Association of Retirement Organizations
in Higher Education

At AROHE, we recognize that higher education retirees are valuable assets to society, reinventing, not retiring from, life, positively impacting their communities and contributing to the greater good.

Conference Overview

AROHE’s 2026 conference, Wellness, Wisdom, Wonder: The Joys of Connection, is our biennial gathering that brings together leaders, members, and friends of retirement organizations in higher education to reimagine what retirement can be through community, learning, and innovation.

Hosted by the Retired Faculty of the University of Florida in Gainesville, home of the state's largest and oldest university, the event will be on October 6-8, 2026. The event will feature engaging keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, and creative formats that highlight how retiree programs connect people to each other, to ideas, and to purpose through wellness, lifelong learning, and exploration.

Conference Theme & Program Tracks

The Joy of Connection: Wellness, Wisdom, and Wonder celebrates the power of coming together to support thriving lives before and beyond retirement. As AROHE’s first in-person conference in several years, this gathering offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, exchange insights, and spark new ideas that promote well-being, lifelong learning, and purposeful engagement. Together, we will cultivate relationships that inspire resilience, curiosity, and a renewed sense of possibility for the next chapter.

Program Tracks Include:

The Wellness track explores the essential foundations of healthy aging, equipping participants with strategies to strengthen resilience, enhance financial well-being, and cultivate sustainable work–life balance. Through practical insights and forward-thinking conversations, this track empowers retirees and retirement leaders to prioritize vitality, independence, and a high quality of life in every stage of the journey.

The Wisdom track honors the depth of experience retirees bring to their communities by highlighting lifelong learning, intergenerational engagement, leadership, and the power of legacy and storytelling. Participants will explore meaningful ways to share knowledge, inspire future generations, and shape enduring contributions that extend their impact well beyond their careers.

The Wonder track invites participants to embrace curiosity and creativity while exploring how technology, global perspectives, and new possibilities are reshaping the retirement experience. Designed to spark imagination and discovery, this track encourages attendees to reimagine retirement as a vibrant chapter filled with connection, exploration, and continued growth.

Call for Proposals

The Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) invites proposals for the 2026 AROHE Conference.

Our 2026 theme is The Joys of Connection: Wellness, Wisdom, Wonder reflects the vibrancy of retiree life and the transformative power of community. Across all program categories, we encourage submissions that highlight connection: connecting people to each other, to ideas, to purpose, and to the joy of lifelong engagement. Please read our full CFP Guidelines.

Submit your Proposal by April 24, 2026

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed for retiree organization leaders, university administrators, faculty and staff retirees, allied professionals, and strategic partners who are committed to strengthening engagement across the retirement landscape. Leaders and administrators will gain innovative models and practical tools to support thriving retiree communities; retirees will discover opportunities for continued purpose, learning, and connection; and allied professionals and partners will deepen their understanding of this influential population while building meaningful collaborations that extend impact across higher education.

Why Attend?

Gain practical strategies to strengthen retiree engagement, programming, and organizational effectiveness.
Discover innovative models that support healthy aging, lifelong learning, and purposeful connection.
Expand your professional network by building relationships with peers, thought leaders, and institutional partners.
Leave with actionable ideas and ready-to-implement tools to elevate your retirement initiatives.
Explore emerging trends shaping retirement in higher education and identify opportunities for future growth.
Return to your organization inspired, equipped, and prepared to create meaningful impact within your community.

Schedule at a glance

Tuesday — Arrival & Connection

Time	Event
1:00 – 4:00 PM	Check-In
2:00 – 4:00 PM	Cultural Tour
3:00 – 4:00 PM	Welcome Orientation
4:00 – 6:00 PM	Opening Reception
5:30 PM – Evening	Dine Arounds

Wednesday — Learning, Leadership & Celebration

Time	Event
7:30 – 9:00 AM	Check-In & Morning Arrival
9:00 – 10:30 AM	Breakfast Keynote
10:30 – 10:45 AM	Break
10:45 – 11:50 AM	Breakout Sessions (3 Concurrent Options)
12:00 – 2:00 PM	Lunch Keynote
2:15 – 3:30 PM	Breakout Sessions (3 Concurrent Options)
3:45 – 4:45 PM	Business Meetings — Presidents Council, Member Organizations, Virtual Retirement Chapter
6:00 – 8:00 PM	Awards Dinner

Thursday — Insight & Forward Momentum

Time	Event
By 12:00 PM	Hotel Check-Out
9:00 – 10:30 AM	Breakfast Keynote
10:45 – 11:45 AM	Breakout Sessions (2 Concurrent Options)
12:00 – 2:00 PM	Executive Board Meeting

Registration

Registration for the 2026 AROHE Conference is now open. We welcome individual retirees, representatives of AROHE Member Organizations, and university faculty, staff, and administrators who support retiree engagement. Join colleagues and peers from across the country for several days of learning, networking, and inspiration centered on this year’s theme, The Joys of Connection: Wellness, Wisdom, Wonder. Register today to secure your place and be part of the conversations shaping the future of retiree communities and lifelong engagement.

2026 AROHE Conference Registration Rates

Register early to take advantage of discounted rates.

Registration Period	Dates	Member Rate	Non-Member Rate
Early Bird	March 7 – May 1	$175	$205
Regular	May 2 – July 31	$200	$230
Late	August 1 – September 18	$225	$250

*Member rates apply to individuals affiliated with current AROHE Member Organizations. Please contact your center or associations for discount code.

Register Now

Travel, Lodging, & LOcal Information

Reaching Gainesville is straightforward, whether you’re arriving by air, highway, or rail connection. Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is the city’s primary airport, located just a few miles from downtown and offering convenient access via taxis, rideshares, shuttles, and rental cars. Other airports close by include Jacksonville (about a 1 hour drive) and Orlando (about 2 hours drive).

If you’re driving, Gainesville sits directly along Interstate 75, providing a smooth north–south route through the region and easy access to the university area, hotels, and conference venues.

Rail travelers can connect through Amtrak’s Gainesville stop, located on North Main Street. While Gainesville does not have a full rail station, this Amtrak bus connection point links passengers to regional routes and long‑distance trains.

Together, these transportation options make traveling to Gainesville simple, flexible, and accessible for attendees coming from across Florida and beyond.

The Conference Venue will be held at the University of Florida Hilton Hotel and home to the Hilton UF Conference Center. We have secured a group rate of $159 a night, which will be honored two-days pre and post event for those that want to explore the are further.

Gainesville, Florida is a vibrant college town and cultural destination, home to the University of Florida and a lively mix of museums, performing arts, and local restaurants. Conference participants can enjoy miles of shaded trails, expansive prairies alive with wildlife, spring‑fed rivers, crystal‑clear swimming holes, and an array of breathtaking State Parks. Experience a welcoming downtown with live music, breweries, and walkable streets along with The Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art. The city combines an easygoing small-town feel with the energy of a major university community, making it an appealing place to relax, connect, and explore between conference sessions. visit: https://www.visitgainesville.com/university-of-florida/

Contact Information

info@arohe.org
814-299-5283
P.O. Box 37, Dubois PA 15801

AROHE will never sell or give your personal information to sponsors or partners without your expressed permission. This permission is typically done as a part of an event registration where members and registrants "opt in" to receive email notices from a partner or sponsor. In this case a member or registrant's email address is provided to the sponsor or partner.

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