Register Now for the 2026 ASFPM Annual Conference

Registration is officially open for the 2026 ASFPM Annual Conference—and this year, it’s more than just another gathering of flood-risk management professionals. It’s our 50th anniversary!

For five decades, this association—and this conference—has shaped the national conversation on reducing flood risk. From the early days of a group of Region 5 NFIP Coordinators coming together to today’s national network of experts working to advance policy, science, and standards, ASFPM has remained grounded in the belief that we are stronger when we learn from each other.

We invite you to join us May 31–June 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as we reflect on where we’ve been, share what’s working now, and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities likely to define the next 50 years.

Guided by the theme “The Fresh Coast Legacy: 50 Years of Floodplain Management,” this milestone conference will bring together practitioners, partners, decision-makers, and other leaders for meaningful conversations, practical takeaways, and the professional connections that make ASFPM conferences such a valuable experience year after year.

Whether you attend in person or virtually, this is the one conference you won’t want to miss.

ASFPM in MKE

Choosing a Midwest location for our 50th anniversary was intentional. ASFPM is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and our early growth was shaped by state floodplain managers from the Midwest, making Milwaukee a fitting place to celebrate that legacy.

Located at the confluence of the Milwaukee River, Menomonee River, and Kinnickinnic River—and along the shore of Lake Michigan—water quite literally defines the city. From coastal resilience and river restoration to nature-based infrastructure and stormwater management, the challenges and opportunities we work on every day are embedded in Milwaukee’s landscape and history.

Beyond its water story, Milwaukee offers a blend of energy and approachability that often surprises first-time visitors. Explore the lakefront and riverwalk, wander historic neighborhoods, or hop between craft breweries and neighborhood coffee shops. Visit the Harley-Davidson Museum, catch a game with the Milwaukee Brewers, or dive into hands-on science exhibits at Discovery World. Food lovers can snack their way through the Milwaukee Public Market, book a James Beard–recognized dinner, or seek out the city’s legendary fish fry.

The conference will take place at the newly expanded Baird Center, a LEED Gold-certified facility that recently completed a $456 million modernization—providing state-of-the-art space for the sessions, exhibit hall, and networking events that are the heart of the ASFPM experience.

A Program Built for Practitioners

As always, the ASFPM Annual Conference is known for professional development that is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.

Session topics will include:

• Mitigation
• Modeling
• Mapping
• NFIP
• Dams and levees
• Risk communication
• Extreme weather trends
• Natural and beneficial functions
• Whole community approaches
• And more

For those attending in person, we are offering 14 in-depth workshops and 10 technical field tours (additional fee required), designed to provide hands-on learning and real-world context.

Workshop topics include:

• Floodplain Management 101
• Planning Beyond the Hydrograph: Strategic Foresight for Future Flood Risks
• FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis Best Practices
• Hands-On HEC-RAS 2D (for Intermediate 1D Users)
• Nonstructural Mitigation for Pluvial, Fluvial, and Coastal Flood Events
• Elevation Certificates: Completing and Reviewing for Floodplain Management and CRS
• Practical AI for Readiness and Governance
• From the Hill to the Hometown: Advocacy, Action, and the Road Ahead
• And many more

Technical field tours will showcase Milwaukee’s innovative flood management and restoration efforts, including:

• Menomonee River Flood Management (bike and bus options)
• Reconnecting the Milwaukee River: Fish Passage and Dam Removal
• Kinnickinnic River & Honey Creek Restoration
• Great Lakes Coastal Resilience
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure Walking Tour
• Fresh Coast Legacy Boat Tour
• Valhalla Wetlands Site Tour

These tours are always a member favorite—offering a chance to see applied solutions up close and engage directly with local practitioners.

The ASFPM Conference Experience

Of course, it’s not just the sessions. It’s the conversations in the hallway. The exhibit hall demonstrations. The Welcome Fest. The networking events. The 5K run/walk. The chance to reconnect with colleagues who understand exactly the challenges you face—and to meet the next generation of professionals stepping into this field.

Last year’s conference brought together more than 1,500 in-person attendees and 225 virtual participants. That depth and diversity of perspectives—from local, state, federal, academic, and private-sector partners—is part of what makes this conference so impactful.

As one attendee shared:

“It is the highlight of my year. It is what keeps me going for the next year. It is SO important for our profession.”

Another noted:

“The ASFPM National Conference is the premier flood risk management conference in the nation with unparalleled opportunities for connecting, sharing, and learning with my professional colleagues.”

And perhaps most telling:

“By the end of the week, I left with fresh insights and a clear action plan to apply these strategies locally.”

That’s the goal every year—and especially this year.

Continuing Education and Member Value

The 2026 Conference is approved for:

• 12 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for Certified Floodplain Managers
• 16 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for AICP

Register by April 15 to receive the early discount. ASFPM members receive additional savings—making membership and conference attendance one of the best professional investments available in flood risk management.

Join Us to Celebrate 50 Years of Impact

For 50 years, ASFPM members have advanced sound floodplain management through collaboration, expertise, and persistence. This anniversary conference is an opportunity to honor that legacy—and to build momentum for what comes next. We hope you’ll be part of it!

Register now at ASFPMconference.org and make plans to join us in Milwaukee for #ASFPM2026.