Making connections at CJU 2026

CJU 2026 is almost here, and we're getting ready to welcome you back to Santa Barbara for our 25th year.

Every September, more than 1,000 marketers, 100+ IR500 brands, and 340+ top publishers gather in sunny Santa Barbara for three days of learning and networking. Those three days can reshape your partner strategy for the year ahead, so come with a plan, and leave with a lot more than a stack of business cards.

Start networking before you land

With this many people in town for such a short window, make sure you get the most out of every minute by showing up with some meetings already booked. Once you're registered, you'll get access to CJ Universe, your hub for everything happening at CJU, where you can:

• Search attendees by company or attendee name and reach out directly
• Book meetings in The Zone or a dedicated meeting space ahead of time
• Browse the full agenda and RSVP to sessions that matter to your business
• Pull up venue maps, shuttle info, and event updates in one place

 Already registered? Log in to CJ Universe.

First things first

If it’s your first time attending CJU, don’t miss Monday’s afternoon session dedicated to helping you get the most out of your first CJU. If you know your way around, head straight to the Welcome Happy Hour, hosted by Rokt. Grab a drink, find your bearings, and say hello to a few familiar faces before CJU kicks into high gear.

Need-to-know networking spots

Networking happens everywhere at CJU, but there are a few dedicated spaces designed for the kind of conversations that need more than a passing hello:

• The Zone, hosted by Bank of America: a central meeting spot with bookable tables for sit-down conversations, open from 8:00AM each morning
• Dedicated meeting spaces across the Reagan Room, Rodney's, and the Roundhouse Foyer & Patio, bookable from 8:00AM each morning for meetings that call for more privacy
• Partner pop-up: open on Tuesday from 1:00PM – 4:00PM in the lobby and Roundhouse Foyer, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with the companies and solutions driving growth across affiliate, both domestically and internationally.

Where the evenings take you

Speaking of networking, CJU is famous for its incredible social events that make meeting new people feel like a Santa Barbara breeze.

The Beach Party, sponsored by Chase Media Solutions: imagine your toes in the sand, drink in hand, and the sunset doing all the work. Our iconic Tuesday evening beach hang is the perfect close to the first full day at CJU.

Karaoke lounge, sponsored by Affilifest USA: cue up your favorite tracks and join us for a fun night singing at the bar. Our host will be on hand to take song requests, so grab a drink, pick a tune and show our friendly CJU crowd what you’re made of.  

Cocktail Hour & ½: dress up on Wednesday evening and join us for an evening on the front lawn with signature cocktails, ahead of our biggest night of the week.

The CJ Excellence Awards Dinner:  this year, we're marking 25 years of CJU with an evening of entertainment in Plaza del Sol, plus a few very special surprises to celebrate our milestone anniversary. Then, get ready to toast the advertisers, publishers, and agencies who raised the bar in 2026 during our CJ Excellence Awards ceremony. 

CJU Casino and The After Party:  once dinner wraps, shuttles will be waiting to take you downtown where you can hit the tables at the CJU Casino and show off your best moves at The After Party.  

Late night food court: because a night this good deserves a late-night snack. Grab something from our delicious street food vendors before you call it.

Check out the full CJU 2026 agenda to plan your week and get your profile live in CJ Universe as soon as you register to set up your preliminary meetings and start your CJU networking adventure. See you in Santa Barbara!

Not yet registered? There’s still time to join us and take advantage of the biggest networking opportunity in the marketing calendar.

Register for CJU 2026