MAC SOA 2026

Find it Here!

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The Midwest Archives Conference and the Society of Ohio Archivists will hold a joint meeting on May 14-16, 2026 on the campus of 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.

From 2015 until 2023, Ohio’s tourism slogan was “Find it Here.” As a 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. 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.

Ohio Union Information

Ohio State University has had four different student unions throughout its history. The current union—Ohio Union—opened in 2010 and is located on the same site as the second Union (which opened in 1951).

Visit the third floor of Ohio Union on the west side of the building to find a door from each of the four student unions. Open each door to learn about the building.

Places to know in the Union:

All floors are accessible by stairs or elevators.

There will be signs as well as guides throughout the Union to help you find your way.

Lower Level:

Open to all, the Lower Level Lounge is a great place to have a break. There are small pods for individuals to use.

First Floor:

  1. MAC/SOA Registration Desk will be in the Great Hall. Come ask us questions!
  2. MAC/SOA Poster session, vendors, and refreshments are in the Performance Hall on Thursday and Friday.
  3. Brutus Statue: Brutus Buckeye, the university mascot, has his own bronze statue and bench in the middle of the Great Hall. It’s a good place to meet or take a photo!
  4. The Roth Lounge is a good place to meet and have a conversation with a few colleagues.
  5. Potter Plaza situated near the Performance Hall is a nice outdoor space to chat with colleagues or relax. (Everybody hope for nice weather!)

Second Floor:

  1. Lactation Room: available on the second floor on the south side of the building
  2. The Glass Art Lounge is available for you to take a break.
  3. No sessions will be on the second floor.

Third Floor:

  1. Interfaith prayer rooms: available on the third floor on the southeast corner of the building
  2. Need a quiet place to take a break? The Gottsegen Study Lounge is a quiet space with comfortable chairs and plenty of natural light. It is shaped like a lantern to reflect the Union’s location which historically was on a path of the Underground Railroad.
  3. The Ohio Union has three single occupant restrooms and they are located at room numbers 1058T, 1036T, 2070T on the first and second floors. These restrooms also have a changing station for families with babies. Every multi-occupant restroom also has a changing table in one of the stalls.

All floors:

  1. Water bottle filling stations are available throughout the building by every restroom.
  2. Single use or family bathroom is available on the third floor on the south side of the building.