Attending
- Attending
UIST 2026 will take place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, MI, November 2–5, 2026. Workshops and the Doctoral Symposium will be held on Monday, November 2 and the main conference will be held on November 3–5. U.S. citizens should note that the U.S. midterm elections will take place on Tuesday, November 3, the first day of the main conference. Please plan ahead to ensure you can participate in the election.
Situated in the iconic GM Renaissance Center along the Detroit River waterfront, the venue offers sweeping views of the skyline and easy access to Detroit’s vibrant arts, food, and culture scene.
Registration
Registration is now open on the CVENT registration site .
Full Conference
| Category | Early bird (by September 4) |
Regular (by October 2) |
Late/On-site (from November 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student ACM/SIGCHI Member | $500 | $600 | $700 |
| Student Non-member | $600 | $700 | $800 |
| ACM/SIGCHI Member | $900 | $1050 | $1150 |
| Non-Member | $1050 | $1150 | $1250 |
Full Conference + Workshop
| Category | Early bird (by September 4) |
Regular (by October 2) |
Late/On-site (from November 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student ACM/SIGCHI Member | $650 | $750 | $850 |
| Student Non-member | $750 | $850 | $950 |
| ACM/SIGCHI Member | $1050 | $1200 | $1300 |
| Non-Member | $1200 | $1300 | $1400 |
Workshop Only & Guest Registration
| Item | Price | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop Only | $150 | Non-refundable |
| Guest Registration — Caregiver | $50 | Non-refundable |
| Guest Registration — Child | $10 | Non-refundable |
| Extra Demo Reception Ticket | $100 | Non-refundable |
| Extra Henry Ford Museum Reception Ticket | $100 | Non-refundable |
Already registered? No problem — you can add a workshop to your existing registration afterward by modifying your registration on the CVENT registration site .
Travel Scholarships
Information about UIST 2026 travel scholarships will be posted here when available. Check back closer to the conference.
Gary Marsden Travel Award
In recognition of Dr. Gary Marsden’s contributions and inspiration, SIGCHI established the Gary Marsden Travel Awards (GMTA) to support its members in attending ACM SIGCHI conferences. Those eligible to apply include undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers (≤ 5 years post-graduation), and those experiencing financial hardship or lacking institutional support.
For full details and to apply, please see the SIGCHI call for applications .
Deadlines are on the 9th of January, February, March, May, July, September, and November at 11:59 PM AoE. You must apply to a deadline that occurs more than one month before the start of the conference.
Visa Support
The Association for Computing Machinery does not issue formal invitation letters for visas to attend ACM-sponsored conferences. However, you can request a Visa Support Letter from ACM at supportletters.acm.org .
ACM is able to provide visa support letters to registered attendees, authors and speakers with accepted papers/posters/talks, and conference committee members. Please allow up to 10 business days for your information to be reviewed and your support letter to be processed. All requests are handled in the order they are received.
If you cannot access that form, please email acmsupportletters@executivevents.com with the following:
- Name as it appears on your passport
- Current postal mailing address
- Name of the conference you are registering for
- Registration confirmation number and/or title of your paper or presentation
Childcare and Caregivers
When you register yourself, you can also register children and/or a caregiver (for yourself or for the child).
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Children ($10) — If you intend to bring your children to any of the conference events, they have to be formally registered so that they are covered by the ACM insurance. Registered children are welcome to attend any UIST event, including the Demo Reception and the Henry Ford Museum Reception. No drink tickets will be included with child registration. You will also need to fill out a waiver and email to registration2026@uist.org.
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Caregivers ($50) — This registration category is for people providing care to the conference attendees with impairments or to the children of conference attendees. It grants the person access to all events (including the Demo Reception) except the Henry Ford Museum Reception. No drink tickets will be included with the caregiver registration. If you would like your caregiver to attend the Henry Ford Museum Reception, you will be able to purchase an additional ticket when you register your caregiver. This fee can be waived upon request, particularly if the caregiver is required for accessibility needs.
