2026 NAGARA Annual Conference
Evening Receptions
Three evenings to connect, celebrate, and experience Philadelphia together.
Some of the best parts of a NAGARA conference happen in the spaces between sessions: over a drink, across a dessert table, during a conversation that turns a stranger into a colleague and a colleague into a friend.
This year’s conference includes three evening receptions: an offsite Opening Welcome Reception at one of Philadelphia’s most fitting history-centered venues, a relaxed mid-week happy hour at the host hotel, and a closing-night masquerade with live music, dessert, drinks, and one final chance to celebrate together.
Tuesday is meaningful and historic. Wednesday is easy and social. Thursday is celebratory, memorable, and just a little theatrical.
Guest Passes Are Still Available
Guest passes are available for $125 and provide access to all three evening receptions only. Guest passes do not include conference sessions, breakfasts, lunches, workshops, tours, or other conference functions.
There is no advance deadline to purchase a guest pass. Guest passes may also be purchased onsite by credit card only.
Drink Tickets
Registered conference attendees will receive one drink ticket for each evening reception, including the Wednesday Happy Hour Mixer. Additional beverage purchases are available at the cash bar.
Opening Welcome Reception
Tuesday, July 21 7:00 to 10:00 PM Offsite Reception
Start the Week in Revolutionary Philadelphia
We are opening the conference in a setting that feels made for this year: Philadelphia during America’s 250th anniversary year, surrounded by the stories, documents, and struggles that shaped public memory and civic life.
Location
Museum of the American Revolution
Philadelphia’s history-centered setting for the #NAGARA2026 Opening Welcome Reception.
Kick off the conference week with fellow attendees at the Museum of the American Revolution, where NAGARA will gather for an evening of conversation, connection, dessert, and drinks after dinner.
This reception offers a distinctive Philadelphia setting during America’s 250th anniversary year and gives attendees a relaxed opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new peers, explore the museum, and ease into the week before the main conference program begins.
Dessert & Coffee Stations
- Choux au Craquelin
- Salted caramel pastry
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Lemon meltaways cookies
- Miniature strawberry shortcake with whipped cream and rhubarb syrup
- Deluxe bars including brownies, blondies, lemon gems, cheesecake bars, and seasonal fruit bars
- Sliced fruit platter with strawberries, melons, grapes, and seasonal fruit (GF, V)
Beverage Service
One drink ticket is included for registered conference attendees. Additional beverage purchases are available at the cash bar.
- Bar package includes local and national spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks, juices, mixers, and garnishes.
- Featured local selections include Stateside Vodka, Blue Coat Gin, New Liberty Kinsey Rye Whiskey, Yards Pale Ale, and Dock Street Wedding Beer.
Getting There
- Motorcoach shuttle service will be provided between the Loews Philadelphia Hotel and the Museum.
- The first shuttles depart from the front of the Loews on Market Street at 6:45 PM.
- Shuttle service will run continuously throughout the evening.
- The final return shuttle departs the Museum at 10:00 PM.
Mid-Week Happy Hour Mixer
Wednesday, July 22 5:00 to 6:30 PM Make Dinner Plans
The Easiest Networking Moment of the Week
No agenda. No program. Just a built-in chance to pause, reconnect, meet someone new, and figure out where the evening takes you next.
Location
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
2nd Floor Prefunction
After a full day of sessions, this is your built-in chance to pause, reconnect, and make the most of being together in Philadelphia.
Grab a drink, meet someone new, catch up with colleagues you only see once a year, and use the mixer as an easy launching point for dinner plans around the city.
A Good Time To...
- Reconnect with colleagues after the first full day of programming
- Meet attendees from other jurisdictions, sectors, and career stages
- Compare session takeaways while they are still fresh
- Find a dinner group before heading out into Philadelphia
- Visit with sponsors, exhibitors, partners, and speakers in a relaxed setting
Beverage Service
One drink ticket is included for registered conference attendees. Additional beverage purchases are available at the cash bar.
Dinner Tip
The Happy Hour Mixer ends at 6:30 PM, making it a natural meetup point before dinner. Use it to gather a group, compare recommendations, and head out together.
Closing Networking Reception
Thursday, July 23 7:30 to 10:00 PM Masquerade
Rebels, Reformers, and Record Keepers
A Masquerade 250 Years in the Making.
Location
Millennium Hall
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
We are closing NAGARA 2026 with our biggest evening of the week: live music, dessert, drinks, and a masquerade theme inspired by Philadelphia, 1776, and the record keepers, rebels, and reformers who shaped this country and the work we do.
Come as a rebel, a reformer, a record keeper, or simply yourself. Masks and costumes are encouraged, but never required. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, this is the night to celebrate a sold-out conference, reconnect one more time, and send Philadelphia off properly.
Start Thinking About Your Mask & Costume
NAGARA will have a limited number of masks available onsite, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own if they want to lean into the theme.
Masks encouraged. Costumes encouraged. Fun encouraged. None of it required.
Theme Ideas
- Rebel: Channel a little 1776 defiance, revolutionary flair, or bold Philadelphia energy.
- Reformer: Nod to the changemakers who pushed government, access, accountability, and civic life forward.
- Record Keeper: Celebrate the profession that preserved the stories, evidence, and records behind it all.
- Come-as-you-are: A mask, a costume, a cocktail dress, a suit, conference casual, or whatever makes you comfortable.
What to Expect
- Live music
- Dessert display
- One drink ticket for registered conference attendees
- Cash bar service for additional beverage purchases
- One final evening to connect, celebrate, take photos, and close out #NAGARA2026 together
Dessert Display
- Chocolate espresso torte
- Salted caramel parfait
- Raspberry fruit tart
- Vanilla cream-filled puff
- Blueberry cheesecake
Beverage Service
One drink ticket is included for registered conference attendees. Additional beverage purchases are available at the cash bar.
Quick Reception Schedule
Tuesday, July 21
Opening Welcome Reception
7:00 to 10:00 PM | Museum of the American Revolution
Wednesday, July 22
Mid-Week Happy Hour Mixer
5:00 to 6:30 PM | Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Thursday, July 23
Closing Networking Reception
7:30 to 10:00 PM | Millennium Hall