ACEP 26 Scientific Assembly FAQ: What to Expect in Chicago
Every Fall, tens of thousands of emergency physicians and residents put their work in the emergency department on hold for a few days to attend the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) Scientific Assembly. If you’re searching for a straightforward rundown of what ACEP26 actually involves, you’re in the right place. Below, the team at Emergency Care Partners answers the questions we hear most often from folks who are gearing up for the show — including where to find us while you’re there.
What is the ACEP Scientific Assembly?
The Scientific Assembly is ACEP’s flagship annual conference and the largest educational meeting in emergency medicine. It brings together emergency physicians, residents, and medical students for several days of CME-accredited education, hands-on skills labs, a full exhibit hall, research presentations, and networking events.
When and where is ACEP26 Taking Place?
ACEP26 runs October 5-8, 2026, at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Who attends ACEP's Scientific Assembly?
Attendees span the full career arc of emergency medicine: medical students, residents, early-career attendings, longtime EM group leaders, and hospital administrators. It’s equal parts education, reunion, and marketplace – many longtime attendees describe it as an annual check-in with colleagues and training partners scattered across the country.
How do I register, and what does it cost?
Registration is open through ACEP’s official portal and offers both single-day and multi-day packages, with discounted rates for retired ACEP members. Pricing varies by membership status and how far in advance you register, so it’s worth registering early.
What should first-time attendees know before arriving?
A few things that make the first trip smoother: popular sessions and skills labs fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, so map out your must-see courses using the schedule ahead of time rather than deciding on the fly. Download the official ACEP Events mobile app before you arrive – most session materials are only available there, not in print.
What's the dress code, and what should I pack?
Business casual is the norm on the conference floor. Meeting rooms tend to run cold, so pack a jacket or sweater even though it’s early October. Because presentation slides live in the mobile app rather than on paper handouts, bring a laptop or tablet and a charger.
What kind of educational content is offered?
ACEP26’s curriculum covers the breadth of emergency medicine practice: clinical courses across adult and pediatric EM, toxicology, trauma, and critical care; sessions on emerging topics like AI in the ED; hands-on procedural and cadaver skills labs; a Research Forum showcasing submitted abstracts; and review courses for board preparation. There’s also a general session featuring keynote speakers and ACEP’s presidential address. Whatever your subspecialty or interest, there’s almost always a concurrent track for it.
Does ACEP26 count toward CME requirements?
Yes. The Scientific Assembly offers substantial CME credit across its courses, and ACEP publishes a formal CME credit statement for the conference. After the meeting, attendees can retrieve their certificates through ACEP’s CME Tracker rather than waiting on paperwork.
What's in the exhibit hall?
The exhibit hall is where staffing groups, practice management companies, medical device makers, EHR vendors, and advocacy organizations set up booths to meet attendees face-to-face. For clinicians, it’s a low-pressure way to explore job opportunities and compare practice models without committing to a call. For hospital and EM group leaders, it’s a chance to see what staffing and management partners are actually like to work with — beyond a sales page.
Will Emergency Care Partners (ECP) be at ACEP26?
Yes! You’ll find our team in the exhibit hall at Booth #2442. Whether you’re curious about our physician-ownership model or a hospital administrator evaluating ED staffing and management partners, stop by. We’ll have team members on-site who can talk through what makes ECP’s “big-box resources, local leadership” approach different from a typical national staffing group.
How can I connect with Emergency Care Partners before, during, or after ACEP26?
You don’t have to wait until October. If you’re a physician or advanced practice provider exploring your next clinical opportunity, browse current openings across our partner programs. If you lead an emergency medicine group or hospital ED and want to learn more about partnering with ECP, you can start a conversation here. And if you’d simply like to set up a time to meet in Chicago, reach out to our team — we’re always glad to talk shop with fellow emergency medicine people, whether or not there’s a partnership on the table.
Emergency Care Partners is a physician-owned network of emergency medicine groups across the country, built on the belief that medicine is local. We’ll see you in Chicago.