We are excited to announce that the 2026 CUPSO Annual Conference will be hosted by the UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) in Anchorage Alaska, May 18-20, 2026.

Join your peers from university-based public service organizations around the country to explore new ideas, tools, and resources; identify opportunities for collaboration; and build relationships with peers and partners.

Next year's conference theme is “Public Service on the Frontier.” With its vast distances, rugged landscapes, remote communities, challenging climates, and Indigenous peoples, it's no wonder Alaska is sometimes called “the last frontier.” But in many ways, all of our CUPSO members work on the frontier -helping decision-makers chart the unknown, and stepping into unsettled (or unsettling) territory to inform some of today’s most pressing public policy questions.Our hosts at the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, invite you to explore the opportunities and challenges they face working in this dynamic context and to share your own experience working across distance and difference to serve your communities.   

REGISTRATION information

Coming this Fall. . . 

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

Our savvy hosts at ISER have taken into consideration that many attendees may want to extend their stay beyond just the conference days, so the room blocks for both conference hotels are available beginning the Thursday before the conference (May 14) all the way through the following Saturday (May 23). Be sure to select only the dates you plan to stay when booking your room. 

Conference Hotels: 

• Aloft Anchorage ($279/night)
• SpringHill Suites Anchorage Midtown ($299/night).

The room block for both hotels can be booked through this link. The deadline to book is April 4, 2026. 

Note: the SpringHill suites includes a complementary breakfast. While breakfast will be provided on Tuesday and Wednesday for conference attendees, this may be something to consider if you are traveling with family.

Additional Travel INFORMATION

Check out our page on Planning Your Trip to Anchorage for suggestions on booking the best flights as well as for itinerary and activity ideas if you want to extend your Alaska trip beyond the three days of the conference. 

Sponsors

If you are interested in sponsoring the annual conference, see our sponsor prospectus for information on sponsor benefits.