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#ASHE2026: Know Before You Go

Date postedOctober 28, 2026
Conference,

Vote Early or Absentee

As we prepare to gather in Puerto Rico—a U.S. territory where residents do not have a vote in federal elections—we want to remind our community that this year's conference coincides with the U.S. congressional midterm elections. We encourage members to ensure your voices are heard by voting early or by absentee ballot before traveling. You can find specific state requirements and more information at VOTE411.

Engaging as a Visitor to San Juan

When ASHE met in San Juan in 2021, then-President Darin M.L. Stewart challenged us to do more than just "show up and take up space." The 2021 statement urged attendees to make a sincere contribution and create conditions for our community to engage deeply with the significance of gathering in Puerto Rico. The Borikén Syllabus from 2021 also emphasized our responsibility toward the land, water, and community.

2026 Conference Committee Chair, Dr. Nichole Garcia, reminds us that returning in 2026 means that these commitments should build upon what we've already established, rather than starting anew and outlines Ways to Put Reciprocity into Practice.

Puerto Rico should never be reduced to crisis or scarcity. Borikén is home to communities with deep knowledge, creativity, resistance, and long traditions of collective care. Our responsibility is to arrive ready to learn from that work, support it materially where we can, and understand that accepting the hospitality of a place creates obligations to that place. Thank you for helping us put Land, Memory, and Power into practice—not only in what we study and discuss, but in how we gather and what we leave behind. We encourage you to engage with the following:

As you likely know, Puerto Rico is facing a severe water crisis due to extreme drought and longstanding infrastructure issues. In August, over 180,000 residents in San Juan and surrounding areas faced rotating water outages lasting 48 hours. While the conference hotel and convention center may be somewhat insulated from these disruptions, we must remember that our experience as visitors should not define the reality that communities across Puerto Rico are enduring.

What you can do:

  • Bring a Reusable Water Bottle: Hydration stations will be available throughout the Convention Center halls for quick refills. Single-use plastic bottles will not be distributed in bulk.

  • Practice Mindful Hotel Usage: Even if your hotel has uninterrupted water service, small actions make a big impact. Please consider taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, and opting to reuse bath towels during your stay.

  • Plan with Flexibility: While major facilities are unaffected, local businesses, off-site restaurants, or transportation hubs in surrounding neighborhoods may experience brief operational adjustments.

Additionally, we encourage attendees to recognize that water needs are not the same for everyone. Health conditions, disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, and other factors may require some attendees to use more water for hydration, hygiene, or medical purposes. We encourage all attendees to consider where conservation is feasible for them and to reduce discretionary water use when possible.

San Juan Weather Forecast

Sudden rain showers are common this time of year. Be sure to pack an umbrella or reusable rain poncho. 

Download the app for ASHE 51st Annual Conference

We are excited to announce the app for ASHE 51st Annual Conference, powered by Guidebook, is now available. With this resource, you have access to the most up-to-date information as well as networking tools.

  1. Get started here: https://builder.guidebook.com/g/ashe2026/
  2. Tap “Download the app” to access the guide on your iOS and Android device.
  3. Be sure to log in with this email address in your notification e-mail.
  4. If this is your first time using the Guidebook platform, please check your email for a message from invitations@guidebook.com containing your login credentials.
We'll use your Guidebook app to check you in for the conference, so be sure to have it downloaded when you stop by to pick up your name badge. We'll quickly scan your Guidebook QR code and you'll be all set!

Air Travel to SJU & More Local Resources

San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the busiest and largest airport in Puerto Rico, connecting travelers from around the globe to the Island’s vibrant culture. With over 20 airlines offering nonstop flights to various destinations, SJU is a key hub for both domestic and international travelers.

Transportation from the airport to the Convention Center area can be anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Learn more and access additional resources on the Planning Your Conference webpage including a Puerto Rico Guide curated by the Local & Community Engagement Committee. 

Learn more about SJU and other local resources

Conference Hotels

Conference attendees are staying at various hotels in the Convention Center area. Be sure to double-check your reservation!

Presenter Guide and Reminders

The purpose of the ASHE Presenter Guide is to share important information to consider when developing presentations for and presenting at the General Conference and Pre-Conferences. 

Presenters, including chairs and discussants, are encouraged to review this guide ahead of the conference for the latest information about your presentation type.

Note: All final papers and slides should be uploaded to the Conference Portal. 

Audio/Visual Reminders:

Each breakout room will include a projector, screen, and laptop. To help ensure the accessibility of the session, please use the laptop provided. Laptops are pre-set with captions turned on in PowerPoint. Presenters must have live captions enabled as they are needed by attendees.

  • Presenters should have their PowerPoint Presentations on either a USB drive or online (we recommend both).
  • Breakout rooms will also include microphones for audience members and presenters; microphones should always be used in breakout rooms with no exceptions.
  • Presenters should not be Zoomed in to sessions as attendees or presenters. This limits the accessibility of the event as audio and video may not be able to be connected properly during the session.

A Bigger ASHE!

We are expecting around 1,600 attendees and guests, nearing our largest conference ever! We ask you to be patient and kind with the hotel staff, convention center staff, restaurants, ASHE Staff, and volunteers.

For this year's conference, we'll host nearly all events at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. It's a beautiful and large facility. It's also a public facility owned by the Commonwealth Government. As such, there are a few differences as compared to past conferences:

  • Just as we'll all do in airports on the way to San Juan, all attendees, speakers, and guests must pass through security checkpoints upon entry. Please add a few extra minutes to your arrival time to the Convention Center, especially in the morning. 
  • Small personal snacks (e.g., granola bars, dried fruit) and empty, reusable water bottles are allowed through security checkpoints. Refill stations are located throughout the Convention Center.
  • The convention center features in-house concessions, portable food stations, and coffee outlets.

As a scholarly community, we are charged to lift up and support each other. However, if you need support, please know there are resources available:

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