NAEYC Annual Conference Expo 2026

The expo is one of the world's largest early childhood education show floors, with over 200 exhibitors across three days, held alongside NAEYC's centennial Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

• Expo dates: Saturday 5 December – Monday 7 December 2026
• Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A & B, Washington, DC
• Full conference: Saturday 5 December – Tuesday 8 December 2026 (sessions continue Tuesday after the expo closes)

Expo hours

• Saturday 5 December: 15:30–17:30 (Grand Opening)
• Sunday 6 December: 10:00–18:00
• Monday 7 December: 09:00–14:00

Exhibitors must be set and ready one hour before opening. Dates and times are subject to change.

Conference context

NAEYC marks 100 years in 2026 and returns to Washington, DC, where the conference started. Later Annual Conferences: Chicago 4–7 December 2027; Seattle 15–18 November 2028; New Orleans 14–17 November 2029; Washington, DC 7–10 December 2030.

Registration and hotels

Attendee registration for the Annual Conference is open at naeyc.org/events/annual/registration. Early-bird pricing ends 11 September 2026 (member USD 410 / nonmember USD 615; regular 12 September–30 October; after 30 October member USD 510 / nonmember USD 720). One-day rates are also listed on the registration page.

Hotel booking instructions are posted on 1 July 2026; book only through NAEYC. The association warns against unauthorized housing companies and against anyone claiming to sell attendee or exhibitor lists. Official lead retrieval is through NAEYC's approved vendor CMR in the exhibitor portal.

Advertising and sponsorship

Program advertisement and attendee-bag insert reservation deadline: 28 August 2026. Contact [email protected] and [email protected].

Exhibits (A. Fassano & Co.)

• Susan Waters — [email protected] — +1-856-344-3615
• Merle Zappan — [email protected] — +1-856-302-0884
• Debi Maines (logistics) — [email protected] — +1-856-302-0890

Organizer

National Association for the Education of Young Children
1401 H Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005
+1-202-232-8777 / +1-800-424-2460
[email protected]