WM2026 Conference

March 8-12, 2026, Phoenix, Arizona

WM2026 Theme: Efficient and Innovative Nuclear Materials and Technology Solutions

Elevate your expertise at WM2026, the 52nd annual Waste Management Symposia (WM). This dynamic forum unites global experts to drive safe, cost-effective solutions for handling radioactive materials and decommissioning nuclear facilities. Join a powerful global network of 2,500+ attendees, 900 organizations, 30 countries, and 200 exhibitors—to exchange insights, tackle key challenges, and explore groundbreaking solutions.

Explore cutting-edge research, development, and operational insights across 12 specialized tracks, featuring discussions on critical topics like Used Fuel, D&D, Procurement and Contracting, Safety, Legacy Site Cleanup worldwide, and NRC/DOE initiatives. Engage in exclusive panel and paper sessions spotlighting our theme, “Efficient and Innovative Nuclear Materials and Technology Solutions,” and this year’s Featured Country – Finland and Featured US DOE Site – Hanford, Washington.

Conference Quick Links

Present

As the global nuclear industry continues to evolve and expand, workforce development has emerged as a critical imperative to ensure sustainability and growth. Approaches being employed by government agencies, private industry, and others to assist in attracting and retaining the work force needed for the future will be explored at WM2026.

WM2026 Presenter Information

Exhibit

This conference is attended by decision makers, project managers and procurement specialists representing the government and private organizations undertaking the global tasks of radioactive waste management, decommissioning and site remediation. Exhibit at WM2026 to ensure you get in front of industry leaders.

WM2026 Exhibit Rates & Information

Attend

The annual Waste Management Conference, presented by WM, attracts thousands of registrants from around the world and is widely regarded as the premier international conference for the management of radioactive material and related topics. If you are an influencer in the industry, or want to be, then WM is where you need to be.

WM2026 Registration Rates & Information

0700 – 2000       Guest/Attendee Tour: Grand Canyon Tour* – Buses load at 0645 at Hyatt Regency

0800 – 1500       Exhibitor Move-In – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E                           

0800 – 1700       Registration Open – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls C – D Foyer                              

1000 – 1600       18th Annual Perma-Fix/Roy G. Post Foundation Charity Golf Tournament*

1300 – 1900       Satellite Registration Desks Open – Renaissance and Hyatt Regency Lobby                              

1700 – 1815       Individual Track Meeting – NEW LOCATION – Renaissance Phoenix

1815 – 1915       PAC Meeting – NEW LOCATION – Renaissance Phoenix     

1915 – 2200       PAC & Sponsor Reception & Dinner – NEW LOCATION – Renaissance Phoenix        

0700 – 1430       WM Board of Directors Meeting – Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Ellis Room

0800 – 1700       Presenter and Co-Chair Information – Level Two, North Building, 224A                    

0800 – 1400       Exhibitor Move-In, Hand Carry Only – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E                        

0800 – 2000       Registration Open – Level Three, North Building, Halls C – D Foyer                             

0800 – 1500       Satellite Registration Desks Open – Renaissance and Hyatt Regency Lobby                              

0800 – 1700       Technical Program Workshops* – Level Two – North Building

1500 – 1530       Roy G. Post Foundation Meeting – Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Ellis Room                      

1530 – 1645       IPAC Meeting – Level Two, North Building, 230   

1600 – 1700       Technical Student Assistant Training – Level Two, North Building 

1600 – 1700       Attendee Orientation                     

1700 – 2000       Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall Opening – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E – Sponsored by Longenecker & Associates 1700 – 2000       Roy G. Post Scholarship Winners Poster Display – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge

0600 – 1800       Registration Open – Level Three, North Building, Halls C – D Foyer                             

0700 – 0800       Presenter and Co-Chair Breakfast – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120D                     

0700 – 1700       Presenter and Co-Chair Information – Level Two, North Building, 224A    

0700 – 0800       Plenary Session Coffee Service – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120ABC Foyer – Sponsored by Spectra Tech                         

0800 – 0945       Opening Plenary Session – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120ABC 

0930 – 1830       Exhibit Hall Open – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E (Exhibit Hall Closed during Luncheon)          

0930 – 1130       Coffee Service – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle – Sponsored by Parsons

1000 – 1145       Morning Technical Sessions** – Level Two, North Building                             

1155 – 1255       Keynote Luncheon – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120 ABC                            

1300 – 1345       Dessert and Coffee Service – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle               

1300 – 1700       Student Networking Coffee – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge               

1330 – 1700       Student Poster Competition – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge

