APCO 2026
Event Date
August 2–5, 2026
Location
San Antonio, TX
Expected Exhibitors
205
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAPCO is the Annual Conference & Expo of APCO International (the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials), the premier event for the public safety communications community. It draws professionals from across the field, from frontline telecommunicators and emergency communications center (ECC) managers to the equipment and service vendors that support them. The 2026 edition runs August 2-5 in San Antonio, Texas, offering four days of educational sessions, committee meetings and special events, paired with two full days of exhibits.
The conference brings together public safety communication officials and emergency responders from local, state and federal government agencies to explore the rapidly evolving communications landscape. Attendees represent emergency communications centers, law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services and government agencies, alongside service providers and commercial vendors.
It is worth attending for its depth of education, hands-on access to technology, and networking. Attendees can earn up to 20 CEUs across 11 professional development tracks and more than 132 individual sessions, connect with over 200 vendors launching and demonstrating new products, and take part in ECC tours, career advancement sessions and signature social events.
Show Highlights
Key features of APCO 2026 include:
- Education program: More than 132 individual sessions across 11 professional development tracks, worth up to 20 CEUs, covering frontline telecommunicators, leadership development, comm center management, cutting-edge issues and technology.
- Exhibit Hall: Open August 3-4 with 200+ vendors, plus special zones including the APCO Pavilion, Career Center, Wellness Zone, Network & Recharge Lounge, Presentation Theater, Product Showcase and AI Showcase.
- Signature events: The Opening General Session, Distinguished Achievers Breakfast, Food for Thought Luncheon, Connect & Celebrate Dinner, and the popular APCO Block Party.
- Engagement opportunities: ECC tours, general business sessions, association and committee meetings, and officer elections held during the conference.
Registration
Registration is open and can be completed through the official APCO 2026 registration portal. Pricing is tiered by date, with the lowest rates during Early Registration (April 1 - May 31), higher Regular rates (June 1 - July 31), and the highest On-Site rates (August 1-5).
Pass types include:
- Member Full: $525 early / $625 regular / $675 on-site (requires current APCO membership)
- Non-Member Full: $750 early / $850 regular / $900 on-site
- Member Day Pass: $200-$350 per day; Non-Member Day Pass: $300-$450 per day
- Member Exhibit Hall Only (Mon & Tue): $85-$125; Non-Member Exhibit Hall Only: $125-$165
- Spouse, Guest, or Child over 5: $175 early/regular, $225 on-site
Some events require separate paid add-ons: Distinguished Achievers Breakfast, Food for Thought Luncheon and Connect & Celebrate Dinner. Joining APCO before registering can save $225 on full registration. Cancellations received on or before July 3, 2026 receive a full refund; those between July 4-17 are subject to a $75 administrative fee; no refunds are given after 5:00 pm EDT July 17, 2026. Badge pickup and on-site registration are in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Lobby, opening Saturday, August 1.
History
APCO International was formed in 1935, when police communication officers met in St. Louis, Missouri, to found the association. Its Annual Conference & Expo has been held every year since, growing into the premier gathering for the public safety communications profession. Over the decades the organization evolved from a "Police" to a "Public-Safety" focus, developing a national office and chapters across the United States and internationally. The annual conference now brings together telecommunicators, vendors, instructors and industry leaders from local, state and federal agencies, rotating among major U.S. convention cities; the 2026 edition is hosted in San Antonio, Texas.
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
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
900 E Market Street
The Henry B. González Convention Center sits in the heart of historic downtown San Antonio along the banks of the world-famous River Walk. Following a $325 million expansion completed in 2016, the facility has a footprint of roughly 1.6 million square feet, including approximately 514,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space with 35-foot ceilings, more than 70 meeting rooms, and two ballrooms. It is home to the "Stars at Night" Ballroom, the largest in Texas at about 54,000 square feet, as well as the adjacent 2,319-seat Lila Cockrell Theatre. All APCO 2026 conference activities are held at this venue, with the Exhibit Hall open August 3-4.
Parking
San Antonio offers a variety of parking options in downtown garages near the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, available for a daily fee, with rates varying by garage. Some downtown locations include EV charging and ADA-accessible spaces. Detailed parking and directions are available through the convention center's Location, Directions & Parking page.
Getting There
The nearest airport is San Antonio International Airport (SAT), located approximately 8-9 miles (about 10-15 minutes by car) from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Taxis and rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) are available at the outer commercial curbside of the terminal, and rental cars are available on-site. VIA Metropolitan Transit also operates public bus service downtown. All conference hotels are within walking distance of the venue; ADA shuttle buses are available as needed between hotels and the convention center (call at least 60 minutes ahead), and complimentary shuttles run to and from the Block Party on Tuesday, August 4.
Nearby Hotels
APCO International has negotiated special rates for attendees through its official housing provider, Orchid.Events, and reservations must be made through that provider to receive the discount. For APCO 2026, all conference hotels are within walking distance of the convention center. Official conference hotels include:
- Grand Hyatt San Antonio
- Hilton Palacio del Rio
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio
- Kimpton Santo
- San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
- San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk
- The Monarch San Antonio
- The Plaza San Antonio
There are roughly 3,000 hotel rooms within a block of the convention center. Attendees should be wary of unauthorized housing solicitations, as Orchid.Events is APCO's only official provider.
Contact
Show Management
Assn Public-Safety Communications Officials
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is APCO 2026 taking place?
APCO 2026 is held August 2-5, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. All conference activities take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, with the Exhibit Hall open August 3-4.
Who should attend APCO 2026?
The conference is designed for the public safety communications community, including frontline telecommunicators, emergency communications center managers, and public safety communications equipment and service vendors. Attendees come from emergency communications centers, law enforcement, fire service, EMS, government agencies, and commercial vendors.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration is open through the official APCO 2026 portal, with tiered pricing by date. A Member Full registration ranges from $525 (early) to $675 (on-site), and a Non-Member Full registration ranges from $750 to $900; day passes and exhibit-hall-only passes are also available. Joining APCO before registering can save $225 on a full registration.
What educational value does the conference offer?
Attendees can earn up to 20 CEUs across 11 professional development tracks with more than 132 individual sessions. Topics cover frontline telecommunicators, leadership development, comm center management, technology and cutting-edge industry issues.
Where should I stay and how do I get there?
APCO offers discounted rates at several downtown San Antonio hotels through its official housing provider, Orchid.Events, and all conference hotels are within walking distance of the convention center. The nearest airport is San Antonio International Airport (SAT), about 8-9 miles away, with taxis, rideshare, rental cars and public transit available.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement