March 31 - April 3, 2027 | Charlotte Convention Center
See you in Charlotte for the 2027 Best Friends National Conference
Mark your calendar for March 31 through April 3, 2027, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Registration opens mid-November. Hotel, travel, conference schedule, and session details will also be available at that time.
This spring, the animal welfare community is coming together to spark new ideas, share practical strategies and take lifesaving to the next level. Whether your community is working to achieve no-kill, maintain it or return to it, you'll leave Charlotte with fresh tools, new connections and the momentum to save more pets back home.
You'll learn from presenters with different backgrounds and from all types of organizations, including leaders in advocacy and community engagement, field and animal services, shelter medicine and animal care, fundraising and development, and more. Let's build what's next for homeless pets, together.
Get notified when registration opens
Stay up to date on the latest conference details and other educational events by signing up for our email alerts.
Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring?
Connect with more than 1,300 animal welfare professionals and help power lifesaving nationwide. Email us at conferences@bestfriends.org to learn about 2027 exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.
Speaker submissions are closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted a session idea! We're hard at work pulling together content for everyone to enjoy in Charlotte. Stay tuned for the full lineup.
Notable facts from the 2026 Best Friends National Conference
At the 2026 Best Friends National Conference in Salt Lake City, we welcomed:
- more than 1325 attendees from 49 states
- over 55 exhibitors and sponsors showcasing their latest products and services to help take lifesaving to the next level nationwide
- 190 volunteers who worked over 470 shifts and contributed 1,934 hours to make this remarkable event possible
Catch up on 2026 sessions
Recordings of all general sessions and 10+ breakout sessions are available now on the Best Friends Network Partner YouTube page.
2027 conference volunteer opportunities
Interested in volunteering at the 2027 Best Friends National Conference, happening March 31 - April 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina? Email us at nationalvolunteers@bestfriends.org for more information.
