2027 Capitol Conference Member FAQ
Whether this is your first Capitol Conference or your 50th, this FAQ is designed to help you plan your trip, understand what to expect, and make the most of your time in Washington.
Some details change from year to year, but many of the questions are familiar. This resource brings the practical information, advocacy guidance, and Capitol Conference basics together in one place so attendees at every experience level can prepare with confidence.
About Capitol Conference
When is the 2027 Capitol Conference?
NABIP's 37th Annual Capitol Conference will take place Sunday, February 21, through Tuesday, February 23, 2027, in Washington, D.C. For nearly four decades, NABIP members have come to Washington to help policymakers understand how healthcare policy affects employers, consumers, seniors, families, and the benefits professionals who serve them.
Where is Capitol Conference being held?
Capitol Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. NABIP has reserved a room block for attendees, and hotel reservation information will be available through the Capitol Conference registration site. Staying at the host hotel also makes the morning commute to conference programming especially easy.
Who is Capitol Conference for?
Capitol Conference is for NABIP members who want to better understand the federal issues affecting the profession and the people we serve, and who want policymakers to understand what those issues look like in the real world. Attendees include Medicare specialists, group and employer benefits professionals, individual-market experts, agency leaders, chapter leaders, experienced advocates, and members who have never stepped inside a congressional office.
Experience levels will vary, and that is part of the value. A longtime attendee may bring years of history with an office, while a newer attendee may bring a client situation or market experience that the office has never heard before. Each perspective can strengthen the conversation.
Why should I attend Capitol Conference?
Healthcare policy can look very different on paper than it does in practice, and NABIP members understand both sides of that equation. Every day, benefits and insurance professionals help employers respond to new requirements, consumers understand changes in coverage, seniors navigate Medicare decisions, and clients work through affordability, compliance, claims, carrier, and market challenges.
Capitol Conference brings that real-world experience directly to policymakers. NABIP provides the policy expertise, federal strategy, relationships, and legislative priorities, while members provide the examples and experiences that show Congress what those policies mean once they leave Washington. Effective advocacy needs both.
What makes Capitol Conference different from other NABIP events?
Capitol Conference is designed around advocacy. Preparation begins before attendees arrive through webinars and advocacy resources, Monday is devoted to policy, political, and advocacy programming, and Tuesday is dedicated to congressional meetings.
Attendees are not only hearing about healthcare policy. They are helping explain to the people writing it what happens when that policy reaches employers, consumers, families, seniors, and the professionals helping them navigate it.
Why is 2027 particularly important?
The 120th Congress will be just weeks into its work when NABIP arrives in Washington. Some offices will be longtime NABIP partners, while others may have new lawmakers, new staff, different committee assignments, or limited familiarity with NABIP and the role benefits professionals play.
That creates an important opportunity to strengthen relationships that already exist and begin new ones while congressional priorities are still taking shape. Even for returning attendees, the political environment and the people around the table can look very different from one Capitol Conference to the next.
What does "Forward Together" mean?
Forward Together reflects how NABIP advocacy works. NABIP brings the national policy perspective, federal strategy, and knowledge of what is happening in Washington. Members bring what they are seeing every day in their businesses, communities, and markets.
The policy expertise gives Congress the substance of the argument, and member experience helps explain why it matters. Capitol Conference brings those two pieces together.
I have attended Capitol Conference many times. Is there still something here for me?
Yes. Lawmakers change, congressional staff change, committee assignments change, political control can change, and the issues continue to evolve. Relationships that have taken years to build also need continued attention.
Experienced attendees bring valuable history and established relationships, while newer attendees may bring a client story or market development that is new to the office. Strong delegations benefit from both.
What does a successful Capitol Conference look like?
A successful Capitol Conference is not measured only by the number of meetings held or photos taken.
Success means policymakers leave with a better understanding of NABIP, the work our members do, and how healthcare policy affects the people we serve. It also means attendees leave Washington better informed, more confident as advocates, and better connected to the relationships that make year-round advocacy possible.
