The AASHE Conference & Expo is the largest stage to share successful case studies, initiatives, projects, research, policies, and transformative actions advancing sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. AASHE offers many resources and programs throughout the year, but none are more visible than the annual Conference & Expo. It is where year-round initiatives culminate, bringing together leaders, practitioners, and partners to deepen collaboration, expand impact, and strengthen the community. The annual gathering amplifies that work by creating space for connection, practical solutions, and collective action.
Together, we are strengthening the higher education sector to serve as a foundation for a thriving, equitable, and ecologically healthy world. Through sustained engagement and collective leadership, higher education can help shape a just, resilient, and sustainable future.
Who attends?
AASHE Conference & Expo convenes a diverse group of campus representatives including faculty, students, sustainability officers, staff and administrators together with business, nonprofit, government, community leaders and members.
What to Expect
Networking & Community Building
The conference includes both structured and informal networking opportunities designed to foster:
- Cross-disciplinary exchange
- Regional collaboration
- Long-term partnerships
Participants consistently mention community-building as one of the most valuable aspects of the event.
Content
The program features impactful keynotes, educational sessions, workshops, and interactive discussions focused on:
- Climate action and decarbonization
- Resilience and adaptation
- Curriculum innovation
- Campus and community engagement
- Governance and institutional strategy
- Student leadership
- and more!
Expo Hall
The Expo connects institutional representatives with business partners offering products and services tailored to higher education sustainability. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for businesses, higher education institutions and non-profits to reach sustainability practitioners and demonstrate how their products or services can lead the way to a sustainable future.
Host Institutions
Each year, AASHE partners with host institutions that demonstrate leadership in sustainability practice and innovation. Attendees have opportunities to learn directly from campus initiatives and regional efforts.
Hosting the conference highlights local sustainability achievements while strengthening national and global collaboration.
The AASHE Conference & Expo is the largest stage to share successful case studies, initiatives, projects, research, policies, and transformative actions advancing sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. AASHE offers many resources and programs throughout the year, but none are more visible than the annual Conference & Expo. It is where year-round initiatives culminate, bringing together leaders, practitioners, and partners to deepen collaboration, expand impact, and strengthen the community. The annual gathering amplifies that work by creating space for connection, practical solutions, and collective action.
Together, we are strengthening the higher education sector to serve as a foundation for a thriving, equitable, and ecologically healthy world. Through sustained engagement and collective leadership, higher education can help shape a just, resilient, and sustainable future.
The AASHE Conference & Expo is the largest professional gathering dedicated to advancing sustainability in higher education. Each year, thousands of campus leaders, faculty, facilities professionals, students, solution providers, and partners come together to accelerate climate action, equity, and systems change.
Whether this is your first AASHE conference, your tenth or your twentieth, you’ll find a collaborative and diverse community focused on real progress.
What Makes This Conference Unique?
Unlike other higher education or sustainability events, the AASHE Conference & Expo is specifically designed for all higher education roles and the partners who support them to connect across silos and move sustainability forward.
The conference integrates:
- Campus operations leadership — sustainability, energy, facilities, procurement, dinning, grounds and more
-
Academic innovation — curriculum, research, and student engagement
-
Institutional strategy — governance, policy, and executive leadership
-
Solutions marketplace — mission-aligned sponsors and exhibitors
First-time attendees
If you’re new to AASHE, you’re not alone. Many participants attend for the first time each year: from new sustainability staff to faculty exploring climate curriculum to administrators building institutional strategy. You can expect:
-
Welcoming and inclusive culture
-
Practical sessions alongside big-picture thinking
-
Opportunities to connect with peers facing similar challenges
-
Dedicated networking opportunities
-
Expo hall focused on higher education solutions
Who attends?
AASHE Conference & Expo convenes a diverse group of campus representatives including sustainability staff, faculty, students, other professionals and administrators together with businesses, consultants, nonprofit, government and community leaders.
Who attends?
AASHE Conference & Expo convenes a diverse group of campus representatives including sustainability staff, faculty, students, other professionals and administrators together with businesses, consultants, nonprofit, government and community leaders.
First-time attendees
If you’re new to AASHE, you’re not alone. Many participants attend for the first time each year: from new sustainability staff to faculty exploring climate curriculum to administrators building institutional strategy. You can expect:
-
Welcoming and inclusive culture
-
Practical sessions alongside big-picture thinking
-
Opportunities to connect with peers facing similar challenges
-
Dedicated networking opportunities
-
Expo hall focused on higher education solutions
Returning Participants
If you’ve attended before, you’ll find:
-
New case studies and skill-building opportunities
-
Updated frameworks and tools aligned with emerging campus needs
-
Expanded cross-sector collaboration
-
Deeper focus on implementation and measurable outcomes
-
Renewed opportunities to build partnerships
The conference evolves each year to reflect the urgency and complexity of sustainability work in higher education.
Conference Main Components
Networking & Community Building
The conference includes both structured and informal networking opportunities designed to foster:
- Cross-disciplinary exchange
- Regional collaboration
- Long-term partnerships
Participants consistently mention community-building as one of the most valuable aspects of the event.
Content
The program features impactful keynotes, educational sessions, workshops, and interactive discussions focused on:
- Climate action and decarbonization
- Resilience and adaptation
- Curriculum innovation
- Campus and community engagement
- Governance and institutional strategy
- Student leadership
- and more!
Expo Hall
The Expo connects institutional representatives with business partners offering products and services tailored to higher education sustainability. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for businesses, higher education institutions and non-profits to reach sustainability practitioners and demonstrate how their products or services can lead the way to a sustainable future.
Host Institutions
Each year, AASHE partners with host institutions that demonstrate leadership in sustainability practice and innovation. Attendees have opportunities to learn directly from campus initiatives and regional efforts.
Hosting the conference highlights local sustainability achievements while strengthening national and global collaboration.