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NWONL 2026 Fall Annual Conference

Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
1401 Southwest Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97201

Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 7:45am PT - Friday, September 25, 2026 at 12:00pm PT

Annual Conference
1401 Southwest Naito Parkway, Portland, OR 97201

Info

Credits Offered

This event offers 6.0 CE credits to attendees.
Accreditation Info: California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #17495.

Additional Information

Join us in the Fall for the premier Nursing Leadership event in our region! Be ready for engaging session focuses, including:

Healthy Work Environments & Culture Recovery: Strategies to strengthen psychological safety, teamwork, and trust while addressing burnout, moral distress, and incivility. Focuses on rebuilding cultures that support retention, engagement, and safe patient care.

Workforce Wellness, Safety & Sustainable Staffing Models: Approaches to improving staff well-being and safety through evidence-based wellness practices, safe staffing design, acuity- and scope-based models, violence prevention, and sustainable workforce planning.

Strategic Leadership in Complex Health Systems: Tools for decision-making with limited data, prioritizing competing demands, improving system alignment, and leading effectively amid financial pressure, operational complexity, and organizational transformation.

Financial Stewardship & Operational Efficiency Strengthening leaders’ ability to connect nursing practice to financial outcomes, manage resources, redesign workflows, reduce waste, and support organizational sustainability in tight-margin environments.

Transformational Leadership, Innovation & AI Readiness: Skills for leading innovation, challenging legacy processes, and integrating emerging technologies—especially AI—to improve care delivery, support teams, and manage rapid change.

Summary Schedule

  • Wednesday September 23rd: Optional. Pre-conference arrival and afternoon/evening welcome events.
  • Thursday September 24th: Full day. Presenters, Workshops, Exhibitors flowing into evening connection events.
  • Friday September 25th: Half-day. NWONL Awards, Regional Updates and Key Note presentation. Adjourn at noon for an early start home.

Information for Leaders

We are returning to Portland for 2026, this time in the fall to better meet the scheduling needs of our members. Portland Marriott Waterfront provides the requisite capabilities to host our highly attended event and a corresponding vibrant location that provides amenities well beyond a typical conference center. The NWONL Annual conference is both exclusive and limited, the conference will sell out, a waiting list will be provided but is not a guarantee.

Registration Timeline:

  • NWONL Member Exclusive - Founder & Loyalty Access:  NWONL members will have access to 2025 member pricing in recognition of continued engagement and early commitment to the 2026 Annual Conference. This priority registration window is capacity-limited and time-bound.
  • Non-member registration -  Opens April 1st.

Registration Refund and Cancellation Policy

NWONL Members in good-standing:

  • As a member, you are guaranteed priority registration. Refunds available until April 30th less ticket service fee. After August 23rd 2026, Members may choose to apply 2026 registration fees to a future conference. Alternatively members may gift their attendance to another nursing leader. 

ACNL Members in good-standing:

  • Refunds available until August 23rd 2026, less ticket service fee. Alternatively members may gift their attendance to another nursing leader. 

Non-members:

Event lodging, travel, parking or other related conference fees:

  • NWONL cannot provide refund or any kind for any service other than the attendance fee. Contact the requisite service provider directly.

For help with any of the above:

Exhibit & Sponsor

What can we expect for Attendees in 2026

  • Attendees seats are limited to 200 Leaders.
  • Attendees are predominantly senior leaders and their leadership teams, primarily from acute and ambulatory care organizations across Alaska, Oregon & Washington and the expanded West Coast (Idaho, Montana, California)

What kind of Corporate Partners may Register and Attend?

  • 2025 Corporate Partners/Sponsors are given preference.
  • Companies who demonstrate ability to serve from "FQHC" to System" level organizations are preferred.
  • Companies who conduct partnership/sponsorship with ACNL are preferred.

What are the Pre/Post Communications Opportunities?

  • NWONL will provide attendee contact information starting approximately 4 weeks prior and also upon conference close.
  • Partners are expected to direct email attendees once prior and again once after the conference.
  • Attendees may choose to opt-in for additional email/contact.
  • You are invited to attend the exhibit hall day breakfast and lunch sessions with attendees.

What is the Exhibitor Agenda?

  • Wednesday September 23rd Exhibit hall open for set-up between 5pm-8pm. PST.
  • Thursday September 24th: Full conference & exhibit hall day!
    • 8-9am Breakfast and exhibit hall
    • 10:30-11am Exhibit hall and break
    • 12:30-2pm Exhibit hall and lunch break
    • 3pm-3:30pm Exhibit hall and raffle awards
    • 4:30pm (after the last session) Exhibitor take-down and exit by 6:30pm

Will you be shipping equipment to the site? 

