Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2026 Annual Forum, a premier gathering of emergency management leaders and partners from across the nation, being held in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 19th – 22nd.
At a time when disasters are growing in frequency, complexity, and cost, collaborative action across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial boundaries has never been more crucial. This year’s Forum offers a vital opportunity to address our most pressing priorities. Sessions will focus on disaster readiness, recovery and mitigation strategies, workforce hurdles, and the policies directly impacting our ability to serve survivors and build resilient communities.
By attending, you will gain insights from national leaders, share localized best practices, and explore innovative approaches for your jurisdiction. Equally important, the Forum offers exceptional networking opportunities to connect directly with senior officials, directors, and private-sector partners and forge lasting professional relationships. Your participation ensures that the collective voice of emergency management remains strong and informed as we support communities before, during, and after disasters.
Thank you for your continued leadership, and I hope you will join us in Little Rock for these critical conversations.
Sincerely,
A.J. Gary
Director and State Homeland Security Advisor
Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management
NEMA 2025–2026 President
Thank you to our sponsors!
We couldn’t do it without you.
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Hospitality Suite Sponsors
Don’t know your registration category?
We can help! Check out the table below. If you still need help, feel free to contact us!
By registering, you agree to abide by the NEMA Forum Code of Conduct, Terms and Conditions. Be sure to read them.
Important Notables:
- On-time registration: August 24-October 2 (or when capacity is reached)
- Cancellation deadline: October 2
- Late Registration: Add $350 after October 2
- Registration closes forever: when capacity is reached or October 9
- No on-site registration
- Registration may close without notice if capacity is reached.
- Registrations are transferable within the same organization.
| REGISTRATION OPTIONS AND COSTS | NEMA Member | Non-NEMA Member |
|---|---|---|
| State Member: State emergency management director or state emergency management agency staff | $650 | — |
| Corporate: Persons representing for-profit entities | $875 | $1575 |
| Organizational & Individual: Federal agency staff, other state agency staff*, local emergency managers, non-profit organizations, and international entities (*Any state staff not employed by the state emergency management agency.) | $750 | $1000 |
| Sponsor Exhibit Staff: Limited registration for confirmed exhibit staff. Includes meals and events on October 20-21 only. Registration links will be sent to the sponsor’s pre-planning contact. | $450 | — |
| Student: Full-time students. This registration includes daytime events only. Evening receptions are extra. | $125 | $225 |
| Spouse: Registration for spouse/partner to attend evening activities. | $175 | $250 |
The location for the 2026 Annual Forum is the Statehouse Convention Center located at 101 E Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. All meetings and most scheduled events will be held there.
**If you are contacted by a company trying to assist you with registration, hotel reservations, attendee lists, or promising lower rates, DO NOT give them your personal information. This is a scam. NEMA does not use third-party companies for any aspect of the event planning or management.
The Little Rock Marriott is attached to the convention center, and some meetings will be held there. Please see the agenda for specific meeting locations.
NEMA has secured hotel blocks at several properties, and those are listed below. Please review the meeting agenda before booking to ensure you are booking the correct dates.
The Little Rock Marriott – SOLD OUT
3 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR, 72201
Phone: (501) 906-4000
Rate: $164 plus tax/fees
Cutoff: September 16, 2026
Link: NEMA Annual Forum Marriott Reservations
Immerse yourself in the unrivaled luxury of the Little Rock Marriott and experience the hotels extraordinary combination of style and substance. Coupled with the intuitive service you have come to expect from Marriott, our hotel’s location in downtown Little Rock, provides Arkansas travelers with stunning and innovative guest rooms furnished with plush amenities; spacious, well-lit workspaces, and marble bathrooms. Many of our thoughtfully designed hotel rooms offer awe-inspiring views of downtown Little Rock or the Arkansas River. On-site dining includes the new-concept Heritage Grille Steak and Fin Restaurant where American cuisine with a creative twist is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock – Lots of rooms available and FREE COOKIES
424 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 372-4371
Rate: $110
Cutoff: September 18, 2026
Link: DoubleTree Little Rock Booking Link
Our downtown Little Rock hotel is connected to the Robinson Center and next to the Arkansas River. We’re blocks from the Statehouse Convention Center and River Market District, and the William J. Clinton Library and Museum is a mile away. Enjoy the sites of Little Rock, free airport and area shuttle, and a warm DoubleTree cookie on arrival.
