APPA 2026 Annual Conference - Washington, DC

APPA's Annual Conference 

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC will host APPA’s 2026 Annual Conference. Mark your calendars for July 16–17, 2026 as educational facilities management leaders from across North America gather for APPA’s premier event. APPA is the association of choice for educational facilities professionals, and APPA's Annual Conference brings our community together for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration. Join us at National Harbor for an immersive experience focused on connection, innovation, and leadership in the educational facilities realm. You’ll want to be part of the conversations shaping the future of our profession! 

Why Attend?

• Unparalleled Networking: Connect with 400+ attendees from K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and industry – most of whom are senior facilities officers and key decision-makers. Share challenges and solutions with peers who have similar responsibilities and issues, and realize that you’re not alone in tackling campus facilities challenges.
• Learn from Industry Leaders: Participate in thought-provoking conversations about sustainability, operational efficiency, technology (AI), and the future of educational facilities. Expert-led sessions and case studies will offer real-world insights into on-campus facilities challenges, leadership strategies, and emerging trends – so you return home with actionable ideas. Expect engaging keynote presentations from visionary leaders in our field, plus interactive panel discussions where you can ask questions and share your perspective.
• Best Practices & Innovation: Discover proven strategies and new innovations through APPA’s educational programming. Topics will range from Total Cost of Ownership and sustainability best practices to campus planning, workforce development, and more – reflecting the latest trends impacting educational facilities. You’ll gain insights that help you optimize resources, enhance operations, and ensure sustainable campus environments.
• Community and Collaboration: APPA’s conference isn’t just about formal sessions, it’s also the hallway conversations and informal meetups that spark new ideas. Attendees consistently rate the networking as one of the most valuable aspects: "Connecting with colleagues who share your challenges…that was the most valuable part of the conference." You’ll build valuable connections and an enduring support network within the educational facilities community.
• Solutions Marketplace: Connect with industry-leading business partners—ask questions, and find answers. It’s a chance to see solutions in action and discuss your institution’s needs directly with providers.

Who Should Attend?

APPA's Annual Conference is ideal for:

Senior Facilities Officers: Campus facilities directors, vice presidents, and other senior executives seeking strategic insights and peer networking with fellow leaders. This conference offers high-level discussions tailored to the challenges of leading facilities organizations.

Emerging/Rising Leaders: Facilities managers, assistant directors, and aspiring leaders who want to grow their skills and career. Learn from seasoned professionals and expand your professional network to support your leadership journey.

Business Partners & Solution Providers: Industry partners who serve educational institutions – from energy and sustainability firms to technology vendors and architects. APPA's conference provides direct access to facilities decision-makers and a forum to “showcase solutions” that address the evolving needs of schools and campuses . (See Sponsorship Opportunities below for ways to elevate your brand at the event.)

Whether you oversee a large university system, a community college campus, or a K-12 institution, APPA's Annual Conference welcomes you. Our attendees come from all types of institutions and regions, yet share common challenges – and a common purpose to improve campus environments. If you’re involved in educational facilities management, this is the place to be.

What's Included/Cost to Attend

APPA's Annual Conference kicks off with a Wednesday evening reception. Attendee meals are provided for breakfast, lunch, and breaks throughout the conference. APPA has negotiated hotel rates for attendees—make sure to book your room before the hotel block expires.

• APPA Institutional Members: $1,068
• Non-Members - Institutional: $1,282
• Non-Members - Corporate: $1,602
• APPA Platinum Business Partners: $1,202
• APPA Gold Business Partners: $1,282
• APPA Silver Business Partners: $1,362
• APPA Bronze Business Partners: $1,442

*An early bird 20% discount is available on all tickets purchased prior to March 31 with promo code CONF_26_EarlyBird

Call for Proposals – Share Your Expertise

Have a great idea, success story, or research to share with the educational facilities community? Answer the Call for Proposals! APPA will be seeking presentation proposals with the Call for Proposals opening in December 2025 (stay tuned for the exact date). This is your chance to become a speaker or panelist and showcase your innovative practices, case studies, or big ideas. Conference sessions are a fantastic way to raise your profile and help fellow facilities professionals learn from your experience. We welcome proposals from senior officers, facilities staff, and business partners alike – if it’s a topic that will inform and inspire our members, we want to hear about it. Start brainstorming now, and watch for the official Call for Proposals announcement in December!

NEW: Pre-Conference Workshops

Conference attendees have a new opportunity available to maximize their conference experience. Wednesday pre-conference workshops are available for a limited number of participants:

• Senior Facilities Officers Workshop
• Targeted Titles and Topics (T3) — Topic TBD

More details coming soon.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Connect with your customers and prospects at APPA's Confernce! For our business partners, we offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to help you engage with attendees and maximize your brand exposure. By sponsoring the conference, you position your organization as a thought leader and solutions provider in front of hundreds of campus facilities professionals. Sponsorship opportunities include a limited number of tabletops as well as sponsored conference giveaways, branding at high-visibility events (like receptions or keynote sessions), and more. Past sponsors have found APPA’s events invaluable for building relationships: you’ll be able to build valuable connections with key decision-makers in educational facilities and start conversations that continue long after the conference ends.

Join us in National Harbor for an energizing two-day summit that will enrich your professional knowledge and expand your network. From the inspirational keynotes to the casual conversations over coffee, the APPA 2026 Annual Conference promises to deliver insights and connections that last well beyond the event. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn alongside the top minds in educational facilities management and to be part of the conversations shaping the future of our profession. We look forward to seeing you there!