Forty years in the making, and it all leads to Charlotte. In November, AEA will bring its 40th Anniversary celebration to the NASCAR Capital of the World. Join evaluators from across the globe in Charlotte, NC, November 16–20, 2026, for a week that honors our legacy and accelerates the future of evaluation. Registration opens this summer. This is an evaluation celebration you don't want to miss!
Why Attend Evaluation 2026?
Evaluation 2026 isn’t just a conference—it’s a strategic investment in your career. With tailored sessions and learning opportunities, you can build new competencies, stay ahead of trends and changes in the field, address challenges head on, and return with strategies and methods that create real impact.
Connect with a Diverse, Global Community
Engage with 1,500+ evaluation professionals from across sectors, disciplines, and career stages. The conference brings together voices from government, nonprofits, academia, philanthropy, and beyond—creating a uniquely rich environment for collaboration and idea exchange.
Advance Your Skillset and Practice
Participate in a dynamic mix of lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. Sessions are intentionally designed to provide practical tools, innovative methodologies, and actionable insights you can apply to your work.
100+ Sessions and Tailored Learning
Evaluation 2026 is organized around five streams that reflect the evolving needs of the field—ensuring content is both relevant and forward-thinking. These streams span areas such as:
- Foundational knowledge and practices of evaluation
- Evaluation methods, design and technology innovations
- Equity, cultural responsiveness, and justice across evaluation practices
- Evaluation practice in dynamic systems and/or uncertain environments or contexts
- Professional development and career pathways
Build Meaningful Connections
From structured networking events to informal conversations, you’ll find countless opportunities to connect with peers, mentors, and thought leaders. Whether you're new to evaluation or a seasoned practitioner, Evaluation 2026 fosters relationships that extend far beyond the conference.
Explore Solutions and Resources in the Exhibit Hall
Meet with vendors, universities, and publishers who are shaping the future of evaluation. Discover new tools, services, and research that can enhance your practice and support your goals.
Who You Will Meet
- Students studying evaluation or a related field
- Independent consultants
- Data visualization experts
- Evaluation educators
- Evaluation managers and supervisors
- Professionals with a focus on non-profits and foundations
- Funders of evaluation
- Professionals with a focus on personnel, program, technology, government evaluation, healthcare, social justice, education, and more are represented in our 54 Topical Interest Groups
