Invitation to Partner with the Regional Studies Association Annual Conference
About the RSA Annual Conference
For more than four decades, the Regional Studies Association (RSA) has delivered a programme of major international conferences, bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners from across the world.
The RSA Annual Conference is our flagship international event and provides a friendly, supportive and inclusive environment in which participants can exchange the latest research, policy developments and practice-based insights relating to regions, cities and territories.
Through the conference, we create opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration, while continuing to develop the international and impactful community at the heart of the RSA.
The Annual Conference is held in a different European destination each year. Recent and forthcoming locations include:
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain – 2019
- Ljubljana, Slovenia – 2023
- Florence, Italy – 2024
- Porto, Portugal – 2025
- Gothenburg, Sweden – 2026
- Madrid, Spain – 2027
The RSA is now interested in hearing from universities and institutions that would like to explore partnering with us from 2029 onwards to host a future Annual Conference.
What we are looking for
We are particularly interested in destinations and host institutions that can offer the following:
- An accessible European destination
A well-connected city that is reasonably accessible to our international delegates, ideally requiring no more than two flights or one flight combined with a relatively short onward rail journey for most participants. - A suitable conference venue
Ideally, the host institution would be able to provide the conference venue free of charge or with significant in-kind support. The venue should be able to accommodate approximately 700 delegates and provide:
- a plenary space for up to 700 people, or two large rooms with the ability to stream between them;
- approximately 30–35 parallel session rooms, generally accommodating 30–50 people;
- appropriate AV facilities and reliable Wi-Fi throughout;
- suitable areas for registration, catering, networking and exhibitions;
- a secure conference office;
- access to the venue on the day before the conference for set-up and the RSA Board meeting.
The Annual Conference normally runs over four days, although alternative formats and timings can be considered.
- Appropriate overnight accommodation for attendees
The destination should have sufficient accommodation for approximately 700 delegates across a range of price points, including good-quality 3- and 4-star hotels and affordable/student accommodation. Accommodation should be within reasonable travelling distance of the conference venue. - A committed local organising team
We are looking for an enthusiastic academic lead, or small team of academic leads, with strong institutional support and access to appropriate academic and administrative colleagues.
The local organisers would work closely with the RSA to help shape the academic identity of the conference, including contributing to the Call for Papers, proposing plenary speakers and identifying opportunities to engage the local and regional academic, policy and practitioner communities.
- Opportunities for an attractive social programme
The destination should offer suitable possibilities for a conference dinner, welcome reception and other networking activities. We also welcome ideas for field trips, site visits, cultural activities and other opportunities that showcase the host city and region. - Local partnerships and support
We particularly welcome opportunities to work with the host university, city authorities, convention bureau, tourism organisations and other local partners. Hosts would be encouraged to explore sponsorship and in-kind support that could enhance the conference and help keep participation costs affordable. - Potential to broaden participation and impact
We welcome proposals that demonstrate how the conference could engage local and regional policymakers and practitioners, support students and early career researchers, and encourage participation from countries and communities that may otherwise face barriers to attending international conferences.
Working in partnership with the RSA
Hosting an RSA Annual Conference is very much a partnership. We do not expect the local organising team to deliver the conference alone and are active partners in the process.
The RSA has an experienced professional events team which takes responsibility for the core organisation and delivery of the conference, including:
- conference administration and delegate management;
- abstract submission and programme management;
- registration and financial management;
- international marketing and communications;
- conference systems and delegate communications;
- operational planning; and
- on-site conference delivery.
The local organising team brings invaluable knowledge of the host institution, city and region. We would normally ask our local partners to:
- nominate the academic lead(s) and local organising team;
- contribute to the development of the conference theme and Call for Papers;
- suggest plenary speakers and other academic contributors;
- support the identification and provision of suitable conference facilities;
- promote the conference through local, national and international networks;
- help engage local policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders;
- facilitate relationships with the city, convention bureau and other local organisations;
- suggest venues and activities for the conference social programme;
- identify potential sponsors and opportunities for in-kind support; and
- help showcase the host city and region to our international community.
All major conference decisions are developed collaboratively between the RSA and the local organising team, with the RSA retaining responsibility for the overall management and financial delivery of the event.
Interested in hosting a future RSA Annual Conference?
At this initial stage, we would be delighted to hear from institutions interested in exploring the opportunity. We do not require a fully developed proposal. An initial expression of interest should outline the proposed host institution and academic lead(s), potential conference venue, accessibility of the destination, indicative accommodation availability, institutional support and any particular strengths or opportunities that the city, institution or region could bring to an RSA Annual Conference.
Following an initial discussion, the RSA can provide more detailed venue and operational requirements and work with prospective partners to assess the suitability of the destination.
We would be delighted to discuss how your institution, city and region could become a future home for the RSA Annual Conference.
For more information or to submit an expression of interest, please email: lesa.reynolds@regionalstudies.org