AAIDD | American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities 2026
Event Date
June 22–24, 2026
Location
Chicago, IL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AAIDD Annual Meeting is hosted by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The 2026 edition marks the organization's 150th Annual Meeting, held in Chicago, IL. The meeting provides a forum for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates to come together to explore opportunities, strategies, and challenges related to technological progress made in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The conference draws a broad professional audience from across the IDD field. Attendees include administrators, residential program operators, educators, case managers, diagnosticians, facility managers, lawyers, physicians, psychologists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, therapists, researchers, social workers, service providers, self-advocates, and family members.
The program is research-rich and practice-oriented. Registration includes featured plenary presentations and more than 200 educational presentations organized into Concurrent Sessions, Issue Briefs, Poster Symposia, and Poster Presentations. This major anniversary is positioned as a time to reflect on the Association's past and celebrate scientific advancements in supporting people with IDD as the field looks toward the future.
Show Highlights
- Featured plenary presentations anchoring the program.
- More than 200 educational presentations organized into Concurrent Sessions, Issue Briefs, Poster Symposia, and Poster Presentations.
- An Awards Breakfast, the Sunday night President's Reception, and Posters, Publication, and SECP Receptions.
- An Exhibit Hall with a Tuesday continental breakfast and breaks.
- Optional events including Pre-Conference Sessions on Monday, June 22, a Religion & Spirituality Interest Network Forum and Dinner, and a Scholarship Recipient Luncheon on Wednesday, June 24.
- 150th anniversary celebration with a theme focused on technological progress in the IDD field.
Booth Pricing
The exhibit fee is $850, or $650 for non-profit organizations. The fee includes one 6-ft table with two chairs (with 3' high back drape and 3' high side dividers), a company listing on the conference website and final program, two complimentary exhibitor badges, one complimentary conference general registration, the option to register an additional employee for $300, complimentary breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday plus beverage breaks, and complimentary access to receptions.
Registration
Registration is completed through the AAIDD Annual Meeting website. Rates vary by member status and registration category, with discounted Early Bird pricing available.
Early Bird rates apply through May 17, 2026, with Standard rates beginning May 18, 2026. Published rates are:
- Professional/General: $475 member / $600 non-member (Early Bird); $525 member / $650 non-member (Standard).
- Student: $325 member / $375 non-member (Early Bird); $375 member / $425 non-member (Standard).
- Retiree/Self-Advocate/Family Member: $325 (Early Bird); $375 (Standard).
Corporate members receive a 20% discount on registration fees for their employees. Some events, such as Pre-Conference Sessions and the Scholarship Recipient Luncheon, require an additional fee.
History
The AAIDD Annual Meeting is the flagship event of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The 2026 conference is the 150th AAIDD Annual Meeting, marking a major anniversary for the Association. The milestone meeting serves as both a forum for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates and a moment to reflect on the Association's past while celebrating scientific advancements in supporting people with IDD.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Hilton Chicago
720 S Michigan Ave.
The event is hosted at the Hilton Chicago, the official conference hotel, offering the convenience of on-site meeting facilities. The property is located on South Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, near the city's lakefront and cultural attractions.
Parking
On-site parking is available at the Hilton Chicago:
- Self-parking is $72 daily plus tax per day.
- Valet parking is $88 daily plus tax per day.
Rates are subject to change.
Getting There
Attendees can fly into either of Chicago's two major airports. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is approximately 12 miles from the Hilton Chicago, and O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is about 19 miles away.
By public transit:
- From O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line train to the Jackson stop, then walk about 0.6 miles southeast to 720 S. Michigan Ave.
- From Midway, take the CTA Orange Line train to the Roosevelt stop, then walk about 0.5 miles north to 720 S. Michigan.
For wheelchair-accessible transport, attendees can contact zTrip Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicles online or at 855-699-8747. The WayMap wayfinding app provides step-by-step audio directions in the Metro and is available on Google Play and the App Store.
Nearby Hotels
The Hilton Chicago is the official conference hotel, and attendees are encouraged to stay on site for convenience and to help keep overall meeting costs low. A discounted group rate of $289 single/double plus taxes is available, with a reservation deadline of May 27, 2026. Reservations can be made online through the official booking link or by calling 1-877-865-5320 and referencing the group name AAIDD 2026 or code "AID." Note that the venue is in Chicago's downtown South Loop area, where additional hotels are within walking distance along Michigan Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 AAIDD Annual Meeting held?
The 2026 AAIDD Annual Meeting, the Association's 150th, takes place June 22-24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. It is hosted at the Hilton Chicago at 720 S Michigan Ave.
Who should attend the AAIDD Annual Meeting?
The meeting brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. Attendees include administrators, educators, case managers, physicians, psychologists, therapists, social workers, service providers, self-advocates, and family members.
How much does registration cost and when is the deadline for early rates?
Early Bird rates apply through May 17, 2026, with Standard rates starting May 18, 2026. Professional/general registration is $475 for members and $600 for non-members during Early Bird, rising to $525 and $650 for Standard; student, retiree, self-advocate, and family member discounts are available.
What is included with conference registration?
Registration includes featured plenary presentations, more than 200 educational presentations across concurrent sessions, issue briefs, and poster symposia, plus the Awards Breakfast, the President's Reception, additional receptions, and Exhibit Hall breakfast and breaks. Some events, such as pre-conference sessions, require an additional fee.
How can companies exhibit at the AAIDD Annual Meeting?
The exhibit fee is $850, or $650 for non-profit organizations, and includes a 6-ft table with two chairs, a listing on the conference website and program, two exhibitor badges, and one complimentary general registration. Exhibitors include providers of adaptive equipment, assistive technology, healthcare services, publications, university programs, and more.
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