As the 2026 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo heads to Phoenix March 16-18, the event prepares to welcome a significant influx of new participants, with more than 30 percent of this year’s registrants attending for the first time, according to EFA conference organizers.
To help new and returning attendees, we’ve compiled a list of tips and resources to guide conference planning. For the full conference details, go to environmentsforaging.com.
1. Bookmark the Attendee Resource Center
Housed on the EFA Conference website, the Attendee Resource Center guide provides access to the complete show schedule, daily programming details, exhibitor listings, detailed floor plans, and quick links to vital event information.
2. Download the EFA app
Attendees can download and utilize the official EFA Connect mobile application (search for “EFA Connect” in the app store). Here, you can access a comprehensive digital show guide, allowing users to customize their schedules, locate exhibitors on the interactive floor plan, access speaker presentations and notes, and connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors before, during, and after the event.
3. Recommended attire for EFA Conference
Business casual attire is recommended for the conference, including educational sessions and the expo hall, while off-site events, including the Shamrock Social Networking Party on March 17, are more casual.
4. Check out the EFA Exchange
New in 2026, this dedicated stage in the expo hall will feature educational sessions, product demos, and networking events on March 16 and 17. One such program, the New Professionals Meet-Up, on March 16, from 5:45-6:30 p.m., is a relaxed, come-and-go gathering for anyone new to the EFA conference or the senior living design industry. For the full schedule, go here.
5. Visit the expo hall and Welcome Reception
Join attendees and exhibitors in the expo hall on Monday, March 16, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres while networking, perusing booths, and checking out the latest new products for senior living environments on display. The expo hall will also be open on Tuesday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flooring Sponsor: Mannington Commercial.
6. Don’t miss the EFA Conference keynote programs
On Tuesday, March 17 at 8 a.m., opening keynote speaker Cas Holman, author and founder of independent toy company Heroes Will Rise, will present “The Power of Play: How We Can Use Curiosity to Change the World.”
Then on Wednesday, March 18, from 12-1:30 p.m., the Environments for Aging Magazine Awards Luncheon will celebrate the winners of the annual Design Showcase, Remodel/Renovation Competition, and New Wave Awards, which celebrate rising stars in the industry.
7. Attend relevant educational sessions
The EFA Conference offers the latest strategies and ideas tailored for senior living design over two-plus days in an evolved conference schedule with educational sessions that include real-world case studies, research findings, design outcomes and processes, and other topics addressing today’s senior living facilities. For the full schedule, go here.
8. Participate in the cash giveaway
Attendees can participate for a chance to win $5,000 by visiting three specific sponsor booths—Anchor Solutions, Inpro, and Signature—to get their game card stamped. Completed cards must be returned to the EFA magazine booth (booth #739) before the drawing at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. Must be present to win.
9. Wear green to the Shamrock Social networking party
The EFA Conference’s annual networking party will be held on Tuesday, March 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. The event, sponsored by Model55, features light bites and beverages in a relaxed atmosphere.
10. Meals at the EFA Conference
Breakfast and lunch are included with registration on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Meals are served in Ballroom 301 and the expo hall, providing convenient opportunities for attendees to refuel.
To register or for more information on the 2026 EFA Conference + Expo, including a full list of exhibitors, go to environmentsforaging.com.