Registration is officially open for the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA® World Conference & Expo, where campus recreation and fitness professionals will come together for four days of learning, community, and new ideas. The 2026 event, happening April 7–10 in National Harbor, MD, focuses on what matters most—People, Play & Purpose—and includes several updates inspired directly by participant feedback.
What’s new to elevate your experience in 2026
Attendee insights and a new partnership with IDEA® are shaping several program additions designed to deepen learning and strengthen connection:
- NEW: IDEA® fitness & wellbeing content, including an expanded number of certification opportunities
- Expanded Directors & Student Tracks featuring tailored, role-specific learning and networking opportunities
- New preconference workshop collaboration with AORE, focusing on foundational outdoor recreation topics
- Expanded foundational learning, with sessions geared toward campus recreation and health & fitness fundamentals
- Enhanced community spaces, including more activations and conversations in the NZone
- Exciting expo features, including 20-minute sessions and an expanded NIRSA + IDEA® World Career Fair with increased employer connections
- Bonus access to recorded session content—attendees who register for the full conference by the early bird deadline will automatically receive the Conference Virtual Session Package
Highlights across the week
Whatever your focus in National Harbor, this collaboration is sure to meet your professional goals and priorities:
Continuing education, learning, and skill building
Sessions will cover considerable ground across the campus recreation, fitness, and wellbeing industries. Earn continuing education credits for CSAEd certifications, plus expanded CEC opportunities for certifications from several agencies, including the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and many more.
Connection and community
New attendee sessions, local meetups, the Take a Student to Lunch experience, socials, and plenty of informal moments will be catered to help you grow your community.
Career development
Résumé reviews, mock interviews, the NIRSA + IDEA® Career Fair, and additional opportunities will be available for aspirational attendees to connect with hiring managers through BluefishJobs.
Campus Rec & Fitness Expo
More than 130 exhibitors will feature hands-on product demos, workouts, pickleball, and returning favorites like the t-shirt exchange and sticker exchange.
Plan ahead
The week will also feature mainstage speakers, extended roundtables, expanded programming for students and directors, fitness activations, and an industry awards reception—to name just a few highlights. Need help making your case to attend the can’t miss event happening in 2026?
Register early and save
Early bird rates will be available until February 24, 2026. Register early to secure:
- Discounted pricing
- Hotel block availability
- Preconference program options
- The 2026 Conference Virtual Package
- For more information, contact Taylor Barnett, NIRSA Events Coordinator.
