Advisory: National Academy of Public Administration To Host 2026 National Conference Nov. 8-10

Media Advisory

Nov. 3, 2026

Contact: Matt Hampton (MHampton@napawash.org)

Advisory: National Academy of Public Administration To Host 2026 National Conference Nov. 8-10

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Academy of Public Administration will host its 2026 National Conference November 8-10 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme is “Building the Future: Modernizing Systems and Empowering People.”

Featured speakers include Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Dr. Paul Lawrence, and Adm. Linda Fagan, former Commandant of the US Coast Guard. 

The conference will bring together leaders from across the public administration community for discussions on key issues facing public administrators, continuing education and professional development, and opportunities for connection and collaboration. For more information, visit the Academy’s conference site.

Sunday, Nov. 8 will feature the Arthur S. Flemming Awards from 6:30–7:30 p.m., emceed by Susan Swain, former President and Co-CEO of C-SPAN, with a reception to follow the ceremony.

The conference will also include the induction of the Academy’s 2026 Class of Fellows, award programs celebrating excellence in public service, and updates on the Academy’s initiatives and priorities.

A detailed agenda and registration details can be found here. Members of the media planning to attend should RSVP to natcon@napawash.org. 

Schedule highlights: 

Sunday, November 8

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Richardson Leadership Lab | West Court

3:00–5:00 p.m. | New Fellows Orientation | NAS 120

5:30 p.m. | Welcome and Check-In | Great Hall

5:30–6:30 p.m. | Flemming Awards Welcome Reception | Great Hall

6:30–7:30 p.m. | 77th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Awards | Kavli Auditorium

7:30–8:00 p.m. | Post-Awards Reception | Great Hall

Monday, November 9

8:30–9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Great Hall

9:00–10:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks and Fireside Conversation with Eric Ueland | Kavli Auditorium

10:15–11:15 a.m. | Plenary Panel: Technology, Talent, and the Future of Government | Kavli Auditorium

11:25–11:30 a.m. | Awarding of the Louis Brownlow Book Award | Kavli Auditorium

11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Keynote: Dr. Paul Lawrence, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Kavli Auditorium

12:15–1:10 p.m. | Lunch | NAS 120, West Court, North Court, Great Hall

1:15–1:20 p.m. | Awarding of the Roback Scholarship Awards | Kavli Auditorium

1:20–2:00 p.m. | Reimagining Federalism Panel | Kavli Auditorium

2:15–3:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions 1 | Various

3:30–4:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions 2 | Various

4:30–5:00 p.m. | Break | Great Hall

5:00–5:30 p.m. | New Fellows Induction Ceremony | Kavli Auditorium

5:30–7:00 p.m. | New Fellows Reception | Great Hall

Tuesday, November 10

8:00–8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Great Hall

8:30–8:45 a.m. | Special Welcome from IBM: Building Decision Readiness for Future Shocks | Kavli Auditorium

8:45–9:30 a.m. | Plenary: Fellows Forum | Kavli Auditorium

8:30–9:30 a.m. | Extended Breakfast and Headshots (non-Fellow attendees) | Great Hall

9:45–10:30 a.m. | Plenary: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine | Kavli Auditorium

10:45–11:30 a.m. | Plenary Panel: Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Workforce | Kavli Auditorium

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Lunch and Standing Panel Business Meetings | East and West Court

12:30–1:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions 3 | Various

1:45–2:35 p.m. | Plenary: AI and the Future of Government | Kavli Auditorium

2:40–2:45 p.m. | Awarding of the George Graham Award | Kavli Auditorium

2:45–3:00 p.m. | Closing Plenary: Admiral Linda Fagan | Kavli Auditorium

About the National Academy of Public Administration

Chartered by Congress to provide nonpartisan expert advice, the Academy is an independent nonprofit organization established in 1967 to assist government leaders in building more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations. Learn more at www.napawash.org.

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