Frequently Asked Questions

The 2026 National Conference will begin on Friday, October 2 and conclude on Tuesday, October 6.

The 2026 National Conference and Exhibition is taking place at the San Diego Convention Center.

Registration and hotel reservations for the 2026 National Conference and Exhibition will open for members May 1, 2026 at 10:00am CST, and non-members May 8, 2026 at 10:00am CST.

Registration rates will be coming soon.

No, this year’s conference is a cashless event. All transactions, including registration, food, and merchandise, must be made with a credit/debit card.

Registration and hotel reservations for the 2026 National Conference and Exhibition will open for members May 1, 2026 at 10:00am CST, and non-members May 8, 2026 at 10:00am CST.

The 2026 National Conference & Exhibition will take place in San Diego, California (USA) from October 2–6, 2026. 

 Yes. All attendees must follow AAP’s Code of Conduct and Health & Safety policies. 

Visa requirements depend on your country. Some attendees need a visa. Others may qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. 

Yes. AAP can provide an official Letter of Invitation to support your visa application. 

• The letter is not required
• The letter does not guarantee entry to the United States 
• Request the letter as early as possible, at least 3–4 months before travel 

AAP can provide an invitation letter only. 
AAP cannot contact U.S. embassies or government offices for you. 

International Group Registration is for groups of five (5) or more attendees. 

You may register: 

• AAP members 
• Non-member physicians
• Allied health professionals

International groups may register for: 

• Full Conference (in-person)
• Virtual-Only

Group coordinators can: 

• Submit one attendee list 
• Make one combined payment for the group

AAP accepts: 

• Credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa) 
• Bank wire transfers (bank fees may apply) 

AAP does not charge VAT or other taxes. 

Cancellations follow the main NCE registration policy. 

Only these changes are allowed: 

• Name spelling corrections 
• Email address corrections 

Yes. International groups must book hotels through IGH, AAP’s official housing partner. 

A $125 fee per person applies if rooms are not booked through IGH. 

IGH offers: 

• Official hotel rates 
• Flexible name changes 
• Secure payment processing
• Multilingual support
• Assistance with visa documents 

Yes. The event is fully cashless. 
Credit or debit cards are required for all on‑site purchases at the San Diego Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, and Hilton San Diego Bayfront. 

Register only through the official AAP website and official AAP emails. 

AAP emails will only come from: 
NCEInternational@aap.org 

For international registration questions: 

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Email: NCEInternational@aap.org 
• Phone: 630‑626‑6000, option 3

Visa requirements vary by country. Some international attendees must apply for a temporary non‑immigrant visa, while others may be eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). We recommend checking U.S. visa requirements as early as possible. 

The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. 

Yes. Travelers from VWP countries are required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling to the United States. Travelers without an approved ESTA may be denied boarding or entry. 

Yes. The AAP provides an official letter of invitation for conference attendees upon request. While not required, this letter may be used as a supporting document during your visa interview. The invitation letter does not guarantee visa approval or entry into the United States. 

If a visa is required, you should apply as soon as travel to the U.S. is contemplated and no later than 3–4 months in advance of the conference. Processing times vary by country. 

Applicants are encouraged to: 

• Provide a conference invitation letter 
• Show proof of professional or educational status and conference registration 
• Demonstrate intent to return to their home country after the visit 
• Apply in their country of residence and present a complete travel itinerary 
  Visa approval is determined solely by U.S. immigration authorities. 

No. The AAP cannot intervene with U.S. embassies, consulates, or the U.S. State Department on behalf of participants. 

Helpful resources include U.S. government websites covering visa requirements, embassies and consulates, travel preparation, and passport assistance.