1345 – 1700       Afternoon Technical Sessions** – Level Two North Building                           

1445 – 1530       Refreshment Break and Networking – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle               

1700 – 1830       Featured Country Finland Networking Reception, – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E               

1830 – 2030       Next Generation Workforce and Roy G Post Foundation Scholarship Awards and Reception – Level One, North Building, 120A – Sponsored by HII

0600 – 1800       Registration Open – Level Three, North Building, Halls C – D Foyer                             

0700 – 0800       Presenter and Co-Chair Breakfast – NEW LOCATION, Level One, North Building, 120CD                    

0700 – 1700       Presenter and Co-Chair Information – Level Two, North Building, 224A                    

0745 – 0900      Coffee Service – Technical Area, Level Two North Building

0800 – 1140       Morning Technical Sessions** – Level Two North Building

0930 – 1130       Coffee Service – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle – Sponsored by Akima

0930 – 1830       Exhibit Hall Open – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E

1000 – 1140       080 US DOE EM Annual Business Opportunity Forum – NEW LOCATION – Scientific Stage in Exhibit Hall E

 1140 – 1250      Honors and Awards Luncheon – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120ABC Ballroom – (Luncheon ticket required) – Sponsored by BWX Technologies

1140 – 1250       Exhibit Hall Networking Luncheon – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E – Center Aisle – (Luncheon ticket required)                          

1300 – 1345       Dessert and Coffee Service – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle               

1300 – 1700       Student Networking Coffee – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge – Sponsored by RSI

1345 – 1700       Afternoon Technical Sessions** – Level Two North Building

1345 – 1830       Intern Poster Display – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge

1445 – 1530       Refreshment Break and Networking – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle         

1700 – 1830       Featured Site Reception – Ex Hall – Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E            

1830 – 2100       Women Leaders in Nuclear Program & Networking Reception – NEW LOCATION – Level One, 120A – Sponsored by Fluor

0600 – 1700       Registration Open – Level Three, North Building, Halls C – D Foyer                             

0700 – 0800       Presenter and Co-Chair Breakfast – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120CD                   

0700 – 1700       Presenter and Co-Chair Information – Level Two, North Building, 224A                    

0745 – 0900      Coffee Service – Technical Area, Level Two North Building – Sponsored by North Wind Group

0800 – 1140       Morning Technical Sessions** – Level Two, North Building

0930 – 1600       Exhibit Hall Open – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E                            

0930 – 1130       Coffee Service – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle        

1140 – 1245       Exhibit Hall Luncheon – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Center Aisle – Sponsored by VNS

1245 – 1625       Afternoon Technical Sessions** – Level Two, North Building                                          

1300 – 1600       Student Networking Coffee – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E, Student Poster Lounge

1500 – 1600       Wednesday Exhibit Hall Closing Reception – Exhibit Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E

1600 – 2200       Exhibitor Move-Out – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E

0700 – 1500       Registration Open – NEW LOCATION – Level Two, North Building Foyer                    

0700 – 0800       Presenter and Co-Chair Breakfast – Level One, North Building, 120CD                      

0700 – 0900       PAC Meeting:  – Part 1 – NEW LOCATION – Level One, 120CD                       

0700 – 1630       Presenter and Co-Chair Information – Level Two North Building, 224A                     

0745 – 1000       Morning Coffee Service – Level Two, North Building          

0800 – 1140       Morning Technical Sessions** – Level Two, North Building

0900 – 1140       US DOE Small Business Matchmaking – Level Two, North Building, 232BC

0800 – 1200       Exhibitor Move Out – Ex Hall, Level Three, North Building, Halls B – E (20X20 or larger only)                          

1140 – 1245       PAC Lunch Meeting: – Part 2 – Level Two, North Building, 227AB

1140 – 1245       Attendee Luncheon – NEW LOCATION – Level One, North Building, 120CD

1245 – 1625       Afternoon Technical Sessions** – Level Two, North Building                          

1415 – 1500       Refreshment Break and Networking – Level Two, North Building                 

1625 – 1730       Conference Closing Reception – Level Two, North Building Sponsored by Advoco

1745 – 1845       Optional Attendance – PAC Meeting – Part 3 – Level Two, North Building, 224B

0800 – 1600       Technical tour to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station and to the Strategic Alliance for FLEX (space is limited) *

0800 – 1600       Technical tour to WIPP Site, Carlsbad, NM*

WM2026 FEATURED COUNTRY

We are thrilled to feature Finland as the WM2026 Featured Country! Leading Finnish experts will highlight groundbreaking achievements and hard-earned lessons from decades of innovation. The ONKALO® Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) deep geological repository project nears operational licensing, while Finland pushes forward with national legislation reviews paving the way for streamlined deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Finland’s nuclear sector is thriving, with key milestones such as the Olkiluoto 3 EPR completion and the decommissioning of the Triga FiR1 research reactor, driving advancements in supply chains and waste management.

