Annual Conference FAQs

GFOA‘s Annual Conference is the premier event for public finance professionals across North America. June 28 through July 1, 2026, thousands of leaders and practitioners will come together in Chicago for four days of learning, collaboration, and connection.

With 80+ education sessions, inspiring keynotes, interactive discussions, leadership workshops, and unmatched networking, this is more than a conference, it’s a community of professionals committed to excellence, transparency, and public service.

Optional Add-Ons:
Want to make the most of your conference experience? Consider joining us for these additional events:

• Preconference Seminars: These in-depth sessions are held prior to conference on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Preconference Seminars are not included in conference registration and are an additional fee per session. View sessions and learn more here.
• Tuesday Finale Event: Celebrate with us at this special event at the Chicago Theatre! Tickets must be purchased separately and are not included in conference registration. Learn more here.

Register here for conference, Preconference Seminars, and Tuesday Finale tickets in one streamlined process.

GFOA's 120th Annual Conference takes place in person in Chicago, Illinois, June 28–July 1, 2026, at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building, located at 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60616.

Optional Add-Ons:

• Preconference Seminars take place Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago located at 151 East Wacker Drive. View sessions and learn more here.
• Tuesday Finale Event takes place on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Chicago Theatre, located at 175 North State Street. Learn more here.

Log in to your GFOA account and register online, here. You can register for the conference, add Preconference Seminars, and purchase Tuesday Finale tickets all in one streamlined process.

Phone registrations are not accepted. 

Outstanding balances must be paid in full to receive your badge and access sessions. Note: only credit cards will be accepted once onsite. 

Government Members: 

• $600 before January 31
• $625 between January 31 and March 27
• $650 after March 27

Private Sector Members:  

• $745 before January 31
• $765 between January 31 and March 27
• $850 after March 27

Non-Members:  

• $1,020 before January 31
• $1,060 between January 31 and March 27
• $1,140 after March 27

Students: 

• $150 before January 31
• $175 after January 31 

Retired Government Members: $50

Single Day Registration: $310

Optional Add-Ons:

Preconference Sessions Fees: 

• Government Members: $250 per session
• Private Sector Members: $290 per session
• Non-Members: $315 per session

Discounted pricing is not available for students or retired registrants.

Tuesday Finale Event Tickets: 

• $54 per person, if purchased before June 24, 2026
• $75 per person, if purchased after June 24, 2026

Tickets include a $4 facility charge to support the maintenance and operation of the historic venue if purchased before June 24, 2026. Ticket Deadline: Sales close at noon on Sunday, June 28, 2026, based on availability.

Please note: Tuesday Finale Event tickets and Preconference Sessions are not included in conference registration and must be purchased separately. 

Outstanding balances must be paid in full to receive your badge and access sessions. Note: only credit cards will be accepted once onsite. 

Yes, you may register other individuals from your organization. Login to your GFOA account, and select Register, then click Register Somebody Else to choose from the list of individuals associated with your organization.

Please note: You must complete the required questions for each registrant before you can successfully check out.

To receive the discounted rate, you must be a student or retiree member of GFOA. If you qualify, your registration fee will automatically reflect the discount.

Yes, you can pay by check. During online registration, select Pay Later, enter the check number in the P.O. field, and mail your check along with a copy of your invoice to:

GFOA
203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60601

Make checks payable to: Government Finance Officers Association.

Outstanding balances must be paid in full to receive your badge and access sessions. Note: only credit cards will be accepted once onsite. 

Yes, a confirmation and invoice will be emailed to the registrant as a PDF attachment.

We understand that plans can change. All cancellation, change, or refund requests must be submitted via email to training@gfoa.org. Requests made through other channels may not be received in time to meet the deadlines below. Please ensure you’ve selected the correct pricing group (e.g., member vs. non-member) during registration, as we cannot issue partial refunds for registrations made under the wrong tier.

