UCDA Design Conference
Storytellers: UCDA Design Conference
Humankind has historically sought out unique ways of getting things done. We share new ideas and adopt behaviors from communities and influences beyond our own. Blending of cultures, history, and ideas is shared, quite simply, through storytellers.
Storytelling is the purest form of connection. And as creatives, we’re tasked to tell the stories of our institution. We want these to resonate, to be authentic, to create an emotional connection with alumni, with students, with our surrounding communities. A lifetime of convergent moments becomes the fabric of our institution’s identity.
The 52nd annual UCDA Design Conference is hosted on the ancient lands of the Tamayame people and nestled at the foot of the Sandia Mountains—an area rich in storytelling. Sample a broad range of experiences and see what the heart of New Mexico has to offer. Come together to trade stories with your peers. Listen to the dynamic lineup of speakers. Return home inspired and ready to craft narratives that will deepen your institution’s brand.
Unlike recent UCDA Design Conferences, the schedule and setting are different this year. We will meet in the mornings and evenings giving you blocks of time in the afternoon to explore New Mexico and all the activities the Tamaya resort has to offer.
Main Stage Presentations
Concurrent Sessions
Pre-con Workshops (Add-ons)
Bonus Content
Benefits of Attending
Every year, we look forward to connecting with our design community at the conference where we take an in-depth look at the issues and trends in design and communication communities, both in and out of educational institutions, and gain inspiration to spark our creativity and improve our collaborations. The UCDA Design Conference is an incredibly important event for UCDA and it’s one of our favorite ways to celebrate all of you. It will have main stage and breakout session speakers, the annual UCDA Design Awards, and the UCDA Foundation’s auction.
EDUCATION
Specially curated main stage and breakout sessions over four days that cover the gamut of work you do, plus additional content happenings throughout the conference.
NETWORKING
UCDA is your people. It's time to connect and share stories with the folks who do what you do so you can charge your creative battery.
INSPIRATION
Get inspired by the stories of others in your field, and by the award-winning work in the UCDA Design Awards Show.
Convince Your Boss
Tired of online meetings and need some inspiration? UCDA has you covered. Connect with your design community in person at the 2022 UCDA Design Conference!
Use our Convince Your Boss letter to advocate for your professional development by attending the Storytellers: UCDA Design Conference.
2021 UCDA Design Conference attendees (photos by Matthew Lester).
Who Should Attend
- Communication professionals at all levels of their careers
- Designers in communications, marketing, alumni relations, and development
- Newcomers to the profession
- Creatives who would like to connect with their peers across the country
Conference Pass
The Conference Pass gets you access to all the scheduled conference activities, programming (main stage and breakouts), and meals except the pre-conference workshops/add-ons where pre-registration and an additional fee are required.
Left to right: 2021 UCDA Design Awards Show; Design Pod presentations; and getting creative during a hands-on activity (photos by Matthew Lester).
Registration
Be sure to log in before you click the Register button to take advantage of your UCDA member or emeritus discounted pricing.
| CONFERENCE PASS (all prices in USD) |
Regular | Early Bird (by Aug. 1) |
Trust Us* (by May 1) |
| UCDA Member (Professional, Associate or Faculty) Become a member |
$1,150 | $1,000 (save $150) |
$850* (save $300) |
| UCDA Partner Member (e.g. GDC members) Call the UCDA Home Office to register as a Partner Member |
$1,300 | $1,150 (save $150) |
$1,000* (save $300) |
| Non-member/Subscriber | $1,450 | $1,300 (save $150) |
$1,150* (save $300) |
| Student | $500 | $450 | $400* |
| UCDA Emeritus Member Must be logged in to see this rate when registering |
$500 | $450 | $400 |
*Don’t know the speaker lineup? Haven’t heard what workshops are being held? It doesn't matter since you already know UCDA puts on a stellar and relevant program! Take advantage and save!
| SINGLE-DAY PASS (all prices in USD) |
Regular | Early Bird (by Aug. 1) |
| Saturday, October 15 | $450 | $400 |
| Sunday, October 16 | $450 | $400 |
| Monday, October 17 | $450 | $400 |
| Tuesday, October 18 | $450 | $400 |
Register here for single-day passes
| ADD-ONS (all prices in USD) |
Attendee | Non-attendee or Guest |
| Pre-Con: Hot tips for InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop | $65 | $85 |
| Pre-Con: Linocut Landscapes: A Printmaking Workshop | $65 (SOLD OUT) | $85 (SOLD OUT) |
| Guest Meal Pass (includes all meals that are part of the conference programming) | N/A | $200 |
| Carbon Offset (1-1/2 tons of credit) | $20 | $20 |
See UCDA’s cancellation policy.
