
Association of Donor Relations Professionals - ADRP International Conference 2026
Event Date
September 15–18, 2026
Location
Reno, NV
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe ADRP International Conference is the annual flagship event of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP), the leading professional community for donor relations and stewardship practitioners. The conference is an annual opportunity for donor relations and stewardship professionals from around the world to share great ideas and expertise, challenge norms, and speak to varying experience levels, shop sizes, and institution types.
The event draws professionals working in fundraising, donor engagement, stewardship, recognition, gift reporting, and impact reporting across education, healthcare, the public sector, and other nonprofit institutions. ADRP is dedicated to helping its more than 1,600 members in 11 countries explore approaches to building long-term and lasting relationships with donors, institutional colleagues, and peers in the field.
The 2026 conference is built around the theme Resilience and Reinvention, focused on helping donor relations professionals navigate constant change, rising expectations, and new complexities. Attendees gain education, networking, and practical tools to advance their careers and strengthen their organizations' stewardship programs, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone in the philanthropy profession.
Show Highlights
The 2026 ADRP International Conference carries the theme Resilience and Reinvention, exploring how donor relations professionals can both endure challenge and evolve their practice.
- Opening Keynote: Kate Vitasek, Distinguished Fellow and Faculty in Graduate & Executive Education at the University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business. She is an international authority recognized for her award-winning research and creation of the Vested business model for highly collaborative, win-win relationships.
- Keynote session — The Power of T: Vitasek introduces The Power of T, a proven three-pillar framework showing how Trust and Transparency serve as the strategic foundation for driving transformational donor impact.
- Barrier Busting workshop: A highly interactive session where attendees identify obstacles that limit trust and transparency in their organizations and, through structured discussion and live problem-solving, convert insight into practical next steps.
- Excursions: Optional excursions take place after conference sessions on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and can be added to registration for an extra fee.
- Additional programming includes a Cohort Program and a Service Project, along with scheduled networking opportunities.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 ADRP International Conference is completed online through the ADRP registration portal, with full-conference and single-day options for both members and non-members.
2026 rates:
- Full Conference (Members): $965 USD Early Bird until July 13; $1,045 USD regular after July 13.
- Full Conference (Non-Members): $1,300 USD.
- Single Day (Members): $550 USD Early Bird until July 13; $600 USD regular after July 13.
- Single Day (Non-Members): $750 USD.
ADRP members receive discounted registration; joining ADRP can lower the cost of attendance. Cancellation policy: All cancellation requests received on or before August 25, 2026, receive a refund less a $75 processing fee, with no refunds thereafter except in extenuating circumstances; substitute attendees are permitted.
History
The Association of Donor Relations Professionals was founded in 2004, tracing its roots back to the first New England Stewardship Conference in 1992. A small group of stewardship professionals recognized the unique aspects of their profession that should be shared with peers from other institutions and decided to pool their resources to stage the first conference; the New England Stewardship Conference, organized each year by a volunteer host institution, grew to attract registrants from all over the country and the world.
The founders initially considered joining forces with existing organizations, but the importance of bringing greater visibility to the donor relations profession — and the goal of including professionals from all organizations, not just higher education — led them to create an entirely new international organization, and ADRP was born. The annual International Conference has since become the organization's signature event, and the 2026 edition is being held in Reno, Nevada.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 ADRP International Conference?
The 2026 ADRP Annual International Conference takes place September 15-18, 2026, at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. This year's theme is Resilience and Reinvention.
Who should attend the ADRP International Conference?
The conference is designed for donor relations and stewardship practitioners, as well as fundraisers and professionals working in donor engagement across education, healthcare, the public sector, and other nonprofit institutions. It welcomes attendees of varying experience levels, shop sizes, and institution types from around the world.
How do I register and how much does it cost?
Registration is completed online through the ADRP portal. Full-conference rates are $965 (member early bird until July 13), $1,045 (member regular), and $1,300 (non-member); single-day rates are $550-$600 for members and $750 for non-members. ADRP members receive discounted pricing.
Where should I stay and how do I book a hotel?
The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is both the venue and the conference hotel, with an ADRP room block starting at $140 for a king or $160 for double queens plus taxes and fees. Book by August 30, 2026, at 5 PM PT using the direct link or by calling 866-821-9996 with group code ADRP126.
Who is the 2026 keynote speaker?
The opening keynote is Kate Vitasek, a University of Tennessee faculty member and creator of the Vested business model, known for her research on collaborative relationships. Her session, The Power of T, presents a three-pillar framework on how trust and transparency drive transformational donor impact, followed by an interactive Barrier Busting workshop.
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