The Capital Hotel
111 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 374-7474
Rate: $235
Cutoff: 9/18/26
Link: Capital Hotel Booking Link – NEMA Forum Block
Considered the “front porch of Little Rock,” the historic Capital Hotel Little Rock has been a beacon of Southern culture since it first opened its doors in 1877. Its spacious guest rooms are the quintessential home away from home, with Frette linens and custom-designed mattresses to ensure a good night’s rest. Guests will experience a treasured classic among American hotels, where contemporary sophistication is touched with the character that can only be earned through 150 years of excellent service. With such exquisitely styled guestrooms, two restaurants, and five meeting rooms, the historic Capital Hotel is noted for its traditional ‘Southern Comfortable’ hospitality.
Hilton Garden Inn Little Rock Downtown
322 Rock Street
Little Rock, AR 7202
Phone: (501) 244-0044
Rate: $119
Cutoff: September 18, 2026
Link: Hilton Garden Inn Booking Link
We’re in the River Market District, 10 minutes from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. The Museum of Discovery and River Market Pavilions are a short walk from the hotel, and the Arkansas Arts Center is a half-mile away in the McArthur Park Historic District. Enjoy our on-site restaurant, rooftop bar, indoor pool, and fitness center.
Guest rooms are assigned at check-in. If the type of bed you prefer (king, double, etc.) shows as unavailable, please book another room type and make a note of your preference under “special requests” to ensure you have a room reservation.
The discounted hotel rate will be available 3 days prior to and 3 days following the forum (based on availability).
If you are contacted by a company trying to assist you with registration or hotel reservations or promising lower rates DO NOT give them your personal information. This is a scam. NEMA does not use third-party booking companies for any meetings.
Clinton National Airport is about 7 miles from downtown Little Rock. Six major carriers have regular flights available.
Some of the NEMA forum hotels offer airport transfers. Please see the hotel websites for more information. Cabs and ride-share options are readily available.
The dress code for most NEMA Forum meetings and events is business casual. Business attire is appropriate for the General Session. The President’s Reception will be held at the Clinton Presidential Center. The Center is just a short walk from the Marriott Little Rock, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Transportation will be provided for those who prefer not to walk.
We care about your safety! When registering, please be prepared to present your state- or federally issued photo identification to verify your identity, and to wear your name badge at all events (including receptions). Badges are required at all times.
Forum Agenda & Meeting Materials
Exhibit Floor Plan – coming soon
Download
Sponsor Directory – Coming Soon
Download
NEMA Officer Reports – Coming Soon
Download
Combined Committee Agendas – Coming Soon
Download
Facility Map – coming soon
Download
*The Forum agenda continues to develop, so check back for updates to speakers and sessions. See the NEMA Forum, mobile-optimized website, www.nemaforum.org, for all the latest documents.
Forum Sponsor information
Becoming a NEMA Forum Sponsor means achieving a significant return on investment. We’ll put you face-to-face with the decision makers and support you through every step of the forum experience. Want to generate awareness and get in front of the decision makers? Sponsor a future NEMA Forum!
Sponsorship of this forum is sold out. Opportunities to support the 2027 Mid-Year Forum will open in December. For more information, please see the Sponsor Program page.
Already a sponsor? Detailed instructions are below and have been sent via email to the designated pre-planning contact, so watch your email and check the spam filter!
NEMA Forum Website & Portal
NEMA will use a mobile-friendly web portal to provide meeting-specific information to participants. If you would like to include a logo, short company profile, and social media links, please send those no later than July 31. Email the following information: Full color .PNG file of the company logo, 500 character company profile (not words, characters), website link (full link including http, etc), social media links (full URL link, not just name, not imbedded) Information not received by July 18 will not be included on the website or app so please send ASAP.
