About the Conference

Join us for the 2026 National Policy Conference, Strength in Community, Power in Policy on Tuesday, February 24, through Thursday, February 26, 2026.

This year’s virtual conference comes on the heels of a historic year for WIC - the program weathered the longest federal government shutdown in history without large-scale disruptions to benefits or clinic services, and now has full funding for FY 2026. 

Now, our policy focus turns to FY 2027 funding and critical modernization needs - including securing permanent virtual services in WIC by passing the MODERN WIC Act and publishing the final rule on online shopping. 

What to Expect:

• Learn the latest federal policy developments impacting WIC.
• Understand FY 2027 funding priorities and key modernization efforts.
• Get clarity on the MODERN WIC Act and the final rule on online shopping.
• Hear directly from policy experts, researchers, and advocates.
• Access learning opportunities appropriate for every level of policy expertise.
• Participate in Capitol Hill Education Day with NWA’s training, materials, and scheduling support.

This conference brings together policy experts, researchers, and advocates to share the latest on federal policy that impacts WIC and provide opportunities for attendees to educate their members of Congress. This conference is appropriate for all members of the WIC community and will provide learning opportunities for every level of policy expertise.

The conference will start on Tuesday, February 24, and will end with the Annual Capitol Hill Education Day on Thursday, February 26. Note: The conference is closed to press.

For general inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Capitol Hill Education Day

The conference will culminate with NWA’s Annual Capitol Hill Education Day on Thursday, February 26, where attendees can virtually engage with Congressional leaders and their staff to educate them on WIC’s essential services. NWA will provide administrative support for scheduling meetings and training to prepare attendees with all levels of experience. You will be armed with talking points, materials, and plenty of moral support. These meetings are one of the most effective ways to make a difference for WIC! For questions about Capitol Hill Education Day, please reach out to NWA’s Advocacy Manager, Adu Ogbagiorgis, at [email protected]. 

Agenda

Please Click Here for Draft Agenda.

Conference Times: All sessions occur in the Eastern Time Zone.

The virtual conference will officially kick off on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET.

The conference will conclude with a Virtual Hill Day (held via Zoom) on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The Virtual Conference Platform will remain open for on-demand access until May 29, 2026.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Click Here for our Sponsorship Prospectus 

The National WIC Association (NWA) invites you to join us as a sponsor for our 2025 National Policy Conference, taking place virtually February 24-26, 2026, featuring a Capital Hill Education Day on February 26, 2026.  This annual event is a premier platform for engaging with WIC staff, nutrition professionals, public health experts, and program leaders from across the country. Please note: This conference will be held virtually only!

Why Sponsor?

Sponsoring this event provides a powerful opportunity to:

• Build brand awareness among WIC decision-makers and maternal-child health professionals.
• Showcase your commitment to equitable, evidence-based nutrition and breastfeeding support.
• Introduce new products and services aligned with WIC's mission.
• Position your organization as a thought leader in maternal and child health. 
• Engage with attendees during and after the event through interactive virtual tools..

Click Here for our Sponsorship Prospectus 

Click Here to Submit Your Sponsorship Order

Thanks to Our Sponsors

NWA Conference Policies

By registering for this conference, you agree to all conference policies listed below.

General Policies

• All individuals and/or entities are strictly prohibited from electronically recording or broadcasting any conference events without prior written consent from NWA.
• Press representatives must register and receive a Press Pass and photo/recording permission from NWA. Please reach out to [email protected].
• Information presented may not represent the views or standards of NWA.
• We encourage everyone to share their voice, but ask that participants avoid posting repeatedly in a short period of time. Help us create a balanced, engaging feed where all voices can be heard. NWA reserves the right to review and remove posts that do not align with these guidelines or that disrupt the event experience.
• In the event the attendee is a “no-show,” the attendee is responsible for all fees and penalties in connection with being a “no-show.”

Cancellation & Refund Policy

To cancel your registration, a written request MUST be received by NWA via email to [email protected] no later than the 11:59 PM ET on Friday, February 10, 2026.

• Cancellations received before January 7, 2026 will receive 100% refund.
• Cancellations received starting January 8, 2026 will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after February 10, 2026.
• Promotions/discounts are not retroactive and cannot be applied to previously purchased individual registrations. Limit one special offer/discount code per registration.
• Refunds are not issued for no-shows.
• If you DO NOT CANCEL YOU WILL STILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT! 
• If your registration balance is not paid, a hold may be placed on your account, preventing you from accessing your NWA Membership Benefits.

Privacy Policy

Your data privacy and security are important to us. When you register for this event, NWA will process your data in accordance with our legitimate interests for hosting an industry event and for being a community-based organization. Please review our privacy policy, including how to exercise your rights under the GDPR.

Code of Conduct

NWA is a listening organization focused on its participants. The Conference is designed to increase interaction, engagement, collaboration, connectivity and community, in a fun and safe environment.

We value the participation of each member of the community and endeavor to deliver an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Conference participants are expected to conduct themselves with integrity, courtesy and respect for others and maintain the highest level of professionalism at all conference programs and events, whether officially sponsored by NWA or not. All attendees, guests, speakers, organizers, volunteers, partners, vendors and staff at any NWA event are required to observe the following Code of Conduct.

NWA is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for the conference.

Be kind to others. Do not insult or defame participants. Harassment in any form, sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not condoned at NWA Events.

Participants violating these rules may be asked to leave the conference at the sole discretion of NWA. Thank you for helping to make this a welcoming event for all.

Media Disclaimer 

NWA intends to take photographs and video of this event for use in NWA news and promotional material, in print, electronic and other media, including the NWA websites. By participating in this event, I grant NWA the right to use any image, photograph, voice or likeness, without limitation, in its promotional materials and publicity efforts without compensation. All media becomes the property of NWA. Media may be displayed, distributed or used by NWA for any purpose.

NWA may update these requirements at any time at its sole discretion.