Registration Now Open!

2026 National PAL Conference

Date: May 6 – May 9, 2026

Location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC | 2500 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008

Registration Deadline: April 15, 2026

ROOTED & RISING:
Strategies, Stories, & Staying Power

The National PAL Annual Conference brings together PAL leaders, staff, board members, partners, and supporters from across the country for five powerful days of connection, learning, and inspiration.

WHY ROOTED & RISING?

The National PAL Conference is designed to strengthen the foundation of our chapters while equipping leaders to grow boldly into the future — and to step fully into the stories they are shaping in their communities every day.

people gathered in a plaza overlooking the Washington Monument

ROOTED represents the core of what makes PAL thrive — deep community connection, strong mentorship, sustainable funding and systems, trust-building between youth and law enforcement, prevention-focused approaches, and long-term impact that changes lives. These are the roots that ground our work and give every story its strength.

RISING reflects the momentum of where PAL is headed — embracing innovation and technology, expanding youth career pathways, strengthening storytelling and communication, building powerful partnerships, and cultivating future-focused leadership. These are the strategies that help chapters not just grow, but become part of a bigger, brighter story for youth and communities.

Together, ROOTED & RISING is about honoring what has always worked while boldly building what’s next — empowering PAL leaders to shape the next chapter of impact and create safer communities and brighter futures for young people.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Early Bird Pricing for National PAL Members: $700
(Available February 23 – March 9)

Standard Registration Fee: $750

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE! Registration Deadline: April 15, 2026

For more information, please contact Aking@nationalpal.org

Schedule of Activities

Fountains in front of US Capital Building

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 – ARRIVAL & CONNECTION

Registration: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Mentor Grant Training: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Business Meeting: 4:00–4:45 PM
Evening Opening Reception: 5:00–6:00 PM

THURSDAY, MAY 7 – ROOTED – Strengthening Foundations

Included: Optional Wellness • Breakfast • Lunch • Regional Meetups • Exhibitors & Networking

GENERAL SESSION: Conference Welcome & Leadership Panel: The Purpose, Direction & Impact of PAL

Breakout Sessions Offered:

- - - Turning Good Work Into Funded Work
    - Money You’re Missing: Must-Know Revenue Sources
    - Grant Ready: Finding & Winning Funding for Your PAL Program (Part 1 & 2)
    - Inside the Partner Mindset: What Corporations & Foundations Look For
    - From Participation to Proof: Using Spond Data to Earn Support & Funding
    - Fundamentals of Establishing an Effective PAL Program
    - Keeping Teens Engaged
    - PALS Helping PALS
    - Leading Like a GM: Lessons from Professional Sports
    - Two Worlds, One Mission: Navigating PAL from Both Sides of the Badge
    - Hard Moments in PAL: What We Faced & What We Learned (Panel Discussion)
    - Recruiting Board Members, Volunteers & Champions
    - A Challenge I’m Carrying — Looking for Perspective
    - Leadership Longevity & Staying Power
    - What Keeps You Up at Night as a PAL Leader?

FRIDAY, MAY 8 – RISING – Innovation, Expansion & What’s Next

Included: Breakfast • Lunch • Closing General Session • Awards Ceremony & Evening Reception

GENERAL SESSION: The Work Is Changing — Are We?

Breakout Sessions Offered:

- - - Competing Bigger: Operational Leverage Through AI
    - Drones 101: Ethics, Uses & Drone PALs
    - Experience Lab: Hands-On Drones
    - Experience Lab: NFL Flag Coaching Lab
    - Inside the Threat Landscape: Digital Safety & Protecting Youth
    - Safeguarding Communication: Using Spond to Connect & Protect
    - Around the World: Expanding PAL Partnerships
    - NASCAR Programming: STEM Mentoring Opportunities
    - NFL Flag Football & RCX Programming
    - GRIT: Strengthening Youth from the Inside Out
    - Terrace Conversation: Partnerships That Actually Work
    - Navigating Community Tensions (Panel)
    - Stories & Strategies That Made an Impact
    - Table Talk: Your Best PAL Ideas

SATURDAY, MAY 9 – DC FIELD EXPERIENCE (More details to come)

Leadership in Law Enforcement Track and/or Yard Crashers: Service Project for DC Veterans, Kids, & Seniors

For more information, please contact Aking@nationalpal.org