TWO WAYS TO REGISTER
1. Online
Click the "REGISTER" button at the right to register online. You will be able to register for the conference as well as any optional activities (add-ons) including pre-conference workshops, publication swap shop, guest meal pass, and more.
2. Call Us
Call us at 615-459-4559 and we can register you by phone. Please have your payment information available.
The 2021 UCDA Design Conference offered opportunities to meet both inside and outside the meeting room (photos by Matthew Lester).
VOLUNTEER
Be sure to indicate “yes” on the Conference Registration form and a volunteer coordinator will be in touch. For more information, contact the UCDA Home Office at 615-459-4559, or email info@ucda.com.
INSIDER TIP: GET YOUR REGISTRATION COVERED
Budget tight this year? Apply for one of the professional development scholarships which cover your registration cost. Voila! You’ll only have travel and lodging to deal with.
SCHOLARSHIPS
UCDA recognizes the importance of lifelong learning and, as a result, proudly supports members through the dedicated funding of the UCDA Foundation professional development scholarship program. This program provides opportunities for members to attend the UCDA Design Conference. Two types of scholarships are available: Professional Development Scholarship and Elevating Black Design Voices Professional Development Scholarship. Both of these scholarship programs cover the registration cost for the conference.
Scholarships are funded by the UCDA Foundation and again this year a grant from the Julius Friedman Foundation.
Deadline: July 15
[Professional Development Scholarship: Information and Application]
[Elevating Black Design Voices Professional Development Scholarship: Information and Application]
2021 UCDA Design Conference attendees (photos by Matthew Lester).
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Looking for a powerful way to introduce your product or service to graphic designers in higher education and at educational institutions this year? Make plans now to join the University & College Designers Association for its annual UCDA Design Conference! Interested in exhibiting at the UCDA Resource Center at the conference or becoming a sponsor? Contact UCDA at info@ucda.com or 615-459-4559 to learn more!
Conference Chair/Co-Chair
Anna McBrayer, Art Director, Marketing and Communications
Fort Lewis College
Sean Payne, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing, College Advancement
Ogeechee Technical College
2021 UCDA Design Conference attendees (photos by Matthew Lester).
Travel
GETTING TO ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is located near downtown Albuquerque and is 27 miles southeast of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya.
Alvarado Transportation Center (Amtrak) is located in downtown Albuquerque. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line runs through the heart of New Mexico with a stop at the Alvarado Transportation Center. Other stops on this line include Chicago, Kansas City, Flagstaff, and Los Angeles.
CAR RENTAL
Because the Hyatt Regency Tamaya is a resort property, we recommend renting a car or carpooling with other attendees for the best experience.
If you do not drive, the hotel does offer plenty to do in your downtime, and it has several food outlets on-site as well at their neighboring Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, just a short shuttle ride away (including a casino, restaurants, lounges, a food court, and bowling alley).
INSIDER TIP: RENT A CAR
We recommend renting a car because the hotel is a resort property. This gets you to and from the property, as well as a way to explore the region, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
CARBON OFFSETS
For $20, you may purchase and offset the carbon created by your travel. Participants will receive a luggage tag and will be purchasing 1-1/2 tons, no matter the distance.
Details
CONFERENCE SITE
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, located 20 miles northwest of Albuquerque and 50 miles southwest of Santa Fe. Experience a completely unique and authentic journey into the ancient lands of the Tamayame people. Nestled on 550 acres of the Native American Santa Ana Pueblo between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River, Tamaya is steeped in over one thousand years of rich history and culture. See the hotel’s COVID-19 updates and what to expect at the hotel during your stay.
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa
1300 Tuyuna Trail
Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, 87004
505-867-1234
INSIDER TIP: BOOK YOUR ROOM EARLY
UCDA has a limited room block at the conference hotel, so you are encouraged to book early. Plus, when you book within the UCDA room block, the hotel will waive the $34 daily resort fee!
