2026 ERA Conference Details & Reminders
With more than 700 people attending, this year’s ERA Conference offers unparalleled networking and educational opportunities!
ERA CONFERENCE APP
Don’t forget to download the ERA Conference app for full access to the event schedule, speakers and networking with other attendees. This a great tool that will be your on-site guide to the Conference while you’re in Austin.
Scan these QR codes to get the app quickly on your smartphone:
Need help accessing the app? Email ERA Communications Director, Clare Kluck at ckluck@era.org.
CONFERENCE VENUE
All conference functions are hosted at the Hilton Austin in downtown Austin, located at 500 East 4th Street
Austin, Texas 78701 USA. Visit the hotel website for more information.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Lyft and Uber both operate in Austin. Taxis are also readily available at the airport, as well as at the Hilton Austin. The distance between the Austin Bergstrom airport and the Hilton Austin is 10 miles.
Parking is available at the Hilton Austin. Guests may self-park or use the hotel’s valet services.
Additional details on hotel transportation and parking can be found here.
WHO’S ATTENDING
View the latest attendee list in the Conference App or view the full attendee list on the ERA Conference website.
BUSINESS CARDS
Be sure to bring plenty of business cards to hand out to all the new contacts you will be making.
DEDICATED WI-FI
There will be a dedicated WiFi connection for Conference attendees.
Network: Hilton Meeting Network
Password: ERACon26
SCHEDULE
The detailed schedule of the conference and room assignments are available on the ERA Conference App, or view the Conference schedule on the website. View a PDF version of the Conference to download/print.
ATTENDEE CHECK-IN & BADGE PICK-UP
The ERA Conference Registration & Information Desk will open on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST at the ERA Registration Desk on the 6th floor of the Hilton Austin. The desk will remain open throughout the Conference, which starts at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23.
When you check in at the ERA desk, you will receive your badge. Your assigned table number can be found on the Table Assignments tab in the mobile app. Your chosen breakout sessions can also be viewed in the Agenda tab in the mobile app.
Please note: You MUST wear your badge at all times to enter all program sessions and Conference functions.
MEETING AND EVENT SPACE
All Conference programming will take place on the 6th floor of the Hilton Austin. All general session programs, breakfasts and lunches will be held in the Austin Grand Ballroom and Ballroom Foyer. Breakout session rooms are all on the 6th floor as well; please refer to the app for specific breakout and workshop room numbers. View a 6th floor map. (Venue maps can also be found on the Conference app.)
The Sunday evening Welcome Reception will be held in the Austin Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Foyer and Terrace — located on the 6th floor.
The Monday Conference Networking Party will be held in the Austin Grand Ballroom from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, immediately following the final general session on Monday.
The ERA Members-Only Networking Lounge and Bar (cash bar) will be open from 7:00 p.m. to midnight on both Sunday and Monday evenings at The Reverbery on the 1st floor of the Hilton Austin.
SEATING IN MAIN SESSION BALLROOM
ASSIGNED SEATING for all rep, manufacturer and distributor attendees will be used on Monday, Feb. 23 only for all general sessions scheduled in the Austin Grand Ballroom. (Find your table number in the Table Assignments tab in the mobile app.) Each table will have a designated table leader. Assigned seating is designed to encourage networking. OPEN SEATING will be used for all sessions and meals on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
FIRST-TIMERS ORIENTATION
If you are attending your first ERA Conference (or have not joined us in many years), please plan to attend the First-Timers Orientation on Monday morning at 7:00 to 7:50 a.m. in Salon J on the 6th floor. Pick up your breakfast and carry it to the meeting room for a brief orientation that will answer your questions and help you gain the most from your Conference experience.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Hopefully you have already signed up for the breakout sessions that you most want to attend. But if you have not yet registered, don’t worry, there’s still time! You can easily sign up for breakout sessions online.
MONDAY NIGHT NETWORKING PARTY
NEW this year —The Monday Conference Networking Party will be held on-site in the Austin Grand Ballroom from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, immediately following the final general session on Monday. It will feature complimentary beer and wine, appetizers, a photo booth and plenty of networking and social time.
The ERA Members-Only Networking Lounge and Bar (cash bar) will be open 7:00 p.m. to midnight on both Sunday and Monday evenings, at The Reverbery, on the 1st floor of the Hilton Austin — so stop by before or after your dinners or meetings off-site!
ATTIRE
For all Conference programs and functions, business casual attire is recommended. Meeting rooms are kept cool, so we strongly recommend you bring a sweater or jacket. Layers are your friend! February temperatures in Austin range from lows in the 40s to highs in the 70s.
EXHIBITORS
There will be companies with exhibit tables (most of whom are ERA Recognized Resource providers) located in the Austin Grand Ballroom foyer starting on Monday morning. Some companies will be presenting workshops both Monday and Tuesday mornings. View schedule for workshop details.
QUESTIONS? Email ERA’s Events Manager, Kate Van Hise, at kvanhise@era.org.
Many thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in Austin. Travel safely!
Your 2026 ERA Conference Committee:
Perry Thornton, Pinnacle Marketing – Conference Committee Chair
Julie Carr, MacInnis Group — Conference Committee Vice Chair
Adam Anderson, CPMR, Norris & Associates — Breakout Sessions Co-Chair
Holly Good, Master Electronics — Breakout Sessions Co-Chair
Zach Anderson, Harper and Two — Keynote/General Sessions Co-Chair
Heather D’Amico, MBA, CPMR, Brainard Nielsen Marketing — Keynote/General Sessions Co-Chair
Adam Grigor, Tech-Trek Ltd. — Sponsorships Co-Chair
Scott Lindberg, Quell Corporation — Sponsorships Co-Chair
Todd McAtee, Flip Electronics — Conference Advisor
Ellen Coan, CPMR, C C Electro Sales Inc. — Executive Committee Liaison