It has become an annual tradition for me to research lactation conferences, check registration links and put it all together in a neat package for colleagues and advocates. I was definitely NOT prepared to see the increase in offerings. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised to see the many options for breastfeeding education in 2020. With so many fabulous choices how can one decide on which ones to attend? Let me offer 11 suggestions for narrowing down your selections. 
1. Location. Support your local coalitions and organizations. There is a lot of effort and thought that goes into planning and executing these large events and they should be well-attended. Locals make up the majority of the audience and organizers are counting on you. Staying local will present the opportunity to meet people in your own backyard and you may find networking and collaboration opportunities. Remember, if the conference is a success, it will most likely be a reoccurring event. 
2. Cost. It is no small investment to attend a conference. The options for 2020 range from around $100 to $500. A low-cost option does not mean a low-quality program. Some conference committees work hard to get sponsors to keep pricing low. Check for discounts. Many conferences offer member or student discounts and early bird pricing. If you are looking for a specialty training or attending a multi-day event, the pricing is sure to be higher. Just remember to budget for the events you would like to attend. If you want more suggestions on how to save money, check out last year's conference blog.
3. Contact Hours. Many professions require continuing education for re-certification. Conference organizers have to apply for these in advance. IBCLCs need 85 L-Cerps every 5 years. Nurses, Registered Dietitians, Physicians, etc. all need to meet minimum requirements. Don't just assume you will receive CEUs, BRNs, etc., double check before registering.
4. Presenters. We all have our favorites, but venture beyond the big names. There are plenty of rising stars who have a lot to share. I love to support fresh faces that come along with new ideas. Of course, I'm not ready for anyone to retire--there a still quite a few I need to learn from (looking forward to crossing a few off my bucket list in 2020). and let's be honest, there lactation legends that could never be replaced. 
5. Topics. This one gets me all the time. There is so much I want and need to learn. I often base my choice on what I am seeing in private practice or what my students want to know more about. I feel responsible to learn the new information and pass it on to others. I jump on opportunities to learn new research and absolutely love it when I get to hear from the researchers themselves. 
6. Diversity. I mean this in every sense of the word. This is often the work of the organizers. Hopefully, people are realizing the value and necessity (along with urgency) of having a variety of speakers that address even the most uncomfortable topics. You will notice several conferences including this aspect this year. Choose diversity. It may seem like some groups are overcompensating, but we are making up for lost time.
7. Host. Who are you supporting? I like to know where my investment is going. I tend to support my friends, non-profits and small businesses. This list will look different for everyone. Sometimes people will select a conferences where some proceeds go to a cause near and dear to their heart. Others like to attend conferences that offer scholarships. Some people may decide not to attend a conference that does not follow the WHO Code. You have your reasons and you get to vote with your funds. If you have a specific question, reach out to the event coordinator prior to registering.
8. Refund Policy. Many people attending breastfeeding conferences are involved in the birth world where the unexpected is expected. Know the refund policy. What is the latest to cancel without penalty? Do the organizers keep your deposit? Is there a way to receive a partial refund if an emergency arises? You can save yourself some disappointment if you know the policies ahead of time. 
9. Public Transportation. This may be a deal breaker. I have looked at low-cost conferences but after budgeting airfare, rental car and/or Uber the cost became elevated. I even attended a conference where there was a $25 parking fee for each of the three days! Take into consideration ease of travel and location in regards to transportation so you can budget accordingly. 
10. Exhibitors. Some conferences are market free and those may be the ones you wish to support, but I always like to see the newest gadgets and how they work. I always purchase from local vendors and support the small businesses that have invested in order to keep my cost low. I feel like I would rather purchase form them rather than pay more to register. It is a win-win for me. I also am very social, so hanging out in the exhibit area is a highlight to my day. It is so much easier to connect in a social environment than in the conference room. Some of my best ideas and most successful partnerships were birthed in the exhibit hall. 
11. Attendees. Yep, I want to know who I get to connect with. I love meeting like-minded people and finally connecting in person. Social media is great, but nothing compares to grabbing a cup of coffee in person. I put this last, but personally, I get giddy when I know I will be seeing friends. I just didn't want to out myself as a fan-girl. I get motivated, inspired, excited and encouraged by the attendees as much (if not more than) the presenters. Who will I see at the 2020 Conferences? I cannot wait to connect in real life. 

