Promoting Partnerships To Improve Veterans’ Health


2026 Sponsors


Diamond Sponsor


Silver Sponsors



Contact us to inquire about our sponsor/exhibitor opportunities by emailing info@navref.org or by
calling 703-202-8113


Conference Questions?

David Stout

Operations Analyst

david@navref.org


Hawk Tran

Chief Operating Officer
htran@navref.org


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Use NAVREF's template deck! 

2026 Template Conference Slides

Email estout@navref.org for questions.


Sunday, September 27th

 1:00 PM  - 6:00 PM Registration Opens
 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Pre-Conference: Connecting through Building

Plaza Ballroom

Experience an interactive session designed to challenge conventional thinking and open the door to maximizing this year's program content.
 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

NAVREF Annual Membership Meeting

Ambassador
 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Welcome Reception

Salon Foyer and Ritz-Carlton Ballroom


Monday, September 28th

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast 

Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Official Welcome to the 34th NAVREF Conference

Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

    Keynote: Veteran Voice and Industry Influencer

    Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
      10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

       Refreshment Break
      10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

      NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

      (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

      Crisis Communications

        LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

        (Ambassador Room)

        Leveraging NPC Education Authority

        RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

        (Diplomat Room)

        Fine-Tuning Grants

         11:00 AM - 11:15 AM Refreshment Break
         11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

        NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

        (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

        HR [Obstacles]: NPC and VA Symbiotic Relationship

          LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

          (Ambassador Room)

          Connecting the Dots With Your Chief Of Staff

          RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

          (Diplomat Room)

          Indirect Cost Rates
           12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

          Lunch on Your Own 

          2027 Committee Luncheon (Pre-Registration Required): 2027 Conference Committee Volunteers
          1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

          NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

          (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

          The Latest and Greatest on VA Policies and Procedures

            LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

            (Ambassador Room)

            Having Difficult Conversations

            RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

            (Diplomat Room)

            Engaging Industry
             2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

             Refreshment Break
             2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

            NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

            (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

            Enhancing Visibility & Building Stakeholder Relationships

              LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

              (Ambassador Room)

              Working With the Affiliate: New Models of Partnership

              RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

              (Diplomat Room)

              Going Further With Industry Partnerships
               3:15 PM - 3:30 PM Refreshment Break
               3:30 PM -5:00 PM

              CROWD-SOURCING SOLUTIONS SESSIONS:

              Pulling Together NPC Policies: Which policies matter most and how to design them

              (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

                Connecting the Disconnected: Getting boards and leaders engaged

                (Ambassador Room)

                Reaching Research Sites: Navigating the vast research ecosystem

                (Diplomat Room)


                PRIVATE MEETINGS:

                ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

                Human Resources

                (Invitation Only - Boardroom)

                  ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

                  OGC STAR

                  (Invitation Only - Directors Room)

                  ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

                  TBD

                  (Invitation Only - TBD)
                   5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

                  11th Annual NAVREF Awards Dinner

                  Ritz-Carlton Ballroom

                  • Join this evening of celebration and recognition of award recipients.
                  • Pre-function cocktails served at 5:30 PM ; Dinner at 6 PM
                  • Included this evening is a three course dinner by Executive Chef Cesar De Leon Torres

                    Tuesday, September 29th

                    7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

                    Breakfast

                    Salon Foyer and Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
                      9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                      General Session: ORD and Innovation Presentation

                      Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
                       10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Refreshment Break
                       10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

                      NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

                      (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

                      Components of Successful Grants and Budgets

                        LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

                        (Ambassador Room)

                        Coaching PIs to Be Effective Leaders

                        RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

                        (Diplomat Room)

                        Managing Relationships: Affiliate, NPC, & VA
                         11:15 AM - 12:45 PM

                        Roundtable Lunch Discussions

                        Ritz-Carlton Ballroom

                        Enjoy a provided lunch accompanied by colleagues at tables designated by size and region. This "miniature summit" creates an opportunity for in-depth discussions on tactical challenges impacting your local areas.
                         12:45 PM - 1:00 PMBreak
                         1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

                        General Session: Hearing from the Hill

                        Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
                          2:00 PM - 2:15 PM Refreshment Break
                           2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

                          NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

                          (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

                          Effective Sponsored Projects and Clinical Trials

                            LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK 

                            (Ambassador Room)

                            Collaboratively Managing Limited Resources

                            RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

                            (Diplomat Room)

                            Interesting Points: NPCs and Nodes/Coordinating Centers
                             3:15 PM - 3:30 PM  Refreshment Break
                            3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

                            NPC CORE OPERATIONS TRACK

                            (Ritz-Carlton Ballroom)

                            Diversifying Your Portfolio

                              LEADERSHIP/GOVERNANCE TRACK

                              (Ambassador Room)

                              Finding Your Voice As A Leader

                              RESEARCH APPLICATIONS TRACK 

                              (Diplomat Room)

                              VERA Funding Explained
                                 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

                                Social Activities!

                                • An Evening on the Potomac
                                • 3rd Annual NAVREF Putt-Putt Pro Tour
                                • Monuments & Mysteries


                                Wednesday, September 30th

                                 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

                                Wellness Activity
                                 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 

                                Farewell Breakfast

                                Ritz-Carlton Ballroom

                                Enjoy a hearty farewell breakfast complete with mimosas as we begin to close out our 34th conference! 
                                   9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

                                  General Session: AI Sugar Rush or Gold Rush

                                  Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
                                   10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

                                  Conference Wrap-Up and Adjournment: Final Thoughts x NAVREF

                                  Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
                                   10:45 AM - Until End

                                  NAVREF IPC Meeting - (Invitation Only)

                                  This meeting is invitation only for members of the Industry Partner Consortium. Participants will have lunch provided and conduct regular meeting business.

                                  Room: TBD

                                   NAVREF Hill Day - (Pre-Registered Attendees Only)

                                  This meeting is for pre-registered attendees who will be engaging Capitol Hill. Attendees will load buses at 11 AM and then head to the staging area for final preparations before heading to congressional offices.

                                  Location: Florida House



                                  1717 K ST NW Suite 900

                                  Washington, DC 20006

                                  admin@navref.org

                                  703-202-8113

                                  FEIN: 52-1784596

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