The afternoon reflects additional breakouts, a Fund Member Town Hall, and National Committee election activities. ACE: Your Premier Source for Public Pension Education
Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE)
Your Premier Source for Public Pension Education
Experience the energy of ACE! Join public pension professionals from across the country for a one-of-a-kind event where education, innovation, and collaboration come together.
Join Us at ACE as NCPERS Celebrates 85 Years in the Public Pension Industry
We unite trustees, administrators, and industry experts to provide education, research, and advocacy that strengthen retirement systems and promote sustainable outcomes for millions of public employees across the U.S. and Canada. As the longest-running educational conference for state and local public pensions, NCPERS Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE), delivers the knowledge, strategies, and connections public pension professionals need to address today’s challenges and plan for the future.
Join us on May 17-20 as NCPERS celebrates 85 years of serving public pensions with thought-provoking sessions, peer-driven discussions, and innovative solutions on a vibrant exhibition floor. In Vegas, everyone dreams of hitting the jackpot—at ACE, public pension professionals actually do.
Images from the May 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition
What To Expect & Who Should Attend?
Bringing together more than 800 participants—including trustees, administrators, staff, state and local officials, financial consultants, service providers, union representatives, and regulators from across the U.S. and Canada—ACE delivers four days of learning, inspiration, and collaboration through 40+ expert-led sessions, interactive panels, and dedicated networking opportunities.
There's still time to contribute to the agenda: Submit your speaker proposal by January 30th!
Please note: Your organization must be a current member of NCPERS to participate. To verify your status, please contact membership@ncpers.org.
Arrive Early: Advance Your Skills with NCPERS University
Make the most of your time onsite with our pre-conference programming: NCPERS University is designed to give trustees and pension professionals the tools, confidence, and practical skills to excel—not just during our events, but in every decision that shapes your fund’s future.
Trustee Essentials Training
Formerly known as TEDS, this program equips new trustees and staff with the knowledge and practical skills needed to make informed decisions and effectively fulfill their fiduciary duties.
NCPERS Advanced Fiduciary (NAF) Institute
Held in both the spring and fall, NAF is where pension professionals and experienced trustees go to become certified experts in the skills needed to strengthen their retirement systems.
“Shortly after being elected to our Retirement Board, I was swimming in the deep end with information overload. The best thing I was able to do to come to terms with my new responsibility was to attend NCPERS ACE and Trustee Essentials Training. The knowledge and connections I have made are second to none, and as long as I hold a seat on the board, NCPERS’ events are a must-attend for me.” – Shawn Carney, Fire Captain, Lieutenant, Uniformed Retirement Fairfax County Retirement Systems
2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition Agenda Preview
Attendees can earn up to 15 Continuing Education (CE) hours. Looking for more? Join us on May 16-17 for NCPERS Advanced Fiduciary Institute or Trustee Essentials Training.
Day 1: Sunday, May 17
2:00AM - 6:00PM
- Registration opens at 2:00 PM, giving you time to get settled and pick up your conference materials before programming begins.
- Connect with fellow newcomers over light bites at the First-Timers Reception.
- At 3:00 PM the opening general session officially launches the Annual Conference and sets the stage for the week.
- Following the general session, visit the Exhibit Hall and network with colleagues and partners during the Exhibit Hall opening reception at 4:00 PM.
Day 2: Monday, May 18
6:30AM - 5:30PM
- Breakfast is available beginning at 7:00 AM before Monday’s opening general session begins at 8:00 AM.
- Morning breakout sessions begin immediately after the general session, with multiple learning tracks to choose from.
- A morning break at 11:00 AM provides dedicated time to meet with vendors and continue conversations in the Exhibit Hall.
- Breakout sessions resume late morning, leading into the Lunch and Lecture at 1:00 PM.
- The afternoon reflects additional breakouts, a Fund Member Town Hall, and National Committee election activities.
- The day concludes with an Exhibit Hall networking reception at 4:30 PM.
Day 3: Tuesday, May 19
6:30AM - 5:30PM
- After breakfast, join us for Tuesday’s general session, followed by a full slate of breakout sessions.
- Don’t miss your last opportunity to visit the exhibitors at the 11:00 AM networking break.
- At 1:00 PM, the Awards Luncheon recognizes excellence across the public pension community.
- The learning continues after lunch with afternoon breakouts, followed by National Committee Executive Board elections.
- End the day catching up with new connections at the last networking reception.
Day 4: Wednesday, May 20
6:30AM - 12:00PM
- After breakfast, attend the closing general sessions for final insights and takeaways before the conference adjourns at noon.
“Exhibiting at ACE each year has been a tremendous asset to BLB&G's work with public pension professionals. It offers a central 'home base' where existing clients can easily find us to catch up, while also providing a steady stream of new contacts walking through the Exhibit Hall. The lively environment fosters productive networking with both current and prospective clients, as well as fellow industry professionals, making ACE an essential part of our annual conference schedule." – Katherine Burke, Client Relations Specialist, Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger & Grossman
Images from the May 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition
Partnering for Success: ACE Exhibitors & Sponsors
Exhibitors: Discover the latest products, services, and solutions for public pension systems on the ACE exhibition floor. Connect with industry experts, explore hands-on demonstrations, and find practical tools to enhance plan operations and governance.
Sponsors: Our sponsors help make ACE possible, providing world-class education and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Engage with sponsors to learn about innovative solutions and partnerships that support public pension success.
High Stakes, High Impact: ACE Comes to Las Vegas
Experience the energy and elegance of Caesars Palace, one of Las Vegas’s most renowned destinations for meetings and events. As the host venue for NCPERS Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026, Caesars Palace offers a world-class setting designed for both productivity and connection.
The resort features expansive meeting spaces, state-of-the-art conference facilities, and exceptional service—creating the perfect environment for learning, networking, and celebrating NCPERS’ 85th anniversary. Between sessions, attendees can enjoy luxury accommodations, award-winning dining, and the vibrant atmosphere of the Las Vegas Strip, all just steps away.
The NCPERS room block for ACE 2026 will open in late January.
Thank You to Our Sponsor
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Cassandra Smoot at csmoot@ncpers.org or 202-601-2447.