The 2026 AABB Annual Meeting, to be held October 17-19 in Atlanta, GA, will feature many opportunities for education, networking and more. Here are some highlights of events and content that attendees can expect at this year's Annual Meeting.
New this year, the 2026 AABB Annual Meeting will deliver the same high-quality education and programming in a condensed three-day schedule. Updated in response to attendee feedback, this format helps attendees make the most of their time, while still offering attendees athe field's top education sessions, research, networking events and exhibits.
AABB2026 attendees will have access to recorded sessions and evaluations to claim credit for December 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Previously, attendees had 30 days to earn credit on recorded sessions without purchasing an On-Demand package.
Following its rollout in 2025, AABB is expanding and improving this program in 2026. Network & Navigate offers a pre-meeting connection that introduces you to a group including new and prior attendees, to help make your in-person experience more engaging and welcoming.
Virtual cohorts this year will be powered by Rallyboard, allowing for more personalized groups based on interests and provide a platform to easily engage, allowing for more meaningful connections ahead of AABB2026. Attendees can join the program during the registration process.
In response to the growing need for coordinated hemorrhage management across the continuum of care, AABB and THOR are offering a new joint program focused on transfusion strategies from the prehospital environment to hospital-based resuscitation and large-scale emergency response. This three-day program will bring together EMS, hospitals, blood centers and other members of the care team to explore practical approaches to prehospital transfusion, clinical practice, system readiness and complex bleeding challenges.
All registered attendees are invited to join colleagues and friends at the AABB2026 Closing Celebration on Monday evening - an opportunity to connect, reflect and give back. This year, the Closing Celebration also serves as a fundraiser in support of the AABB Foundation. Attendance is open to all, and donations are optional.
Attendees will have the opportunity to RSVP during the registration process.
Cord Blood Connect returns to the 2026 AABB Annual Meeting, offering three days of rich programming, spanning the full breadth of the cord blood field. Sessions will explore clinical outcomes of cord blood transplantation, emerging cord blood-derived therapies for new indications, and the evolving landscape of cord blood banking amid global supply chain and regulatory shifts.
Attendees can expect thoughtful discussions on expanding patient access, advancing manufacturing and commercialization pipelines, and the crossover opportunities linking cord blood with the broader cellular therapy ecosystem. The track will also feature a best abstract and lightning talk presentations, and forward-looking conversations on the future of the field - bringing together leading experts to connect, learn, and shape what comes next.
These expanded 90-minute sessions feature renowned experts discussing current issues and the "state of the science” on a select topic alongside authors presenting top abstracts in that area. Each session brings together expert insight and new research to highlight key developments in the field.
Enjoy curated tours of select top scientific posters in person during the meeting. Each will consist of a brief overview of the selected abstract posters by the author, followed by a short question-and-answer period between the tour moderator, researcher and audience.
The Biotherapies Pavilion is a popular dedicated networking space in the Exhibit Hall, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with fellow biotherapies professionals and organizations while participating in live open-mic conversations led by industry experts.
Lace up your sneakers for the annual AABB Foundation Run for Research. Whether you run at a record-breaking pace or prefer a casual walk, what’s important is your participation. Proceeds benefit the AABB Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization that funds innovative scientific research and support the careers of future leaders in transfusion medicine and biotherapies.
The AABB Bookstore is always a highlight for attendees during the Annual Meeting, and will be especially exciting in 2026. Flagship AABB titles will have new editions available for purchase, including the Technical Manual, 22nd edition; Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, 35th edition; and the first edition of the highly anticipated Biotherapies Manual, a first-of-its-kind reference that provides a structured guide across the full biotherapies lifecycle.
"The AABB Annual Meeting is more than just a conference; it's where our community comes together. For me, it's a space to learn, grow, connect and contribute. It's where I've found collaborators, mentors and lifelong friends. It's also where I've found my voice as a scientist."
- Krystalyn Hudson, PhD
Columbia University
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