March 20 - 22, 2026

MAASU

Host a Conference

Why Host a MAASU Program?

Hosting a MAASU program is an opportunity to bring regional APIDA community to your campus while gaining hands-on leadership, event planning, and coalition-building experience.

MAASU partners with host institutions and student organizations to deliver meaningful, student-centered programming that supports APIDA leadership development, advocacy, and community connection across the Midwest.
Hosting is a collaborative process—MAASU provides guidance, infrastructure, and institutional knowledge, while host schools contribute local leadership, space, and campus engagement.

What Programs can you Host?

  • An annual leadership development experience for APIDA student leaders.

    • Focus: skill-building, leadership transitions, and organizational sustainability

    • Audience: student organization officers and emerging leaders

    • Emphasis on intentional leadership development

    Learn more here.

  • MAASU’s largest annual gathering bringing together students, alumni, educators, and community partners.

    • Focus: education, advocacy, and celebration

    • Includes keynote sessions, workshops, and awards

    • Requires a larger planning team and institutional support

    Learn more here.

  • A free, regional, campus-hosted event designed for community-building and identity-based engagement.

    • Typical attendance: 50–100 students

    • Focus: workshops, dialogue, and connection

    • Ideal for campuses looking to host a low-barrier regional gathering

    Learn more here.

What MAASU Provides

When you host a MAASU program, MAASU supports your team through:

  • Program planning guidance and timelines

  • Curriculum support and workshop frameworks

  • Budget templates and fundraising guidance

  • Marketing, registration, and outreach support

  • Access to MAASU leadership, Directors Council, and alumni advisors

  • Institutional memory, archives, and transition documentation

MAASU works closely with host teams to ensure events are accessible, mission-aligned, and sustainable.

What Host Schools Provide

Host institutions and student organizations typically contribute:

  • A dedicated student planning team

  • Campus spaces and logistical coordination

  • Local outreach to students, faculty, and community partners

  • Coordination with campus administration (as needed)

  • Ongoing communication with MAASU leadership

Specific expectations vary depending on the program being hosted and are outlined in MAASU bid or host materials.

How to Host a Conference

Interested in bringing a MAASU conference to your school? Here are some guidelines on the bid process to host the next MAASU Leadership Summit or Spring Conference.

1. Bid Packet

All interested schools are required to create a bid packet. The purpose of this bid packet is to showcase why the school should host the conference and provide an overview of the planning logistics to demonstrate the school’s capabilities.

Bid packets on average are around 20 pages long and need to include the sections outlined in the requirements:

Learn More

2. Bid Presentation

Bid presentations for all Leadership Summits, Spring and Fall Conferences will occur during the next MAASU Spring Conference in front of the MAASU General Assembly. Up to two representatives can present on behalf of each school. Representatives need to prepare a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation and provide at least two physical copies of the bid packet. After all presentations, the MAASU General Assembly will vote, and the winning schools will be announced later that evening during the Spring Conference banquet.

In order to be considered, the application form must be filled out at least a week in advance of the Spring Conference, when bid presentations will take place. To apply for the bidding process, please press the button below.

Learn More

Bid Packet Examples

Below are some example bid packets from schools that have hosted conferences in previous years.

Example Bid Packets for a Leadership Summit

2023 - Ad Astra

2021 - Root, Rise, Reflect

2019 - Take Flight

2018 - Impact

2017 - Timeless

2016 - Journey to the Center

Example Bid Packets for a Spring or Fall Conference

2020 - Unwritten

2019 - Be Boulder

2018 - Overcome

Example Bid Packets for a MAASUx

2024 - Living Like the Lotus

Hosting the Conference FAQs

  • A bid packet is a proposal submitted by a campus or student organization expressing interest in hosting a MAASU program. It allows MAASU to better understand your campus context, planning capacity, and vision for the event.

    Bid packets are not meant to be perfect. They are designed to help MAASU assess readiness, alignment with our mission, and how we can best support your hosting team.

    1. Host Organization & Campus Overview

      1. Name of the host organization(s) and institution

      2. Brief history of your organization and involvement with MAASU

      3. Description of campus context (student population, APIDA presence, available resources)

    2. Proposed Program Vision

      1. Which MAASU program you are bidding to host (MAASUx, Leadership Summit, or Spring Conference)

      2. Proposed theme or guiding question (if applicable)

      3. Goals for the event and what attendees should gain from the experience

    3. Planning Team & Capacity

      1. Names and roles of key student leaders and advisors

      2. Anticipated size of the planning team

      3. Description of how responsibilities will be shared

      4. Communication and accountability plans

    4. Preliminary Logistics

      1. Proposed dates and potential locations

      2. Campus spaces and accessibility considerations

      3. Housing and transportation considerations (if applicable)

      4. Estimated attendance capacity

    5. Budget & Financial Planning (MAASU provides budget templates and guidance—prior experience is not required.)

      1. Preliminary budget or cost estimates

      2. Potential funding sources (campus support, fundraising, sponsorships)

      3. Anticipated financial needs and questions

    6. Institutional & Community Support

      1. Level of advisor, department, or campus partner support

      2. Any existing or potential community partnerships

      3. Risk management and administrative considerations (as applicable)

    7. Accessibility & Inclusion Considerations

      1. Plans to ensure accessibility for attendees

      2. Commitment to inclusive programming and community norms

      3. Consideration of dietary, mobility, and identity-affirming needs

    8. Reflection & Readiness

      1. Why your school wants to host this program

      2. What makes your campus a strong fit

      3. How hosting supports your organization’s growth and sustainability

  • After submission:

    • MAASU leadership reviews all bid packets

    • Host teams may be invited to give a short presentation or interview

    • MAASU works collaboratively with selected hosts to refine logistics and plans

    Selection decisions are guided by readiness, equity, capacity, and regional balance.

  • MAASU programs may be hosted by:

    • APIDA student organizations

    • Coalitions of student organizations

    • Colleges or universities with student leadership support

    • MAASU Member Schools (preferred but not required)

    Hosting teams should demonstrate readiness, capacity, and alignment with MAASU’s mission and values.

  • While timelines vary by program, hosting typically includes:

    • Interest submission or bid process

    • Selection and onboarding with MAASU leadership

    • Planning and regular check-ins

    • Program delivery

    • Post-event reflection and transition

    Detailed timelines are provided once a host is selected.

  • No. MAASU provides support and guidance throughout the planning process.

  • Yes. Collaborative hosting is encouraged, especially for larger programs.

  • MAASU works with host teams to explore fundraising, sponsorships, and budget planning.

  • MAASU recognizes that hosting can feel intimidating. Our goal is to:

    • Provide clear guidance and templates

    • Offer mentorship throughout the planning process

    • Support accessibility, sustainability, and leadership development

    Hosting is a partnership — MAASU is invested in your success.

    If your school or organization is interested in hosting a MAASU program, we’d love to hear from you, contact MAASU Executive Director at:

    execdirector@maasu.org