IRIS Reflects on NACCU 2026: Connection, Collaboration, and the Future of Campus Credentials

Last month, IRIS attended the NACCU 2026 Annual Conference, where campus card and credentialing professionals from across the country gathered to discuss the future of identification, security, and student experience.

Representing IRIS were Gary Yeager Jr., Zach Snow, and Darren Wallace. For Zach, it marked his very first conference experience, and he’s excited to share some of his favorite memories from the event with us!

From the road trip to the exhibit floor, the week was filled with meaningful conversations, valuable partnerships, and excitement surrounding the future of mobile credentials and campus identification solutions.

A Strong Start in Covington

The IRIS team made the drive west to Covington, where the first day was spent getting settled, enjoying dinner together, and preparing for the busy two days ahead at the conference.

For Zach, the time spent with the team before the show officially began was especially memorable: “Great dinner and conversation set the tone for the rest of our week.”

Showcasing the Future of Mobile Credentials

Once the exhibit hall opened, the momentum picked up quickly. Our IRIS team spent the conference demonstrating both physical cards and mobile credential solutions, engaging with campus professionals, and discussing the evolving needs of higher education badge systems. From the first attendee interaction to the final booth conversations, the team focused on showing what makes IRIS different: a people-first approach backed by industry expertise.

Zach described the experience as a coordinated team effort: "More and more visitors arrived, and we handled them with the best 3-man zone you’ve ever seen this side of the Mississippi.”

Throughout the event, the team connected with schools exploring ways to modernize campus identification programs, improve security, and enhance the student and staff experience through the latest credentialing solutions.

Building Industry Relationships

In addition to conversations with attendees, NACCU also provided opportunities to connect with our valued partners and manufacturers.

The team enjoyed time with Ryan Quinn from IDP Corp and discussed emerging technologies with Bill Potwin from Kanematsu USA Inc..

These conversations offered insight into the latest advancements in credential issuance technology while reinforcing the collaborative partnerships that help IRIS deliver complete ID and access control solutions to customers nationwide.

Why NACCU Matters

For IRIS, conferences like NACCU are about more than products and presentations. They’re about learning the latest in campus ID and access.

Every conversation on the show floor helps our team better understand the challenges campuses face, from evolving security expectations to creating seamless student experiences through mobile credentials.

As Zach reflected after the show: “We learned helpful insights on our competitors which confirmed what sets us apart — we care!”

That commitment to customer relationships, responsive service, and long-term partnerships continue to drive everything we do.

Looking Ahead to Chattanooga

As the conference wrapped up, the team left Covington energized by the conversations, partnerships, and opportunities ahead.

For Zach, his first NACCU experience exceeded expectations, and he’s already looking forward to next year’s conference in Chattanooga.

To everyone who stopped by the IRIS booth, thank you for spending time with us. We appreciate every conversation and look forward to continuing to support campuses with innovative credentialing and identification solutions.

We’ll see you next year at NACCU 2027!