AJA 2026
Event Date
May 16–20, 2026
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Expected Exhibitors
180
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe American Jail Association 2026 Conference & Jail Expo is the 45th edition of AJA's flagship annual gathering for local jail and detention professionals. The event takes place May 16–20 at The Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bringing together jail administrators, supervisors, line officers, sheriffs, vendors, and policy stakeholders from across the United States.
The program pairs intensive professional education with a dedicated trade show floor. AJA is the only national event that focuses exclusively on local jails and detention facilities, which makes the expo a uniquely targeted environment for connecting suppliers with the corrections market. Dedicated Jail Expo hours offer the best access to attendees, and attendees gain access to key decision-makers within the jail industry.
Attendees come for the certification tracks, leadership sessions, and networking with peers in a rapidly evolving field, while exhibitors come to demonstrate technology, equipment, and services tailored to jail operations. With a downtown Milwaukee setting and a state-of-the-art convention venue, the 2026 meeting is positioned as a destination event for the corrections community.
Show Highlights
- 45th edition of AJA's national conference and Jail Expo
- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony opening the Expo Hall on Sunday, May 17 from 5:15 PM – 7:00 PM
- Expo Hall hours Monday, May 18 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) and Tuesday, May 19 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
- Education sessions, speakers, and a published session schedule via the official Map Your Show portal
- Awards program recognizing leaders and innovators in the jail community
- Up to 15% discount for new exhibitors in a dedicated new exhibitor showcase section (limited quantity)
- Lead retrieval services available through American Tradeshow Services for exhibitors
Registration
Registration is handled through the official AJA conference website at americanjail.org/conference-2026, which links to dedicated pages for attendee registration, exhibitor booth sales, sponsorships, and housing. Exhibitors can reserve booths via the Map Your Show exhibitor portal, and a new-exhibitor discount of up to 15% is available in a limited showcase section. Exhibitor badges can be picked up at the Exhibitor Registration Desk near the expo entrance during setup hours.
History
The 2026 Milwaukee meeting is the 45th edition of the American Jail Association's annual Conference & Jail Expo, a long-running professional gathering dedicated to local jails. AJA is headquartered in Hagerstown, Maryland, and rotates the conference among major U.S. convention cities each year; the 2027 conference is already scheduled for Spokane, Washington. Over its four-decade history the event has evolved into the only national trade show focused exclusively on the local jail and detention sector.
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
Baird Center
400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
The Baird Center is one of the world's most architecturally exhilarating and technologically robust convention facilities, located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Following its 2024 expansion, the expanded Baird Center offers 300,000 square feet of exhibit space designed with input from meeting planners for versatility, functionality and style. It features state-of-the-art technology, 22 loading docks with four drive-in ramps, nearly two blocks of covered curb space under the center for passenger drop-off, and a 190-space parking lot that can be transformed into outdoor event space. The center is connected by skywalk to more than 1,300 hotel rooms at the Hilton Milwaukee, the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and the SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown Marriott.
Parking
The Baird Center offers convenient indoor parking in the Baird Center garage, with entrances at 500 W. Wells St. and 501 W. Kilbourn Ave. Drivers can pre-book Baird Center Garage parking via the Interstate Parking app at interstateparking.com/milwaukee before rates and spots fill. When the Baird Center Garage fills, the 330 W. Wells St. Garage and Isaac's Garage on Kilbourn Ave are the nearest alternatives, and SpotHero also lists nearby spots.
Getting There
Airport: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the closest commercial airport. MCTS Route 80 runs from Mitchell International Airport to 6th and Wisconsin, one block from the South Building entrance.
Rail / Bus: Milwaukee Intermodal Station (433 W. St. Paul Ave) is three blocks south of the venue, and Amtrak's Hiawatha from Chicago Union Station takes about 90 minutes.
Local transit: MCTS bus routes 12, 19, 30, 31, 34, and 80 stop within one block of Baird Center's main entrances. The Hop streetcar runs through downtown and connects to the RiverWalk corridor. Rideshare drop-offs use the covered curb under the center.
Nearby Hotels
Several downtown hotels sit within easy walking distance — and four are connected to Baird Center by indoor skywalk:
- Hilton Milwaukee – skywalk-connected to Baird Center
- Hyatt Regency Milwaukee – skywalk-connected to Baird Center
- SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown by Marriott – skywalk-connected to Baird Center
- The Marc Hotel – the only independent hotel with a direct covered connection to Baird Center
- DoubleTree by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown – short walk
- Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel – short walk
- Drury Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Downtown – short walk
AJA publishes its official housing block at americanjail.org/housing-26.
Contact
Show Management
American Jail Assn
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the AJA 2026 Conference & Jail Expo?
The 45th American Jail Association Conference & Jail Expo runs May 16–20, 2026 at The Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Who should attend the AJA Conference & Jail Expo?
The event is built for local jail and detention professionals — administrators, supervisors, line officers, sheriffs, trainers, and vendors. AJA is the only national event focused exclusively on local jails and detention facilities, making it especially relevant for decision-makers in that sector.
What are the Jail Expo hall hours?
The Expo Hall opens with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Sunday, May 17 from 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM, then runs Monday, May 18 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Tuesday, May 19 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Move-out follows Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
How do I register or book a booth?
Registration, housing, sponsorships, and exhibitor booth sales are all handled through the official AJA conference page at americanjail.org/conference-2026, which links to the Map Your Show exhibitor portal. New exhibitors may qualify for up to a 15% discount in a limited new-exhibitor showcase section.
What hotels and parking are available near the Baird Center?
The Baird Center is connected by skywalk to more than 1,300 hotel rooms at the Hilton Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, and SpringHill Suites Milwaukee Downtown Marriott, with The Marc Hotel also offering a covered connection. Indoor parking is available in the Baird Center garage with entrances at 500 W. Wells St. and 501 W. Kilbourn Ave.
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