  • Marriott Portland will assist with shipping and onsite storage.
  • Yes, there is easy unload/load and ingress/egress of large equipment to the exhibit hall.
  • Reference the attached form "Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Shipping Rates".
  • Equipment will be shipped to:
    • Marriott Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
      C/O (Person Receiving the Boxes) Group Name & Dates
      1401 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR 97201

Do you require Electrical and WiFi service?

  • Its included! Both dedicated electrical (5amp, 120V) and wifi are provided to all exhibitor locations. 

What table/booths are provided or expected in the exhibit hall?

  • Marriott will provide a standard table, approx. 8ft wide x 30in deep in a 10x10ft space.
  • Small chairs will be provided.
  • You may opt-out of table/chairs

Will you Raffle an item to Attendees?

  • We encourage a "fish bowl" style raffle.
  • Each Corporate Partner/Sponsor is encouraged to raffle and item. 
  • Raffle winners will be selected and announced on May 19th during the late afternoon break. Partners will be called up to briefly announce and award their prize.

Staying Overnight?

Registering a Group or need assistance?

Will you be driving in? Both onsite Valet parking and abundant offsite parking is available:                                                                   

  • Valet at the Marriott is available and charged/billed by Marriott directly.
  • Parking on/near site is abundant. An optional Area Parking Map for self-park is attached to help locate adjacent parking.
NWONL Founding & Loyalty Access - Exhibitor Registration

The NWONL Founding & Loyalty Access - Exhibitor Registration, acknowledges the dedication of our corporate peers in supporting NWONL's mission and values.  Who this is for: Organizations that primarily want in-person access and visibility. Prior year Corporate Partners get early registration at prior year rates (limited availability).

The Founding & Loyalty Access - exhibitor registration includes:

  • 2025 Event pricing for a limited quality and duration.
  • Hall is adjacent to the main conference room, sharing space with meals and beverage service for high-traffic engagement.
  • One table in the exhibit hall with seating (provided by Marriott) or open space, approx. 10 x 10 feet. 
  • Wifi & Dedicated electrical included (5amp, 120V).
  • Access and meals for two registrants. Additional attendees (select Additional Attendee ticket)
  • Conference schedule includes several hours of opening in the agenda for attendees to tour and meet with exhibitors.
  • Pre and Post attendee contact list. 
  • Optionally include your companies logo and value-proposition statement and preferred website address for NWONL promotions.
  • We encourage a raffle item.

Exhibit Hall Information

  • The hall is open the afternoon/evening before the full conference start for setup.
  • The hall is open all day from 8am to 4:30 pm on Thursday September 24th.
  • Exhibitors will strike and depart the conference after 4:30pm on September 24th.
  • Equipment can be shipped directly to Portland Marriott Waterfront.
  • AV/monitors available for rent/setup by Marriott.

Refunds and Cancellations:

Orders may be changed for a full refund less transaction fees until August 1st 2026. Cancellations after this date will be refunded 50%. Cancellations received after an item has been installed, example site provided AV services, are ordered and provided by the site vendor, will be billed at 100%. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

$2,750.00
Exhibitor Registration - Standard Rate

The Exhibitor standard registration includes:

  • 2025 Event pricing for a limited quality and duration.
  • Hall is adjacent to the main conference room, sharing space with meals and beverage service for high-traffic engagement.
  • One table in the exhibit hall with seating (provided by Marriott) or open space, approx. 10 x 10 feet. 
  • Wifi & Dedicated electrical included (5amp, 120V).
  • Access and meals for two registrants. Additional attendees (select Additional Attendee ticket)
  • Conference schedule includes several hours of opening in the agenda for attendees to tour and meet with exhibitors.
  • Pre and Post attendee contact list. 
  • Optionally include your companies logo and value-proposition statement and preferred website address for NWONL promotions.
  • We encourage a raffle item.

Exhibit Hall Information

  • The hall is open the afternoon/evening before the full conference start for setup.
  • The hall is open all day from 8am to 4:30 pm on Thursday September 24th.
  • Exhibitors will strike and depart the conference after 4:30pm on September 24th.
  • Equipment can be shipped directly to Portland Marriott Waterfront.
  • AV/monitors available for rent/setup by Marriott.

