People on stage at the Best Friends National Conference holding flags and banners

Best Friends National Conference

The Best Friends National Conference equips attendees with the latest tools and data-driven techniques to take home and save more lives in their communities.

The Best Friends National Conference brings together animal welfare members and volunteers from across the country to gain lifesaving knowledge and practical strategies to fast-track lifesaving at their organizations.

General information

Research poster session

Why attend?

Stay up to date

Volunteering

Exhibiting

Best Friends CEO on stage at the Best Friends National Conference

2026 Best Friends National Conference

The Best Friends National Conference is happening May 7-9, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

At the Best Friends National Conference, the attendees will learn about the latest tools and data-driven techniques to help immediately start saving more dogs and cats in their communities — everything needed to reach or sustain no-kill status. They heard presenters from diverse backgrounds and all types of organizations, including leaders in advocacy and community engagement, field and animal services, shelter medicine and animal care, fundraising and development, and other animal welfare topics.

If your topic is research-based — i.e., it presents a clear problem, provides recorded solution(s), and demonstrates quantifiable results — we encourage you to submit your content for a research poster session. These sessions will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the conference, and all selected researchers will have the opportunity to showcase their work and speak with attendees as they visit the poster area. Click here for more information on participating in the research poster sessions.

Person at a vendor booth at the Best Friends National Conference
Smiling Best Friends National Conference attendee holding a Save Them All T-shirt

Why attend the Best Friends National Conference?

Come and be inspired, educated, and empowered to take your communities no kill, and make a positive impact on the lives of animals.

  • Attend sessions on a wide range of animal welfare topics to help your organization save more animals and reach or maintain no-kill status.
  • Make meaningful connections with fellow animal welfare staff members and volunteers from across the country.
  • Earn continuing education credits (CEs) or continuing education units (CEUs) to further your professional development.
  • Explore the Hub to enjoy delicious food, mingle with exhibitors and sponsors, grab conference swag, and shop for human and pet gear.

People in the audience at a Best Friends National Conference holding orange flags that say, 'Making history for homeless pets'

Stay up to date

Sign up here to be the first to know when registration opens, session topics are announced, and more!
Sign up for event updates
Person wearing a Best Friends orange volunteer T-shirt holding a sign that says, 'How can I help?' and speaking to a Best Friends National Conference attendee

Volunteer at the 2026 national conference in Salt Lake City!

Volunteering is a great way to help the animals, all while having fun and meeting new people who also have an interest in animal welfare.

If you would like to volunteer or have questions about volunteering, please email us at nationalvolunteers@bestfriends.org today.

Person at an exhibitor booth speaking to a Best Friends National Conference

Strengthen your brand by becoming an exhibitor

Exhibiting at the Best Friends National Conference gives you the opportunity to interact with attendees face to face, generating visibility and credibility for your company.

You can showcase your products or services to hundreds of highly passionate animal welfare leaders and gain exposure with leading decision-makers.

Hub hours:

All times are in Mountain time and are subject to change.

 

Move-in time for exhibitors:

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

 

Exhibition time:*

Wednesday, May 6, 2026: 5:30–8:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 7, 2026: 12:15–2:15 p.m.

Appointment Only Hours: 2:15–4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 8, 2026:

Appointment Only Hours: 8:00–11:00 a.m.

Open Hours: 12:15–2:15 p.m.

Load-out time for exhibitors:

Friday, May 8, 2026: 2:15–6:00 p.m.

*Your booth must have a representative present during exhibition hours. A representative from your company does not need to be present during all load-in and load-out hours.

 

Exhibitor costs:
  • Single booth: $1,495 (early-registration discount of $100 through January 22, 2026)
  • Double booth: $2,795 (early-registration discount of $100 through January 22, 2026)

Each single booth space includes:

  • Two complimentary conference registrations plus a discount code for additional booth representatives to register at a lower rate
  • One skirted banquet table, two chairs, and one wastebasket
  • One standard identification sign with your company’s name

Each double booth space includes:

  • Four complimentary conference registrations plus a discount code for additional booth representatives to register at a lower rate
  • Two skirted banquet tables, four chairs, and two wastebaskets
  • One standard identification sign with your company’s name

If you would like to exhibit or have questions about exhibiting at the Best Friends National Conference, please email us at conferences@bestfriends.org today.