Childcare and Parental Support Grants
UIST wil not provide on-site childcare, but we will provide grants for up to $700 USD to help cover the cost of childcare for attendees. The grant can be used as a contribution toward:
- Travel costs for children between the ages of two and seventeen
- Travel costs for a companion providing childcare, specifically for non-shared transportation costs such as airfare
- On-site childcare at the conference, arranged by the parent (e.g., shared care facilities, babysitting expenses)
Apply for a childcare grant by filling out this form before October 23rd. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible so that the organizers can plan appropriately. Note: you must be registered for the conference to be eligible for a childcare grant.
Bringing your family along? See Visit Detroit’s family fun guide for kid-friendly things to do around the city.
Accommodation
All conference activities, including receptions and the demo session, will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center — the conference hotel is in the same building as the main conference venue.
A block of rooms has been reserved for UIST 2026 attendees at a special pre-negotiated conference rate. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to book early.
Transportation
The nearest major airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), about 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. Two convenient public options for reaching and getting around the conference area are the Detroit Air Xpress and the Detroit People Mover.
Detroit Air Xpress (DAX)
The Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) is a shuttle bus connecting DTW directly with downtown Detroit. It runs 16 trips daily from 3:30 AM to 11:00 PM, with fares of $6 in advance or $8 when boarding.
- To board the DAX at the airport (DTW), depending on your terminal (you can find which terminal your flight arrives at here):
- McNamara Terminal: Board the DAX at “Departures” (Level 3). Follow signs for “Ticketing/Check-In” or “Public Transit.” The DAX stop is just outside of Door 1 (labeled “International Ticketing”) going toward the ramp. You will see a sign of transit options.
- Evans Terminal: Board the DAX at “Ground Transportation”. From baggage claim, go up two levels to the skywalk or one level if not picking up luggage. Cross the skywalk; then, enter elevators on left side, and take down to ground level. Go out the doors next to elevator and find DAX in stall 1-2.
- To get from the DAX to the venue, you can either walk (0.8 miles or 1.3 km) or take the free “People Mover” light-rail (see below) to reach the venue from the DAX stop in downtown Detroit.
See the DAX website for schedules and fares.
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover is a free elevated, automated light-rail system that loops around downtown — a 2.9-mile route with 13 stations that can be ridden end-to-end in about 15 minutes. The Renaissance Center station is located in the conference venue (Tower 200, Level 2), making it an easy way to reach Greektown, Huntington Place, and other downtown destinations. See thepeoplemover.com for stations and hours.
QLINE Streetcar
The QLINE is a streetcar that runs 3.3 miles along Woodward Avenue, connecting downtown Detroit with the Midtown, New Center, and North End neighborhoods. It’s a convenient way to reach attractions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Fox Theatre, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena. See qlinedetroit.com for stops, schedules, and fares.
MoGo Bike Share
MoGo is Detroit’s bike share system, with stations across downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods — including near the Renaissance Center. Classic and electric-assist bikes are available for single rides or day passes, and the Detroit Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut greenway offer scenic car-free routes right by the venue. See mogodetroit.org for stations, passes, and pricing.
Weather & What to Pack
It can get cold in Detroit in early November. Expect daytime highs in the low 50s °F (10–12 °C) and overnight lows in the upper 30s °F (3–4 °C), though the first days of November can swing from the 60s °F (high teens °C) to near freezing from one year to the next. Rain is common, and while measurable snow is unusual this early, it is not unheard of.
What that means for your suitcase:
- A warm jacket, plus layers you can shed indoors — conference rooms are heated and often run warm.
- A rain shell or compact umbrella. Detroit averages a handful of wet days in early November.
- Comfortable walking shoes for downtown, the Riverwalk, and the museum.
- Something warmer for the evenings. It gets dark early — sunset is just after 5:00 PM.
