# Event Details - **Event Name**: NENA 2026 Conference - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 27 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 am – Sun, 29 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 am - **Event Description**: Engage 360: Adventure, Innovation, and Immersive ImpactAbout this EventEngage 360: Adventure, Innovation, and Immersive ImpactA dynamic journey through touchpoints, transformation, and technology in hospitality, tourism, and event education.Set against the backdrop of the immersive and adventure-rich Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains, the 2026 NENA Conference invites you to explore engagement from all angles—where high-tech meets hands-on, and where academic excellence converges with real-world impact.Engage 360: Adventure, Innovation, and Immersive Impact offers a panoramic experience that reflects the evolving terrain of hospitality, tourism, and event education. Drawing inspiration from the resort’s spirit of exploration, this year’s theme embraces both cutting-edge technologies and timeless touchpoints that fuel connection, creativity, and career readiness.From classroom breakthroughs and virtual tools to experiential learning and community-centered design, this conference empowers educators, scholars, and industry professionals to navigate the future with curiosity, purpose, and adventure. Join us for a journey that blends strategy with storytelling, research with relevance, and tradition with transformation—all within a setting built for exploration.Conference Schedule - Please note this schedule is subject to change.Friday, March 2711:00 am Registration Open1:00 pm – 2:30 pmOpening SessionWe’re kicking off the 2026 NENA Conference not with a lecture—but with a leap into exploration. Set within the immersive backdrop of Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains, our opening session invites you to Pick Your Adventure and begin your journey with purpose, curiosity, and connection.3:00 - 4:30 pmTracked Sessions: Chart Your Course to ImpactTo guide your learning journey and support intentional engagement, the 2026 NENA Conference offers curated session tracks designed to meet attendees where they are—and take them where they want to go. Whether you’re a faculty member, industry professional, or student, these tracks provide focused pathways aligned with your interests, expertise, and aspirations.Research TrackDelve into the latest studies, methodologies, and scholarly insights shaping hospitality, tourism, and event education. This track spotlights rigorous academic inquiry and applied research, offering opportunities to engage with data-driven findings, emerging trends, and collaborative investigations that drive innovation and inform best practices.Professional, Program, and Curriculum Development TrackFor those designing the future of learning. This track explores the evolution of academic programs, course design, assessment strategies, and institutional collaborations. Discover how forward-thinking educators and administrators are aligning curriculum with workforce needs, DEI priorities, and global competencies.Experiential Pedagogy TrackWhere learning comes alive. This track is dedicated to hands-on, high-impact teaching practices—internships, simulations, service learning, live labs, and more. Explore how experiential education enhances student engagement, fosters critical thinking, and bridges the classroom-to-career gap.Student TrackDesigned for the next generation of leaders, this track empowers students to grow their professional toolkit, expand networks, and explore career paths. Sessions focus on leadership, career readiness, mentorship, and real-world skill-building—equipping students to confidently navigate their educational and industry journey.4:45 - 6:00 pmService-Learning Project6:00 pm - 8:00 pmOpening ReceptionSaturday, March 288 am – 9:00 amMorning SessionBreakfastRapid Poster PresentationsLegacy Lecture9:15 am – 10:00 amConnection Activity10:10NENA Photo10:15 am – 11:45 amInteractive - AI Session11:45 am – 12:30 pmLunch SessionRapid Poster PresentationsDining and connection12:30 pm - 2:00 pmTracked Sessions: Chart Your Course to ImpactTo guide your learning journey and support intentional engagement, the 2026 NENA Conference offers curated session tracks designed to meet attendees where they are—and take them where they want to go. Whether you’re a faculty member, industry professional, or student, these tracks provide focused pathways aligned with your interests, expertise, and aspirations.Research TrackDelve into the latest studies, methodologies, and scholarly insights shaping hospitality, tourism, and event education. This track spotlights rigorous academic inquiry and applied research, offering opportunities to engage with data-driven findings, emerging trends, and collaborative investigations that drive innovation and inform best practices.Professional, Program, and Curriculum Development TrackFor those designing the future of learning. This track explores the evolution of academic programs, course design, assessment strategies, and institutional collaborations. Discover how forward-thinking educators and administrators are aligning curriculum with workforce needs, DEI priorities, and global competencies.Experiential Pedagogy TrackWhere learning comes alive. This track is dedicated to hands-on, high-impact teaching practices—internships, simulations, service learning, live labs, and more. Explore how experiential education enhances student engagement, fosters critical thinking, and bridges the classroom-to-career gap.Student TrackDesigned for the next generation of leaders, this track empowers students to grow their professional toolkit, expand networks, and explore career paths. Sessions focus on leadership, career readiness, mentorship, and real-world skill-building—equipping students to confidently navigate their educational and industry journey.3:00 pm – 3:45 pmKeynote4:00 pm – 5:00 pmInteractive Simulation5:15Evening Remarks5:30Evening Adventure On Your OwnSunday March 298:30 am - 10:00 amMorning SessionBreakfastRapid Poster PresentationsBest Paper PresentationStudent Panel10:15 am NENA Business Meeting10:45 am Awards and Closing RemarksVisit: https://nenachrie.com/2026-spring-conferenceLodging/AccommodationsKalahari Resorts & Conventions – Pocono Mountains, PA? 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA 18349? www.kalahariresorts.com? (570) 580-6000Hotel Reservations● Group Rate: $199.00/night (plus tax)● Resort Fee: Waived ($44.99 value per night)● Tax: Currently 9% on room rateRoom Block Dates:● Thursday, March 26● Friday, March 27● Saturday, March 28Booking Deadline: March 5, 2026 Please book early to secure the group rate.Reservation Link: Deposit Policy: One night + tax at time of bookingCancellation Policy:● Cancel ≥72 hours before arrival: Refund minus $30 processing fee● Cancel <72 hours before arrival: Full deposit forfeitedAttendee Perks✅ Complimentary WiFi in guest rooms & meeting spaces✅ Complimentary self-parking✅ 15% discount on spa services (during event dates)✅ No resort fees✅ Access to indoor waterpark (included with resort stay)Travel & TransportationNearest Airports:o Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) – ~45 minso Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) – ~1 houro Philadelphia International (PHL) – ~2 hourso Newark Liberty (EWR) – ~2 hoursDriving & Parking:o Free self-parking at Kalahario Use 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA 18349 for GPSRecommended AttireCasual business attire is appropriate for most sessions. Comfortable shoes are encouraged for immersive and adventure-based activities.We are committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event. If you have specific accommodation needs, please contact us in advance.Questions?Contact: Christine Cleaver? c.cleaver@nyu.edu - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/tobyhanna-township/nena-2026-conference/100001605794678109 - **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, business, conferences, workshops, meetups, art, fine-arts, storytelling - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 75, max: 150, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Tobyhanna Township - **state**: PA - **country**: United States - **location**: Kalahari Indoor Waterpark - **lat**: 41.0989931 - **long**: -75.3942514 - **full address**: Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Tobyhanna Township, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: NENA 2026 Conference - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/79732c3a8acd8a05557f894405309c919e1065825f741174b434601621ea5273-rimg-w1200-h675-dcfbefd5-gmir.jpg?v=1757267755 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is NENA 2026 Conference being held? - **A:** NENA 2026 Conference takes place on Fri, 27 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 am to Sun, 29 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 am at Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, 250 Kalahari Boulevard, Tobyhanna Township, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing NENA 2026 Conference? - **A:** NENA 2026 Conference is organized by NENA Federation of ICHRIE. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** NENA 2026 Conference is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Tobyhanna Township, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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