Registration Details

Registration for the conference will open in June!

To help with planning and budgeting, please refer to the fee chart below. Please note that the National WIC Association (NWA) reserves the right to adjust pricing prior to the official launch of registration opening.  

Registration Fees:

  * Rates subject to change.

To receive the group/bulk rate discount!

• BULK discounts are for NWA Members Only.
• Enter "BULK" in the Promo Code Box and the system will automatically apply the discount. 
• To be considered a group you must have ten (10) or more from one facility. All must be entered at the same time.
• Bulk promotions/discounts are not retroactive and cannot be applied to previously purchased individual registrations. No exceptions.
• Limit one special offer/discount code per registration.

Last Chance Registration Fees

  *No discounts at the last chance rate. This is inclusive of speakers and host rate.

Payment Details

We must receive your credit card payment or check payment in full before you may access any NWA conferences or events. If we have not received payment in full, you will not be able to access the 2026 NE&BF Conference.

• Please see our payments information page on the NWA website.
• Payment by debit/credit card is most preferred followed by check!
• If paying by check, full payment is due four (4) weeks after initial registration submission.
• Registration is not considered complete until payment is made.
• If payment is not submitted within four weeks after your initial registration your registration may be cancelled. 
• No POs will be accepted.
• Starting October 9, 2026 all payments must be submitted by Debit/Credit Card.
• Attendees MUST be paid in full to access the Conference. 
   

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Deadline for receipt of cancellations: 11:59 p.m. ET on October 9, 2026
• Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] and should include the registration ID number and registrant name(s).
• Cancellations are not accepted by phone.
• Cancellations received before August 7, 2026 will receive a 100% refund minus a $25 admin fee per registrant.
• Cancellations received starting September 9, 2026 will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after October 9, 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! 

You must have an NWA Account Before you can Register (you do not have to be a NWA Member) 

• Registrations are processed via our web-based system. 
• Each registrant must have or create a profile (account) to register online. 
• Please make sure each user’s email address is correct before registering!
• Credit card payments will be processed via our secure stripe site.
• Registrants paying by check, must select the "Bill Me Later" option from the online registration system when registering.
• The system will automatically email a registration confirmation to the email provided. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact [email protected].
• You may print invoices, receipts, event confirmations, and view other personalized NWA information and activities by logging into your My NWICA account.

Log in:

• Visit www.nwica.org and click "Log in" in the top right corner of the homepage.
• Then enter your username (your email) and password.
• Click on the Purchase Tab and you will be able to view/print copies of your invoices and receipts.

Create an account (for those that do not have an account)

• Visit https://www.nwica.org/auth/register
• Click here for FAQs to assist with account creation and more.

Questions?

Contact the conference team at [email protected]

Agenda

Draft agenda coming Summer 2026

When planning your travel, please keep the following in mind

Please plan to arrive by Sunday, November 15, as we will kick off the conference on Monday morning and we don't want you to miss a moment of this conference.

When planning your travel, please consider the following

• The conference will officially kick off with an opening General session on the morning of Monday, November 16, 2026. 
• We recomend attendees arrive on  Sunday, November 15
• Pre Meetings may take place on Sunday, Normber 15. 
• Registration will open for a few hours on Sunday, November 15.
• The Conference will end on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 between 12:00PM – 1:00PM.

Clinical Skills Preconference 

Separate registration required

Prior to the conference, NWA and USLCA will host a Clinical Skills Preconference Workshop on Sunday, November 15 beginning at 8:00 AM. Attendees planning to participate in the workshop are encouraged to arrive by Saturday, November 14.

*Subject to change
 

Please Note: Conference will take place in person only.  

Clinical Skills Preconference

Separate registration required

Join the National WIC Association and the United States Lactation Consultant Association for Clinical Day 2026, an immersive, hands-on experience designed for lactation care professionals at every stage of practice. Through interactive sessions, case-based learning, and peer collaboration, attendees will sharpen real-world clinical skills, build meaningful professional connections, and leave with actionable tools and renewed confidence.

More Details Coming Soon

Abstract/Presentation Call

Abstract Call Closed

The National WIC Association invites you to submit presentation proposals for the 2026 Nutrition Education & Breastfeeding Conference being held in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, November 16 – Wednesday, November 18, 2026! 

The Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Conference brings together lactation and nutrition professionals, healthcare providers, researchers, advocates, and community leaders to share evidence-based practices, innovative strategies, and emerging research that supports lactation, infant and early childhood feeding, and nutrition.

Who should Submit

The National WIC Association welcomes proposals from all. Submissions from WIC staff, WIC participants, or those featuring WIC staff or WIC participants as co-presenters will receive preference in the review process.

We invite education-focused submissions that address the wide range of factors influencing lactation, infant and early childhood feeding, and nutrition, with a lens of inclusion, equity, belonging, and culturally responsive care. 