WM2026 Featured Country Flyer

FEATURED SITE

Our WM2026 Department of Energy (DOE) Featured Site is Hanford in Richland, WA. Various sessions will focus on the accomplishments and developments at the US DOE’s Hanford Site from tank waste to D&D to Clean Energy Projects. Various representatives will update you on the DOE Hanford Site including presenters from the DOE, its contractors, regulators, stakeholders, and Indian Nations.

IMPORTANT TECHNICAL PROGRAM DEADLINES

November 21, 2025 – Deadline for full-length draft papers & financial aid requests due. Extensions beyond this date will be subject to PAC Chair and Paper Reviewer approval
December 19, 2025 – Deadline for Paper Reviewer Comments to Authors – Authors are then given several weeks for any requested updates or revisions and to submit their final paper in January
December 31, 2025 – Deadline for early bird registration payment, non-paper poster abstracts & cancellations for exhibitors & attendees
January 16, 2026 – Deadline for final papers and copyrights
February 13, 2026 – PowerPoint Presentations & Posters due for all Presenters
March 8 – 12, 2026 – WM2026 Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center

WM2026 Technical Program
Presenter Information

WM2026 Workshops

Time:  Sunday 1000 – 1500 – break provided

Description:

This workshop is designed to provide an introduction in the areas of nuclear radiation science and engineering. Participants in the workshop are not expected to have an advanced degree in a particular science or engineering discipline but should be familiar with some of the basic principles related to the nucleus and the atom. The main goal is to provide participants with a broad scope of topics that are relevant within the nuclear waste management community.

The workshop is broken up into 4 modules, each lasting 50-60 minutes. The general topic headings are (1) nuclear fundamentals, (2) applications of nuclear science and technology, (3) waste streams in the nuclear and radiological sciences, and (4) advancing fields in nuclear and radiological science. Within these modules, we will spend time discussing a wide range of topics including nuclear material production (uranium for reactor fuel, radioisotopes for medical uses), nuclear waste streams (starting with mining/milling/enrichment and up to reprocessing), regulations that govern use of radiological and nuclear material (ranging from NORM to LLW/ILW/HLW).

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learners will be able to describe all basic types of radioactive particles and their sources
  2. Learners will be able to differentiate between natural and manmade radioactive material
  3. Learners will be able to understand risks related to the extraction, processing, and utilization of nuclear and radiological material
  4. Learners will be able to discuss potential pathways for disposal, reprocessing, and minimization of nuclear and radiological waste streams

Audience:

Target audience includes anyone who is interested in learning more about the fundamentals related to nuclear and radiological material

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites required relative to the learning topic prior to attendance.

Instructors:

Daniel LaBrier

Time:  Sunday 0900 – 1700 – breaks and lunch provided

Description:

Human activities involving the use of radiation and radioactive materials can be linked with radiation exposure of the public and the environment. The assessment of radiological impact to the environment and the public due to radioactive releases is a required task which can be facilitated by use of computer models to estimate radiation doses and risks from residual radioactive materials. The RESRAD family of codes, developed at Argonne National Laboratory, USA, is designed to analyze potential radiation exposures for humans and biota resulting from environmental contamination by residual radioactive materials. The focus in this workshop will be on RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-OFFSITE, which employ pathway analysis to systematically assess radiation exposure, associated risks, and establish cleanup criteria or authorized limits for radionuclide concentrations in the contaminated source medium.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe and discuss the basics and applications of RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-OFFSITE codes for the evaluation of radiation exposure to humans.
  2. Use and implement the codes to example scenarios to ensure the protection of people and the environment at radioactively contaminated sites, as well as ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  3. Examine and compare various scenarios to determine contributions of radionuclides and pathways and to determine sensitivity of the results to input parameters

Audience:

CHPs, regulators, licensees, and contractors involved with developing cleanup and D&D plans

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites required relative to the learning topic prior to attendance

Instructors:

Charley Yu, David LePoire

Time:  Sunday 0800 – 1700 – breaks and lunch provided

Description: The US EPA Superfund Radiation Dose Assessment course is an interactive, full-day advanced program that addresses specific technical and regulatory challenges faced by site managers (e.g., Regional Project Managers, On-scene Coordinators) and technical staff (e.g., risk assessors, health physicists) involved in managing sites within the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund remedial program. While the focus of Superfund assessments is usually risk, this special edition of this course will focus on the dose assessment calculators which are used by EPA for determining compliance with dose based Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs).