You should expect to go outside to walk to lunch: lunch breaks are on your own at restaurants around downtown, so you will be heading out in the middle of the day. Otherwise the venue, the conference hotel, and the People Mover station are all inside the same complex, so you can get between conference activities without going outdoors.
Practical Information
Time zone
Detroit is on Eastern Time. Note that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 1, 2026 — the day before workshops — so clocks go back one hour and Detroit is UTC−5 for the whole conference.
Money
The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and phone-based contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, and a number of venues are card-only, so you can get by without cash. ATMs are easy to find downtown and at the airport.
Michigan’s 6% sales tax is added at the register, so the price on the shelf or menu is not the price you pay. Detroit also adds a restaurant tax in some areas, and hotel bills carry additional local taxes and fees.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in the United States and makes up a large share of service workers’ income. It is not included in the bill.
- Restaurants with table service: 18–20% of the pre-tax total. Card terminals usually suggest amounts.
- Bars: $1–2 per drink, or 18–20% of the tab.
- Taxis and rideshare: 10–15%.
- Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night, left in the room.
- Porters and bellhops: $1–2 per bag.
- Counter service and coffee shops: optional; rounding up is common.
Language
English is the working language of the conference and of everyday life in Detroit.
Electricity
U.S. mains power is 120 V, 60 Hz, with Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (two flat pins plus a round ground) outlets. If you are coming from a 220–240 V country you will need a plug adapter. Most laptop and phone chargers are dual-voltage — check the fine print on the power brick for “100–240 V” — but single-voltage appliances such as hair dryers or kettles need a converter, not just an adapter.
Other useful things to know
- Emergencies: dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies, from any phone, free of charge.
- Tap water is safe to drink, and the venue has water stations — bring a refillable bottle.
- Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) and convenience stores are within walking distance of the venue for anything you forgot.
- Poster printing: Allegra Marketing Print in Detroit is the closest option to the venue. Call ahead — large-format printing is not always same-day, and you will want to confirm turnaround, size, and pickup hours before you travel.
- Getting around without a car is easy downtown: see Transportation for the free People Mover, the QLINE streetcar, MoGo bike share, and airport connections.
- You will be right on the Canadian border. The venue looks across the Detroit River at Windsor, Ontario — which, thanks to the way the river bends, sits south of Detroit. Phones along the riverfront sometimes latch onto a Canadian tower and decide you have left the country, so watch for a “welcome to Canada” text and check your roaming settings if you get one. (Windsor is on Eastern Time too, so at least your clock stays right.)
- Things to do: Visit Detroit is the city’s official visitor guide, with restaurant, museum, and neighborhood recommendations.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3 🇺🇸
The 2026 U.S. midterm elections fall on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — the first day of the main conference. Federal, state, and local races are on the ballot in Michigan and across the country.
If you are a U.S. voter
The conference program runs from 8:25 AM to the evening on Tuesday, so plan to vote before you travel rather than on the day itself. Options depend on your state:
- Vote by mail / absentee. Most states let you request a mail ballot in advance; deadlines vary and some fall weeks before Election Day. See Vote.org’s absentee ballot guide, the usa.gov page on absentee voting, and deadlines by state.
- Vote early in person. Many states, including Michigan, offer early in-person voting in the days before the election.
- Check your registration well ahead of time at vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote.
If you are a Michigan voter, michigan.gov/vote has registration, early voting, and clerk information. Polls in Michigan are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Michigan allows voter registration in person at your local clerk’s office through Election Day.
If you are visiting from outside the U.S.
Election Day is not a public holiday: shops, restaurants, transit, and the conference all run normally. You may notice polling places signposted at schools, libraries, and community centers, campaign advertising around the city, and wall-to-wall coverage on television and radio — results roll in through Tuesday evening and often well past midnight. Polling places themselves are for voters; please do not photograph or film inside them.
Political conversation may be more present than usual during the week. Please keep the conference itself welcoming to everyone, in line with the ACM Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment.