2026 Statewide Symposium
In Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families
April 15 & 16, 2026
Desert Willow Conference Center
| Phoenix, Arizona
About the Event
The Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families, hosted by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, is the only statewide conference that brings together the military, government, and community to strengthen services and support for Arizona’s 500,000+ service members, veterans, and their families.
The event features breakout sessions, keynote speakers, exhibitors, and networking opportunities focused on providing knowledge, skills, and tools to serve and support the military and veteran community.
Our Sponsors
- Two days of event programming focused on increasing knowledge, skills and connections to serve the military, veteran and the military-affiliated family member population across Arizona.
- General sessions featuring Arizona leadership and updates on key statewide initiatives.
- Breakout session topics across multiple learning tracks, with an emphasis on discussion and engagement.
- Opportunities to network with representatives from the military, government, and community as well as event exhibitors and attendees.
Questions
Please contact the event team at: symposium@arizonacoalition.org
Symposium Archive
To view previous Symposium events and recordings of our virtual Symposiums in 2021 and 2022, visit the event archive page to view overviews for each event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend the Statewide Symposium?
Everyone is welcome to attend! The Statewide Symposium brings together individuals and organizations working to strengthen support for service members, veterans, and their families across Arizona. Anyone interested in learning, collaboration, and improving systems of support is welcome to attend.
Participants often include:
- Service members (Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve) and their family members
- Veterans and their family members
- Representatives of military, government and community organizations
- Healthcare and allied health professionals
- Mental health providers and social workers
- First responders
- Managed care providers
- Veteran Service Organization (VSO) representatives
- Employers and human resources professionals
- Educators, including early childhood, K–12, and higher education professionals
- Faith-based community representatives
The Symposium brings these diverse perspectives together to strengthen partnerships, share insights, and improve support systems across the state.
Are scholarships available to offset the cost of attending?
Yes. Thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors, full scholarships are available to offset the cost of registration for those who would not otherwise be able to attend and for those traveling from outside of central Arizona who would experience financial hardship. All applicants must submit their applications no later than March 31. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must provide proof of having attended a Be Connected training session held between October 2024 and now. Register here for a virtual training. Please click here to apply for a scholarship.
Are there any registration discounts available?
Yes. Discount links will be sent to Be Connected partners and Be Connected Helpers in February. If you don’t receive the link via email, contact us at symposium@arizonacaolition.org. Discounts are also available for groups registering from the same organization. Please use these codes to register all participants at the same time:
- 10% off 3+ attendees from the same organization: Use discount code: group3+
- 15% off 8+ attendees from the same organization: Use discount code: group8+
Are continuing education units available?
The Statewide Symposium team understands the importance of certificates of attendance and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for many licensed professionals. Due to the administrative burden of securing pre-approved CEUs, this year the Symposium will provide the documentation for attendees to pursue credit from their respective licensing board post-event. Attendees will receive a detailed certificate of attendance, and additional documentation can be requested if needed by emailing symposium@arizonacoalition.org.
Are there opportunities available to an exhibitor?
Are there opportunities available to an exhibitor?
Yes. If your organization is interested in exhibiting at the Symposium, please submit this form for more information. A team member will follow up. Please note that exhibitor registration is separate from participant registration and must be confirmed in advance.
Are there sponsorship opportunities available?
Yes. If your organization is interested in sponsoring the Symposium, please email symposium@arizonacoalition.org.
What are the hotel options near the venue?
Desert Willow Conference Center is located south of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Hotels near the airport, especially on the south side, will be in close proximity to the event. While the Arizona Coalition for Military Families does not have a specific room block available, special rates may be available at Homewood Suites and Courtyard if you identify yourself as a Statewide Symposium conference attendee.
Nearby hotels include:
Find more nearby hotel options on Google Maps.
What is the policy for cancelling or transferring my event registration?
Registrations may be transferred to another individual at any time. Requests for cancellation must be received by 3/24/26 at symposium@arizonacoalition.org.
Can you offer special accommodations for meals or mobility?
Yes. For special accommodations, including dietary restrictions, please email your specific request to symposium@arizonacoalition.org by 4/1/26.
About the Organisers
The Annual Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families is organized by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF). Since 2010, ACMF has convened this statewide gathering to bring together leaders from government at the federal, state, and local levels, along with community organizations and the service members, veterans, and families they serve.
ACMF recognized early that strengthening support systems requires more than individual programs. It requires a shared space for collaboration, learning, and coordinated action. The Symposium has grown into Arizona’s central annual conversation where partners exchange insights, build relationships, and advance solutions that improve support for the military and veteran community across the state.