• Before May 15, 2026: Refunds are subject to a $50 processing fee per transaction.
• May 15 – June 10, 2026: Refunds will be issued at 50% of the registration fee.
• Finale Event Tickets Only: If you’re attending the conference but no longer plan to attend the Tuesday Finale Event, you may request a refund for your event ticket. Cancellations received on or before June 10, 2026 will be refunded minus a $10 processing fee per transaction.
• After June 10, 2026: Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date.

If you have received a past credit, we ask that you register and then please contact us at training@gfoa.org so we can assist in applying your credit.

Badges will be available to be picked up onsite at the self-check-in kiosks. 

Need help paying an outstanding balance or making a change to your registration? Then headed to the staffed registration desk for further assistance.

Preconference Badge Pick Up:
If you're registered for a Preconference Seminar, stop by the preconference self-check-in kiosks located at the Hyatt Regency Chicago:

• Friday, June 26 - 11:30am–4:00pm
• Saturday, June 27 - 7:30am–4:00pm

Conference Attendee Badge Pick Up:
Badges can be picked up from the self-check-in kiosks located at the McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building:

• Sunday, June 28 - 8:00am–5:30pm
• Monday, June 29 - 8:00am–4:00pm
• Tuesday, June 30 - 8:00am–4:00pm

Exhibitor Badge Pick Up:
Exhibitor and Sponsor badges can be picked up from the self-check-in kiosks located at the McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building:

• Friday, June 26 - 11:30am–4:30pm
• Saturday, June 27 - 7:30am–4:30pm
• Sunday, June 28 - 8:00am–5:30pm
• Monday, June 29 - 8:00am–4:00pm
• Tuesday, June 30 - 8:00am–2:00pm

Badge Replacement: If your complimentary conference badge is lost or misplaced, a replacement can be printed for a $25 fee. Please visit the staffed registration desks for assistance.

To add a guest, follow these steps:

1. Click on the 120th Annual Conference Registration Link: Click here to access the registration link.
2. View the "Registration" Box: Below the conference event details, locate the "Registration" box.
3. Add a Guest: Click on Add a guest.
4. Complete the Register Guest Form: Fill out the form with the guest's details and select Save and Close.
5. Confirm Registration: Click on Check Out & Confirm Registration to finalize the process.

Preconference Seminars are an optional add-on designed to give participants a more in-depth look into current issues before the conference even begins! GFOA’s Preconference Seminars also offer a great opportunity for you to earn additional CPE credits. This year’s seminars will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, located at 151 East Wacker Drive. 

Preconference seminars are not included in conference registration and are an additional fee per session. View sessions and learn more here.

Click here to learn more about this year’s Preconference Seminar offerings and CPE credit awarded.

You can register for the conference, add Preconference Seminars, and purchase Tuesday Finale Event tickets all in one streamlined process.

• Taking an afternoon Preconference session on Friday or Saturday? An afternoon snack will be available in your session room.
• Taking a morning Preconference session on Saturday? A continental breakfast will be available in your session room.
• Taking both a morning and afternoon Preconference session on Saturday? Enjoy a continental breakfast and afternoon snack in your session room, as well as a grab-and-go lunch.

Preconference Fees: 

• Government Members: $250 per session
• Private Sector Members: $290 per session
• Non-Members: $315 per session

Preconference Seminars will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, located at 151 East Wacker Drive.

Conference sessions will be held at the McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building, located at 2301 S DuSable Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.

GFOA's 120th Annual Conference will feature 80+ education sessions, inspiring keynotes, interactive discussions, leadership workshops, and unmatched networking. Join us to learn, connect, and lead the future of government finance.

Conference begins Sunday June 28, 2026, with the Exhibit Hall opening at 9:30 am and the Opening General Session kicking off sessions at 1:00 pm. Sessions conclude at 12:10 pm on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. 