Nestled on 550 acres of the Native American Santa Ana Pueblo between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya is steeped in over one thousand years of rich history and culture (photo courtesy of The World of Hyatt, and Tadson Bussey).
DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES
To secure your room, book online at tinyurl.com/ucda-tamaya or contact the hotel directly at 505-867-1234 and mention the UCDA Design Conference to receive your room at the rate of $229-$239 (rooms within the UCDA block have the $34 daily resort fee waived which includes: free Internet access; 24-hour fitness center access; yoga and aerobic room; two complimentary bottles of water daily; resort recreation and activities including horseshoe pits; golf bag storage; self-parking; tennis and basketball courts (balls and racquets provided); bicycles and helmets; nature/jogging trails with fitness stations; daily nature walks; separate adult/quiet pool; outdoor games; and cultural activities).
The deadline to receive this rate is September 3, (extended until September 16), based on availability. The rate is also available two days pre- and post-conference, based on availability. After that date, rooms may be available at the previaling rate.
The hotel stay is not included in the conference registration fees. You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations. Room blocks may fill before the hotel deadline and have sold out the last few years, so please make your reservation immediately to ensure the discounted rate and availability.
Located at The Stables of Tamaya, Tamaya Horse Rehab was established in 2012. Through adoption and re-homing, they strive to help a horse live out a full, cared-for life. Visit The Stables during your stay at Tamaya, or schedule a trail ride to experience the horses firsthand (photos by Tadson Bussey).
“At the heart of New Mexico beats the pulse of a vibrant city. In Albuquerque, diverse cultures, authentic art, and dynamic traditions have helped shape our centuries-old story. No matter your interests, the city has countless opportunities for you to explore. Sample traditional New Mexican cuisine that takes minutes to make and hundreds of years to prepare, experience world-class museums, stroll along Central Avenue under the vintage neon glow of Route 66, or soar high above the city in the hot air ballooning capital of the world—a sight sure to change your perspective.” (photos by Tadson Bussey)
With legendary history and culture around every corner, Santa Fe’s art scene spans from traditional to contemporary and is home to Meow Wolf Santa Fe. Its award-winning cuisine is as eclectic as it is sumptuous, and with countless experiences to encounter, you’re sure to uncover something different about yourself when you visit.
GUEST MEAL PASS
A guest meal pass gets your guest access to all of the event-sponsored meals and breaks including Saturday night’s opening mixer and dinner; lunch and dessert reception on Sunday; breakfast on Monday and Tuesday; and the closing reception of the UCDA Foundation Auction on Monday.
UCDA FOUNDATION AUCTION
Each year we ask our members, speakers, sponsors, and anyone in our profession to submit items to be auctioned off during the UCDA Design Conference. Funds collected are used for the foundations' scholarships programs.
Objects made by our members including photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, posters, jewelry, ceramics, weavings, cards, books, etc., are especially well-received by conference attendees. Also, quirky and unusual items such as pop-up books, collectibles, and objects d'art do extremely well in the silent auction.
Items for the auction can be mailed to the UCDA Home Office, or bring them with you to the conference and turn them in at the registration desk.
You may also contribute to the UCDA Foundation outside of the auction with a monetary donation.
1. Give or pledge online at the UCDA Foundation website
2. Give using CashApp: $UCDAFoundation
3. Give using PayPal
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa, located 20 miles northwest of Albuquerque and 50 miles southwest of Santa Fe. (photo courtesy of The World of Hyatt).
CODE OF CONDUCT
Please see UCDA’s Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy, including our Statement of Inclusiveness. We expect conference participants to follow these rules at program venues and program-related social events, along with the COVID-19 Code of Conduct (subject to change based on local requirements).
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
UCDA is always focused on ensuring a safe and productive conference. The CDC guidelines encourage event organizers like UCDA to follow state and local regulations on gatherings (updates on Covid-19 restrictions in all 50 states can be found here). UCDA will continually monitor the outbreak and make adjustments to the conference plan as needed. That may or may not include additional safety and cleaning measures, social distancing, and/or the wearing of facial coverings.
UCDA will work to implement this guidance, adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. See COVID-19 Code of Conduct.
CANCELLATIONS
See UCDA’s cancellation policy.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Location:
Hyatt Regency Tamaya
1300 Tuyuna Trail
Santa Ana Pueblo
,
New Mexico 87004