The 2025 ULC Annual Leadership Forum has reached capacity and is now CLOSED.
A waitlist is available to join here.
The cancellation deadline for Forum is September 5, so ULC will start notifying folks of waitlist spots opening during the week of September 8. Should registration spots become available, we will notify individuals on the waitlist in the order that wait list signups are received. If you are moved off the waitlist, your registration can be reserved for 24 hours from the time the notice is sent. After this window, the spot will no longer be guaranteed.
JOIN WAITLIST2025 ULC Annual Leadership Forum
Leading with Advocacy: Championing Urban Libraries
October 22–24 | Cincinnati, OH
Hosted in partnership with the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Advocacy isn’t a department. It’s how libraries lead.
In today’s climate, public library leaders are called to do more than manage—they’re called to advocate. For their institutions. For their staff. For the future they’re building every day.
Whether you’re securing sustainable funding, fighting for fair e-book pricing, pushing for new positions, or championing your own leadership role—advocacy is everywhere.
The 2025 ULC Annual Leadership Forum is your space to recharge, connect, and build your library’s advocacy power from the inside out. Join library leaders from across North America as we explore how to lead through advocacy at every level—internally and externally, locally and nationally.
At the Forum, you’ll explore how to:
- Advocate for your library’s growth—from funding and staffing to visibility and influence
- Navigate civic and political spaces with clarity and confidence
- Elevate your voice on critical issues like digital access and public trust
- Use data and storytelling to shape decisions and strengthen your message
This is more than a conference.
This year’s ULC 2025 Annual Leadership Forum is a catalyst for every leader who has ever had to make the case for why libraries—and the people who power them—matter.
Advocacy belongs to all of us.
Registration Information
- Standard Rate - August 7 to August 29: $995
- Corporate Rate - July 1 to August 29:
- Sponsor: $1,500
- Non-Sponsor: $2,000
- Non-member Rate - July 1 to August 29: $2,500
Registration Closes August 29. ULC will not process any refunds after September 5.
Hotel Information
The Westin Cincinnati, our host hotel and main venue, has now sold out of ULC's room block. We recommend the following nearby hotels—all within a 3-5 minute walk of the Forum venue:
- Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel – 4-Star – 0.1 miles away
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza – 4-Star – 0.1 miles away
- Hyatt Regency Cincinnati – 4-Star – 0.2 miles away
- 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati – 4-Star – 0.14 miles away
Hosted in partnership with:
Agenda at a Glance
Programming will take place at The Westin Cincinnati. The below information is subject to change. Please check this page regularly for updates.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025: | |
| 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Annual Leadership Forum Registration |
| 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Conference Workshop | Creating Youth Opportunities (open to all registrants) |
| 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | ULC CEO Session (open to Library CEOs and Directors) |
| 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | ULC Annual Forum Welcome Reception* |
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | |
| 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. | Registration Desk Open |
| 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. | ULC Member Networking Breakfast* |
| 9:00 a.m. to Noon | Forum Programming |
| Noon to 1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch* |
| 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Forum Programming |
| 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Member Reception and Tour at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library* |
Friday, October 24, 2025 | |
| 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. | ULC Member Networking Breakfast* |
| 9:00 a.m. to Noon | Forum Programming |
| Noon | Adjourn |
**All food and beverages are included in the registration costs.