NASW-Iowa 2026 Symposium


Save the Date!

 Thursday, Sept. 17 and Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
DMACC FFA Building 1055 SW Prairie Trail PKWY Ankeny, IA 50023

 Call for Proposals!

 The symposium aims to foster compassion, embrace diversity, and advance ethical standards, innovation and advocacy within the field of social work.  We encourage submissions across the spectrum of topics that relate to social work practice, social work-related research, practitioner skill development, and self-care!   Note that submission does not guarantee acceptance of a proposal.
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts are due by 9am, Monday, April 20, 2026 

Questions should be sent to Kessie Silas, MSW at education.naswia@socialworkers.org

Presenter Benefits

Accepted symposium presenters will present at the Symposium and receive free registration and CEUs for Thursday September 17, 2026 only. Lunch is not included with the free registration for presenters; you can purchase lunch only for that day.   NASW Iowa Chapter is excited to provide this platform for researchers and practitioners to share their insights and contribute to meaningful discussion. Your participation will enrich the symposium experience and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the field.

Please feel free to forward this call for proposals to colleagues and peers who may be interested in participating. Thank you for considering our invitation! We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to our symposium featuring keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Singer.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

 We are thrilled to announce that Jonathan Singer, PhD, LCSW will be the 2026 NASW Iowa Symposium Keynote Speaker on Friday, September 18, 2026.  
Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, an internationally recognized expert in youth suicide and social work technology. He is Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology, author of over 100 publications, co-lead of the Social Work Grand Challenge “Harness Technology for Social Good,” and founder and host of the award-winning Social Work Podcast, for which he was named an NASW Social Work Pioneer in 2023. In 2024 he was named a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research, and in 2025 he was named Distinguished Alumni at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.

Symposium Hotel 

Holiday Inn Express Suites & Conference Center
2502 SE Hulsizer Rd.
Ankeny, IA 50021

Reservations must be made by Sun. 8-16-26 for NASW-IA Symposium pricing
Questions?  
P: 515-965-2400
F: 515-965-0600

More details forthcoming! 





Registration Pending