Learning Objectives:

  1. Learners will be able to identify methods for conducting site specific dose assessments.
  2. Learners will be able to compute a data assessment using the radiation dose calculator.
  3. Learners will be able to apply practical recommendations for improving radiation dose assessment.
  4. Learners will be able to perform a step-by-step dose assessment on a realistic hypothetical dose characterization problem.
  5. Learners will be able to analyze dose characterization results from the hypothetical dose characterization problem.

Audience:

This course is designed for site managers, risk assessors, and individuals seeking a practical understanding of Superfund radiation dose and risk assessments.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites required relative to the learning topic prior to attendance

Instructors: Stuart Walker, Fred Dolislager

Time:  Sunday 0800 – 1700 – breaks and lunch provided

Description: Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed guidance documents on aging management for spent fuel during extended dry storage and subsequent transportation for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). [1-5]. Argonne researchers also pioneered studies of spent fuel canister gas leakage detection [6-9], as well as other environmental aging degradation mechanisms of critical components such as hydride reorientation and embrittlement of high-burnup (HBU) fuel cladding alloys, elastomeric O-ring seals and concrete shields and overpacks. Moreover, Argonne researchers have developed methodology to address extension of intervals for periodic leakage rate testing of Type B radioactive and fissile materials transportation packaging [10-13]. 

In this workshop we will present and discuss key elements of aging management for spent fuel during extended storage and subsequent transportation, including major aging management activities on scoping evaluation of structures, systems and components (SSCs) that are important to safety (ITS), time-limited ageing analyses (TLAAs), ageing management programs (AMPs), including inspection, monitoring, mitigation, repair, and operating experience and lessons learned. We will also illustrate the methodology for extending internals of periodic leakage rate testing for Type B radioactive and fissile material transportation packagings. Emphases in the workshop are on the principles and practices of aging management, drawing examples from applications and industry practices, based on the latest guidance from the regulatory authorities in the U.S. and IAEA. 

The workshop will be led by subject matter experts who have developed and taught the DOE Packaging University Program training courses on (1) ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for nuclear transport and storage, and (2) QA for transport packaging and storage cask since 2015.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize the technical basis for aging management of spent nuclear fuel for extended storage and subsequent transportation
  2. Describe TLAAs and AMPs and their main attributes
  3. Describe scoping evaluation of SSCs that are ITS; and
  4. Identify technologies that can be used for inspection, monitoring, repair and mitigation.

Audience:

The target audience includes US and international professionals attending WM26, who are interested in aging management of spent fuel for existing and future advanced reactors. The methodology of extending periodic leakage rate testing intervals for transportation packaging is also of interest to the targeted audience.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites required relative to the learning topic prior to attendance

Instructors:

Dr. Yung Liu, Dr. Zenghu Han, Dr. Christopher Gastl, and Brian Gutherman

WM2026 STEM Sponsorship Opportunities – Coming Soon!

WM STEM Initiatives

Student Opportunities

The 2026 Roy G. Post Foundation scholarship application is now open!

Scholarship applications and supporting documentation are due November 7, 2025 (extended deadline!)

Visit https://roygpost.org/applyforscholarship for more information.

18th Annual Roy G. Post Foundation / Perma-Fix Charity Golf Tournament
In conjunction with WM2026
Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Roy G. Post Foundation

Saturday, March 7, 2026
10:00AM Shotgun Start
Verrado Golf Club
4242 N Golf Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Visit https://perma-fix-roy-g-post-charity-golf-tournament.perfectgolfevent.com/ for more information and to register!

The 18th Annual Perma-Fix/Roy G. Post Charity Golf Tournament on March 7, 2026, at the stunning Founders Course of the Verrado Golf Club in Buckeye, AZ, just a quick 35-minute drive from downtown Phoenix. This premier event supports the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Roy G. Post Foundation and helps to kick off the Waste Management Symposia, making it an ideal opportunity to network with industry leaders and fellow golf enthusiasts.

The Founders Course (Verrado Golf Club), designed by PGA Tour star and Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, is a lush 18-hole oasis that winds through the rugged White Tank foothills. Participants will experience spectacular dessert views and the thrill of a challenging and rewarding golf experience that will inspire their play.

Share your level of WM2026 attendance by sharing one of our graphics on your social media platforms! Tag WM Symposia and use #WMSym2026 so we can share your post!

Have questions? View our frequently asked questions page or email info@wmsym.org.

WM Symposia 2019