Sometimes that means strengthening a relationship that has existed for years. Other times it means introducing NABIP to an office for the first time or helping a congressional staff member understand that NABIP members can be useful resources when healthcare questions arise.
When should I arrive in Washington?
General session programming begins Monday morning, but Sunday is an active part of Capitol Conference. Sunday programming includes the Leadership Forum, First-Time Attendee Orientation, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and the PAC Welcome Party. Attendees who would like additional time to explore Washington, reconnect with colleagues, or settle in before the conference may want to arrive on Saturday.
Anyone attending the Leadership Forum should plan to arrive Saturday as the program is expected to begin Sunday morning.
Registration & Onsite Information
How do I register?
Registration is available through NABIP's official 2027 Capitol Conference event page. Register here.
What are the registration rates?
|
Ticket Type |
Member Price |
Non Member Price |
Guest Price |
|
Limited Time Offer Onsite at 2026 CC & 2026 AC |
$525.00 |
$600.00 |
N/A |
|
Early Bird Registration |
$600.00 |
$675.00 |
$175.00 |
|
Regular Registration |
$675.00 |
$750.00 |
$175.00 |
|
Late Registration |
$750.00 |
$825.00 |
$200.00 |
|
Onsite Registration |
$825.00 |
$900.00 |
$225.00 |
What does my registration include?
Registration includes the core Capitol Conference program, including general sessions, breakout programming, advocacy preparation, regional meetings, and participation in Capitol Hill activities. Included meals and breaks will be identified on the final agenda, and any separately ticketed activities will be clearly noted during registration.
Can I attend for just one day?
No. Capitol Conference does not offer one-day registrations.
Are scholarships or financial assistance available?
Scholarship or financial assistance policies vary by chapter and region. Contact your local or state chapter to ask whether support is available.
Can I update, transfer, or add something to my registration after I have submitted it?
Event registrations may be transferred to another person. NABIP’s current 2027 registration policy requires transfer requests to be submitted in writing to meetings@nabip.org no later than 10 business days before the event. Requests are subject to approval and should include the original registrant’s name and the replacement attendee’s name, title, organization, email address, and phone number. If the transfer changes the registration type, membership status, or applicable fee, an additional amount may be due. For other registration changes or ticket additions, contact meetings@nabip.org. View the full registration policies.
Can I register onsite?
Yes. Online registration will close on February 12, 2027. After that date, attendees may register onsite at the same-day rate of $825.
Staying Informed
How will NABIP communicate important information before Capitol Conference?
NABIP will use email to share registration information, preparation materials, webinar details, agenda updates, and other important conference information. Make sure the email address associated with your registration is one you check regularly.
My chapter or someone else registered me. How do I make sure NABIP has my correct email address?
Ask the person completing your registration to use your own current email address. Important conference information may be sent directly to the address associated with your registration, so it is worth confirming before the event.
Hotel, Travel & Washington
Where should I stay, and do I have to stay at the Hyatt?
The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill is the official conference hotel, and NABIP has reserved a room block for attendees. Staying at the host hotel provides convenient access to programming, networking, and other attendees, with the added benefit of a very short morning commute. You do not have to stay at the Hyatt, though. If you choose another hotel, just make sure you allow enough time to get to and from conference programming each day.
Can I share a hotel room?
Yes, subject to the hotel's occupancy rules and the room type reserved. If you plan to share, make sure the hotel has the correct number of guests on the reservation and confirm bedding arrangements directly with the hotel before arrival.
Which airport should I use?
Washington is served by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
DCA is generally the closest and most convenient option for Capitol Hill. IAD and BWI can also work well, particularly if the fare or flight schedule is better, but allow additional time and cost for ground transportation.
How do I get around Washington?
Metro, taxis, and rideshare services are widely available throughout Washington. Washington, D.C. has a robust public transportation system including the metro and bus network in addition to bikeshares, scooters, and more. The Hyatt is convenient to Union Station and Capitol Hill, although the amount of walking can add up quickly during Hill Day.
