APPA 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 16–18, 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. (See special SFO Summit opportunity)
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 Thursday afternoon with our keynote followed by an opening 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 10% discount is available on all tickets purchased prior to April 30 (discount automatically applied)
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!
Senior Facilities Officers (SFO) Summit
SFOs face unique challenges and opportunities every day. We're providing a free pre-conference workshop exclusively for SFOs to meet, exchange ideas, and hear about solutions. Tickets are free for SFOs attending the conference. SFOs are considered individuals with titles of Director, AVP, or AVC.
All SFO Summit participants must have a ticket to the Conference as well.
Additional details coming soon.
Limited Sponsorship and Tabletop Opportunities
Connect with your customers and prospects at APPA's Conference! For our business partners, we offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to help you engage with attendees and maximize your brand exposure.
Senior Facilities Officers (SFO) Summit
SFOs face unique challenges and opportunities every day. We're providing a free pre-conference workshop exclusively for SFOs to meet, exchange ideas, and hear about solutions. Tickets are free for SFOs attending the conference. SFOs are considered individuals with titles of Director, AVP, or AVC.
All SFO Summit participants must have a ticket to the Conference as well.
Additional details coming soon.
Sponsorship Levels
APPA offers tiered opportunities designed to meet a range of visibility goals. Benefits include recognition in event communications, brand visibility throughout the venue, and opportunities for direct engagement with attendees
Exhibitor Tier - $8,500
Your presence at the Exhibit Area places your company at the center of attendee engagement.
This package includes one complimentary attendee ticket, high-traffic placement in the event's central networking zone, a listing in the conference app and online exhibitor directory, and direct access to institutional leaders, facilities managers, and purchasing influencers.
Lead capture enables real-time digital badge scanning for contact collection at your booth. Also available to non-exhibitors as a strategic solution for digital contact collection.
Entry Tier - $2,000
Ideal for companies looking to establish an initial presence and connect with attendees.
Item or flyer you provide placed in every attendee swag bag.
Starter Tier - $5,000
Position your brand at the center of every interaction with high-visibility essentials attendees use throughout the event and beyond.
Your brand becomes the hero attendees rely on to stay connected. Located in high-traffic areas, these stations draw constant foot traffic and extended dwell time, keeping your logo front-and-center as attendees recharge, regroup, & network.
Put your brand in every hand. Your logo is carried into sessions, workshops, meetings, and pockets, becoming a daily essential attendees use and take home.
Notebooks
Own the page where ideas happen. This is the conference's most-used tool, where attendees take notes and outline action plans. High visibility, high usage, high impact.
Prime opportunity for maximum visibility, story-telling, and relationship building.
Contributor Tier - $7,500
Opportunities designed for companies seeking strong onsite presence and attendee engagement. Make your brand the first thing attendees see every day.
Stand out across the full event footprint. Prominent "thank you" signage placement and strong visibility throughout the conference venue. Your logo appears alongside APPA branding on strategically placed on-site signage.
Prime opportunities for maximum visibility, story-telling, and relationship building.
Your brand becomes the energy source attendees rely on throughout each day of programming. Located in high-traffic areas, these stations are constant gathering points, drawing in hundreds of attendees multiple times per day as they recharge between sessions, prep for workshops, and network with peers. Prominent branding on signage at each coffee station.
Your organization is front-and-center during the recognition of outstanding contributions across the facilities profession. This positions your brand alongside achievement, leadership, and recognition.
Durable branded luggage handle grip co-branded with APPA 2026 logo. Good visibility during travel and throughout attendee journey.
Your brand appears prominently within the official event mobile app featured in rotating banner carousel that attendees use for schedules, maps, and announcements. This placement ensures continuous visibility throughout the week.
Senior Facilities Officers (SFO) Summit Reception
Showcase your brand at an exclusive networking event for senior leaders. This sponsorship places your organization at the forefront of the Summit experience, with prominent recognition in event communications and onsite visibility during a high-value reception designed for top decision-makers.