NWA ensures quality educational content for IBCLCs and RDN/DTRs that meets IBCLE and CDR requirements. Submissions will be evaluated on the following: relevance to lactation, nutrition, and infant feeding; innovation and originality, clarity and organization; applicability to diverse populations; and evidence-based or experiential grounding. To comply, sessions must be free of marketing and promotional content, bias, and any conflicts of interest must be disclosed for transparency. Having a conflict of interest does not disqualify a presenter.

Share your research and clinical skills and expertise with our attendees! We look forward to receiving your abstract submission. 

If you are interested in promotional opportunities, please email [email protected].

Click here to Submit Abstract! 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, May 1, 2026 

Conference Topics/Tracks

Conference Theme: Engage, Inspire, Energize: Nourishing Generations

Please note: The points listed under each topic are meant as a helpful guide and are not all-encompassing. 

Nutrition Education

• Infant, young child, and family feeding practices from infancy through preschool
• Managing food allergies, picky eating, neurodivergent feeding, and other special dietary support or needs;
• Culturally responsive, inclusive, and trauma-informed nutrition counseling
• Health literacy strategies: plain language, teach-back, storytelling, and accessible materials
• Engaging diverse populations through digital tools, telehealth, and innovative outreach
• Clinical practice approaches (case studies, protocols, and innovative models)
• Original research in nutrition public health and clinical practice

Breastfeeding 

• Breastfeeding education, promotion, and counseling techniques
• Lactation assessment and clinical management
• Pump usage guidance and support for pumping parents
• Postpartum support, including mental health and early parenting outcomes
• Culturally competent and stigma-free communication in lactation care
• Clinical practice innovations, case studies, and care protocols
• Emerging research and outreach in lactation science and public health

Community Partnerships and Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Partnerships between WIC, healthcare systems, and early childhood programs
• Referral pathways across WIC, home visiting, and community-based organizations
• Community-rooted initiatives to improve postpartum and family outcomes
• Data sharing and integration for continuity of care
• Cross-sector strategies to promote nutrition security and food sovereignty
• Farm-to-WIC and local food system collaborations

Supporting the WIC Workforce

• Workforce sustainability, retention, and resilience strategies
• Recruitment and advancement of a diverse workforce
• Mentorship, leadership development, and career pathways for nutrition and breastfeeding professionals
• Building inclusive, supportive, and equitable workplaces
• Professional training in culturally competent and trauma-informed care
• Tools and innovations that enhance staff efficiency and participant engagement
• Staff wellness and burnout prevention practices

WIC Policy & Advocacy

• Legislative, institutional, or organizational strategies that promote breastfeeding and/or nutrition education for families and children
• Federal nutrition guidance, including implementing the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• WIC Food Package - strategies for implementation

You Will be Asked for the Following

• Abstract Details: Title, Abstract Proposal, short description (used to share with the public if selected), format (60-minute oral, 30 minute power, poster), objectives.

• Your proposal should be engaging and thorough. Think of an elevator pitch. 

• Speaker Details: Contact details, resume, bio (optional), headshot (optional). Please note, there is a maximum of 3 presenters per presentation. 

• Speaker Disclosure/Conflict of interest Policy (this includes non-presenting authors)

• Accept Media Disclaimer

Presentation Formats

• 60 Minute Oral: 45 minutes with 15-minute Q&A

• 30 Minute Power Session: Full session is still a total of 60 minutes. This session will be paired with another presentation of the same track. Each presenter will have 23 minutes to present.

• Poster Presentation: Poster presenters will print and bring their posters with them to the conference. There will be dedicated time for attendees to visit with presenters during breaks. 

Important Deadlines *Subject to change

Please, remember the following important dates. 

• May 1, 2026: Abstract Submission Deadline 

• June 19 2026: Notification of Acceptance/Rejection

• June 26, 2026: Speaker Confirmations Due

• July 16, 2026: Online Speaker Details Due – First Draft of Agenda Posted 

• August 6, 2026: Registration & Housing deadline for authors

• October 2, 2026: Presentation Submission deadline 

• November 16, 2024: Conference Starts 

Before Submitting an Abstract 

By submitting an abstract to be considered for the conference you acknowledge that all presenting authors are responsible for their own registration, travel, and hotel costs.

• Discounted Presenter Registration Rate: (Do not register with your group if you would like to take advanatage of this discount)

• We have negotiated the Prevailing Per Diem rate at our Atlanta hotel

• By agreeing to present, you acknowledge that your session may be scheduled for presentation on any of the three days of the conference, which runs from November 16 - 18. You must be available all three days. Your session date and time will be confirmed once the program is finalized.

Click here to Submit Abstract! 

Setting up your Exordo Profile

Before you begin, you must set up your profile in Ex Ordo. (Returing submitters may already have a profile) Once you are logged in you will navigate to the Submit Your Abstract link to get started. Submissions may be up to 300 words. For more information on how to submit an abstract see this guide. Check out this helpful article when it comes to submitting an abstract. 

Questions: Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] 

Click here to Submit Abstract! 

