Annual Conference
New England Federation of Humane Societies
Annual Training Conference 2026
March 16- 18 | DoubleTree by Hilton (Portland, ME)
Our conference includes basic knowledge for those just starting out, advanced knowledge for those who have specialized in an area, and progressive discussions to lead us into the future as our field changes. The NEFHS connects animal welfare professionals so that they can learn from each other and collaborate.
Event Location
363 Maine Mall Road
Portland, ME 04106
Registration Fees
This year’s conference will feature an exciting new format! The full program will span 2.5 days, running from Monday at 9:00 AM to Wednesday at 12:00 PM.
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Monday kicks off with the Leadership Summit and the first full day of the conference.
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Tuesday continues with a full day with three tracks of sessions for an even wider range of topics and discussions.
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Wednesday will wrap up the event with a half-day program concluding at noon.
| Early Bird Registration: 12/1/25 to 1/15/26 | Regular Registration: Starts 1/16/26 |
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|---|---|---|
| Leadership Day (Monday 3/16/26) | $175 | $225 |
| Leadership Day + Remaining Conference | $300 | $350 |
| One Day Conference Registration (Monday or Tuesday - Full Day) | $175 | $225 |
| One Day Conference Registration (Wednesday - 1/2 day) | $85 | $135 |
| Three Day Conference Registration | $300 | $350 |
Call for Speakers
The New England Federation of Humane Societies (NEFHS) is seeking speakers for our 79th Annual Conference, taking place March 16 – 18th, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Portland, ME.
Submissions are currently closed. We will be reviewing all submissions over the next couple of months.
Please contact speaker@newenglandfed.org with any questions.
Conference Scholarships
Scholarship Applications will Open December 1, 2025
Applications Close on December 18, 2025
The New England Federation of Humane Societies (NEFHS) is proud to offer scholarship funding for the 2026 Annual Conference!
NEFHS strives to make our conference accessible to everyone. If you need financial assistance to attend the conference, please consider applying for a scholarship, which can cover hotel and registration fees.
Hotel Reservations
*There was a change in our room rate for the conference and it is now lower. If you booked your room at the higher rate ($129/night) the hotel has adjusted your reservation to the new rate.
Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel arrangements. Reservations must be made by February 28, 2026 to receive the NEFHS discounted rate. You can book online at: DoubleTree by Hilton Portland or by calling the hotel reservations line at (800) 371-3625 and mentioning the group code NEF. The room rate is $111 per night plus taxes and fees.
Pet Policy
Pets Welcome
Non-Refundable Pet Fee Per Stay: $75
Maximum Pet Weight: 75lbs
Please note, pets are not allowed in the conference rooms. For more details on the hotel’s pet policy, please contact the hotel directly.
Parking
Parking is complimentary for all guests.
Cancellation Policy
At any time prior to the start of the event, conference registrations may be transferred to another individual.
- Cancellations requested until 2/23/26: registration fees will be refunded minus a $20 processing fee.
- Cancellations requested after 2/23/26 (starting 2/24/26): registration fees are final and non-refundable.
To transfer your registration to another person or to request a cancellation of your registration, please email treasurer@newenglandfed.org.