Is Union Station walkable from the Hyatt?
Yes! Union Station is approximately 0.4 miles or a 10 minute walk from the Hyatt. View Hyatt transportation information.
When should I book my return travel?
Plan your return travel so that you can participate in your full Tuesday Hill schedule. Congressional offices may schedule meetings throughout the day, and meeting times can change as the conference approaches. Even if your preliminary schedule looks open, additional meetings or adjustments may still be made as offices confirm availability.
Will I have time to see Washington while I am there?
Possibly. Sunday and Monday evening may provide some flexibility, depending on your individual schedule and state activities. We recommend planning sightseeing around Capitol Conference programming rather than the other way around, and keeping Tuesday available until your delegation's Hill meetings are complete.
Schedule & Programming
How is Capitol Conference structured?
Capitol Conference begins before attendees arrive in Washington. Pre-conference webinars and advocacy resources provide background on the issues, political environment, and Hill process. Sunday includes leadership programming, first-timer preparation, exhibitors, networking, and a separately ticketed welcome event. Monday is devoted to policy, political, and advocacy programming, and Tuesday is dedicated to congressional meetings organized by state delegations.
The structure is designed to give attendees dedicated time for both substantive conference programming and Capitol Hill advocacy.
Why is most of the in-person programming on Monday?
Monday is the primary day for getting attendees current on what is happening in Washington, where NABIP's priorities stand, what we are asking Congress to do, and why those priorities matter. Keeping the main conference programming on Monday also gives state delegations a full Tuesday for congressional meetings without asking attendees to choose between an important session and an important Hill appointment.
What topics will be covered?
The final program will reflect NABIP's current federal advocacy priorities and the major policy issues affecting members and the people they serve. Topics may include Medicare, the ACA and individual market, employer-sponsored coverage, healthcare affordability, prescription drugs and PBMs, broker compensation, healthcare transparency, regulatory developments, and other issues affecting the private health insurance market. Programming will also connect directly to NABIP's official Capitol Conference Hill talking points.
Are sessions eligible for continuing education credit?
No. Capitol Conference sessions are not eligible for continuing education credit.
Will there still be time to network?
Yes. Advocacy is the central purpose of Capitol Conference, but the opportunity to connect with members from across the country is also an important part of the experience. Meals, breaks, regional meetings, exhibitors, social events, and informal time throughout the event all create opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and meet new people. The Hyatt lobby and bar also tend to become popular gathering places once formal programming ends.
Pre-Conference Webinars & Resources
Why are there webinars before Capitol Conference?
There is more useful information than can reasonably fit into one day of onsite programming, and we want attendees to arrive as prepared as possible. The pre-conference webinars allow NABIP to cover advocacy basics, the political landscape, issue background, and Hill preparation before everyone gets to Washington.
This format also helps first-time attendees understand what to expect while giving experienced advocates access to more policy depth than can always fit into Monday's program.
What will the webinars cover?
Planned topics include Capitol Hill 101, what to expect in a congressional meeting, the 2027 political landscape, selected policy and market deep dives, NABIP's legislative priorities, and a final walkthrough of the 2027 talking points.
Who should attend the pre-conference webinars, and do I need to attend every one?
The webinar series is intended for all Capitol Conference attendees. Some sessions will be especially useful for newer advocates, while others will provide political, legislative, or policy background that can be valuable no matter how many times you've attended. You won't need to attend every webinar; NABIP will identify the intended audience for each session and let attendees know when a particular webinar is strongly recommended.
First-Time Attendees
This is my first Capitol Conference. How will I know what to expect?
NABIP will provide several opportunities to prepare before you arrive in Washington, including pre-conference webinars, advocacy resources, and the First-Time Attendee Orientation. You do not need previous lobbying experience or an extensive knowledge of federal policy to participate in Hill meetings.
