9/12/26: Hotel and Sponsor information has been updated. A link to a new Session Grid will be updated soon.
MECA &
M I D W E S T E L L U C I A N C L I E N T A S S O C I A T I O N
UMBUG
U P P E R M I D W E S T B A N N E R U S E R G R O U P
Thursday and Friday | October 29-30, 2026 | Kirkwood Community College
Join us to share, collaborate, explore and plan with other higher education professionals around the use of Ellucian's software products.
MECA & UMBUG allows sponsors to network with higher education professional from across the Midwest. Be a part of a great learning experience!
S P O N S O R
A T T E N D E E
Event Registration Information
o v e r v i e w
MECA & UMBUG
2026
MECA (Midwest Ellucian Client Association) and UMBUG (Upper Midwest Banner User Group) are joining forces in 2026. Details will be added to this space as they are confirmed.
F E A T U R E D S P E A K E R S - 2026
TBD
S E S S I O N S I N F O
NOTE: In 2026, MECA will continue to offer content grouped into different conference tracks, providing a broad range of learning opportunities for all areas of colleges and universities using Ellucian’s software solutions.
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CIO Forum/IT Management
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There will be 3 tracks centered on Colleague content.
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There will be 3 tracks centered on Banner content
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There will be 3 tracks centered on products and features that are the same for both Colleague and Banner
For detailed descriptions of the sessions we offered last year, take a look at our session listing.
C I O F O R U M
Join IT leaders from around the Midwest as they explore and discuss their vision for the future of their technology solutions. Attend, network and interact to get the information you need to plan your campus’ next technology innovations.
MECA 2026 Schedule
Thursday, October 29th and Friday, October 30th. (Specific times are NOT yet finalized for 2026.)
T H U R S D A Y
8:00AM
Vendor registration
through 11:00am
10:00AM
Attendee registration
through 12:00pm
12:00PM
Lunch, Welcome and Keynote
through 1:45pm
2:00PM
Conference Sessions
through 2:50pm
2:50PM
Break
through 3:30pm
3:13PM
Conference Sessions
through 5:20pm
5:20PM
Social Hour
through 7:00pm
F R I D A Y
7:00AM
Breakfast
through 8:00am
8:00AM
Conference Sessions
through 9:50am
9:50AM
Break
through 10:30am
10:30AM
Conference Sessions
through 11:20 am
11:30am
Capstone Presentation
through 12:30pm
Closing Remarks, Door Prizes and Box Lunch
12:30PM
through 1:00pm
MECA​ 2026
S P O N S O R S
A big thank you to all of our sponsors. Without their support, involvement, and enthusiasm we could not accomplish our goal of helping you connect with the other institutions, professionals, products and practices you need to lead your institutions.
V I S I O N A R Y S P O N S O R S
T R A I L B L A Z E R S P O N S O R S
C O N F E R E N C E A D V O C A T E S
MECA is the 2017 Ellucian Ellumination Community Award Winner
"Awarded to an individual who creates best practices by collaborating with peers across the higher education community to identify new solutions to common challenges." Presented to Kelley Bradder, CIO of Simpson College at eLive 2017 for reviving the Midwest regional conference (MR-DUG) as the MECA Conference.
Our
Speakers
Opening Keynote: TBD
Closing Capstone: TBD
Location
ABOUT KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
Kirkwood Community College is a public, open-admissions institution in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, serving roughly 12,000–16,000 students across 7 counties. Established in 1966, it offers over 140 programs, including liberal arts transfers, nursing, and technical training. With a 100% acceptance rate and affordable tuition, it provides accessible career paths.
FULL ADDRESS:
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapid, IA 52404
Map to Event Site
A I R P O R T
The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) is 4 miles from The Kirkwood Center.
H O T E L s
The MECA & UMBUG onference partners with hotels from the local area to ensure a comfortable stay for all conference attendees. This year, MECA has partnered with The Hotel at Kirkwood, avid hotel, and Hampton Inn.
The Hotel at Kirkwood
Address:
7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-848-8700
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CALL as ask for the MECA Rate.
Contact
Have any questions or concerns regarding the conference, vendor information/registration, or anything else?
Contact us by filling out the form to the right with your name and email, as well as a short message and we will be happy to answer any and all questions!
MECA &
