American Academy for Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Medicine - AACPDM Annual Meeting 2026
Event Date
September 27–30, 2026
Location
Philadelphia, PA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe American Academy for Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) Annual Meeting is one of the world's leading multidisciplinary scientific gatherings focused on childhood-onset disabilities. The 2026 edition marks the Academy's 80th Annual Meeting, held under the theme "80 Years of Science: Rooted in Brotherly Love and Lifelong Community." It brings together clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience to advance the health and well-being of individuals with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities across the lifespan.
The meeting draws a broad, transdisciplinary audience. Attendees include pediatricians, surgeons, physiatrists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, orthotists, rehab engineers, nurses, special educators, researchers, and caregivers. Professionals from more than 53 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia regularly attend, giving the program a truly international scope.
Over several days, participants engage in high-quality scientific presentations, education sessions, free paper and poster presentations, pre-conference sessions, and networking events. It is worth attending for the caliber of research, the rare access to multiple medical disciplines in one venue, and the collaborative community that shapes best practices in pediatric rehabilitation and developmental medicine.
Show Highlights
Key features of the 2026 AACPDM Annual Meeting include:
- Scientific program spanning general (plenary) sessions, education sessions, free paper (podium) presentations, and poster presentations.
- Pre-conference sessions offering focused, in-depth instructional content ahead of the main program.
- Poster and Exhibit Review sessions held in the exhibit hall, a primary networking area for attendees.
- LifeShots Photo Contest, a virtual gallery showcasing images of individuals with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities celebrating everyday moments and achievements.
- Networking Celebration, the meeting's signature social event, taking place in Philadelphia with a view of Independence Hall in a lively, open-flow reception format.
- Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall, open and complimentary to all attendees.
- CME/CEU credit opportunities for professional continuing education.
- Satellite events and Special Interest Group (SIG) gatherings that extend collaboration beyond the core program.
Attendance
AACPDM has over 1,100 members, with the membership composed of approximately 61% MDs and PhDs and 39% allied healthcare professionals and students; attendance at the Annual Meeting reflects this distribution. Each year, approximately 1,000 medical professionals attend, and professionals from more than 53 countries regularly participate.
Recent Annual Meeting attendance history:
- 2025 – 79th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA: 910
- 2024 – 78th Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Canada: 993
- 2023 – 77th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL: 1,188
- 2022 – 76th Annual Meeting, Las Vegas: 841
- 2021 – 75th Annual Meeting, Virtual: 1,305
- 2020 – 74th Annual Meeting, Virtual: 1,228
- 2019 – 73rd Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA: 1,453
- 2018 – 72nd Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH: 920
Booth Pricing
Exhibit space is sold in 10' x 10' booths. Early Bird pricing (reserve before June 30, 2026) ranges from $2,100 to $3,100 per booth depending on location. After June 30, 2026, rates rise to $2,500 to $3,500. Each booth includes a 10' x 10' draped space, a 6' draped table, two side chairs, an identification sign, a waste basket, a 50-word company description in the final program, exhibitor lunch on Monday and Tuesday, one ShowLead mobile-app license, and one exhibitor staff registration. Discounts are available for qualifying nonprofit organizations with proof of tax-exempt status.
Sponsorship is tiered by total investment: Bronze $5,000+, Silver $10,000+, Gold $15,000+, Platinum $25,000+, and Premium $50,000+, with delegate registrations scaling from 1 (Bronze) to 8 (Premium). Individual sponsorship items range from sponsored pens ($2,500) up to the Exhibit Hall Lunch ($25,000) and Wi-Fi sponsorship ($50,000).
Registration
Registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting opens April 29, 2026. To register, visit the official meeting website's Registration page. CME/CEU information is available on a dedicated sub-page.
Key registration deadlines:
- April 29, 2026 – Annual Meeting registration opens.
- June 30, 2026 – Early Bird registration ends.
- September 14, 2026 – Networking Celebration ticket sales end.
- September 26, 2026 – Advance registration ends; also the registration cancellation deadline.
Related abstract dates: submissions open November 19, 2025 and close January 31, 2026, with presentation acceptances sent March 25, 2026. Exhibitors and sponsors register separately via the Supporters/Exhibitors page.
History
AACPDM is an academy of over 1,100 members from multiple professional disciplines dedicated to improving the care of people with childhood-onset disabilities, their families, and communities. The 2026 gathering in Philadelphia is the 80th Annual Meeting, marking the 80th anniversary of the Academy's founding.
The meeting rotates among major North American cities each year. Recent hosts include Cincinnati (2018), Anaheim (2019), virtual editions in 2020 and 2021, Las Vegas (2022), Chicago (2023), Quebec City (2024), and New Orleans (2025). Following Philadelphia in 2026, the 81st Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 22-25, 2027 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown in Denver, Colorado. Over eight decades the meeting has grown into a premier international forum for research, education, and advocacy in pediatric rehabilitation and developmental medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 AACPDM Annual Meeting?
The 80th AACPDM Annual Meeting takes place September 27-30, 2026 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Who should attend the AACPDM Annual Meeting?
It is designed for a multidisciplinary audience including pediatricians, surgeons, physiatrists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, orthotists, rehab engineers, nurses, special educators, researchers, and caregivers involved in the care of people with cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities. Professionals from more than 53 countries regularly attend.
How do I register and what are the key deadlines?
Registration opens April 29, 2026 through the official meeting website. Early Bird registration ends June 30, 2026, and advance registration closes September 26, 2026, which is also the cancellation deadline.
How much does it cost to exhibit?
A 10' x 10' booth costs $2,100 to $3,100 at the Early Bird rate (before June 30, 2026) and $2,500 to $3,500 afterward. Sponsorship levels range from Bronze ($5,000+) to Premium ($50,000+), with discounts available for qualifying nonprofit organizations.
What hotel and travel options are available?
The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is the host hotel with a group rate of $299 per night (plus tax); book by September 3, 2026. The venue is about 10 miles from Philadelphia International Airport, and SEPTA Regional Rail connects the airport to Jefferson Station, a short walk from the hotel.
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