2026 National Conference - New Orleans

"Title TBD"

Attend NDIA’s 2026 National Conference for Criminal Defense Investigators, Paralegals, Mitigation Specialists, Social Workers and Attorneys.

Presented by the National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA), for those within the defense community* including criminal defense investigators, paralegals, attorneys, mitigation specialists, and social workers, NDIA will provide a unique training program during this three-day in-person educational conference. We will provide an opportunity to learn from and work with the most successful and forward-thinking investigators, attorneys, mitigation specialists, social workers, paralegals and experts from across the nation who will participate as faculty.

*The defense community does not include any employee or representative of any prosecutorial agency/office.

On-Site Registration and Check-In will take place Tuesday evening, April 21, 2026, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, and sessions will begin Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026. The conference will run through mid-day, Friday, April 24, 2026.

Members can take advantage of the Early Bird registration fee, our lowest rate, by registering through February 14, 2026. Join NDIA to take advantage of discounted registration fees up until the start of the National Conference. We will also be offering an Agency/Office group registration discount. If you have six (6) or more individuals from the same Agency/Office - or are a Federal or State Office requiring a Purchase Order - please call (860) 810-2296 or email nationaldefender@gmail.com. Registration is not guaranteed until receipt of payment is received.

↓     ↓     ↓     CLICK TO REGISTER     ↓     ↓     ↓

2026 NATIONAL CONFERENCE INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION FORM COMING SOON

2026 DRAFT AGENDA PENDING

NDIA Members seeking financial assistance can apply for the Melissa Kupferberg Scholarship (One Recipient per Conference), the Ronald T. Guerette Scholarship (One Recipient per Conference), both of which cover the Conference Registration Fee, Travel and Hotel Accommodations, as well as the Gary Kula Educational Scholarships (One Recipient per Region* per Conference), which covers the Conference Registration Fee ONLY.

Each Scholarship has its own Application Guidelines, Selection Criteria and Application Form, so please visit each page for more details about the Scholarship and How to Apply!

There is a Group Block of rooms held under NDIA at the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans. Be sure to book your hotel room as soon as possible, as these rooms will go first come, first serve. To make your reservation, click HERE (Coming Soon), which will direct you to the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans reservation form. The peak nights of the 2026 NDIA National Conference are 4/21/26 - 4/24/26, but the form is also open to the event days plus 3 days pre/post-event (4/18/26 - 4/27/26) upon hotel availability, so be sure to indicate the correct days you will need. If you have trouble booking any of these dates, please call 1-877-408-9661 - and be sure to mention the 2026 NDIA National Conference to receive the group room rate. Please see below for more information about the location and travel, as well as additional NDIA discounts, if applicable, for the conference.

The cut-off date for the group room rate is March 30, 2026.

For more information about New Orleans, including Things to Do, Dining, and Upcoming Events, please visit https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/.

NDIA training hours are approved to fill the academic training requirements for CDITC (Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council, Center for Investigative Studies) for total hours attended at this NDIA conference. Please submit your certificate to CDITC via email to investigator.perron@gmail.com.

We hope to see you in New Orleans!

Sincerely,
NDIA Conference Committee

2026 National Conference Additional Information

Group Room Rate for a Standard Room is $184 - Single/Double Occupancy (does not include tax)

Check-In Time: 4:00pm     Check-Out Time: 11:00am

GSA FY 2026 Per Diem Rates for New Orleans, LA can be found HERE (Pending FY26 Info).

REGISTRATION / CHECK-IN ON-SITE: Conference check-in, or on-site registration, will take place Tuesday, April 21st, in the Grand Foyer from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Registration packets may also be picked up at this location Wednesday and Thursday. Conference Registration Fee includes all Plenary and Break-Out Sessions across the three days, coffee bar in the morning and the President's Reception Thursday, April 23rd, which includes light appetizers. The Reception will be held in the Grand Ballroom Gallery & Balcony. Come network with your fellow defense community members and take the opportunity to meet some of the faculty, as well as enjoying the Member of the Year Award presentation. Don't miss out on Raffle ticket sales prior to the Reception for a chance to win several fantastic raffle prizes!

COMPLIMENTARY GUEST ROOM WIFI: All NDIA attendees will have access to complimentary Guest Room WiFi.

HOTEL LOCATION: Where Canal Street meets Bourbon Street, the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans provides luxury accommodations amid the beating heart of the legendary French Quarter. Just outside, you'll enjoy a whirlwind of enchanting festivals, theater, music, cultural exhibits and culinary delights. You'll also enjoy close proximity to must-see attractions, such as French Quarter/Bourbon Street, Harrah's Casino, Jackson Square, the Aquarium of the Americas, the Superdome and Riverwalk Shopping. For more information about the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans, click HERE

AIRPORT / TRANSPORTATION:  The Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans is located about 20 miles from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). For more information about Airport Transportation options, please click HERE.

PARKING: Valet parking is available for standard vehicles at $49 + tax per day. Valet parking includes in/out privileges. For more infromation about Hotel Parking, please click HERE.

Cancellation Policy

NDIA understands the nature of defense community work. If you have to cancel, please email nationaldefender@gmail.com.

Photo/Video Release Disclaimer

Photographs and videos of attendees are taken at the National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA) events. By attending this event, you are giving NDIA permission to take your photograph and/or video and use it with or without your knowledge and consent on NDIA promotional materials, including but not limited to the NDIA Newsletter Eagle's Eye, Conference Materials, Social Media, Other Printed and Electronic Publications, and the NDIA Website.

Attendee Email Release Disclaimer

By registering for this NDIA Event, you understand that NDIA may share your email address with the Events Sponsors and Attendees and agree to it. NDIA does not sell attendee information.