RE:BORDER Conference 2026

Name: RE:BORDER Conference 2026
Start: 2026-10-14T15:00:00Z
End: 2026-10-15T06:59:00Z
Location: San Diego State University

San Diego State University

October 14, 2026

One Region: Border Innovation and Resilience

Important registration update for the 2026 RE:BORDER Conference!

Space at the 2026 RE:BORDER Conference is filling up quickly. Due to this high demand, registration is now available through a waitlist format. Click the button below for more information.

Join researchers, students, educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and community partners from across the Cali-Baja region for a full day of cross-border collaboration, innovative ideas, and meaningful dialogue. Conference highlights include inspiring keynote speakers, concurrent panel sessions, the Think Tank Pitch Competition, a dynamic poster session, and more.

Note regarding language on this site: The conference is managed using a platform called Fourwaves, a Canada-based system that supports English and French. Where possible, we have used the French version of the site and manually translated content into Spanish. However, some sections of the platform are hard-coded and cannot be translated into Spanish. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Click the EN icon in the upper right corner and select "Francais" to access the Spanish version of the site. (Haz clic en el ícono EN ubicado en la esquina superior derecha y selecciona “Français” para acceder a la versión en español del sitio.)

8th Annual RE:BORDER Binational Conference - October 14, 2026

We are excited to invite you to the 8th Annual RE:BORDER Binational Conference at San Diego State University campus on October 14, 2026. This year, we will showcase "One Region: Border Innovation and Resilience," a theme that promises to spark transformative ideas and collaborations.

SDSU President Adela de la Torre
Welcome to RE:BORDER

Cátedra México Opening Keynote

RE:BORDER’s opening keynote features Dr. Natalia Saltalamacchia Ziccardi, head of the Department of International Relations at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City. An expert on Mexican foreign policy, Dr. Saltalamacchia is the inaugural guest lecturer for the Cátedra México initiative, spearheaded by the Mexican Consulate in San Diego and Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This lecture series brings prominent Mexican scholars and leaders to Southern California to promote greater understanding and strengthen binational ties. Dr. Saltalamacchia’s keynote will examine the U.S.-Mexico relationship from a Mexican perspective, fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of one of the world’s most consequential bilateral partnerships.

Structure of the RE:BORDER Conference

This dynamic binational gathering showcases collaborations and initiatives that bring to life the most important issues in the Cali-Baja region, particularly around the conference themes of Education & Workforce Development, Innovation & Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Environment & Energy, Policy & Governance, and Migration & Multicultural Communities.

California Assembly Member David Alvarez speaks at RE:BORDER 2024

Opening & Keynote

The Opening Ceremony and Keynote address highlight critical issues shaping the Cali-Baja border region. These opening sessions bring all conference participants together to launch the event with shared insights, big ideas, and a conversation that frames the conference themes.

Concurrent Panels

Interactive, theme-based sessions running simultaneously throughout the conference. Each session brings together multiple presenters to share research, projects, and initiatives, followed by discussion and Q&A. Participants can tailor their experience by choosing the sessions that most align with their interests.

Poster Session

Dynamic, visually engaging presentations highlighting innovative research, projects, and initiatives from across the Cali-Baja region. Poster sessions are designed for informal conversation, networking, and one-on-one engagement between presenters and attendees.

Think Tank

Fast-paced, five-minute presentations spotlighting bold ideas, emerging research, and impactful initiatives. Each presentation is followed by moderated discussion and feedback from a panel of judges, creating an energetic forum for dialogue, collaboration, and creative exchange.

Language & Translation

The RE:BORDER Conference is a binational event conducted in both English and Spanish_.

Opening Ceremony and Keynote

In-person translation will be provided in English and Spanish.

Panel Sessions

AI-powered translation software will be available in each panel session room.
Scan the QR code displayed in the room using your personal mobile device.
No app or download is required.
Translation will be available in both audio and text.

What to Bring

Please bring personal headphones or earbuds to access audio translation.

Moments from Past RE:BORDER Conferences

Across the years, the RE:BORDER Binational Conference has brought together students, scholars, community leaders, and industry partners from both sides of the border. These moments capture the spirit of connection, dialogue, and shared learning that defines Re:Border—conversations that cross disciplines, institutions, and borders, and relationships that continue well beyond the conference itself.