
AANA 2026
Event Date
August 21, 2026
Location
Boston, MA
Expected Exhibitors
229
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AANA Annual Congress is nurse anesthesiology's largest educational event, organized by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). The 2026 edition runs August 21–25 in Boston, MA — in-person at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center and simultaneously online — featuring 229 exhibitors and more than 4,500 expected attendees.
The congress draws CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, nurse anesthesiology residents, RNs, APRNs, program administrators, faculty, educators, and state association leaders from across the country. Attendees explore evidence-based advances, earn up to 25.25 MAC Ed CE credits, and network with peers and industry innovators across more than 100 sessions and multiple hands-on workshops.
Boston is a uniquely fitting host: in 1846, the first public surgery using ether was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital, making the city the birthplace of modern anesthesia. The 2026 congress honors that landmark legacy while forging the profession's future through innovation, leadership, and shared learning.
Show Highlights
Keynote — Rebekah Gregory: Boston Marathon bombing survivor delivers "Survival Starts the Story. Resilience Builds the Rest." — an honest, humorous session on resilience and practical tools for personal and professional rebuilding.
Featured Session — AI in Practice: "From Skepticism to Strategy: Embracing AI in Your Practice" offers attendees practical guidance on integrating artificial intelligence to improve clinical performance and elevate patient care.
Education Tracks (100+ sessions across 8 focus areas):
- Patient Safety
- Pediatrics/OB
- Clinical Practice
- Research in Action
- Pharmacology
- Business of Anesthesia
- Special Interest & Well-being
- Resident Programming: "Demystifying the Transition from RRNA to CRNA" plus 5 NEW resident-only sessions
Signature Congress Events:
- Rm8 iNoV8 Pitch Competition — live showcase of nurse anesthesiology innovations
- Anesthesia College Bowl — category-based quiz show featuring residents vs. CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists
- Hackathon — collaborative teams tackle pressing challenges facing the profession
- Party With a Purpose — charitable social event at iconic Fenway Park
- Exhibit Hall — live demos, hands-on interaction, and free swag from 229 exhibiting companies
- AANA Foundation FoundationFest — fundraiser benefiting all AANA members
Attendees can earn up to 25.25 MAC Ed CE credits across 100+ sessions and 2 NEW workshops.
Attendance
The AANA Annual Congress draws 4,500+ attendees, making it nurse anesthesiology's largest annual gathering. The audience comprises CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, nurse anesthesiology residents, RNs, APRNs, program administrators, faculty, educators, and state association leaders. Exhibitors gain access to more than 4,000 CRNAs, students, residents, RNs, and APRNs who use anesthesia-related products and services in daily practice. The 2026 congress features 229 exhibiting companies.
Registration
Registration is available online at aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/register/. Both live (in-person) in Boston and virtual attendance options are offered.
Key deadline:
- Early Bird Deadline: June 10 — register before this date to receive discounted early bird rates.
Pass types:
- Full Congress Pass (Live or Virtual) — access to all educational sessions, CE credit opportunities, workshops, and congress events.
- Guest Pass — access to the Exhibit Hall and Party With a Purpose only; does not include educational sessions, CE credits, or a certificate of attendance. Party With a Purpose is restricted to guests 21 and older.
Membership not required: Anyone may register — AANA membership is not a prerequisite. After registering, attendees receive a confirmation email with details on how to book accommodations in the AANA discounted hotel room block.
History
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) was founded on June 17, 1931, when 48 nurse anesthetists led by Agatha Hodgins met at the University Hospital of Cleveland Lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, to establish the National Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NANA). The organization's first annual meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1933, drawing 120 attendees and electing Agatha Hodgins as inaugural president.
Over the following decades the AANA grew substantially in both membership and professional influence. It now represents over 61,000 CRNAs and nurse anesthesia residents — approximately 90% of all CRNAs in the United States. The Annual Congress evolved from that inaugural 1933 gathering into the world's largest educational, professional, and social event for nurse anesthesiologists.
In August 2021, members voted to rebrand from the "American Association of Nurse Anesthetists" to the "American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology," reflecting a modernization of the profession's identity. The 2026 congress carries special historical resonance: it is set in Boston, where in 1846 the first public surgery using ether was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital — the birthplace of modern anesthesia — honoring a legacy nearly two centuries in the making.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210
The Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC) — formerly known as the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and renamed in July 2025 to honor former Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino — is among the largest exhibition centers in the Northeastern United States. It is situated in Boston's Seaport District near the South Boston waterfront.
