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The Premier Annual Education Event for Adoption Professionals

June 24-26, 2026 in Washington, DC.

two women having a discussion at an adoption conference

About the Conference

NCFA’s annual conference offers continuing education and high-caliber training to professionals from the adoption, social work, and child welfare communities who all share a common commitment to helping children thrive in nurturing, permanent families.

The conference is an opportunity to learn from leading experts, explore emerging best practices, connect with fellow professionals, and be re-inspired for the important work you do in your community, region, and the world.

This year, we’ll kick off the conference with an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with policymakers and champion issues that impact children and families.

This year's conference will offer up to 14 social work CEs.

Explore our conference website for more information on speakers, schedule, pricing, sponsorship, and exhibiting!

We are excited to announce that registration for our upcoming conference is now open! Explore the full session agenda, conference pricing details, and access the registration form here.

“I always learn so much I can implement immediately and that I want to study, implement more.  I really love the networking and identifying resources for our clients as well.” – 2024 conference attendee

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Conference Venue

The conference is at the Hilton Arlington National Landing, conveniently located five miles from D.C. in Arlington, Virginia and minutes from Reagan National Airport by free hotel shuttle. Within walking distance is the National Landing neighborhood's shopping and local restaurants.

Special conference rates start at $239 per night. The link to our room block will be provided in your conference registration confirmation email.

Self-parking is available at the hotel for $25 per day.

“I enjoyed the conference and have gained much knowledge I can apply to my practice!” – 2024 conference attendee

NCFA booth at a conference

Sponsor & Exhibit

As the only annual event of its kind specifically tailored to the needs of adoption professionals, the Conference gives Sponsors a unique opportunity to increase brand awareness through multiple touchpoints and make actionable connections with decision-makers from the nation’s leading adoption organizations.

We offer sponsorship packages, targeted opportunities and exhibitor space on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“We are so glad we came. We were introduced to agencies that didn’t know about us and we were able to enhance relationships with agencies that did know us. We hope to be back next year!” – 2023 exhibitor

Save the date and sign up for updates!

June 24-26, 2026
Washington, DC

Sign up for our email list to be among the first to know about request for speaker proposals, registration, featured speakers and session topics, opportunities to exhibitor or sponsor the Conference, and other big announcements.

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What Past Attendees Have to Say

"What a fabulous conference! Truly one of the very best I’ve attended:

  • The speakers were exceptional,
  • The venue accommodating and comfortable,
  • Organizing a conference is an enormous amount of work, but it was so well organized it came across as seamless!"

"I just want to say it was a great conference and I especially REALLY enjoyed all the panels.  It was so interesting to hear both from adoptees and birth parents."

Past Conference Programs

A look back at past sessions and speakers, sponsors and exhibitors

2025

Minneapolis, MN

2024

Fort Worth, TX

2023

St. Louis, MO

2022

Indianapolis, IN

2021

Virtual

2020

Virtual

National Council For Adoption, #1804, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 4/13/23-4/13/26. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 14 continuing education credits.

This event does not offer credit for NJ social workers. The state of New Jersey does not recognize ASWB ACE continuing education provider level approval. National Council For Adoption is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0681.

For more information about this year's conference sessions as well as NCFA’s provider status and requirements for receiving social work CE credits, please visit our conference website.

Other Questions? For questions, concerns or to request special accommodations, please contact us at ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org or 703-299-6633.