When and where is the 2026 National Homeland Security Conference?

The 2026 National Homeland Security Conference (#NHSC2026) takes place August 10–13, 2026, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. 4th St, Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first time the conference is being held in Louisville.

Who should attend the National Homeland Security Conference?

The conference is designed for professionals in homeland security, law enforcement, fire service, and emergency management. Attendees include officials from federal and nonprofit agencies, business owners, universities, and decision makers seeking training, best practices, and new technology.

How much does registration cost and how do I register?

The standard attendee registration rate is $775. Registration for 2026 closed on July 10, and onsite registration is not available, though special exceptions may be made for speakers and exhibitors.

How much does an exhibitor booth cost?

Based on 2025 pricing (subject to increase for 2026), booths range from $3,700 for a 10x10 to $20,500 for a 40x40, with larger 900+ square foot spaces including vehicle display space. Booths have historically sold out, so early reservation is advised.

Where should I stay and how do I get to the venue?

The NHSA room block is at the Galt House Hotel, about 0.3 miles from the convention center, and the Marriott Downtown and Hyatt Regency connect to the venue via skywalk. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is roughly 7.6 miles away, with taxi and rideshare service, and on-site parking is available in the Cowger and Commonwealth garages for up to $12 per day.

National Homeland Security Conference 2026 – Louisville, KY | Trade Show Event Directory

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National Homeland Security Conference 2026 – Louisville, KY | Trade Show Event Directory | Trade Show Directory

Attendance

The organizer describes the conference as drawing a national audience of homeland security and emergency management professionals. Every year, the National Homeland Security Conference brings together over a thousand attendees from the homeland security and emergency management disciplines, representing local, state, federal government, military, and the private sector. Past attendee testimonials have referenced figures of more than 1,300 first responders and leaders.

Booth Pricing

The following are the 2025 exhibitor booth prices published by the organizer; note that pricing is subject to increase for 2026. 10X10 (100 sq ft): $3,700 with 2 comp booth staff; 10X20 (200 sq ft): $5,400 with 3 staff; 10X30 (300 sq ft): $5,750 with 3 staff; 20X20 (400 sq ft): $7,500 with 3 staff; 20X30 (600 sq ft): $9,500 with 4 staff; 20X40 (800 sq ft): $10,000 with 5 staff; 30X30 (900 sq ft): $11,600 with 6 staff (vehicle space); 30X40 (1,200 sq ft): $15,500 with 7 staff (vehicle space); 40X40 (1,600 sq ft): $20,500 with 8 staff (vehicle space).

Multiple levels of sponsorship are also available, offering recognition on the conference website, mobile app, and exhibitor pages.

Registration

The standard attendee registration rate for #NHSC2026 is $775. Although registration closed on July 10th, special exceptions will be made to speakers and exhibitors to register after the deadline. As of the latest update, registration for #NHSC2026 has closed and onsite registration for this event is not available.

Exhibitors register or modify their reservation through the CVENT system, and booth requests can be sent to conference.info@nationalhomelandsecurity.org.

Cancellation policy: The deadline to cancel a registration and receive a refund is Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET, with a $100 cancellation fee applying to all refunded registrations. No refunds are issued after the June 12 deadline.

History

The National Homeland Security Conference is organized by the National Homeland Security Association (NHSA). 2026 marks the 19th annual conference, and the first time the conference will be in Louisville, Kentucky. The event has grown into a national gathering, and due to record demand it sold out in the years 2018 through 2025. Past editions have been hosted in cities including New York City, Phoenix, and Buffalo, and the conference is scheduled to move to Baltimore for 2027.