NABIP will provide the policy background and talking points, while your state delegation will organize the Hill meetings and help attendees understand where they need to be. Your own professional experience provides something equally important: real examples of how healthcare policy affects your clients, your market, and the people you serve.
Is there a First-Time Attendee Orientation?
Yes. The Sunday First-Time Attendee Orientation is designed to explain how Capitol Conference fits together, answer practical questions, help attendees understand Hill Day, and introduce first-time participants to other members before Monday begins.
What if everyone else in my delegation has done this before?
That's not a problem. Experienced advocates can help newer attendees understand how the group approaches meetings, and first-time attendees often bring perspectives and examples that are new to the office. Delegations are strongest when members with different levels of advocacy experience participate together.
Do I need to be a policy expert or memorize the talking points?
No. You should understand NABIP's priorities and the basic asks, but you are not expected to memorize every detail. NABIP will provide the policy framework and preparation materials. Your role is to understand the issue well enough to discuss it comfortably and connect it to your own experience when appropriate.
What should first-time attendees make sure not to miss?
First-time attendees will get the most from Capitol Conference by participating in the preparation opportunities and the core onsite program. We strongly recommend attending the following:
- Relevant pre-conference webinars
- First-Time Attendee Orientation
- Monday general session and breakout sessions
- Your regional meeting on Monday afternoon
- Tuesday Capitol Hill meetings
I am coming by myself and do not know anyone. Will that be awkward?
No. Many attendees arrive knowing only the people from their own chapter, and some arrive without knowing anyone at all. The First-Time Attendee Orientation, regional meetings, state delegations, meals, networking opportunities, and PAC events all make it easier to meet people. Capitol Conference tends to become a familiar community fairly quickly.
Capitol Hill Meetings
Why does Capitol Conference dedicate a full day to Hill meetings?
A full Hill Day gives state delegations more flexibility to work around congressional schedules, move between House and Senate offices, and focus on advocacy without asking attendees to choose between an important congressional meeting and conference programming.
The format was introduced in 2026, and 93.2% of surveyed attendees said they preferred having a full day dedicated to Hill meetings. Based on that feedback, the dedicated Hill Day will continue in 2027.
Should I plan to stay for the entire day Tuesday?
Yes. Tuesday is dedicated to Capitol Hill meetings, and congressional offices may schedule appointments throughout the day. We strongly recommend making travel arrangements that allow you to participate in your delegation's full schedule rather than planning around an early departure. Even if your schedule looks open initially, additional meetings or changes may be added as congressional offices confirm availability.
Will Congress be in session?
As of now, we do not have the calendar for the 120th Congress. The congressional calendar is generally released later, and individual office schedules can change even after the broader calendar is available. NABIP will share relevant congressional schedule information as it becomes available.
What if Congress is not in session?
Your meetings still matter. Congressional staff research legislation, advise lawmakers, develop policy expertise, and are often the people NABIP works with most throughout the year. A staff meeting can be every bit as substantive and useful as a meeting with the member of Congress.
A photo with a senator or representative can be a nice part of the experience, but the real value of Hill Day is the conversation and the relationship that follows it.
Will I actually meet my senator or representative?
Possibly, but it cannot be guaranteed. Members of Congress have unpredictable schedules involving votes, hearings, committee meetings, constituent responsibilities, media, travel, and other obligations. You may meet directly with the member, legislative staff, or both.
If you meet with staff, treat the meeting as equally important. In many cases, the staff member in the room is the person who handles healthcare policy for the office every day.
How are Hill meetings scheduled?
State delegations are responsible for scheduling their congressional meetings. NABIP provides talking points, issue background, advocacy preparation, and guidance to help states prepare.
When will I receive my Hill schedule, and why might it change?
State delegations develop meeting schedules in the weeks leading up to Capitol Conference, but congressional calendars remain fluid. Votes, hearings, committee activity, travel, and other responsibilities can result in changes even after a meeting has been confirmed.
Your state leaders will share schedule information as it becomes available, and attendees should continue watching for updates through Hill Day. A little flexibility goes a long way on Capitol Hill.