It is possible to earn more than 20 continuing professional education (CPE) credits at GFOA’s Annual Conference. Additional CPE credits can be earned by attending one or more of GFOA’s Preconference Seminars.

GFOA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

No, delegates do not need to select the sessions they want to attend in advance. However, seating may be limited, so we recommend arriving early for the best seating options.

Keynote presenters will focus on delivering a perspective about current events, public finance knowledge, and essential leadership skills that can benefit all finance professionals. Stay tuned to learn more about this year's keynote speakers!

All content is presented for an in-person experience and is not recorded for future access.

Conference programming is entirely in-person. However, we regularly update our training calendar with online offerings. Click here to view upcoming virtual sessions.

Explore the conference website to learn more, starting here.

Connections Housing is the ONLY official housing provider for this event and will not contact attendees directly to make reservations. Booking through GFOA’s authorized housing partner ensures access to the discounted conference rate, convenient shuttle service, and a secure, reputable booking experience. Book here.

Need additional assistance? Contact Connections Housing at 725-246-0649, Monday–Friday, 6 am–3 pm PST.

To make changes to your hotel reservation, visit the housing portal and click Manage Existing Reservation. From there, you’ll be able to update your booking.

Need additional assistance? Contact Connections Housing at 725-246-0649, Monday–Friday, 6 am–3 pm PST.

Yes, all official conference block hotels will be served by shuttles to and from McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, East Building.

No, transportation between the airport and conference hotels will not be provided. However, there are several convenient options for traveling to and from Chicago airports. These include taxicabs, ride-share services, airport shuttles, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) trains, which offer direct access from the terminals at both O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

Yes, parking is available in McCormick Place’s Lot C, which provides direct access to the Lakeside Center, East Building. The daily rate is $27 (up to 16 hours; no overnight parking). For more details, click here.

Lot C is located at Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 606016.

Yes, enjoy an exclusive night of entertainment for GFOA conference attendees and their guests at the Tuesday Finale Event on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at the Chicago Theatre. Learn more about the Tuesday Finale Event here.

Tuesday Finale Event Tickets: 

• $54 per person, if purchased before June 24, 2026
• $75 per person, if purchased after June 24, 2026

Please note: Tuesday Finale Event tickets are not included in conference registration and must be purchased separately. Tickets include a $4 facility charge to support the maintenance and operation of the historic venue. 

Ticket Deadline: Sales close at noon on Sunday, June 28, 2026, based on availability.

Find recommendations and city information from Choose Chicago here.

Summer visitors to Chicago will experience warm weather, averaging in the high eighties. For the latest weather information, go to weatherchannel.com.

Exhibiting offers valuable opportunities to showcase your products, connect with decision-makers, and strengthen your brand presence at the largest gathering of public finance professionals. Click here to learn more and access the exhibitor contract and floor plan.

Sponsorship is a great way to get your company noticed beyond the Exhibit Hall floor, click here to learn more.

Note: sponsorship opportunities will become available in January 2026.

The Conference Member Community is designed for active government members of GFOA who are registered for the conference. It’s a space to connect with fellow attendees, ask questions, and receive updates leading up to conference.

To join, sign in using your GFOA username and password. Click here to access GFOA’s Annual Conference Member Community.

Lunch will be provided on Monday, June 29, and Tuesday, June 30, for all registered conference delegates. 

Meals are not included for exhibitors or guests.

Looking for other food options? Grab-and-go food and drinks will be available for purchase at the back of Exhibit Hall D1.

Yes. GFOA can accommodate dietary restrictions for attendee lunches on Monday and Tuesday. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and kosher options are available if requested in advance. During registration, you’ll find a section to note your dietary needs.

Business casual attire is recommended, along with comfortable shoes.

Yes, by attending the conference, you agree that your photo or video may be taken and used for promotional purposes, including social media posts during the event.

Stay up to date by visiting gfoa.org/conference.

We’re happy to help with any additional questions about this year’s event. Please contact us.