Biomedical H.I.V. Prevention Summit 2026 in Chicago

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Frequently Asked Questions

About the Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit

HIV Prevention & Public Health Basics

Registration, Attendance & Participation

Sessions, Programming & Professional Development

Travel & Location

Accessibility, Inclusion & Community Guidelines

Logistics: Meals, Dress Code & On-Site Experience

The Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit is a conference launched by NMAC in 2016 to advance PrEP access for communities most-impacted by HIV. We are the nation’s only convening dedicated to translating complex scientific discoveries and biomedical solutions into effective healthcare delivery for the HIV and public health workforce.  This is the place where science meets action—translating cutting-edge research into real-world strategies for HIV prevention.

This is the 10th convening of the Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit.

The Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit is hosted by NMAC- an organization launched in 1987, during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States. NMAC is a national HIV organization that offers capacity building, leadership development, policy education, and public engagement to end the HIV epidemic among communities most impacted in the United States. To learn more about the Summit, click here.

NMAC aims to expand participation among direct-care providers and frontline clinicians in community-based and rural settings. The Summit will engage professionals and organizations in clinical or adjacent roles, including:

  • HIV/STI Testers
  • PrEP Navigators
  • Linkage coordinators
  • Prescribers (MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs)
  • Registered Nurses 
  • Pharmacists
  • Social Workers
  • Substance Use Counselors
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists
  • Community Health Workers
  • Health Department Professionals
  • Clinic Administrators 
  • Non-Profit Professionals
  • Academic Researchers
  • Medical Students

Biomedical HIV prevention refers to the use of medical and clinical tools to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Biomedical HIV Prevention consists of strategies such as PrEP & PEP, treatment as prevention (U=U), condoms, and more.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication used to prevent HIV. When taken as prescribed, it can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by about 99%. PrEP can be taken daily as a pill, on demand around sexual activity, or through other options such as long acting injectable PrEP administered by a provider every two months.

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28 day course of medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV. It must be started within 72 hours to be effective.

U=U means Undetectable equals Untransmittable. It refers to the fact that people living with HIV who take treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV through sex. This is also known as Treatment as Prevention (TasP), since HIV treatment protects both the health of the person living with HIV and prevents transmission to others.

PrEP may be a good option for people who are HIV negative and want extra protection. This includes those with an HIV positive partner, those who do not consistently use condoms, those with multiple partners, individuals recently diagnosed with an STI, or those who inject drugs and share injection equipment.

This info from the NIH contains a lot of helpful information. If you have additional questions you need answered, reach out to treatment@nmac.org.

Yes, registrations may be transferred; please refer to your registration confirmation email for more information.

Early Bird registration closes March 9. There is no final deadline to register for the Summit- but we recommend you book as soon as possible to get a discounted room at the host hotel. 

Yes! Feel free to register the day-of. One-day registrations are also available.

Written cancellations postmarked or emailed on or before March 9, 2026, by 5:00 pm (EDT), will be honored in full, less a $50.00 processing fee. Refunds will NOT be issued for cancellations postmarked or faxed after this date. Cancellation requests may be emailed to conferences@nmac.org. 

Volunteers will be handled locally this year; we are not seeking additional volunteer support at this time.

Affinity Sessions are impromptu meetings of people participating in the conference who want to discuss a particular topic. Affinity Sessions are available on Thursday, April 9, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Please contact Diane Fergusion at dferguson@nmac.org if you are interested in booking an Affinity Session.

Yes! Please click here for more information.

At this time, the meeting is planned as an in-person event with no planned virtual components during or following the 2026 Summit. We will share updates if any online components become available.

Interpretation services will be available upon request. Please indicate your needs during registration or contact us directly.

ASL services may be requested during registration. English to Spanish translation is also offered for workshops and plenary sessions.

We use these companies for Scooters/Wheelchairs:

Scootaround Powered by WHILL
Address: 2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (888) 441‑7575

Wheelchair Rental Pros
Address: 66 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619
Phone: (312) 404‑8802

The Summit promotes freedom of expression as an essential principle in the HIV response. Activism has always been central to our movement, and we encourage debate and dialogue as key elements of the Summit, including the right to engage in peaceful protest.

However, NMAC and its partners strongly object to any actions that interrupt conference sessions, meetings, or secondary (satellite) exhibits in a way that prevents attendees from fully participating in the educational and learning opportunities offered at the Summit.

We ask all participants to respect the mission, spirit, and integrity of the Summit and to use sound judgment when organizing demonstrations. Any individual or group planning a demonstration or protest during any portion of the conference—including within the exhibition hall—must notify conference staff in advance at conferences@nmac.org and designate a primary contact person.

Demonstration organizers must also adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Limit demonstrations to a maximum of 15 minutes
  • Hold no more than one demonstration per day

NMAC reserves the right to determine whether a demonstration is disruptive or detrimental to the mission and values of the Summit. While we recognize and value freedom of expression, we must balance this with the needs of our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees to ensure a productive and respectful conference environment for all.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in removal from the conference and possible prohibition from attending future NMAC-sponsored events.

Business profession conduct is expected at all times.

The dress code for the Summit is business casual. We recommend comfortable, professional attire.

Continental breakfast and lunch are available on Thursday, April 9 and April 10.

Limited dietary accommodations are available and must be selected during the time of registration.

A “So You’re Attending the Summit” webinar invitation will be sent to all registrants in late March. The webinar is facilitated by NMAC’s Conferences division and covers all must-know information about the Summit.

The Summit takes place this year in Chicago, IL!

The 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit will be taking place at the Chicago Downtown Marriott Magnificent Mile. We encourage all Summit attendees to join us at the host hotel at our special discounted rate. To learn more, click here.

You will receive information about booking your hotel room at the discounted rate after completing your 2026 Summit registration.

Applications for Participant Support, which has an option that covers participant travel costs, closed Monday, February 23rd. 

Contact

Do you have a question about NMAC’s 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit that we haven’t answered here? Please email Conferences@NMAC.org with your inquiry.

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The Syndemic Approach strengthening the HIV and public health workplace