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AEC Attendee Guide: Know Before You Go

NEHA 2026 Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition | August 3-6, 2026

The NEHA 2026 Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition is almost here! Whether you are joining us in Kansas City or participating virtually, review the information below so you can arrive prepared, access the conference platform, and make the most of your AEC experience.

Information for All Attendees

Watch the AEC Attendee Orientation Recording

Get ready for AEC by watching our 45-minute Attendee Orientation recording. NEHA staff cover conference-platform access, attendee preparation, educational programming, continuing education, special events, and ways to connect and engage throughout the conference.

Watch the Orientation Recording

Conference Platform and Mobile App Invitation

Your invitation to the AEC conference platform and mobile app was emailed Monday, July 27, directly from Swapcard.

AEC App Guide | Link

  • The invitation came from nehaaeckc@swapcardfree.swpcd-send.com. Check your junk or spam folder if you do not see it.
  • Use the same email address you used to register for AEC when logging in.
  • If you are registered and still have not received an invitation, contact the app support team at NEHASupport@conferencedirect.com.

Platform support: NEHASupport@conferencedirect.com

Access the Platform and App

You may access the conference platform through a web browser or the Swapcard mobile app. Log in before August 3 so you have time to complete your profile, explore the platform, and build your schedule.

Apple App Store | Link

Google Play | Link

After downloading the app, log in and select the “2026 Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition” event. From the platform, you can:

  • Update your profile.
  • View educational sessions, speakers, exhibitors, events, and conference information.
  • Build your personalized agenda.
  • Receive conference announcements and view schedule changes.
  • Connect with fellow attendees and colleagues through attendee profiles and messaging.

Continuing Education Credits

New this year, NEHA will automatically add AEC continuing education credits to attendee MyNEHA accounts within one week after the conference. Full-conference attendees will receive 22 CE hours. One-day attendees will receive the CE hours offered for the day they attended. Please do not self-report AEC conference credits.

Preconference continuing education credits will not be added automatically and must be self-reported through MyNEHA.

Once your credits have been added, log in to MyNEHA to confirm them and download your certificate of attendance.

AEC Continuing Education Credit Information | Link

In-Person Attendee Guide

We look forward to welcoming you to Kansas City, Missouri. Review the information below before you travel so you can arrive prepared and make the most of your AEC experience.

Before You Travel

Review Your Registration

Before leaving home, log in to MyNEHA and review your registration, purchased events, and any preconference sessions. Contact NEHA before traveling if something appears incorrect.

Review your registration in MyNEHA | Link

Kansas City Travel and Lodging

The online booking deadline for the official conference hotel blocks has passed, so the conference rate is no longer available through the online reservation links. However, attendees may call either conference hotel directly to ask whether rooms are still available at the conference rate. Review parking and ground transportation information before arriving at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Kansas City travel information | Link

The KC Streetcar is free and provides convenient transportation through downtown Kansas City.

KC Streetcar routes and service information | Link

What to Pack

  • Comfortable shoes for walking between sessions and events.
  • Business casual or business professional clothing for conference activities and casual clothing for evening events.
  • Layers for meeting rooms that may feel cool.
  • A reusable water bottle.
  • Business cards or another easy way to exchange contact information.
  • A mobile device with the conference app downloaded and your login confirmed.

At the Conference

Registration and On-Site Check-In

  • Visit the Registration Desk to collect your badge and any event tickets included with your registration. Wear your badge at all official conference activities.
  • Keep your tickets with you. Tickets are required for admission to the Exhibition Grand Opening and the EH Networking Social.
  • Visit the Information Desk for general conference questions and directions.
  • Lost and Found will be located at the Registration Desk.

Plan Your Education

Use the mobile app to explore the educational program and build a schedule that reflects your interests and professional goals. Programming includes featured sessions and speakers, educational tracks, concurrent sessions, poster sessions, on-demand sessions, and preconference sessions.

Session evaluations and available materials will be accessed through the conference platform.

Make the Most of AEC

AEC is more than a schedule of sessions. Take advantage of opportunities to meet people, exchange ideas, and become part of this year’s environmental health tapestry.

  • Visit the Exhibit Hall and talk with exhibitors about products, services, and solutions.
  • Stop by the NEHA booth to meet staff, learn about NEHA programs and benefits, and attend scheduled demonstrations.
  • Visit the Career Connections Lounge and participate in career-focused activities.
  • Attend the Member Town Hall, Awards Celebration, Exhibition Grand Opening, Student Excellence Reception and Career Fair, Environmental Health Photo Exhibition & Contest, and the EH Networking Social.
  • Join AEC conversations in NEHA Community and share session takeaways with other attendees.

NEHA Community | Link

  • Pick up an AEC Bingo card at the NEHA booth or Information Desk. The grand prize is complimentary registration for the 2027 AEC.

Keynote Book Signing - Monday, August 3

Following his keynote, Dr. Michael Osterholm will sign copies of his book, The Big One, during the Exhibition Grand Opening. The book examines lessons from past pandemics, including the ways societies have both succeeded and fallen short in preparing for and responding to them. To guarantee a copy, preorder the book in advance. All preordered books will be available for pickup at the book-signing booth.

Preorder The Big One | Link

Health, Safety, Accessibility, and Dietary Assistance

Please do not attend conference activities if you are ill. Attendees are welcome to wear a mask and should bring their own. If you need accessibility assistance, have a dietary concern, or need help while onsite, visit the Registration Desk or Information Desk.

Virtual Attendee Guide

We look forward to welcoming you online. Review the information below before the conference begins so you can prepare your technology and make the most of your virtual AEC experience.

Plan Your Virtual AEC Experience

Use the conference platform to explore the virtual program and create a schedule that reflects your interests and professional goals. Virtual registration provides access to the virtual conference days and offerings. Preconference sessions and in-person social events are not available to virtual attendees.

  • Review session descriptions and speaker information before the conference begins.
  • Add the sessions you want to attend to your personalized agenda.
  • Join sessions a few minutes early so you have time to confirm your audio and video connection.
  • Participate in the session chat and submit questions for speakers when available.
  • Use attendee messaging and profiles to connect with colleagues throughout AEC.
  • Explore exhibitor and sponsor profiles in the conference platform.

Prepare Your Technology

For the best virtual experience, prepare your device and internet connection before the conference begins.

  • Use a desktop or laptop computer when possible. Tablets and mobile devices may be used but may not provide the best viewing experience.
  • Connect to a stable internet connection through ethernet or reliable Wi-Fi.
  • Use an updated web browser.
  • Confirm that your speakers or headphones are working.
  • Close unnecessary programs and browser tabs during sessions to improve performance.
  • Keep the platform support email available in case you need help accessing the conference platform.

Make the Most of Virtual AEC

AEC is more than a schedule of sessions. Take advantage of opportunities to exchange ideas, connect with colleagues, and add your thread to this year’s environmental health tapestry.

  • Complete your profile so other attendees can learn more about you.
  • Introduce yourself through attendee messaging and conference conversations.
  • Ask questions and share relevant experiences in session chats.
  • Visit exhibitor and sponsor profiles to learn about products, services, and solutions.
  • Join AEC conversations in NEHA Community and share session takeaways with other attendees.

NEHA Community | Link

Questions and Support

For help accessing the conference platform, contact NEHASupport@conferencedirect.com.

For registration or general conference questions, contact events@neha.org or call 303.802.2200.

We look forward to welcoming you in Kansas City or online and seeing the many threads of the environmental health community come together at AEC!