General Business conferences & trade shows in Washington, DC

Nov 2–3, 2026·Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC

Two-day IIA conference for emerging internal audit leaders, covering leadership, communication and AI-related risk skills. Offered in person and by livestream.

Who it's for

Internal auditors with 3+ years of experience, new audit managers and director-track auditors

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

The Institute of Internal Auditors

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: In-person: $1,550

Virtual livestream pass $1,150 USD; member discounts apply after sign-in.

Nov 12, 2026·Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC

One-day forum on defense acquisition under the theme Industry as a Weapon System, covering acquisition strategy, industrial capacity and workforce readiness.

Who it's for

Acquisition leaders, contracting professionals and defense industry executives

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

National Contract Management Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 16, 2026·The Great Hall, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC

One-day forum on business risk, geopolitical threats and AI-enabled threats for corporate security and risk-intelligence leaders. In 2026 it combines with the I3 Summit.

Who it's for

Corporate security chiefs, risk-intelligence professionals, policymakers and innovators

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Pathfinder Collective

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 16–17, 2026·Venable LLP, 600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

Annual gathering of legal and compliance leaders in direct selling, covering regulation, claims, and independent contractor issues.

Who it's for

Legal and compliance leaders in direct selling

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Direct Selling Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 17, 2026·The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC

A one-afternoon look back at the 2026 election cycle with forecasters, pollsters and campaign operatives, including a luncheon with the live reveal of the Top Ops Awards winners and a closing happy hour.

Who it's for

Political consultants, campaign strategists, pollsters and operatives

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 19, 2026·Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC

Anniversary conference on online safety covering AI, age assurance, youth well-being, research and legislation.

Who it's for

Government, industry, academia and civil society leaders working on online safety

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Family Online Safety Institute

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Nov 20, 2026·Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC

Flagship day of panels, keynotes and networking on Arab-U.S. relations, followed by an evening memorial concert.

Who it's for

Policymakers, diplomats, business and academic professionals focused on Arab-U.S. relations

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Dec 3, 2026·Washington, DC

A one-day program on how AI and emerging technology are changing advocacy, communications and decision-making for public affairs teams, run in parallel with a Brussels session.

Who it's for

Public affairs professionals in government affairs, advocacy, grassroots, communications, policy and political affairs

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Public Affairs Council

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Dec 7–8, 2026·The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, Washington, DC

24th annual summit on health care policy and regulation: enforcement, managed care, behavioral health, digital health and AI.

Who it's for

Healthcare attorneys, industry leaders and policymakers

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Bar Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Dec 9–11, 2026·Marriott Marquis Washington DC, Washington, DC

Annual policy gathering run by the American Legislative Exchange Council in Washington.

Who it's for

Policy and legislative stakeholders

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Legislative Exchange Council

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Jan 3–5, 2027·Marriott Marquis Washington, DC (headquarters hotel) and Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

The American Economic Association's annual meeting with lectures, networking events and an exhibit hall.

Who it's for

Economists and social science researchers

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Economic Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Early registration (regular): $250 until Dec 1, 2026
• Standard / on-site (regular): $300

Jan 11–13, 2027·Washington, DC

Three-day trip for Connecticut business leaders with briefings, tours and networking and meetings with the state's federal delegation on how federal policy affects business.

Who it's for

Connecticut business leaders

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Registration: $500

Hotel and flights not included.

Jan 13, 2027·National Press Club, Washington, DC

One-day ACEEE forum in Washington bringing together government, industry and utility experts to discuss federal and state energy efficiency policy.

Who it's for

Experts from government, industry and utilities

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

ACEEE

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Early Bird: $295 until Nov 26, 2026
• Regular: $495

Feb 8–11, 2027·Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC

The National Sheriffs' Association winter gathering in Washington, DC, bringing sheriffs and law enforcement professionals together with federal officials and exhibitors for seminars, general sessions and a Hill Day.

Who it's for

Sheriffs and law enforcement professionals, and vendors serving them

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

National Sheriffs' Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Non-member: $750

Event Overview page gives Feb 8-11; the home page says Feb 8-12.

Feb 16–18, 2027·Washington, DC

Annual leadership conference of the Women in Auto Care community, with panels, workshops and networking focused on professional development and industry trends.

Who it's for

Women professionals and allies in the automotive aftermarket

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

Auto Care Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Feb 22–24, 2027·National Press Club, Washington, DC

Federal engagement event for the Foreign-Trade Zone community combining agency briefings with Capitol Hill meetings.

Who it's for

Foreign-Trade Zone operators and users

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

NAFTZ

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Mar 15–17, 2027·Marriott Marquis, Washington, DC

Annual Washington gathering where local government leaders hear from policy experts and federal agencies and can add a Hill Day to meet Members of Congress.

Who it's for

Local elected officials and local government advocates

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

National League of Cities

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Mar 21–24, 2027·Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., Washington, DC

Annual gathering of privacy, AI governance and data protection professionals, with workshops, training and conference sessions.

Who it's for

Privacy, AI governance and data protection professionals

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Mar 23–24, 2027·Washington, DC

Briefings and panels on Pentagon priority requirements and acquisition forecasts for small and mid-size defense contractors, covering all Services and Combat Commands.

Who it's for

Small and mid-size defense contractors

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

American Defense Alliance

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

Apr 7, 2027·Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC

One-day small business trade show with an exhibitor hall, workshops, keynotes and networking.

Who it's for

Small business owners

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

The Small Business Expo

Year started

Unknown

Price

Expo pass

• Current price: General admission: Free

Free with registration; VIP options available, prices not listed.

Apr 18–20, 2027·Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

Advocacy conference where rural broadband providers hear federal telecom policy updates and meet Congress and agencies in Washington.

Who it's for

Company leaders and advocacy-related staff

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

May 10–11, 2027·Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

Two-day conference for association and nonprofit professionals covering marketing, communications, membership and technology strategy, with education sessions and an expo.

Who it's for

Association and nonprofit marketing, communications, membership and technology professionals

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

ASAE

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published

May 24–25, 2027·The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection, Washington, DC

Two-day program on legislative and regulatory developments affecting multiemployer, single-employer and public sector benefit plans, for trustees, administrators and plan professionals.

Who it's for

Trustees, administrators and plan professionals responsible for plan compliance and oversight

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

Year started

Unknown

Price

Full pass

• Current price: Early rate (nonmember): $1,770 until Apr 12, 2027
• Standard (nonmember): $2,070

Jun 8–10, 2027·Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., Washington, DC

Three-day gathering on packaging policy covering implementation, emerging policy trends and earlier collaboration across the packaging value chain, with Capitol Hill visits.

Who it's for

Manufacturers, brands, material suppliers, recyclers, composters, policymakers, regulators, sustainability leaders and advocates

Approx. size

Not published

Organizer

AMERIPEN

Year started

Unknown

Price

Not published