OPEX/TECH26 Partnership Opportunities
April 14 - 16, 2026 | St. Petersburg, Florida
About the Event
TWO TOPICS. ONE CONFERENCE. ONE LOCATION.
NAEM's annual OPEX/TECH26 event will be held April 14-16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. This year’s program will include integrated programming with sessions on both Operational Excellence and Technology all at one three-day event.This conference will offer sessions on best practices to improve digital and technical strategies, as well as how to reduce risk, embed compliance in your business culture, and reach new levels of operational excellence. Attendees will also explore a wide range of software, technology, AI, and solutions to enhance their EHS management systems.
E&E Leader will be hosting their awards at the event again in 2026, and there will be other partners signed on to make it a great event!
If you're interested in having a speaker on a panel at the event, please review the different kinds of speaking opportunities below (Keynote, Workshop, or Terabyte come with a speaking slot or session) and apply with your speaker and session ideas. All abstract forms will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a submission deadline of Friday, January 16, 2026. All speaking opportunities require pre-approval by NAEM to purchase.
NAEM is also offering non-speaking opportunities like our Gigabyte and Megabyte exhibitor options. We also have additional branding options available. All non-speaking opportunities are first-come, first-served, require a signed terms and agreement, and a $500 deposit to secure your spot until January 1, 2026. After January 1, 2026, a 50% deposit or payment in full is required.
We hope to see you there!
Partnership Guidelines & Details
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
NAEM has put together a preliminary agenda outlining the sessions available to partner on below. Please note all breakout sessions come with the Terabyte partnerships and are first-come, first-served. We are requiring all session speakers and ideas be submitted to NAEM via an abstract form for pre-approval before purchase. NAEM will approve on a rolling basis with a deadline of Friday, January 16, 2026, for submissions. Please contact sales@naem.org for questions.Keynote Opportunities
There are four keynote opportunities available below. We are requiring your keynote ideas and speakers be submitted through the abstract form on the pages below for pre-approval by NAEM before purchase. Keynote speakers are what attracts attendees to the event, so we are requiring those keynote speaker names up front to be approved.
Opening Keynote Day 1 (1 available)
Cost: $10,500 | Affiliates Council Cost: $10,000Date: April 14, 2026 · Time: 1:45 - 2:45 PM
All dates/times are preliminary until the program is finalized.
Topic: Implementing an Effective Multi-Year EHS Strategy as the Foundation for EHS Operational Excellence
Speaker Requirements:
- Partner will provide the moderator and up to two speakers from their company, plus a minimum of one in-house EHS&S corporate professional (customer or prospect)
- Presentation will be 45 minutes with 15 minutes for NAEM opening
ADD ON: Opening Keynote day 2 (3 spots available)
*This partnership is an "add on" meaning you must also be a Terabyte, Gigabyte, Keynote, or Workshop Partner for your company to be eligible for one of these speaking roles. All speakers must be pre-approved by NAEM.Cost: $4,500 | Affiliates Council Cost: $4,000
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Time: 8:45 - 9:50 AM
All dates/times are preliminary until the program is finalized.
Topic: Unlocking AI-Driven Digital Transformation in EHS & Sustainability
Speaker Requirements: We are looking for three different companies to have one high-level thought leader (CEO, CFO, President, or Senior Leader) on this panel to share their take on the AI digital transformation happening in EHS and Sustainability. Your speaker will be one of three sponsored thought leaders on the panel, and the panelists could be competitors, as we are looking for the most impressive "thought leaders" in the industry.
Closing Keynote Day 1 (1 available)
Cost: $10,500 | Affiliates Council Cost: $10,000Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 · Time: 4:30 - 5:40 PM
All dates/times are preliminary until the program is finalized.
Topic: Tech to Operationalize Sustainability
Pick your own idea from the list below or suggest your own topic as it relates to "Tech to Operationalize Sustainability":
- How Technology is Powering the Shift from Sustainability Aspiration to Sustainability Action
- The Smart Sustainable Facility: How IoT, AI, and Automation are Transforming Energy, Water, and Waste Performance
- How Companies are Leveraging Technology to Manage Extreme Weather and Increase Climate Resilience
- Unlocking Real-Time Sustainability Through Continuous Monitoring and Automated Insights
- Or suggest your own topic focused on sustainability tech
This keynote session will come with an exhibitor tabletop and the highest visibility of benefits at the events.
