The ABAI Conference, formally known as the ABAI Annual Convention, is the flagship event of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), a nonprofit membership organization headquartered in Portage, Michigan. 

The ABAI Annual Convention is widely regarded as the most important conference in the world for behavior analysts. Each year, it draws thousands of researchers, clinicians, educators, students, and service organizations from across the United States and dozens of countries worldwide. 

The event serves as the discipline’s premier gathering for sharing cutting-edge research, debating best practices, earning continuing education units (CEUs), and connecting with colleagues across every sector of the field.

For ABA professionals working in autism services, including board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), registered behavior technicians (RBTs), and clinical leaders at ABA therapy companies, the ABAI Annual Convention is a must-attend event that shapes the direction of the field year after year.

When is the 2026 ABAI Conference?

The ABAI Annual Convention is typically held each spring, most often in May. The exact dates and location change each year, rotating among major cities in the United States and occasionally internationally. Attendees are encouraged to check the official ABAI events page at abainternational.org for the most current schedule, registration deadlines, and location details.

Preconvention workshops are intensive, skills-focused sessions that run before the main convention program and are generally scheduled in the two days immediately preceding the convention. These workshops are popular among practitioners looking for deeper, hands-on training on specific topics.

ABAI Annual Convention 2026: San Francisco, California

52nd Annual Convention: May 21–25, 2026

The 52nd ABAI Annual Convention will take place at Moscone Center West in San Francisco, California, from May 21 through May 25, 2026. 

• Preconvention workshops: May 21 – May 22
• Main convention: May 23 – May 25.

San Francisco is a world-class destination that provides an exceptional backdrop for the field’s largest annual gathering. The Moscone Center West is a premier convention facility in the heart of the city, situated near Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, and some of San Francisco’s most celebrated neighborhoods.

Registration for the 2026 ABAI Convention

Registration is available for both in-person and virtual attendees. The convention offers several registration tiers, including member and non-member rates, student discounts, and CEU packages. 

Visit the official registration page at abainternational.org to secure your spot and review current pricing. Early registration is encouraged, as discounted rates are typically available for a limited time.

Continuing Education at the 2026 Convention

The 2026 ABAI Annual Convention offers continuing education units (CEUs) approved by multiple credentialing bodies, including the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA), and the International Behavior Analysis Organization (IBAO). CEU packages can be added at the time of registration.

Who Attends the ABAI Conference?

The ABAI Annual Convention draws one of the most diverse professional audiences in the behavioral sciences. Attendees come from every corner of the ABA ecosystem, including:

• Board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and BCBA-Ds
• Board certified assistant behavior analysts (BCaBAs)
• Registered behavior technicians (RBTs)
• University faculty, researchers, and doctoral candidates
• Graduate and undergraduate students in ABA and related programs
• Special education teachers and school administrators
• Clinical supervisors and program directors at ABA therapy organizations
• Autism service providers and ABA therapy companies
• Publishers of assessment tools and clinical materials
• Technology companies developing practice management and data collection software
• Policy makers and advocates
• International delegations from behavior analysis organizations worldwide

ABA therapy companies that serve children with autism regularly send clinical teams and leadership to the ABAI Convention to stay current with research, recruit top talent, and explore innovations in the field. The exhibitor hall features a robust mix of universities, publishers, software companies, and service providers.

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Topics Discussed at the ABAI Conference

The ABAI Annual Convention features one of the most comprehensive and scientifically rigorous programs of any conference in the behavioral sciences. Presentations span basic research, translational science, applied practice, and conceptual analysis. 

The program includes invited addresses, symposia, panel discussions, paper sessions, poster presentations, and preconvention workshops.

