Global Innovation. Lasting Change.
October 1 & October 2, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Join us for this year's conversation - Revisioning the Future: From Today's Realities to Tomorrow's Solutions.
Hosted in the heart of Washington, D.C., Forum offers attendees the chance to learn with and from leading executives, practitioners, advocates, academics, foundations, and sector partners. Two days of industry-defining discussions and connection.
Hosted in the heart of Washington, D.C., Forum offers attendees the chance to learn with and from leading executives, practitioners, advocates, academics, foundations, and sector partners. Two days of industry-defining discussions and connection.
Speakers
Hear from the leading voices who are innovating for lasting change.
Main stage speakers as of July 24, 2026. Check back frequently for updates.
Tom Hart
President & CEO
InterAction
InterAction
Dr. Sheila Davis
CEO
Partners in Health
Partners in Health
Matt Nims
Washington Office Director
World Food Programme
World Food Programme
Jirair Ratevosian
Research Scholar
Duke Global Health Institute
Duke Global Health Institute
Stephanie Psaki, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow for Global Health
Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Bill Steiger
CEO
Malaria No More
Malaria No More
Don't miss out.
Secure your ticket to hear from the sector's leading experts.
Schedule
Schedule as of August 13, 2026
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Topics and speakers will continue to be updated.
DAY 1: OCTOBER 1, 2026
| 8:00 A.M.
Registration & Breakfast
Welcome to Forum! Grab your badge and start the day with some breakfast. All meals are included in the price of your Forum ticket!
| 9:30 A.M.
Opening Remarks with InterAction President & CEO Tom Hart
Main Stage
| 9:45 A.M.
TBA: Main Stage Session 1
| 10:45 A.M.
Julia Vadala Taft Award Presentation
Main Stage
Join us in recognizing leaders who exemplify the best of our community.
| 11:15 A.M.
Community Connect Break
Take a moment for networking and reflection at this Community Connect break. Then, onto an Expert Clinic Session!
| 11:30 A.M.
Expert Clinic Session 1
- Lessons in Catalytic Investment-Early Childhood Development
- Aid Under Fire: Frontline Lessons in the Drone Age
- When They Go Low, We Go Local: Expanding Civic Space for Advocacy
Details HERE.
| 12:30 P.M.
LUNCH
Let's eat! All meals are included in the price of your Forum ticket.
| 1:45 P.M.
Expert Clinic Session 2
- Shifting Power & Building Futures: Community-Led Action
- The Future is Older: Demographic Transformations and Effective Humanitarian Action
- Sustaining Innovation and Impact in Times of Austerity
Details HERE.
| 2:30 P.M.
Community Connect Break
Take a moment to grab a cup of coffee and say hello to friends before heading to an Expert Clinic Session!
| 2:45 P.M.
Expert Clinic Session 3
- Beyond the Pilot: Scaling AI & Digital Innovation for Impact
- Climate Crisis, Displacement and Pathways to Resilience
Details HERE.
| 3:30 P.M.
Community Connect Break
Grab a beverage and head to the Main Stage for the final session of the day.
| 3:45P.M.
The Future of Food Security
Main Stage
Speakers:
Matt Nims, World Food Programme
Matt Nims, World Food Programme
| 4:45 P.M.
Award Presentation
Main Stage
| 5:00 P.M.
Reception
DAY 2: OCTOBER 2, 2026
| 8:00 A.M.
Check In & Breakfast
Welcome back for Day 2! Recharge and reconnect at breakfast and get ready for another day of industry-defining conversation.
| 9:30 A.M.
Opening Remarks with InterAction President & CEO Tom Hart
Main Stage
| 9:45 A.M.
New Models in Global Health
Main Stage
Speakers:
Dr. Sheila Davis, CEO, Partners in Health
Stephanie Psaki, Ph.D., Senior Fellow for Global Health, Council on Foreign Relations
Jirair Ratevosian, Research Scholar, Duke Global Health Institute
Bill Steiger, CEO, Malaria No More
Stephanie Psaki, Ph.D., Senior Fellow for Global Health, Council on Foreign Relations
Jirair Ratevosian, Research Scholar, Duke Global Health Institute
Bill Steiger, CEO, Malaria No More
| 9:30 A.M.
Main Stage
| 9:45 A.M.
TBA: Main Stage Session 3
| 10:45 A.M.
Award Presentation
Main Stage
| 11:00 A.M.
Community Connect Break
Take a moment for networking and reflection at this Community Connect break. Then, onto an Expert Clinic session!
| 11:15 A.M.
Expert Clinic Session 4
- What the Village Knows: Women’s Groups and Community Health
- Bridging the Gap: A Growing Role for the Private Sector in Humanitarian Supply Chains
Details HERE.
| 12:00 P.M.
LUNCH
Let's eat one more time! All meals on this schedule are included in the price of your Forum ticket.
| 1:00 P.M.
Expert Clinic Session 5
- Providing Holistic Care in Times of Crisis
- Locally-led Resource Mobilization & Governance: A Strategy for the Future
Details HERE.
| 1:45 P.M.
Community Connect Break
Take a moment for networking and reflection at this Community Connect break. Then, onto the final session!
| 2:00 P.M.