Will I meet with my own members of Congress?
State delegations generally work to include meetings with the senators and representatives who serve their attendees. Depending on office availability, delegation size, and the number of attendees from individual districts, you may also participate in meetings with other offices being visited by your state.
What if I already have a relationship with a lawmaker or congressional staff member?
Let your state delegation leader know. Existing relationships can be a real asset to the entire delegation and may help strengthen the meeting, improve scheduling, or create a useful opportunity for follow-up.
How are Hill meeting groups organized, and what will my role be?
Most attendees participate in Hill meetings as part of their state delegation or a smaller group organized by the delegation. Group size will vary depending on the state, office availability, and the number of attendees from a district. Before each meeting, the delegation will determine who will open the conversation, who will cover each issue, and who has a particularly useful example or perspective to share. You do not need to deliver every talking point to make a meaningful contribution. A client example, an employer situation, a question you can answer, or context from your market may be the most useful part of the conversation.
Can I share a client or employer story?
Yes. Real-world examples are one of the most valuable things NABIP members can bring to a meeting because they help policymakers understand how an issue affects people outside Washington. Protect your clients' privacy and do not share personally identifiable, confidential, or sensitive information. In most cases, you can explain the situation and its impact without identifying the person involved.
What if I am asked something I do not know?
Don't guess. Let the lawmaker or staff member know it's a good question and that you or NABIP will follow up with the correct information. Make a note of the question and share it with the Government Affairs team after the meeting. A thoughtful follow-up can also create another useful point of contact with the office.
What if I disagree with the lawmaker or staff member?
That's okay. You aren't expected to agree on every issue. Be respectful, explain NABIP's position and your experience, listen to the office's perspective, and look for areas where continued dialogue may be useful. A productive meeting doesn't require complete agreement.
Should we discuss politics, campaigns, or elections during our Hill meetings?
Keep Hill meetings focused on public policy, NABIP's legislative priorities, and the experiences of the people and businesses we serve. Capitol Conference is about advocacy and building productive relationships with congressional offices regardless of party.
Should I talk about NABIP PAC during a Hill meeting?
Keep PAC fundraising and campaign discussions separate from official congressional meetings. House and Senate ethics rules prohibit campaign activity and fundraising using official government space and resources. During Hill meetings, keep the conversation focused on public policy, NABIP’s legislative priorities, and your real-world experience. PAC or campaign matters should be handled separately in the appropriate setting. House ethics guidance | Senate ethics guidance
Guests, Meals & Event Policies
What is the cancellation policy?
The official registration policy will contain the complete cancellation, refund, substitution, and transfer terms.
The 2027 cancellation deadline is February 5, 2027. Cancellations received by that date are subject to a $100 processing fee; no refunds are issued after the deadline. Requests must be submitted in writing to meetings@nabip.org, and NABIP asks attendees to allow up to 60 business days for refund processing. View the full 2027 registration policies.
I have dietary restrictions. What should I do?
Please identify dietary restrictions during registration so the hotel and meetings team have as much time as possible to make appropriate arrangements. If your needs change after you register, contact NABIP as soon as possible.
What if I need an accessibility accommodation?
Please identify requested accommodations during registration or contact NABIP as early as possible. Hill Day can involve significant walking and movement between buildings, so early notice is especially helpful if an accommodation may affect delegation logistics or transportation planning.
Social Media, Photos & Privacy
Will photos or video be taken, and what if I do not want my photo used?
Yes. NABIP’s 2027 registration terms state that NABIP may photograph, video, audio-record, or otherwise record all or part of the event and may use those recordings for marketing and other legitimate business purposes. View the 2027 event terms.
How will my attendee information be shared with sponsors, exhibitors, or other third parties?
Under the current 2027 registration terms, attendees consent to NABIP collecting, storing, and transmitting personally identifiable information to event sponsors, exhibitors, and vendors. NABIP also states that it does not otherwise sell, rent, or lease attendee lists to third parties. View the 2027 event terms.