Two Decades Later: AEP Returns to USC for 20th Anniversary Celebration Featuring Keynote by Renowned Event Producer Adam Rosen
by Joy Matheny | October 1, 2025 |
Academic Event Planners Nationwide to Gather at Birthplace of AEP Conference for Strategic Leadership at USC
APEX, N.C. (October 1, 2025) – TSEC Academic Solutions, the owner and producer of the Academic Event Professional (AEP) Conference, proudly announces the 20th anniversary celebration of AEP, returning to the University of Southern California (USC) campus on March 1-2, 2026.
The milestone event will feature keynote speaker Adam Rosen, USC’s Associate Vice President of Cultural Relations and University Events, who will present “Scaling Impact: Developing a Strategy to Build a Robust Internal Events Team” to an audience of academic event planning professionals.
The 2026 AEP Conference represents a full-circle moment for the organization, as the event returns to USC where the conference first began two decades ago. Academic event planners from across the country will convene on the USC campus to explore best practices, innovative strategies, and emerging trends in academic event management. As higher education institutions navigate leadership transitions, budget cuts and organizational change, this landmark gathering offers a full program of peer-driven sessions, networking, and industry expertise while celebrating two decades of elevating the academic event profession and fostering a vibrant, collaborative community.
In his keynote presentation, Rosen will provide actionable insights on building effective event teams, aligning programming with institutional priorities, and demonstrating measurable impact to university leadership. Attendees will learn best practices for staffing, budgeting, cross-functional collaboration, and measuring success to maximize their internal event offerings.
Keynote Spotlight: Adam Rosen, USC’s Associate Vice President of Cultural Relations and University Events
Adam Rosen brings more than a decade of leadership at USC, where he oversees the direction, production, and management of over 300 events annually – across campus, Southern California and international locations. An award-winning event and marketing producer, Rosen’s extensive experience spans both higher education and major brands, including Warner Bros. and Mattel.
“Events are a powerful vehicle for advancing institutional priorities, building community, and inspiring pride,” said Adam Rosen. “I’m honored to share my experience and strategies for successfully building internal events teams and look forward to learning from the collective expertise of academic event planners nationwide at this milestone AEP Conference.”
Conference Program: Best Practices, Innovation, and Community
Designed by academic event planners for academic event planners, the AEP Conference offers specialized programming tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within higher education event management. Attendees will explore best practices, innovative strategies, and emerging trends in academic event management. The two-day conference provides a full program of peer-driven sessions, networking opportunities, and industry expertise while celebrating two decades of elevating the academic event profession and fostering a vibrant, collaborative community.
Why Attend the 2026 AEP Conference?
- Specialized programming for higher education event management
- Educational sessions and professional development resources
- Networking opportunities with academic event planners nationwide
- Celebration of two decades of innovation and community
Reflections from AEP Leadership
Jim Hooker, AEP Board Chair, reflected on the significance of the conference’s anniversary:
“Returning to USC for our 20th anniversary is a meaningful homecoming. Two decades ago, visionary academic event planners gathered at USC with the shared goal of elevating our profession through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Today, that same spirit of innovation and community continues to drive our mission, and newly established association – The Fellows, as we celebrate this significant milestone and look ahead to the future of academic event planning.”
For more information and to register for the 2026 AEP Conference, visit https://aep-edu.com/conference/.
About TSEC Academic Solutions
TSEC Academic Solutions, based in Apex, North Carolina, is a specialized division of TSEC with over 35 years of expertise in academic event strategy, design and production. As a trusted partner to universities, colleges, and educational organizations worldwide, TSEC Academic Solutions delivers award-winning experiences that advance educational missions and strengthen institutional connections. Renowned for its innovative approach and recipient of 40+ international awards, TSEC Academic Solutions combines a deep understanding of academia with flawless execution, moving and motivating attendees into action, ensuring every event leaves a lasting impact. Part of the TSEC family acquired by creative communications group DRPG in January 2024, TSEC Academic Solutions is powered by a global team of 400 creatives, offering turnkey, in-house services for live and virtual events, video production and strategic communications. For more information, visit: tsecacademicsolutions.com
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