When & Where: September 24-25, 2026 | The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in State College, PA
Room Block: Reservations for Wednesday, September 23, and/or Thursday, September 24 can be made online or by calling 814-863-5050 (reference booking code PANO26A) at a discounted rate of $149/night plus tax.
Registration: Will open early July and close on Sunday, September 20, 11:59 PM
The work of our 2025 Collaborative Conference, Meeting the Moment – Rooted Together, was finding each other beneath the surface. With our 2026 theme of Rooting Deeper, Rising Together, we’ll begin the work of doing more together, turning connection into action. We will go deeper into that work and rise into our strength together, claiming a more visible role in our communities, in policy, and in shaping what comes next. We rise together because our roots run deep and stay connected. The conference is where we’ll practice what rising together actually looks like.
Thanks to all who have participated in this year’s request for proposal (RFP) process – we can’t wait to learn with and from many of you this fall.
The RFP Form is now closed – if you were working on a proposal and did not get a chance to submit your final idea, please contact Christina Spadaro at christina@pano.org to discuss options for completing the process by Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
All submissions will be reviewed by our RFP committee and selection decisions will be shared by 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Opportunities will be available in early June!
The conference will once again take place at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, 215 Innovation Blvd., State College, PA 16803.
Reserve Your Room
Our conference is hosted in partnership by PANO and the Department of Public Administration at Villanova University.