Key topics consistently featured at the ABAI Annual Convention include:

• Evidence-based interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Verbal behavior and language development
• Functional behavior assessment and behavior intervention planning
• Reduction of challenging and interfering behaviors
• Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI)
• Social skills training and peer interaction
• Ethics in ABA practice and supervision
• Staff training, supervision, and organizational behavior management (OBM)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in behavior analysis
• Telehealth and technology-driven ABA service delivery
• School-based ABA and collaboration with educational teams
• Parent and caregiver training
• Cultural humility and culturally responsive practice
• Policy, insurance, and legislative updates affecting ABA services
• Innovations in data collection and clinical software
• Sustainability and socially significant behavior change
• Translational research connecting laboratory science to clinical application

Poster sessions allow students and early-career researchers to present their work, receive peer feedback, and connect with established professionals in the field.

What Does LEARN Behavioral Do at ABAI?

LEARN Behavioral participates in the ABAI Annual Convention as an active member of the ABA community. The LEARN team includes BCBAs, doctoral-level clinicians, and clinical leaders who attend the convention each year to engage with the latest research, connect with colleagues across the field, and share information about LEARN’s personalized approach to ABA therapy for children with autism.

At the ABAI Convention, LEARN Behavioral typically:

• Engages with researchers, university programs, and technology partners to stay at the forefront of evidence-based practice
• Participates in continuing education sessions and research presentations to bring the latest findings back to LEARN’s clinical programs
• Supports the broader ABA community through sponsorships, networking, and professional development initiatives

LEARN Behavioral’s presence at ABAI reflects the company’s deep commitment to the science of ABA and to continuous improvement in the quality of care delivered to the children and families it serves across the United States.

LEARN Leaders Presenting at the 2026 ABAI Conference

This year, LEARN team members, including Mary Hopton-Smith, MS, BCBA, LBA; Linda Klotz, MA, BCBA, LBA; Brooke Marcellis, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA; Kayla Schrank, BCBA; and Amy Grace Johnson, Managing Technician, will present “Beyond Daycare: Upholding Ethical Integrity in Center-Based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services Models” on Friday, May 22, from 4:00-7:00 pm PDT. This engaging workshop tackles the real ethical challenges in today’s fast-growing center-based models. Through real-world cases and interactive discussions, participants gain practical strategies they can implement immediately in their centers. To attend this workshop and earn ethics CEUs, register here: Workshop #W40

Why Should You Attend the ABAI Conference?

Whether you are a seasoned BCBA, a graduate student preparing to enter the field, or a clinical leader at an ABA organization, the ABAI Annual Convention offers something uniquely valuable. Specific reasons to attend include:

• Access to the world’s best ABA research, including findings you will not see published anywhere else for months or years
• Earn CEUs approved by BACB, APA, NASP, QABA, and IBAO to maintain your professional certifications
• Network with peers, mentors, and collaborators from across the United States and around the world
• Explore the exhibitor hall for new clinical tools, data systems, curriculum resources, and technology
• Recruit or be recruited through the convention career fair and the ABAI Career Central job board
• Attend preconvention workshops for intensive skill-building on specialized topics
• Engage with diverse perspectives through sessions on DEI, cultural humility, and international applications of ABA
• Contribute to shaping the field by participating in the debate, dialogue, and collaboration that defines this annual gathering

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What Companies Exhibit at the ABAI Conference?

The ABAI Annual Convention exhibitor hall is one of the most active in the field, bringing together hundreds of organizations each year. Exhibitor categories typically include:

• ABA therapy agencies and service providers
• University ABA programs recruiting graduate students
• Practice management and clinical data collection software companies
• Assessment tool publishers and developers
• Continuing education and exam preparation providers
• Professional liability insurance and credentialing organizations
• Staffing, recruiting, and workforce development firms

At the 2026 ABAI Annual Convention in San Francisco, confirmed exhibitors include CentralReach, Motivity, Raven Health, Capella University, National University, Walden University, Simmons University, Beacon ABA Services, Centria Healthcare, and many others spanning clinical services, technology, and higher education. 

The exhibitor floor plan is available on the official ABAI website.

