Abstract/Presentation Call

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! 

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.
• 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]