April 20–22, 2026
Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, TX
Unimarket NOW is where our community of procurement professionals, finance leaders, and suppliers comes together to share ideas, shape the future, and ignite action. This year, we’re taking over San Antonio’s Riverwalk and maybe even the Alamo too – and you’re invited.
Join procurement and finance leaders from higher education institutions across the United States for a dynamic, hands-on event. We’ll explore the future of source-to-pay, showcase what’s new (and next) in Unimarket’s solutions, and celebrate the impact our customers are making in their communities.
You’ll connect with peers, gain practical insights, and walk away with ideas you can put to work right away.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas, shape the future, and ignite action.
From virtual pre-events with Unimarket suppliers and finance leaders to unforgettable in-person experiences, Unimarket NOW brings together the best of both worlds — strategic sessions and memorable moments.
We’ll kick off with a welcome reception on Hotel Contessa’s riverfront terrace — right in the heart of San Antonio’s legendary Fiesta Riverboat Parade. Food, drinks, and the best view in town.
Join us for a full day of thought-provoking keynotes, product updates, and actionable sessions. We’ll dive into the future of procurement, explore best practices from fellow institutions, and spotlight what’s ahead for Unimarket’s solutions.
Get ready for cocktails, live music, and a one-of-a-kind Texas BBQ at the historic Alamo. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the conference and celebrate.
Gain insider access to the Unimarket product roadmap. Discover upcoming features and enhancements that will shape the future of source-to-pay — and see how they align with your institution’s goals.
Spend time with the Unimarket product team, ask questions, and offer feedback. It’s a rare opportunity to influence future development and deepen your understanding of the platform.
Hear how institutions like yours are solving procurement challenges using Unimarket. Through practical examples and tested strategies, you’ll uncover new ways to drive efficiency and impact.
Connect with procurement and finance peers from leading organizations across the country, including higher education, healthcare, government and others. Share ideas, compare notes, and build relationships that support your professional growth.
Whether you’re a longtime user or new to Unimarket, you’ll leave with greater clarity, practical knowledge, and confidence in how to get the most from your source-to-pay investment.
We know budget constraints are one of the biggest hurdles in higher education — especially when it comes to travel. To make sure this doesn’t prevent you from joining us at Unimarket NOW, we’re excited to introduce a new scholarship program available to all customers.
With support from our supplier partners, these scholarships are designed to cover nearly the entire cost of attending. You'll just need to partner up with one of your suppliers to tell the story of your work together and how Unimarket supports your partnership.
This means that most of your expenses to attend NOW can be covered, making it easier than ever to participate in the conversations, insights, and connections of the biggest and best Unimarket NOW in history.
For more details or to request a scholarship, please contact Josh Balogh at [email protected].
Venue & accommodation
Unimarket NOW 2026 will take place at the beautiful Hotel Contessa, located along San Antonio’s iconic Riverwalk.
An intimate, all-suite retreat set directly on San Antonio’s beloved Riverwalk, Hotel Contessa delights guests with stylish suites that take their design cues from San Antonio’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Stay where the action is — with deluxe accommodations just steps from all conference sessions, social events, and the vibrant Fiesta Parade.
Rooms are limited and subject to availability, so we encourage you to register and book early to secure your stay.
Don’t miss this chance to engage with industry experts, explore hands-on learning, and connect with peers from across higher education. You’ll walk away with actionable insights, meaningful connections, and a renewed vision for what’s possible in procurement.
Every attendee will enjoy meals as part of the conference agenda and access to our evening social events — from the Fiesta Riverboat Parade welcome reception to the unforgettable Texas BBQ celebration at the Alamo. It’s more than a conference — it’s a full experience.
Kick off Unimarket NOW 2026 with an evening on the River Walk as we gather for a warm welcome reception and a front-row view of San Antonio’s iconic riverboat parade. It’s the perfect setting to reconnect with colleagues, meet fellow attendees, and ease into the conference surrounded by great energy, great conversation, and one of the city’s most unforgettable experiences.
Kick off the morning with great food and even better conversation. Breakfast sets the tone for the day — a relaxed space to reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces, and ease into the sessions ahead.