Advocate Tier - $10,000
The highest-visibility opportunities for organizations seeking premium exposure and association alignment.
Logo worn by every attendee, guaranteeing constant visibility. One of the most high-traffic, high-visibility sponsorships, providing constant exposure across all sessions, networking moments, and photo opportunities.
Welcome every attendee the moment they arrive. Your logo is featured on hotel room keys and key sleeves, providing unmatched visibility throughout the entire stay. With every door entry and daily departure, your brand becomes part of the attendee journey, making this a premium, high-impact sponsorship.
Conference Reception
Showcase your brand at the annual conference opening reception. Your brand appears prominently in event communications, stage acknowledgments, and promotional materials. This sponsorship positions your organization at the center of cross-program networking and recognition, offering exposure to the combined Conference and SFO communities during a marquee social experience.
Your organization becomes the name behind an unforgettable, curated exploration of one of Washington, D.C.'s most iconic institutions. Your branding is featured on all tour-related marketing for this experiential outing, aligning your organization with innovation and education excellence.
Champion Tier - $15,000
Deliver impact and brand visibility long after the conference. This tier ensures your logo shines on high-quality items that attendees will use again and again.
A premium, environmentally-friendly giveaway that travels beyond conference walls. Reusable tumbler with your logo alongside APPA branding.
With every door entry and daily departure, your brand becomes part of the attendee journey, making this a premium, high-impact sponsorship.
Leader Tier - $25,000
Your brand stands shoulder-to-shoulder with APPA at the highest level of visibility and influence. This tier positions your organization as a strategic thought leader, amplifying your presence across every major touchpoint, from keynote moments and signage to digital platforms and onsite branding.
Align your brands with the conference's biggest moment. Your logo is positioned alongside the main thought leaders of the entire event, delivering unmatched prestige, visibility, and association with the most anticipated session of the week.
Ready to Sponsor APPA's Annual Conference?
Contact events@appa.org for sponsorship questions.
Call for Proposals is Open! DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 6
Share your expertise at APPA’s premier event for facilities professionals. Join us July 16–18 for Framing the Future, a conference designed to spark bold ideas and actionable strategies for educational institutions.
Why Present?
- Engage with 500+ facilities leaders from across the U.S. and Canada
- Showcase innovative solutions, case studies, and lessons learned
- Collaborate with peers and business partners to shape the future of facilities management
Conference Theme: Framing the Future
In a time of rapid change, institutions need more than solutions—they need visionary ideas. Bring your insights on strategy, technology, leadership, and resilience.
Presentation Tracks
- Intelligent Campus: Data, AI & Technology
- Workforce, Culture & Leadership
- Resilience, Risk & the New Normal
- Business of Facilities
- Campus as a System
- Facilities Identity Shift
Key Details
- Deadline: March 6, 2026
- Selections Announced: April 1, 2026
- Speaker Benefit: 25% discount on registration
- Format: 60-minute sessions including Q&A, in-person only
Call for program requirements
- Relevant to 2026 theme: Framing the Future
- Title: 3 to 5 words in length
- Abstract: 5 to 7 sentences
- Four learning outcomes that support the conference theme
- Contact information for all proposed presenters (limit 4) to include:
- full name and title, name of institution/company,
- phone number/email
- Short bio with image for each presenter (for session introductions)
- Please be mindful that submissions should be educational in nature, not a company specific "sales pitch.” Successful proposals are related to a project, program, process, service, method, idea, etc.
- Please share this “Call for Programs” with others in your organization who are interested in presenting but may not be on the APPA contact list.
Questions? Contact professionaldevelopment@appa.org
Discounted Hotel Rooms thru APPA Room Block
Stay onsite at the conference hotel with special rates starting at $259/night. Book your room now!
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street,
National Harbor, Maryland, USA, 20745
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