Key facility features:
- 516,000 sq ft of adaptable, contiguous, nearly column-free exhibit space
- 86 flexible meeting rooms that can be combined and configured in multiple ways
- 40,020-sq-ft column-free ballroom
- Auditorium seating 4,000+
- Free Wi-Fi throughout, with more network bandwidth than any other U.S. convention center
- Industry-leading digital displays and multiple customizable registration and function spaces
- 62-bay loading dock with 5 elephant doors and an indoor staging area for faster setup and teardown
- 2 private ring roads separating exhibitor and attendee traffic
- LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council
- Located just 8 minutes from Logan International Airport — the shortest airport-to-convention-center travel time in the country
Parking
The MCEC South Lot provides approximately 1,300 parking spaces for daily attendee parking.
Rates:
- $35/day for regular-sized vehicles
- $70/day for oversized vehicles
Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reach the South Lot, turn from Summer Street onto East Side Drive, drive past the valet area, continue to the end of the building, turn right, and follow the ramp down.
If the South Lot reaches capacity, overflow parking may be available at the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) Garage or nearby waterfront surface lots, all within walking distance of the MCEC. Offsite parking is not guaranteed and is not managed by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA). Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation when possible.
Getting There
By Air: Fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), just 8 minutes from the MCEC — the shortest airport-to-convention-center travel time in the country.
- Taxi: Available at Terminals A, B, C, and E.
- Lyft/Uber: Terminal A (Door A102), Terminal B-1 (Door B104), Terminal B-2 (Door B113), Terminal C (Door C106), Terminal E (Door E105).
- Water Taxi: Take the Route 66 On-Airport Shuttle to the Water Transportation Dock, then connect via water taxi to the World Trade Center waterfront area near the venue.
By Public Transit (MBTA): Take the Silver Line SL1 to World Trade Center Station, then take the elevator up to Level 2 of the MCEC — the most direct and convenient transit option from downtown or the airport.
By Rail or Bus: South Station (serving Amtrak and regional bus carriers) is approximately a 15-minute walk from the MCEC.
By Car: The MCEC is accessible via I-90 (Exit 25, "South Boston") or I-93 (Exit 23, "Purchase Street"), with signage directing drivers to Summer Street and the venue entrance.
Nearby Hotels
AANA has negotiated discounted room block rates at the following hotels. After registering, attendees receive a confirmation email with details on how to book within the block.
- Westin Boston Seaport District (Headquarters Hotel) — 425 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. Directly adjacent to the MCEC on Summer Street.
- Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport — 450 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. Located across the street from the MCEC, with covered access to the convention center.
- Aloft by Marriott, Boston Seaport District — 401-403 D Street, Boston, MA 02210. A short walk from the MCEC within the Seaport District.
All three properties are within the immediate Seaport neighborhood, steps from the convention center, Boston Harbor, and the historic Fort Point District.
Contact
Show Management
Am Assn Of Nurse Anethetists
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the AANA Annual Congress 2026?
The AANA Annual Congress 2026 runs August 21–25, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210. A virtual attendance option is also available for those who cannot attend in person.
Who should attend the AANA Annual Congress?
The congress is designed for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, nurse anesthesiology residents, RNs, APRNs, program administrators, faculty, educators, and state association leaders. Anyone may attend — AANA membership is not required to register.
How do I register, and is there an early bird deadline?
Register online at aana.com/premier-event/annual-congress/register/ and choose live in-person or virtual attendance. An early bird discount applies to registrations completed before June 10. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on booking the AANA discounted hotel room block.
What educational content and CE credits are available?
Annual Congress offers 100+ sessions across eight tracks — Patient Safety, Clinical Practice, Pharmacology, Pediatrics/OB, Research in Action, Business of Anesthesia, Well-being, and resident-specific programming — plus 2 new workshops. Attendees can earn up to 25.25 MAC Ed CE credits.
What makes the 2026 Annual Congress in Boston particularly significant?
Boston holds a unique place in anesthesia history: the first public surgery using ether was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846, making it the birthplace of modern anesthesia. The 2026 congress theme, Revolutionizing Anesthesia: From Past to Future, honors that legacy while spotlighting AI in clinical practice, innovation competitions, and the next generation of nurse anesthesiology leaders.
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