NAFWS 43rd Annual National Conference

 Main Agenda

• CLEO Agenda

• From “First Idea” to “Hit Submit”: Practical Skills

  for Grantseekers Agenda

• Wildlife Health Surveillance and Management Workshop Agenda

• Invasive Species Workshop Agenda

Room Block available at Turning Stone Resort Casino | 5218 Patrick Rd. Verona, NY 13478

• Attendees may make room reservations by calling Turning Stone’s toll free number 1-800-771-7711 by Tuesday, April 7, 2026. To ensure attendees receive the group rate, attendees should identify themselves as with the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society room block. Room rates range from $110-$239 and some rooms are located in separate lodging locations that are varied distances from the event center. Free shuttles are available to and from these separate lodging locations to the event center. Click here for more details on accommodations

For flights, attendees are recommended to fly to Syracuse Hancock International Airport (Less than 35 miles from Turning Stone). Turning Stone offers some paid options for transport to and from the hotel:

We’re doing a Golf Scramble instead of the Fun Run this year!! Learn more and register HERE

The traditional silent auction will be hosted online this year, making it easier for more supporters to participate over a longer period of time. You will still be able to bring your donations to the conference and pick up your winning items in person as usual after the banquet on Thursday, May 7th. The main differences are that bidding will be online and will last for 10 days prior to the close of the auction. We understand it’s a shift from our usual setup and we’ll do everything we can to still make it easy and enjoyable!

Instructions for bidding:

1. Go to the Givebutter Auction Page to get started.

2. Create Your Free Account Click ‘Register to Bid’, enter your name, email, and password. Confirm your email.

3. Add Your Payment Info Add a payment method (Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, or Venmo). You’re only charged if you win and can also use Google/Apple Pay at checkout.

4. Browse Auction Items Scroll the page, click an item to see details and current bids.

5. Place Your Bid Enter your maximum bid (the highest amount you’d be willing to pay). The system will automatically increase your bid in small increments only as needed to keep you the highest bidder, up to your max. This way, you don’t have to keep checking and rebidding

6. Watch Your Items Get updates if someone outbids you and raise your max if needed.

7. Auction Close When the auction ends at 9pm EST on Thurs, 5/7, winners are notified by email.

8. Pick Up Your Items Unless your item is digital (Tribal hunts, experiences, etc.) you must come to the silent auction table at the banquet to pick up your items. If your item is digital, it will be emailed to you after payment is received.

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To Donate an Item

We will be accepting donated items in-person as usual—handcrafted art, gear, gift baskets, experiences, services, and more!

If you're willing to help us get a head start on entering items to the auction site, feel free to let us know what you'll be bringing beforehand (not required, but appreciated):

1. First, please fill out this Silent Auction Donation Form as soon as you know the item you'd like to donate. We ask for a brief item description, estimated value, and (if possible) a photo. Early submissions help us get info uploaded and ready to go so we aren't frantically trying to put everything online during the conference--we'd rather spend time with you!

2. Bring your items to the National Conference check-in table when you arrive

3. We will be going over the process of the online auction during the conference so you will know how to participate and what to expect as well.

Thank you kindly for your support!

Start date: May 04, 2026

End date: May 07, 2026

Start time: 08:00 a.m. EDT

End time: 09:00 p.m. EDT

Venue: Verona, NY

Conference attendees and vendors may cancel their NAFWS registration or exhibiting table without penalty by providing written notice to NAFWS at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the conference. Cancellations received after this deadline, or attendee no-shows, will not be eligible for a refund of registration and/or table fees.

To cancel your conference registration please contact: info@nafws.org

To cancel your vendor or exhibit table please contact: Shailyn Weichman (smiller@nafws.org) or Hannah Golden (hgolden@nawfs.org)

Exceptions to this policy are limited to unforeseen circumstances such as serious illness or accident, family emergency, or death in the attendee’s immediate family. Written notice of such circumstances must be provided to NAFWS as soon as possible.