Networking at the 2026 Lab Design Conference: Who You Can Meet and What You Can Learn
The Lab Design Conference is the premier gathering for professionals who design, plan, renovate, and optimize laboratory environments. Beyond the expert-led sessions, workshops, and exhibit hall, one of the most valuable aspects of attending is the opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders.
Early bird tickets are available through December 31, 2025. Sign up now to save $200!
The 25th annual event on May 11-14, 2026, in Orlando, FL, promises ample opportunities to connect, share insights, and build relationships that can impact your work long after the event concludes. Attendees can exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore innovative solutions in a collaborative environment. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, gain practical tips, or discover the latest trends in lab design, the conference offers something for everyone. Every conversation, from casual hallway chats to the lunch table to the panel discussions, has the potential to inspire your next project or spark a new collaboration.
The types of professionals you’ll meet
The Lab Design Conference brings together professionals from all corners of the lab world. You’ll find architects, engineers, interior designers, and MEP specialists chatting with lab planners, facility managers, and directors. Contractors, project managers, equipment suppliers, researchers, and sustainability and sales pros also attend, making it a great place to swap ideas and learn from a wide range of experiences.
This mix of professionals makes the Lab Design Conference an ideal place to connect with people in your field, share your expertise or passion, and meet others looking to collaborate on projects or partnerships in the lab design and build industry. The conference strikes the perfect balance—large enough to discover new connections, yet intimate enough that you won’t get lost in the crowd. Whether you’re exchanging ideas on the latest sustainable technologies, exploring innovative safety solutions, or benchmarking your own projects, it offers a welcoming, casual environment for meaningful conversation and professional growth.
Sample attendee job titles
To give a sense of the range of perspectives present, past Lab Design Conference attendees have held titles such as:
Principal or senior architect, specializing in laboratory design
Laboratory planner or project manager
Facilities manager
Director of operations
Equipment manufacturer/supplier
EH&S (environmental health and safety) manager
Lab manager/lab supervisor or researcher
HVAC specialist
Sustainability consultant
Sales professional
Interior designer
Knowing the variety of roles represented can help you plan who to seek out and which sessions to attend to maximize your networking efforts. Be sure to get your ticket before December 31, 2025, to save $200!
Top questions to ask during conference sessions
Roundtables and panel discussions, along with traditional lecture-style educational sessions, are one of the most effective ways to connect with peers, share insights, and uncover practical solutions. Here are five questions that can help you spark meaningful conversations:
What has been your biggest challenge in designing or operating labs in the past year?
Which lab technologies or systems have you found most effective in improving efficiency or safety during a lab build/renovation project?
How often do you bring together project team members and end users during a project, and what strategies make those meetings most productive?
What sustainability or decarbonization strategies have you successfully implemented?
Are there any lessons learned from past projects that you wish you had known at the outset?
These questions not only help break the ice but also invite participants to share actionable advice that you can apply in your own work.
Tips for getting the most out of networking events
Attending a conference can be overwhelming without a strategy. Here are some tips to maximize your networking opportunities at the 2026 Lab Design Conference:
Plan ahead: Review the agenda in advance to identify who you want to connect with and which events align with your goals.
Be intentional: Approach networking with a purpose—think about the specific challenges or questions you want to discuss.
Engage in the roundtables and panel discussions: These smaller, interactive sessions foster meaningful conversations and allow you to exchange ideas in a focused setting.
Enhance your conference experience by adding a workshop to your ticket: Join an intimate, hands-on session focused on collaborative lab planning, risk management, or navigating code challenges. Seats are limited!
Share your own insights: Connections last when you share what you know—your stories about tough project hurdles, lessons learned, or unexpected twists are great conversation starters.
Follow up: Collect business cards or swap contact information, and make it a point to follow up after the conference to continue conversations and build relationships. Use the free BadgeScanner app to scan attendee badges and organize your contacts.
Ask us for help! The Lab Design Conference staff are happy to connect you with attendees or vendors from your area, or those who have the expertise or resources you’re looking for. Don’t hesitate to ask—we’re here to help you make meaningful connections before, during, and after the event!
The 2026 Lab Design Conference is a great place to connect with peers, share ideas, and explore new approaches in lab design and operations. With so many professionals in one place, you’re bound to leave with fresh insights, new connections, and a few ideas to bring back to your next project. Register now to get your ticket!