Closing Keynote Day 3 (1 Available)
Cost: $10,500 | Affiliates Council Cost: $10,000Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 · Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
All times are preliminary until the program is finalized.
Topic: Leadership, Change Management, and Technology
Pick your own idea from the list below or suggest your own topic as it relates to "Leadership, Change Management, and Technology:"
- The Next Era of Responsible Business: Building Trust Through Transparent, Tech-Enabled Reporting
- The Power of Collaboration: How EHS & Sustainability Leaders Can Unite People, Systems, and Purpose
- Leadership Strategies that Put People at the Center of Digital Transormation
- Or suggest your own closing keynote topic
This keynote session will come with an exhibitor tabletop and the highest visibility of benefits at the events.
WORKSHOP Session Opportunities
There is an opportunity for four workshop sessions for companies looking to offer a deep dive into specific content. NAEM is offering topic ideas for the workshops listed below or you may propose your own. NAEM does not require a client for the workshops but is offering an incentive of $500 off the workshop partnership for anyone that includes a client in their session, as our audience is most attracted to sessions that include clients with case studies.
Workshop SESSIONS (4 available)
Cost: $8,000 | Affiliates Council Cost: $7,500Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 · Time: 3:00 - 4:15 PM or
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Time: 10:00 - 11:15 AM
All times are preliminary until the program is finalized. NAEM will assign your date/time based on how your topic best fits with the program. Two workshops will run at a time concurrently.
Overview: This is an opportunity to put together a workshop panel of 1-2 subject matter experts from your company. You may include a client if you’d like for $500 off your partnership fee, but it is not required. You'll be able to develop a 75-minute workshop that takes an in-depth look at how to address technology and data challenges. We are proposing themes and topics (see Partnership Details) but are open to other topic ideas (as long as they fall under the themes), if you’d like to submit your own.
Exhibitor/Breakout Session Opportunities
All Terabyte Partners (highest-level exhibitors) will get the opportunity to put on a breakout session. The breakout can be a session they develop with a client on a theme NAEM recommends or they may have a speaker on an EHS Operational panel. Terabyte Partners will also get a tabletop to exhibit with the best placement in the Engagement Hub. Gigabyte and Megabyte Partners will also have a tabletop in the Engagement Hub but not a speaker in a session.
All exhibitors will be invited to participate in NAEM’s Solution Center, which will be held in the Engagement Hub at your tabletop.
All exhibitors will be invited to participate in NAEM’s Solution Center, which will be held in the Engagement Hub at your tabletop.
Terabyte Partner / Opportunity to be in a Breakout Session
Cost: $9,000 | Affiliates Council Cost: $8,500The Terabyte Partner is our highest-level exhibitor partnership with the best tabletop placement in the Engagement Hub. It comes with the option to have a speaker in an Operational Excellence session or put together your own Tech session with a client (see partnership details). This partnership provides high-level visibility and branding recognition with NAEM’s conference attendees. Breakout session topics and options are on the "View Partnership Details" page.
Registrations included:
- 3 complimentary registrations
- Option to purchase one additional registration at the NAEM member rate for a speaker or 4th person
- Option to purchase an educational development registration for a non-sales executive or Next Gen Leader from your company to attend conference sessions
Gigabyte Partner
Cost: $5,500 | Affiliates Council Cost: $5,000The Gigabyte Partner is our second highest-level exhibitor partnership. This partnership provides ways to be seen at the conference with branding and the second-best placement with a tabletop.
Registrations included:
- 2 complimentary registrations
- Option to purchase an educational development registration for a non-sales executive or Next Gen Leader from your company to attend conference sessions
Megabyte Partner
Cost: $4,200 | Affiliates Council Cost: $3,700The Megabyte Partner is our third-tier tabletop partnership. This partnership comes with a tabletop to exhibit in the Engagement Hub, plus other benefits listed under partnership details.
