Meals on Wheels Annual Conference & Expo 2026
Event Date
August 17–20, 2026
Location
Las Vegas, NV
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Meals on Wheels Annual Conference & Expo is the premier national gathering of the Meals on Wheels network, convened by Meals on Wheels America. The 2026 event takes place August 17-20 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. It brings together local program leaders, senior nutrition professionals, aging experts, funders and corporate partners from across the country to tackle the network's most pressing challenges.
The conference is built for the people who run and support community-based senior nutrition programs. Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting more than 5,000 community-based programs nationwide, and this event equips those providers with practical strategies, real-world tools and shared solutions.
Attendees come to gain actionable insights across service delivery, fundraising, advocacy, data-driven storytelling and volunteer engagement, while networking with peers and partners who share their mission. The 2026 theme centers on shifting from short-term fixes to long-term strength — securing sustainable resources, advocating with urgency, operating more efficiently and using data — to build the capacity and resilience needed to 'End the Wait' and ensure every senior who needs Meals on Wheels receives it.
Show Highlights
Signature features of the conference typically include:
- Keynote sessions from social impact leaders, authors and aging-policy experts.
- Immersive learning and breakout sessions covering innovative service delivery, fundraising, data-driven storytelling, advocacy and volunteer engagement.
- The Sponsor Expo, where attendees connect with partners offering products and services that strengthen program operations.
- Networking receptions and collaboration opportunities, beginning with a Welcome Reception on the afternoon of Monday, August 17.
- Awards recognition honoring exemplary leaders across the nationwide Meals on Wheels movement, such as the Sister Alice Marie Quinn Award.
(Note: Full 2026 speaker and session details are published by Meals on Wheels America closer to the event; the items above reflect recent editions of the conference.)
Registration
Registration for the 2026 conference opens in April, with early-bird pricing available through July 1, 2026.
Key details:
- Group discount: Save $50 on each Full Registration when you and your colleagues register as a group.
- What Full Registration includes: All general-access meals, refreshment breaks and receptions held at the hotel (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner) starting with the Welcome Reception on the afternoon of Monday, August 17, plus physical conference materials such as a tote bag and badge with lanyard.
- Payment by check: Organizations paying by check should contact membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org; all checks must be received by August 7, 2026, and registration is not confirmed until the check arrives.
- Cancellations/refunds: Written requests must be sent to mealsonwheelsregistration@conferencemanagers.com. Requests received before July 26, 2026 receive a 75% refund; no refunds are issued on or after July 26, 2026. Substitutions are allowed for a $50 processing fee.
- Updates and accommodations: To update registration details or request accommodations or note dietary restrictions, contact mealsonwheelsregistration@conferencemanagers.com.
History
Meals on Wheels America has brought leaders together for its annual gathering since 1974. The event has grown into the premier national convening for the senior nutrition field, drawing program leaders, aging experts and partners from communities across the country.
The 2025 edition marked the 51st Annual Conference, held August 25-28 in San Antonio, TX, making the 2026 Las Vegas event the network's 52nd annual gathering. The organization behind the conference supports more than 5,000 community-based programs that, together with more than two million staff and volunteers, deliver meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America's seniors.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Caesars Palace
3570 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Caesars Palace, one of Las Vegas' leading casino hotels, hosts CinemaCon with its conference center, hotel accommodations, world-class restaurants, and the Colosseum, a state-of-the-art venue used to showcase studio screenings and presentations. Trade show exhibits are staged in the Caesars Palace Conference Center: the Julius Ballroom on the Pool Level and the Augustus Ballroom on the Emperors Level. The wider resort includes Caesars Palace's roughly 3,110 rooms and suites, the 668-room Octavius Tower, and the 182-room Nobu Hotel.
Parking
Caesars Palace offers a self-parking garage and multiple valet locations. Self-parking runs $25 for 0–24 hours (with each additional day or fraction also $25), while hotel guests pay $20 per day. Valet pricing is $50 per day at the Main Valet; Colosseum Valet is $40 per day (rising to $50 on event dates); and the Augustus Valet is reserved for Seven Stars, Guy Savoy and Qua Spa guests. Caesars Rewards members at Platinum, Diamond or Seven Stars levels receive complimentary self-parking, and Nevada residents get the first three hours free with a valid Nevada driver's license, though this does not apply during special events. Note that convention weeks may be treated as special events, so verify current rates before arrival. The garage clearance is 6 feet 10 inches and oversized parking is not offered.
Getting There
Caesars Palace is located centrally on the Las Vegas Strip at 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd. The nearest airport is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), only a few miles south of the resort, with taxis, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), and shuttle services readily available. Rideshare and taxi drop-offs use the resort's main entrance, while the Las Vegas Monorail and Strip bus routes provide public-transit access to nearby stations. Given Strip traffic and event-week demand, allow extra travel time and consider rideshare or walking between neighboring Strip properties.
Nearby Hotels
The most convenient option is staying on-site at Caesars Palace, the host hotel, where CinemaCon coordinates a room block via its official reservation link. Because Caesars Palace sits in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, numerous additional hotels are within short walking or rideshare distance, including neighboring Caesars Entertainment properties such as The LINQ, Flamingo, Harrah's, Paris Las Vegas, Horseshoe and Planet Hollywood, as well as nearby resorts like Bellagio, The Cromwell, and the Venetian/Palazzo. Booking early during the CinemaCon block is recommended, as convention weeks are high-demand periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 Meals on Wheels Annual Conference & Expo?
The conference takes place August 17-20, 2026, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2026 event is in-person only, and all sessions and functions are designed to be accessible without leaving the hotel.
Who should attend this conference?
The event is designed for Meals on Wheels providers, senior nutrition and aging-services leaders, program staff, partners and thought leaders from across the country. Attendees gain practical strategies, tools and connections to strengthen community-based senior nutrition programs.
How do I register and are there discounts?
Registration opens in April, with early-bird pricing available through July 1, 2026. You can save $50 on each Full Registration by registering as a group, and Full Registration includes conference meals, refreshment breaks, receptions and physical conference materials.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Written refund requests must be sent to mealsonwheelsregistration@conferencemanagers.com. Requests received before July 26, 2026 receive a 75% refund, no refunds are issued on or after July 26, 2026, and substitutions are allowed for a $50 processing fee.
What parking and transportation options are available at Caesars Palace?
Caesars Palace offers self-parking (about $7-$10) and valet (about $13-$18), with complimentary parking for Nevada residents and eligible Caesars Rewards members. Harry Reid International Airport is about 4.6 miles away, and rideshare, taxis and the Las Vegas Monorail (Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station) all serve the property.
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