2020 US CONFERENCES (listed in order of scheduled dates)
Click the title to follow the links to the conferences
Early Bird rates are listed, member/ group discounts may apply

Healthy Children Project
     Jan 14-17, 2020                Deerfield Beach, FL                 $175 per day
California Breastfeeding Summit
     Jan 21-23, 2020                Sacramento, CA                      $425
Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad
     February 7, 2020              Kenmore, WA                          Add'l locations & dates on website
Southeastern Lactation Consultant Association (SELCA) Conference
     February 7-8, 2020           Atlanta, GA                              $230
New York Lactation Consultant Association
     February 9-10, 2020         Richmond Hill, NY                  $335
Alaska Birth Collective
     February 20-23, 2020      Anchorage, AK                        $595
MyoWild Perioperative Frenectomy Care
     February 29, 2020            Dallas, TX                                 $325-$525
iLactation  
     March 4-May 4, 2020       Online                                      $175
Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants
     March 5-6, 2020               Oshkosh, WI                            $125
New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force
     March 12-13, 2020           Albuquerque, NM                   $350
LC in Private Practice
     March 14-15, 2020           Philadelphia, PA                      $475
Emory University School of Medicine
     March 16-17, 2020           Atlanta, GA                              Coming soon
Nursing Mother's Council of BACE
     March 9, 2020                  Boxborough, MA                     $145
Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition
     March 25, 2020                 Dalton, GA                              $115
La Leche League of Connecticut
     March 26, 2020                 Portland, CT                            $185
La Leche League of Texas
     March 27-28, 2020          Houston, TX                             $250
Ohio Lactation Consultant Association
     March 27-28, 2020           Dublin, OH                              $325
Lactation Unlocked
     March 28, 2020                Rock Hill, SC                            $30
AHEC North Carolina
     March 31, 2020                Winston-Salem, NC                 $115
GOLD Lactation Online Conference
     March 30-June 1, 2020  Online                                      $225
Edwardsville Region Breastfeeding Task Force
     April 2, 2020                     Fairview Heights. IL                 $110
NY Statewide Breastfeeding Coalition Conference
     April 2, 2020                     Troy, MY                                  Coming soon
San Joaquin County Breastfeeding Coalition
     April 17, 2020                   CA                                           $129
La Leche League of Minnesota/Dakotas
     April 17, 2020                   St. Paul, MN                            Coming soon
National WIC Association
     May 17-20, 2020              New Orleans, LA                   $485
Human Milk Banking Assn of North American Symposium HMBANA
     April 20-21                                   Austin, TX                    $270-440
Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation
     April 24, 2020                  Cleveland, OH                         $250
Florida Lactation Consultant Association
     April 24-25                       Viera, FL                                   $140
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
     April 24-27, 2020             Seattle, WA                             Coming soon
Reflexes and Movement in Birth and Breastfeeding
     April 25, 2020                  Fayetteville, NC                       $400
Alaska Breastfeeding Coalition Conference
     April 27-28, 2020             Anchorage, AK                        $375
Triangle Breastfeeding Alliance Conference
     April 30, 2020                  Raleigh, NC                             $90
Baystate Log Cabin Breastfeeding Conference
     May 7-8, 2020                  Holyoke, MA                           Coming soon
Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association
     May 13-15, 2020              Detroit, MI                              Coming soon
North Carolina Lactation Consultant Association
     June 8, 2020                     North Carolina
United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)
     June 12-13 2020              Scottsdale, AZ                         Coming soon
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
     June 13-17, 2020             Phoenix, AZ                            Coming soon
International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
     July 8-11, 2020                Houston, TX                            Coming soon
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere
     August 26-28, 2020         New Orleans, LA                     Coming soon
Childbirth & Postpartum Professional Association
     September 11-13, 2020  San Antonio, TX                      Coming soon
iLactation  
     Sept 15-Nov 15, 2020     Online                                     $175
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Annual Conference 
     October 9-10, 2020         Flintstone, MD                        $100

INTERNATIONAL/ONLINE CONFERENCES
Early Bird rates are listed, member and group discounts may apply
Oral Habilitation of the Breastfeeding Dyad
     Ongoing/online                      traveling training                    $377
iLactation  
     March 4 & Sept 15, 2020   Online                                  $175
Australian Breastfeeding Association
     March, 2020                     5 Locations and online           $235
GOLD Lactation Online Conference
     March 30-June 1, 2020   Online                                     $225
Lactation Consultants Great Britain
     April 24-25, 2020             Milton Keynes, MK17 OPH     £300
ELACTA Conference
     May 14-16, 2020             Milan, Italy                              230€
ABM Australia
     May                                    Melbourne
UNICEF/Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Conference
     November 19-20               Harrogate, UK                         Coming soon

Planning for 2021? Mark these dates down now
BIENNIAL CONFERENCES (RETURNING IN 2021)
United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA)
     April 29-May 1, 2021         Norfolk, VA
College of Medicine Dept of OB/GYN
Canadian Lactation Consultant Association (CLCA)
     2021                                   Vancouver, Canada

I am sure that this list will be edited regularly. Please leave comments for any updates or additions to the 2020 calendar. Also, tell us why you choose to attend conferences. Do any of the 11 reasons above resonate with you? Which one(s) are you looking forward to attending in 2020?