Prepare With Purpose: How to Get the Most Out of Your Lab Design Conference Experience
In-person conferences move fast. Between educational sessions, exhibit hall conversations, networking breaks, and spontaneous hallway discussions, the Lab Design Conference is packed with opportunities, so come prepared to take advantage of them.
The 25th annual event, taking place May 11-14, 2026, in Orlando, FL, offers countless ways to connect, share insights, and build relationships that can have a lasting impact on your work. Attendees can exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and explore innovative solutions in a collaborative setting. Whether your goal is expanding your professional network, gaining practical strategies for your own lab project, or discovering the latest trends in lab design, there’s something here for everyone. Every interaction—whether a quick chat between sessions, a conversation at lunch, or a discussion during a panel—has the potential to inspire your next project or spark a new collaboration.
A little advance planning goes a long way toward turning a busy agenda into a productive, enjoyable experience. Here’s what you should know before you arrive, and how to set yourself up for a successful Lab Design Conference.
Secure your ticket and save with special promos
Don’t miss your chance to attend the Lab Design Conference and enjoy two full days of networking, an interactive exhibit hall, and AIA-accredited thought leadership sessions. Planning to join a workshop or lab tour? Be sure to add those to your registration separately—space is limited, so reserve your spot early.
Register by February 27, 2026 to save $100 on your conference ticket—this is the last discount before prices go up to full rate. You can also connect with our speakers to see if they have additional promo codes available. Grab your ticket now and lock in the savings!
Come ready to connect
Networking is a major part of the Lab Design Conference experience, and we’ve built in tools to make it easy.
Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards, but you’ll also receive a name badge with a scannable QR code that includes your contact information. One quick scan can replace the classic card swap and make post-conference follow-up seamless. Because the conference is intentionally sized to be manageable, it’s easier to keep track of both personal and professional connections without getting lost in the crowd.
Bring your project questions for the exhibit hall
The exhibit hall is more than a place to browse—it’s an opportunity to have meaningful, project-specific conversations.
Before you arrive, think about:
Where your lab project is in its lifecycle
Challenges you’re currently facing
Things you’ve been meaning to ask vendors, designers, or planners
Coming prepared with questions allows exhibitors to give you more targeted, useful insights, and often sparks conversations and partnerships that extend beyond the booth.
Fuel up and stay engaged
No need to leave the conference area for food or drinks—meals and refreshments are included throughout the day on May 12-13 between educational sessions. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and coffee, soft drinks, and snacks will be available during designated networking breaks. With food and drinks handled, you can stay fully engaged in sessions, explore the exhibit hall, and focus on making meaningful connections.
Breaks aren’t just a chance to refuel—they’re prime opportunities to continue conversations sparked during sessions, ask follow-up questions, and meet fellow attendees or vendors in a more relaxed, informal setting. Planning ahead for which sessions and breaks to attend can help you make the most of every moment onsite.
We’ll also have refreshments available at our Welcome Reception & Networking Event on May 11 at 5:00pm. Whether' you’re arriving that day to attend a workshop or just getting in early before the educational sessions start on May 12, we’ll be glad to see you! Grab your name badge and a drink/snack, say hi to your colleagues, and mingle with peers as you plan the next day’s events.
Let us make introductions!
Looking to build your design team? Hoping to connect with a lab planner, architect, or local lab user? The Lab Design Conference staff is happy to help make introductions!
Don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance. Whether you’re seeking expert guidance on a specific project, exploring potential collaborations, or simply looking to expand your professional network, we’re here to help connect the dots. We can point you toward speakers, vendors, and fellow attendees whose experience aligns with your goals, suggest meetups during breaks or in the exhibit hall, and even help facilitate conversations to ensure you make the most of your time onsite. Think of us as your in-person networking guide, helping you turn every connection into a meaningful conversation.
We’re also happy to discuss contributions to our online publication, Lab Design News, via a thought leadership article or webinar, as well as advertising and lead generation opportunities. Chat with us in Orlando, or reach out ahead of time at events@labdesignconference.com.
Review the agenda in advance
One of the best ways to maximize your time is to review the agenda ahead of the conference. This will help you identify:
Sessions most relevant to your work
Speakers you’re excited to hear from
Interactive sessions where you want to participate
We especially encourage attendees to come prepared with questions and shared experiences for panel discussions and roundtables. These sessions rely on audience participation and will deliver valuable, real-world insights.
AIA Members: Don’t forget to have your AIA membership number handy, as these sessions offer AIA/HSW learning units. We’ll provide an onsite registration form to track your attendance, and we’ll handle submitting your credits to the AIA for you. Certificates can also be arranged for non-AIA members.
Dress for comfort and conversation
Attire for the conference is business casual—polished, comfortable, and ready for a full day of sessions, walking the exhibit hall, and networking. Think professional, but practical. You’ll be on your feet, moving between rooms, and engaging with peers throughout the day.
Layers are also a smart choice, as conference rooms can run warm or chilly depending on the space.
Take your learning further with workshops and lab tours
For attendees looking to get even more value from their conference experience, consider adding a workshop or lab tour to your conference ticket.
Our small, hands-on workshop groups allow for deeper dives into specific topics through interactive learning and real-world discussion. Engage in meaningful discussion about collaborative lab planning, liability-aware lab design strategies, or navigating code conflicts in one of our expert-led workshop sessions. Choose from one of three sessions on Monday, May 11.
Lab tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at local Orlando laboratory facilities, giving attendees the chance to see design strategies and operational decisions in action. We offer both morning and afternoon tour options, giving you flexibility in planning your departure. Add one tour (or two!) to your ticket for Thursday, May 14.
With limited group sizes, both workshops and tours create a more intimate setting for meaningful conversations and connections with fellow attendees and participating vendors. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
Preparation makes the difference
The Lab Design Conference is designed to bring the lab design community together, but what you take away depends largely on how you show up.
Arrive informed, curious, and ready to engage. With meals covered, connections built into the experience, and staff ready to support your networking goals, all that’s left is to bring your questions, your perspective, and your appetite for great conversations.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Orlando! Secure your ticket today—register before February 27, 2026 to save $100 on your conference ticket.
