Seasonal Readiness
- Move-In/Move-Out Operations
- Work Order Management, Technology, & AI
Capital Planning & Construction
- Student Involvement in Capital Projects & Long-Range Planning
- Renovations & Building Modernization
- Designing Inclusive Spaces
- Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)
- Adaptive Reuse & Repurposing of Facilities
Finance & Administration
- Budgeting & Financial Management
- Organizational Structure & Staffing Models
- Workforce Recruitment, Retention & Upskilling
- Affordability & Cost-Containment Strategies
Technology & Innovation
- Building Automation Systems
- Smart Building Technology & IoT
- Access Management & Security Systems
- AI & Data Analytics in Facilities Management
- Cybersecurity for Housing Systems
Sustainability & Energy
- Sustainability Programs & Green Certification
- Utilities & Energy Management
- Renewable Energy & Carbon Reduction
- Sustainable Design & Construction Practices
- Multi-Modal Transportation & Parking Infrastructure
Student Experience & Wellness
- Mental Health & Wellness-Centered Design
- Community Building & Belonging
- Accessibility & Inclusive Design
- Emotional Support & Service Animals
- Gender-Inclusive Housing Facilities
Assessment & Strategic Planning
Share Your Expertise. Shape the Conversation.
- Assessment & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Crisis Management & Emergency Response
- Occupancy Management & Housing Demand
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Housing Facilities
This list is not exhaustive. Proposals addressing other relevant topics are welcome and encouraged.