Registrations included:
- 2 complimentary registrations
Additional Partnerships
Partnered Networking Outing (2 Available)
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM (Exact time will depend on event details)
Location: TBD
Cost: Cost will be determined with partner and NAEM once we figure out the activity
This is a great opportunity to work with NAEM to put together a local activity for conference attendees like a community service project or an afternoon at the Dali Museum, etc. Please email sales at naem dot org to coordinate.
Networking reception (2 available)
Date 1: Wednesday, April 15, 2026Time: 5:00 - 5:45 PM
Date 2: Tuesday, April 16, 2026
Time: 5:45 – 6:30 PM
*The exact times are subject to change as the full program is developed. Dates to partner are first-come, first-served.
Location: Engagement Hub in conference hotel
Cost: $4,500
This is a branding and networking opportunity to partner on one of the networking receptions at the event. You’ll get to pass out drink tickets at the door and will receive recognition as the partner of the event. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to offer a raffle in the conference app. This partnership also includes one complimentary registration to attend the conference.
Branding “Boost” Package (Only 5 available)
Cost: $1,600Are you looking for an extra little “boost” to brand yourself in front of NAEM’s audience of EHS&S professionals and decision-makers and collect additional leads? This branding package will "boost" your visibility at this year’s conference. Plus, you’ll be able to brand yourself through NAEM’s LinkedIn page, so even those that can’t attend the conference will still learn more about your brand.
This partnership includes:
- Raffle in the conference app to help your company collect leads. The only other partners that are eligible for a raffle in the conference app are our reception partners, so you will stand out among the crowd
- One slide included in NAEM’s marketing slides that loop in front of the whole conference in the main room. Must be pre-approved by NAEM
- Social media mention on NAEM’s LinkedIn page with a link to your company’s website and a blurb about your company
Add on Partnerships
Educational Development Registrations
NAEM member rate posted on the OPEX/TECH26 registration page.All 2026 Terabyte and Gigabyte Partners have the option to purchase an Educational Development registration for their non-sales and Next Gen colleagues to attend the conference for educational purposes.
These attendees are not permitted to stand at their company’s tabletops or engage in sales activities at the event but instead are encouraged to attend all conference sessions and networking events for career development purposes. If you’re an eligible partner and interested in purchasing this registration, please email danielle at naem dot org for a link to purchase.
Additional Branding Opportunities
Hotel Room Key Cards (1 available)
Cost: $9,000This is an opportunity to brand your company with your logo on all hotel room key cards for each attendee staying at the conference venue hotel. NAEM’s logo will be included on it as well. This sponsorship also includes one complimentary registration to attend the conference.
Opening Networking Reception (2 available)
Date: April 1, 2026Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.*
Location: Exhibit Hall in Conference Hotel
Cost: $6,500
NAEM will be hosting an opening reception for all OPEX26 & TECH26 conference attendees on April 1 in the exhibit hall. The two sponsors of this event will have opportunity for visibility with their names listed as sponsors on all NAEM marketing of the event, the opportunity to run a raffle in NAEM's onsite conference app as a way to generate leads, and the opportunity to welcome and greet all attendees with two drink tickets as they join the party. This sponsorship also includes one complimentary registration to attend the conference.
*The exact time is subject to change as the full program is developed. However, the date will not change.
Closing Networking Reception (2 available)
Date: April 2, 2026Time: 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.*
Location: Exhibit Hall in Conference Hotel
Cost: $6,500
This is a great branding and networking opportunity to sponsor the closing networking reception in the exhibit hall. The two sponsors of this event will have opportunity for visibility with their names listed as sponsors on all NAEM marketing of the event, the opportunity to run a raffle in NAEM's onsite conference app as a way to generate leads, and the opportunity to welcome and greet all attendees with one drink ticket as they join the party. This sponsorship also includes one complimentary registration to attend the conference.
*The exact time of the reception is subject to change as the full program is developed.