NWA Conference Policies

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

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 attending a Conference must register and receive a Press Pass and photo/recording permission from NWA.
• Seating at all sessions/events during Conferences is on a first come, first served, basis, excepting certain seats which may be reserved for those with disabilities, or at the discretion of NWA.
• Information presented in sessions and posters during a Conference may or may not represent the views or standards of NWA.
• In the event of any cancellation of a Conference, NWA shall not be held liable for any costs, fees, damages, or losses to registrant beyond a refund of any registration fee paid by Registrant to attend such cancelled Conference (with any refund subject to deductions both as set forth herein and to reflect the partial providing of a Conference prior to cancellation).
• 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.”
• NWA is not responsible for finding, securing, or returning items lost during the Conference to Registrant.
• NWA does not claim to be allergen free. Registrants are encouraged to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure to allergens.
• We kindly ask Registrants who are parents and guardians of children under 18 to complete a waiver of liability if they plan to bring their child to the conference venue. Please reach out to [email protected] to receive such waiver.
• Anyone ten (10) years of age or older attending the Conference must be registered and have a conference badge. Fees may be applicable. Please reach out to [email protected] for assistance with registration.
• We encourage everyone to share their voice, but ask that on event platforms 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.
• Only individuals and entities which have registered as Exhibitors are permitted to distribute promotional materials or advertise their business during the Conference. While NWA acknowledges and encourages networking and making connections, attempts by a Registrant to act in a capacity similar to an Exhibitor is not permitted. Any Registrant who violates this is subject to removal, without refund, from the Conference, and having both Registrant and any company employing or contracting with Registrant prohibited from attending and being an Exhibitor at future NWA events and conferences.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

• Deadline for receipt of cancellations: 11:59 p.m. ET on October 9, 2026
• Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] and should include the registration ID number and registrant name(s).
• Cancellations are not accepted by phone.
• Cancellations received before August 7, 2026 will receive a 100% refund minus a $25 admin fee per registrant.
• Cancellations received starting September 9, 2026 will receive a 50% refund.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after October 9, 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 registration balance is not paid, a hold will be placed on Registrant’s account, preventing Registrant from accessing your NWA Membership Benefits.
• Full payment is due no more than four (4) weeks after initial registration submission.
• If payment is not submitted within four (4) weeks after Your initial registration Your registration is subject to cancellation. 
• If canceled, NWA will not honor the original rate. Registrants must submit a new registration.
• NWA reserves the right to cancel or postpone any or all Conference activities due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of NWA, which includes, without limitation, computer-related attacks, hacking, earthquakes, governmental regulation, fire, flood, labor difficulties, civil disorder, public health crisis, acts of terrorism, or acts of God (“Force Majeure Events”). In the event the Conference is canceled due to Force Majeure Events, NWA reserves the right to either retain the entire registration fee and credit it toward a future NWA event for Registrant or reimburse the Registrant after deducting costs already incurred by NWA, which could not be recovered from third parties.

Health & Wellness Policy

NWA is committed to supporting a safe and healthy environment for all meeting and event attendees. Attendance at any NWA event is voluntary, and attendees assume any associated health risks related to participation.

• Mask-wearing at meetings and events is optional unless otherwise required by local, state, federal, or venue guidelines.
• NWA expects attendees to take responsibility for following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and local health authorities.
• NWA encourages attendees to follow the CDC’s recommendations and guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/
• Please do not attend any conference events if you are experiencing symptoms of illness or have recently tested positive for a contagious disease, virus, or infection.
• At this time NWA does not require proof of negative test; however, we expect all individuals to act responsibly and consider the health and safety of others.

NWA’s Conference policies may be updated at any time based on their sole discretion as well as guidance from the CDC, public health officials, venue requirements, or applicable federal, state, or local regulations.

Privacy Policy

Data privacy and security are important to us. When You register for this Conference, NWA will process Your data in accordance with NWA’s legitimate interests for hosting an industry event and for being a community-based organization. Please review our privacy policy, available on the NWA website, including how to exercise your rights.

In the event You register with a hotel offering a discounted or reduced rate for conference attendees, You expressly agree to allow such hotel to provide information regarding Your stay to NWA for the purposes of allowing NWA and the hotel to verify any and all contractual obligations between NWA and the hotel have been met.

Liability Waiver

You understand that travel and gathering involves risk of sickness, contagious disease, virus, infection and injury. You (and on behalf of Your guest(s) waive, release and shall hold harmless and indemnify, NWA and its sponsors and exhibitors, and their employees and agents, from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising from injury, sickness or death due to travel to or attendance at the Conference.

This waiver and release is binding on You and Your heirs and successors.

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 and shall not receive any refund or repayment. Thank you for helping to make this a welcoming event for all.

Media Disclaimer 

NWA intends to record, take photographs and video of this event for use in NWA news, educational material, and promotional material, in print, electronic and other media, including the NWA websites. By participating in this event, You 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.

ALERT: Beware of Housing Scams!

Be vigilant and aware of nonofficial housing companies that contact exhibitors and attendees claiming to be able to secure hotel rooms at a better rate. These “poachers” are not authorized to represent NWA.