AAMC | Association of American Medical Colleges 2026
Event Date
November 6–10, 2026
Location
Anaheim, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryLearn Serve Lead: The AAMC Annual Meeting is the flagship gathering of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the 2026 edition carries special significance. Registration is open for Learn Serve Lead 2026, taking place November 6–10 in Anaheim, California, marking the AAMC's 150th anniversary and bringing together leaders across academic medicine to reflect on a century and a half of progress and shape the future of discovery, medical education, advocacy, and care.
It is the main learning and networking event for people who influence decisions and advocate change across academic medicine, bringing together future leaders such as administrators, students, residents, medical school students, and teaching hospital stakeholders. Learn Serve Lead is the gathering for U.S. academic medicine, medical education, and GME leadership, and it is where program directors and DIOs gather.
The event inspires, empowers, and fosters a community of individuals determined to improve health care for all, making it valuable for anyone involved in medical education, research, and academic health care who wants to learn from peers and build a professional network.
Show Highlights
The meeting delivers a broad program of educational and networking sessions across five days. Based on prior editions, the five-day meeting has featured more than 110 concurrent sessions, four plenary sessions, eight Voices of Medicine and Society featured speakers, and more than 50 networking receptions.
CME sessions cover a wide breadth of topics, including science advances and funding, health care workforce, health equity, educational scholarship, leadership, competencies across the continuum of medical education, faculty practice and health system change, as well as thought leader sessions tackling issues within medicine and society at large.
The 2026 meeting is also built around a special milestone: a celebration of 150 years of the AAMC.
Attendance
The meeting is expected to draw more than 4,000 leaders and speakers who will discuss the challenges facing health care and academic medicine. The audience is drawn from across academic medicine, including medical school faculty and administrators, teaching hospital and health system leaders, deans, residents, and medical students.
Registration
Registration is open for Learn Serve Lead 2026: The AAMC Annual Meeting. Registration is handled online through the official AAMC event site.
Registration for Learn Serve Lead 2026 is open, and the AAMC has promoted savings of up to $400 by registering early. Prospective attendees should check the official website for current pricing, pass types, and deadlines.
History
Learn Serve Lead is the AAMC's premier annual meeting for the academic medicine community. Learn, Serve, Lead: The AAMC Annual Meeting is an international meeting that takes place annually in different locations around the United States.
The 2026 meeting is a landmark edition: Learn Serve Lead is the AAMC's annual meeting, the gathering for U.S. academic medicine, medical education, and GME leadership, and 2026 marks the AAMC's 150th anniversary. The following year's meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12–16, 2027 in Washington, DC.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W Katella Ave.
The meeting takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802. The Anaheim Convention Center is the largest convention facility on the West Coast and sits in the heart of the Anaheim Resort district near Disneyland. It hosts exhibits, plenary sessions, and concurrent breakout sessions across its exhibit halls and meeting rooms.
Parking
On-site parking is available at the Anaheim Convention Center. For a standard-size vehicle, parking at the Convention Center begins at $25 per day, and overnight parking is prohibited. Visitors should check the Anaheim Convention Center website for up-to-date information and rates. Reservable parking at nearby lots and garages can also be booked in advance through platforms such as SpotHero.
Getting There
The Anaheim Convention Center is served by several Southern California airports. John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) is the closest and most convenient airport to the Anaheim Convention Center, and Long Beach Airport (LGB) is a convenient alternative. From area hotels, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is roughly 14 miles away, Long Beach Airport (LGB) about 20 miles, and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about 36 miles.
The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), located between Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, offers direct connections to attractions throughout Anaheim, including Disneyland and the Convention Center. Rideshare, airport shuttles, and rental cars are all widely available.
Nearby Hotels
A wide range of hotels sits within the Anaheim Resort district, many within walking distance of the Convention Center:
- Hilton Anaheim — a large convention hotel accessible by major freeways, with secured covered parking in a garage behind the hotel. Secured covered parking is available in a garage located behind the hotel.
- Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center — located at 2035 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802.
- Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort, and The Westin Anaheim Resort are additional full-service options near the venue.
Many Anaheim hotels also serve the adjacent Disneyland Resort, so booking early is recommended during major meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Learn Serve Lead 2026: The AAMC Annual Meeting held?
The meeting takes place November 6–10, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, California.
What makes the 2026 meeting special?
The 2026 meeting marks the AAMC's 150th anniversary, bringing together leaders across academic medicine to reflect on 150 years of progress and shape the future of discovery, medical education, advocacy, and care.
Who should attend Learn Serve Lead?
It is designed for the academic medicine community, including medical school administrators, faculty, deans, teaching hospital and health system leaders, residents, and medical students. It is also a key gathering for program directors and GME leadership.
How do I register and can I save money?
Registration is open through the official AAMC event website. The AAMC has promoted savings of up to $400 for registering early, so booking ahead is recommended.
How do I get to the Anaheim Convention Center?
John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) is the closest and most convenient airport, with Long Beach (LGB) and Los Angeles International (LAX) as alternatives. On-site parking starts at about $25 per day for a standard vehicle, and the ARTIC transit hub connects to points throughout Anaheim.
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