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The 2026 Preparedness Summit: A Vital Gathering for Public Health

The upcoming 2026 Preparedness Summit is set to take place from April 13 to 16 at the Baltimore Convention Center, and promises to be a pivotal event for public health experts across the nation. Organized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), this summit marks its status as the premier national conference dedicated to enhancing public health preparedness. Over 1,600 professionals from public health, healthcare leadership, and emergency management sectors are expected to participate, either in person or virtually.

The Necessity of Collaboration

This year's summit is themed "Protecting Our Communities: State and Local Preparedness in Action." It emphasizes the importance of forging stronger collaborations at both state and local levels to ensure effective emergency response during challenging times. As federal priorities continue to shift, local and state agencies must adapt accordingly, making this gathering even more crucial.

Key Themes and Sessions

The summit will host an array of general sessions featuring more than 400 speakers representing federal agencies, health departments, academic institutions, and the private sector. The agenda is rich with insights and discussions, including:

• - Stronger Together: Exploring new models of collaboration between state and local entities (April 13)
• - Staying Alert: Innovative approaches for enhancing situational awareness in communities (April 15)
• - At the Ready: Strategies for effective resource stockpiling at state levels (April 16)

Other significant topics include preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emergency readiness for radiation and chemical incidents, pandemic response strategies, and addressing the mental health impacts of extreme weather events.

New for this year, the "Preparedness 101" track is tailored for attendees seeking a foundational understanding of public health preparedness concepts. Sessions will cover areas such as crisis leadership, risk communication, and volunteer management, making it an essential learning opportunity for both newcomers and veterans in the field.

Registering for the Summit

Those interested in attending can register for either in-person or virtual attendance through the summit's official website, www.preparednesssummit.org. Media representatives are encouraged to register in advance to cover this vital event effectively. They can obtain press credentials by contacting LeAnn Harley via email.

A Legacy of Preparedness

Since its inception in 2007, the Preparedness Summit has united a diverse range of stakeholders aimed at enhancing the nation’s capabilities in managing emergencies. NACCHO continues to lead in fostering an environment where partnerships can flourish, sharing critical research, tools, and resources that empower communities to respond and recover from disasters more effectively.

As we approach the summit, the call for enhanced collaboration and preparedness has never been more pressing. Join us in Baltimore, where together we can build resilient systems to protect our communities in times of crisis.