TBA: Main Stage Session 4
| 3:00 P.M.
Closing Remarks from InterAction President & CEO Tom Hart
Main Stage
What are Expert Clinics?
Breakout sessions that feature practical and innovation-driven conversations with leading practitioners, executives, and academics.
Sponsors
Interested in becoming a Forum 2026 Sponsor? Contact Burt Blanchard, Director of Membership & Strategic Partnerships, at [email protected].
Champion Sponsors
Advocate Sponsors
Collaborator Sponsors
Registration
Standard registration tickets are available for purchase until September 15, 2026 at 5:00pm ET.
New this year! To encourage young professionals (under the age of 32 or less than 5 years in the sector) of Member organizations to engage in the conversation, we are offering a Young Professionals registration fee. Tickets will be honored after being verified. (Refunds will be issued for errors, less a $50 administrative fee.)
Please note that we are only able to accept payment via credit card for this event.
Early-bird InterAction Members: $325
Early-bird InterAction Member Young Professional Rate: $250 (see above for more information)
Early-bird InterAction Members: $325
Early-bird InterAction Member Young Professional Rate: $250 (see above for more information)
Early-bird Non-Members: $425
Space is available during the registration process for you to notify our team about any accessibility accommodations or dietary restrictions.
The Fine Print
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, we understand that circumstances may arise that prevent the registered participant from attending. In such cases, you have the option to substitute someone from your organization to attend in your stead.
Substitutions after September 15, 2026, will not be permitted.
InterAction Awards
Each year at InterAction Forum, we recognize exceptional leaders and organizations that are advancing humanitarian action, strengthening our sector, and championing inclusive development. We invite nominations for three distinguished awards that celebrate courage, leadership, innovation, and lasting impact across the global NGO community. Submissions are due by August 7, 2026 via the links below.
Julia Vadala Taft
Named for the distinguished humanitarian, public servant, and former InterAction president, the Julia Vadala Taft Outstanding Leadership award honors visionary leaders whose careers have transcended their own organizations to strengthen the effectiveness, influence and impact of the U.S. NGO sector. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment have helped shaped the broader humanitarian and development community. To submit a Julia Vandal Taft nomination, click here..
Humanitarian Award
The InterAction Humanitarian Award honors individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional leadership in humanitarian settings. Recipients embody qualities such as courage, humility, innovation, empathy, integrity, and dedication to serving communities affected by crisis. The award recognizes those who have made significant contribution to humanitarian response, disaster relief, displacement assistance, development, public policy and related fields. To submit an InterAction Humanitarian Award nomination, click here.
Disability Inclusion Award
Established in partnership with Mobility International USA (MIUSA) in honor of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Disability Inclusion Award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing disability inclusion. The award celebrates innovative approaches that integrate and mainstream people with disabilities across programs, operations, policies and organizational culture. For more information and to submit a Disability Inclusion Award nomination, click here.
Plan Ahead
Location
Hamilton Square
600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
Guests should enter the building via 14th Street between F & G Streets. The event is located on the fourth floor. There will be an InterAction-branded sign in the lobby indicating you are in the correct location.
Hotel Information
Coming from out of town? We have partnered with the Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House to provide a $199 per night (plus tax) discounted rate for Forum attendees for the nights of September 30, October 1 and October 2. Reserve your room while space lasts. If you need additional nights, please contact the hotel directly at 202.483.2000.
*The discounted rate is available until September 1 or until the room block is sold out, which ever comes first. Reservations can still be made after this date, but will be at the hotel’s prevailing room rate.
Attire
We want you to be comfortable! We encourage you to arrive dressed in business casual attire. As the meeting rooms may be cold, we recommend wearing layers.
Transportation
Public transportation:
Convene is located next to Metro Center Station (Blue, Orange, Silver, and Red lines).
Nearby parking:
607 14th St NW
675 14th St NW
1325 G St NW
675 14th St NW
1325 G St NW
Arrival
Check in begins at 8:00 a.m. on both days.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by InterAction staff on the fourth floor. Please provide your name at the registration desk to receive your name badge and credentials for the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I attend?
Whether you are new to the sector or a long-time veteran, InterAction Forum is the place to be to meet or reconnect with peers, problem solve and learn the latest trends in programming.
Which ticket should I purchase?
InterAction Members tickets and Young Professional tickets are available to all current InterAction Member organizations. If your organization is not a current InterAction Member, please select the Non-Members ticket.
What is included in the price of my ticket?
Tickets include attendance at all Main Stage discussions and Expert Clinics, two breakfasts, two lunches, one reception, all coffee breaks, and snacks.
Are there any opportunities to participate in Forum virtually?
As Forum will take place entirely in person, we are unable to offer opportunities for virtual participation.
Is Wi-Fi available at the venue?
Wi-Fi will be available at the venue. Additional information will be provided during the check-in process.
Are there any spaces where I can take a call at the venue?
The venue has a limited number of call rooms that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Will sessions be recorded?
Due to the interactive elements of the event, we are unable to record any sessions.
Contact Us
Have a question? Please reach out to the Forum team at [email protected].