Highlights from Past ABAI Conferences

The ABAI Annual Convention has more than five decades of history as the field’s defining annual event. Over the years, it has featured landmark keynote addresses, major research announcements, and award ceremonies honoring the field’s most distinguished scientists and practitioners.

Past ABAI convention highlights include:

• Presidential addresses from ABAI’s leadership, reflecting on the state of the science and setting the agenda for the field
• SABA award ceremonies from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, recognizing outstanding contributions to science, practice, and service
• Invited keynote addresses from the world’s leading behavior analysts and researchers
• International delegations bringing perspectives from behavior analysis communities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond
• Student events and mentoring programs that support the next generation of behavior analysts
• Career fairs connecting students and early-career professionals with employers in ABA
• Hybrid access options allowing virtual attendees to participate in sessions and earn CEUs remotely
• Preconvention workshops offering intensive, skills-focused training on topics ranging from functional analysis to organizational leadership

The ABAI Convention has been held in major cities, including Chicago, San Diego, Denver, Boston, Philadelphia, Louisville, and San Francisco, among others. Each location brings a unique setting while maintaining the convention’s identity as the global center of behavior analysis.

ABAI Conference Key Takeaways

• The ABAI Annual Convention is the largest and most prestigious conference in the field of applied behavior analysis, drawing thousands of professionals from around the world each spring
• ABAI is a nonprofit membership organization with a mission to advance the science and practice of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice
• The 52nd ABAI Annual Convention will be held May 21–25, 2026, at Moscone Center West in San Francisco, California
• Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, with CEUs approved by BACB, APA, NASP, QABA, and IBAO
• Topics span the full breadth of behavior analysis, from autism intervention and verbal behavior to ethics, DEI, technology, and organizational management
• The exhibitor hall features universities, ABA therapy providers, clinical software companies, publishers, and professional organizations
• LEARN Behavioral attends each year, connecting with the ABA community and participating in continued education sessions and research presentations 

FAQs: What People Ask About the ABAI Conference

What is the ABAI Conference? The ABAI Annual Convention is the flagship event of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to the science and practice of behavior analysis. It is held each spring and draws thousands of attendees from around the world.

What does ABAI stand for? ABAI stands for the Association for Behavior Analysis International. It is a nonprofit membership organization founded to advance the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

When is the 2026 ABAI Conference? The 52nd ABAI Annual Convention is scheduled for May 21–25, 2026, at Moscone Center West in San Francisco, California. Preconvention workshops run May 21–22, and the main convention runs May 23–25.

Where is the 2026 ABAI Convention? The 2026 ABAI Annual Convention will be held at Moscone Center West in San Francisco, California.

Who can attend the ABAI Conference? The convention is open to anyone with an interest in behavior analysis, including BCBAs, BCaBAs, RBTs, graduate and undergraduate students, researchers, educators, school administrators, and ABA service organizations.

How much does it cost to attend ABAI? Registration fees vary based on ABAI membership status, professional level, and whether you are attending in person or virtually. Student discounts and early bird pricing are typically available. Current registration rates can be found at abainternational.org.

Are CEUs offered at the ABAI Convention? Yes. The ABAI Annual Convention is an approved provider of CEUs for BACB, APA, NASP, QABA, and IBAO credentialing. Attendees can purchase CEU packages at registration and track participation both in person and virtually.

Is there a virtual attendance option for ABAI? Yes. Recent ABAI conventions have offered hybrid formats that allow virtual attendees to access sessions, earn CEUs, and engage with the program remotely without traveling to the host city.

What is the difference between ABAI and other ABA conferences like CalABA or BABAT? ABAI is an international organization. Its annual convention is global in scope, drawing attendees from dozens of countries. CalABA and BABAT are regional associations. CalABA serves California, and BABAT serves Massachusetts — with conferences focused on state-level practice, policy, and professional communities. Many ABA professionals attend both regional and national conventions each year.