Summer is open season for a hardworking team of six staffers in Duber Hall—the experts at maximizing American University’s campus.

From booking rooms to executing event logistics, University Conference and Guest Services (UCGS) is a one-stop shop connecting primarily external guests with university meeting and lodging spaces. 

“Our focus is to bring people to AU,” said Kim Araya, director of UCGS. “Clients tell us we are the premier place for summer conferences. We’re here to bring people to campus and experience all AU has to offer.” 

In fiscal year 2025, buoyed by an explosion of activity since commencement, UCGS exceeded its budgeted gross revenue. Between May 18 and August 9, UCGS brought over 7,660 conference guests from 76 different groups to campus, generating more than $7.7 million for the university’s operating budget. About $1.8 million of that total came from housing more than 450 DC summer interns from groups and individual reservations.

“Each year, our Conference and Guest Services team earns valuable non-tuition revenue for the university that goes toward supporting the university’s academic and student mission,” said Mike Scher, assistant vice president of business services. “By ensuring that our summer guests are delighted with and excited by their experience on our campus, we also engage potential future Eagles with an exceptional AU experience.” 

This summer, UCGS welcomed 23 new conference groups to AU. One of them, the Peace Corps Connect Conference, held the bulk of its activities at the Washington College of Law’s Claudio Grossman Hall in July. 

When event organizers targeted DC for the first in-person gathering of returned Peace Corps volunteers since 2019, AU—which has a longstanding connection to the agency—was on their list of options. 

That UCGS was so easy to work with—helping to nail down the right space, providing on-campus lodging options and off-campus hotel accommodations—sealed the deal for conference cochair Mike Roman.

“We reached out to AU and within a day, I got an email back,” Roman said in an interview before the conference. “When we took a tour of campus, that was pretty much, in my mind, when we decided [to go with] AU. Before I left, Kim gave me a little bag of AU stuff. I had a really good feeling about it.” 

UCGS doesn’t just market the university. They help clients throughout the process, connecting them with campus resources to meet all their needs, including dining, housing, meeting space, and audiovisual services. Throughout the year, UCGS employs about 90 student workers to help manage that busy operation. 

AU’s quad and lush green spaces are a real selling point with external clients—and internal ones, as well. Araya said she hopes more folks from the campus community will take advantage of working with UCGS this year. 

“Faculty and staff, I want you to bring your groups here,” she said. “I want you to bring your organizations. I want to showcase this campus.” 

Learn more about University Conference and Guest Services.