Refunds and Cancellations:

Orders may be changed for a full refund less transaction fees until August 1st 2026. Cancellations after this date will be refunded 50%. Cancellations received after an item has been installed, example site provided AV services, are ordered and provided by the site vendor, will be billed at 100%. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

Available in about 2 months
Select
NWONL Annual Premier Partner Registration

Who this is for: Partners who want relevance beyond the conference. Prior Annual Partners will automatically receive guaranteed registration. 

The NWONL Annual Premier Partner Registration includes:

  • 1 year commitment.
  • One Corporate Partner/Sponsor Exhibitor space at the Annual Conference for 2 attendees plus wifi & electrical.
  • Priority recognition as Annual Corporate Partner marketing on the NWONL website, Annual Conference materials and related marketing and communications.
  • One co-developed NWONL Leadership Learning Session via Zoom during the year (date/time to be coordinated with NWONL) with the option of recording and posting on NWONL Website (CE/Learning on Demand).
  • Opportunity to contribute to one durable leadership resource (e.g., recorded session, toolkit, case study, or briefing) hosted by NWONL and accessible year-round.

Refunds and Cancellations:

The Annual Corporate Partner registration is non-refundable. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

$5,250.00
NWONL 2026 Elite Annual Corporate Partner

Who this is for: A strategic partner who values and aligns in meaningful association with leadership development and executive access with exclusive engagement thought the year. This tier is about trust and alignment. The Elite Annual partner automatically receives early head of line privilege, premier placement and 2026 events access.

The NWONL 2026 Elite Annual Corporate Partner includes:

  • 1 year commitment.
  • Two Exhibitor Spaces at the Annual Conference: September 2026 ( plus wifi, electrical) and an additional 3 attendees for a total of 5 attendees at the Annual Conference.
  • Host role for:
            * NWONL Board or Executive Session OR
            * Signature Conference or Spring Leadership Symposium experience
  • New this year: Primary Vendor space  at the new Leadership Symposium Event on May 1 in Renton, WA (only one sponsor at this event).
  • Priority recognition as Elite Annual Corporate Partner. Marketing on the NWONL website, Annual Conference materials and related marketing and communications.
  • One co-developed NWONL Leadership Learning Session via Zoom during the year (date/time to be coordinated with NWONL) with the option of recording and posting on NWONL Website (CE/Learning on Demand).
  • Association with a leadership focus area (e.g., workforce well-being, innovation)
  • Opportunity to contribute to one durable leadership resource (e.g., recorded session, toolkit, case study, or briefing) hosted by NWONL and accessible year-round.
  • Option to support of a signature NWONL initiative (mentor cohort, scholarship, leadership forum)
  • Annual strategic briefing with NWONL leadership

Refunds and Cancellations:

The Elite Annual Corporate Partner registration is non-refundable. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

$15,250.00
Exhibitor Additional Attendee 1
  • To cover costs of badging, meals and misc Marriott fees we kindly ask that you purchase additional attendee tickets as needed if you plan on bringing more associates than your registration package provides.
  • If you need to register a group greater than three, contact admin@nwonl.org for assistance. 

Refunds and Cancellations:

Orders may be changed for a full refund less transaction fees until August 1st 2026. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

$145.00
Exhibitor Additional Attendee 2
  • To cover costs of badging, meals and misc Marriott fees we kindly ask that you purchase additional attendee tickets as needed if you plan on bringing more associates than your registration package provides.
  • If you need to register a group greater than three, contact admin@nwonl.org for assistance. 

Refunds and Cancellations:

Orders may be changed for a full refund less transaction fees until August 1st 2026. If you have any questions please contact admin@nwonl.org.

$145.00

Register For This Event

NWONL Founding & Loyalty Access
  • Available only to NWONL Members.
  • The Founding & Loyalty Access recognizes NWONL members who commit early to NWONL’s flagship events.
  • Quantity is limited.

$375.00
NWONL Standard Member Rate
  • Available only to NWONL Members.
  • Members always have preferred access and member rate guaranteed.
  • Quantity is limited.
Available in about 2 months
Select
Non-Member Attendee Rate
  • Available to non-members.
  • Quantity is limited.
$480.00
ACNL Member Rate
  • Available only to ACNL Members in good standing as part of the NWONL & ACNL Collaborative Agreement.
  • NWONL will reconcile registration with ACNL to confirm membership.
  • Quantity is limited.
$390.00