Phil Kenney will open Unimarket NOW 2026 with a look at what makes this year’s gathering our most ambitious yet. He’ll highlight how San Antonio serves as the backdrop for bringing the entire Unimarket community together — customers, partners, and industry leaders — to spark ideas, strengthen relationships, and explore the future of procurement. Phil will outline the themes that define this year’s program, from hands-on learning to peer-driven conversations with the executives shaping procurement, finance, and supplier engagement across higher education, healthcare, and government. He’ll set the stage for two days of connection, collaboration, and momentum, and share why your participation is vital to the conversations and progress ahead.
In this session, a cross-functional panel of C-suite leaders will share how Procurement shapes their organization’s performance — and what it takes to elevate its impact. Hear firsthand what executives need from Procurement to influence outcomes, strengthen financial discipline, and advance institutional priorities. Learn how to position Procurement as a strategic partner and a catalyst for measurable results.
Rotate through 3 breakout sessions to dive deeper into discussion with our C-Suite panelists on what’s important to them in their role, and how Procurement can partner with them for success.
A lighthearted, rapid-fire session that brings procurement and finance realities to life. You’ll laugh, relate, and recognize yourself in the experiences shared across the room — a perfect way to break the ice and build connection.
Get a first look at what’s ahead from our Product Team, including new capabilities, upcoming enhancements, and major updates shaping the future of the platform.
Participate in interactive, small-group discussions exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI across procurement and finance. Roundtable topics include:
These sessions offer a collaborative space to share perspectives, compare approaches, and explore what’s possible next.
Get ready for a lively start as teams face off in a Unimarket-themed twist on the classic game show. Fast-paced, fun, and unexpectedly informative, this session adds energy to the day while celebrating the creativity and camaraderie of our community.
Hear directly from current customers as they share how they’re using the Unimarket platform, the innovative ways they’re strengthening their P2P operations, and the results they’re achieving across their institutions.
Complete the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment and work with a certified Gallup coach to understand your results, identify your personal strengths, and learn how to apply them more effectively in your role. This session is designed to help you tap into what you do best — and use it as a differentiator in your day-to-day impact.
Build on your StrengthsFinder results to understand how your strengths work alongside those of your team — and how to use that insight to influence more effectively across your organization. Guided by a certified Gallup coach, you’ll learn practical strategies for engaging stakeholders at every level, from executives to end users, and driving meaningful alignment around key initiatives.
Hear additional customer perspectives as they share how they’re using the Unimarket platform, the innovative ways they’re approaching their P2P processes, and the impact they’re seeing across their institutions.
Explore the risks tied to people-dependent processes and learn how to design, document, and maintain workflows that remain stable through staffing changes and operational disruption. This session will equip you with practical strategies to safeguard continuity and ensure your investment in Unimarket delivers long-term, repeatable value.
Explore the quirks, trade-offs, and everyday decision points of eProcurement through a playful, interactive format. It’s engaging, insightful, and guaranteed to spark conversation.
Hear from customer teams who have built strong, collaborative relationships between Procurement and Accounts Payable — and learn how that partnership has strengthened their operations, improved efficiency, and delivered measurable organizational benefits.
Let’s get spicy with some controversial P2P questions—choose 3 of the topics to dive into during roundtable discussions:
Have questions about a module? Want to hear how others are using key features? Looking for fresh ideas to improve your processes? Rotate through three roundtable discussions focused on practical, real-world module usage:
These sessions offer a chance to compare approaches, gather new insights, and learn directly from fellow users.
Put your knowledge to the test with a competitive, high-spirited round of Unimarket Jeopardy. From product features to industry trivia, this session blends learning and entertainment in a way only our community could.
We wrap the day by bringing everyone back together to reflect on key insights, celebrate what we’ve accomplished, and set the stage for the conversations and innovation still ahead. A thoughtful close to an energizing program.
Join us for an unforgettable evening in one of the most iconic landmarks in the country. Surrounded by history, you’ll enjoy great food, great company, and a chance to connect with peers and partners in a setting you won’t forget. It’s the perfect way to cap off Unimarket’s 2026 NOW — Texas style.
Julie Wetzel - Head of Customer Success
e: [email protected]
