2026 AAP Advocacy Conference

Format: Live In-Person
We are unfortunately unable to provide a virtual option for this event.  

The American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Conference will take place April 12-14, 2026. The conference will be held in Arlington, VA, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Join us and learn how to be a strong advocate for children's health. Attendees will participate in advocacy skills-building workshops, hear from distinguished guest speakers, and learn about policy priorities impacting children. On the final day of the conference, participants will join other attendees from their state to attend meetings with their congressional offices to discuss a key child health issue. 

The curriculum for this conference is specific to advocacy within the United States. All attendees must reside within the United States or U.S. territories and be registered to vote.

Overview of Conference Days:  

• Sunday, April 12: A mix of workshops on timely child health policy issues and advocacy skills and several keynote speakers.
• Monday, April 13: Preparation for congressional meetings: a discussion on the topic, a training session on the most effective ways to advocate, and breakout sessions to plan and practice for your Capitol Hill visits with other attendees from your state.
• Tuesday, April 14: Meetings with your congressional offices. 

Register early and don’t miss out! Early bird deadline is January 30, 2026.
Register early, as the course may fill, registration may close, and hotel room blocks may sell out, even before the early bird deadline.

• Conference Registration Closes – February 27, 2026  
• Conference Hotel Reservation Cutoff Date – March 13, 2026
• Cancellation Fee – There is a $75 cancellation fee for anyone who cancels. Refunds will not be issued after February 27, 2026.

Please note: The AAP cannot be responsible for expenses incurred by an individual who is not confirmed and for whom space is not available at the course. Costs incurred, such as airline and hotel penalties, are the responsibility of the individual.

Registration Fees

Important Health and Safety Information

• All registrants should review this important health and safety information prior to participating in this course.
• The AAP supports the use of masking, and it will be optional in all meeting spaces.

Join us and learn how to be a strong advocate for children's health! Attendees will participate in advocacy skills-building workshops, hear from distinguished guest speakers, and learn about policy priorities impacting children. Attendees will learn about various child health issues and develop advocacy skills that they can utilize at the local, state, and federal levels.  

On the final day of the conference, participants will join other attendees from their state to attend meetings with their congressional offices to discuss a key child health issue. 

Why you should attend the Advocacy Conference: 

• Learn what it means to be an effective child health advocate
• Hear firsthand from guest speakers and child health policy experts
• Learn about policy priorities impacting children and pediatricians
• Build your advocacy skills with workshops based on your interests
• Meet with your congressional offices and their staff
• Network with other advocates and AAP leaders from across the country

Conference Schedule 
The conference will begin on Sunday, April 12, and conclude on Tuesday, April 14.  

Congressional visits will be scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 14. To be fully prepared for their congressional meetings with their state delegations, attendees must participate in the conference curriculum offered on Sunday and Monday. 

Please see below for the approximate start and end times for each day of the conference: 

Sunday, April 12
Start time: 8:30am 
End time: 4:30pm 

Monday, April 13 
Start time: 9:00am 
End time: 5:30pm 

Tuesday, April 14  
Start time: 6:45am (buses pull out from hotel en route to Capitol Hill) 
End time: Following the conclusion of your congressional meeting(s). The meetings will be scheduled between 9:30am-4:00pm.

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Disclosure of Financial Relationships and Mitigation of Conflicts of Interest
The AAP Policy on Disclosure of Financial Relationships and Mitigation of Conflicts of Interest is designed to ensure AAP CME activities are balanced, independent, objective, scientifically rigorous and support safe, effective patient care. All individuals in a position to influence and/or control the content of AAP CME activities are required to disclose to the AAP and subsequently to learners that they either have no financial relationships or any financial relationships with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in CME activities. All potential conflicts of interest are identified and mitigated prior to an individual’s confirmation of service at an AAP CME activity. The AAP is committed to providing learners with commercially unbiased CME activities.

The content of this CME activity does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the AAP. 

Activity Code: 26AC