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“Find it Here!”

People sometimes refer to Ohio as “The Heart of it All”—and yes, the state is vaguely heart-shaped—but from 2015 until 2023, the state’s tourism slogan was “Find it Here.” As a tourism slogan, it raised the obvious question “find what here?”; but as an archives motto…well, to “Find it Here” is an archivist’s greatest hope for anyone exploring their collections. And from May 14–16, 2026, you will find MAC in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2026 Annual Meeting held jointly with the Society of Ohio Archivists!

We know affordability is important, so MAC and SOA are doing everything in our power to keep costs down for attendees. Because of the extremely expensive estimates we received from area hotels, we are trying something different this year. We have secured space for the meeting on campus at The Ohio State University. Conference workshops, sessions, and meetings will be held in the Ohio Union. Hotel accommodations and the reception will be held at the University’s hotel, the Blackwell Inn. The Blackwell is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Union, and we will provide transportation for anyone who would like to use the service.

What might you find at MAC 2026 in Columbus? First, find opportunities to connect or reconnect with your MAC colleagues—and meet some SOA colleagues as well. Built in 2010, the Ohio Union has a number of nooks and crannies for small conversations, outdoor seating, and even some pods for alone time if you need a quick break or a quiet spot. Searching for coffee or something to eat beyond what MAC provides? It’s easy! In addition to the coffee bar inside the building, you’ll find numerous restaurants and food options located across the street from the Union—including the best donuts in town at Buckeye Donut.

Additionally, find a wide range of activities to enrich your meeting experience. The Local Arrangements Committee is excited to provide a series of tours both on and off campus. (Stay tuned for upcoming information about various tours!) One of our LAC members has offered to host a run on the Olentangy River Trail, and it’s possible the Columbus Clippers—our AAA baseball team—may be playing in town.

Finally, come to Columbus to find information and insights on a wide range of topics central to all archivists. The Education Committee is identifying outstanding workshops, and the Program Committee looks forward to receiving fantastic proposals from members of both MAC and SOA.

Regardless of what you are looking for at the Annual Meeting—time with MAC colleagues, new solutions to old problems, inspiration to try something new, chats with vendors, or anything else—we hope you Find it Here!

We look forward to sharing more details as we have them. See you in Columbus!