Forum Registration
Registration for the 2026 Annual Forum will open on August 24. On August 25, the sponsor-designated pre-planning contacts will receive an email with links and instructions to register sponsor staff. As a sponsor, you receive two complimentary registrations and may also register two additional exhibit staff at reduced rates. Please carefully read the instructions and share the appropriate links with your representatives so that they register in the correct categories. If you have questions, please let us know.
You must register by the deadline to receive your complimentary registration. Even comps are subject to deadlines and will not be admitted past the deadline, so don’t delay! Once registration opens, additional registrations can be submitted on the website at the current prevailing rates.
Exhibits
Exhibits will be located in the forum headquarters at the Statehouse Convention Center. We ask that exhibitors offer electronic versions of written materials and that all giveaways, should they be offered, be packaged or easily sanitized. A floor plan for the exhibit area is in development and will be sent to the pre-planning contacts for the Diamond, Platinum, and Gold sponsors, starting with the Diamond and ending with the Gold. Be on the lookout, as these will be time-sensitive. Spaces will be assigned to Silver and Bronze Sponsors.
Exhibitor Ordering Link
Shipping Instructions
Exhibit Floorplan – Coming soon
Attendee List
The pre-forum attendee list will be sent to all sponsor pre-planning contacts on October 14.
New State Director Welcome Reception
Platinum sponsors receive two invitations to an exclusive reception with the state emergency management directors. Please email Karen the names of your representatives by October 9. This is a closed reception, and only those on the invitation list will be admitted. No additional invitations will be issued.
Important Dates and Deadlines
To realize the full benefit of NEMA sponsorship, sponsors should note all deadlines associated with the forum. A list of important dates and deadlines is below. All dates are subject to change. The pre-planning contact for each sponsor will be notified of changes if they occur, and with reasonable notice to respond; however, missed deadlines will result in loss of benefits or opportunities. Please note these dates on your calendar.
|
July 31 |
Company logos, description, website, social media links, and final payment due. |
|
Aug 24 |
Registration opens – Pre-registration is required. Attendance is limited and may end early if capacity is reached. |
|
Sept 16 |
Hotel cut-off date |
|
Oct 2 |
On-time and sponsor comp registration deadline. |
|
Oct 9 |
Late registration period ends – No additional registrations accepted after this date. No onsite registration. |
|
Oct 9 |
Diamond & Platinum Sponsor reception RSVP deadline. |
|
Oct 9 |
Diamond Sponsor videos due. |
|
Oct 19 |
Exhibitor set-up. |
|
Oct 20-21 |
Exhibits open from 7:30-3:30. |
|
Oct 21 |
Sponsor reception at 6 pm. |
|
Oct 21 |
Exhibitor tear-down begins following Sponsor Reception. |
**Times subject to change. See the forum agenda for additional meeting dates and times.
Important Notices
- Submitting your registration and payment constitutes an agreement on your part to accept the NEMA Forum Code of Conduct, Terms and Conditions. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY.
- Please reserve only the number of hotel rooms to accommodate confirmed forum attendees. Past forums have seen the room block fill very early, necessitating an overflow hotel be contracted, only to see large numbers of cancellations at the original hotel just before the forum. This makes NEMA vulnerable to fees for not meeting the room block and inconveniences other forum attendees who are forced to stay at different hotels. Your cooperation in this is appreciated. Payment is required in full before the forum. Credentials and forum materials will not be assigned to those with outstanding fees.
- Cancellations received in writing before October 2, 2026, will receive a refund less a $350 administration charge.
- Registration fees for cancellations received after October 2, 2026, will not be refunded.
- Registrations are transferable within the same organization.
- You will be given a confirmation number at the end of your registration that serves as your proof of registration. If you do not receive a confirmation number, please contact NEMA as you will *NOT* be registered for the conference.