National Bison Association Winter Conference

National Bison Association Winter Conference

About the Conference

The Winter Conference is the largest bison get-together of the year for bison stewards. It is a meeting place bringing together farmers, ranchers, processors, marketers, conservationists, academia, and the public sector to learn from expert speakers, share challenges and successes, and forge and strengthen partnerships which help all of us restore, sustain, and grow the bison we love.

Registration

REGISTRATION IS OPEN – Register by January 2, 2026

CLICK HERE to register for the 2026 National Bison Association Winter Conference January 21 – 24, 2026!

Thirty years ago, the first National Bison Association Conference was held, celebrating the heritage, understanding the needs, and planning for a sustainable future. Since then, bison herds have swelled to over 400,000 across North America! Now, more than ever, cooperation between all bison stewards is essential to supporting continued herd health, growth, and establishment. The 2026 Winter Conference offers actionable insights from world-class experts, on-the-ground perspectives from bison stewards and valuable networking opportunities.

Lodging and Travel

The 2026 Winter Conference will be held at the Omni Interlocken, 500 Interlocken Blvd., Broomfield, CO. The hotel room block is available for $159/ night. Space is limited, CLICK HERE to book right away.

The Omni Interlocken Hotel is located about 1.9 miles (6 minutes) from Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) and 28 miles (30 minutes) from The Denver International Airport (DEN). It offers complimentary self-parking for guests, including generous parking for livestock trailers. There is not shuttle service offered currently by the hotel, but there will be free bussing to and from the Omni to National Western Stock Show Friday and Saturday of the conference for all conference attendees.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

The trade show at the Winter Conference is one of the many highlights for attendees, with artisans, livestock management tools, educational resources and more made available by our vendors. CLICK HERE to learn more about exhibiting at the Winter Conference. Exhibit spaces are limited in availability. CLICK HERE to purchase.

Support of the National Bison Association Winter Conference allows organizations to reach over 600 in-person attendees and 5,000+ bison stewards through event communications.  Other sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email info@nationalbison.org for more information for customized sponsorship packages.

Competitions & Activities

• Poster Session: Bison researchers are invited to present findings and ideas at the National Bison Association Winter Conference. This is an opportunity to introduce research to bison practitioners, stewards, and researchers from across the world, learn about other exciting research, and gain feedback from bison experts. CLICK HERE for more information on poster submissions.
• Photography Contest: This contest features photographers from across the world whose bison images inform, inspire and celebrate. While conference attendance is not required, it is certainly encouraged. Please CLICK HERE to submit your bison photo. Cash prizes for the top four photos in adult and youth categories!
• Junior Judging: The Larry Higgins Bison Junior Judging Contest will be held Friday, January 23, 2026 at 9AM at the National Western Stock Show bison yards. This event is hosted by the National Bison Association and Rocky Mountain Bison Association, and held in conjunction with the Gold Trophy Show and Sale in Denver, Colorado. Please CLICK HERE for more information. 
• Gold Trophy Show and Sale: The Gold Trophy Show and Sale will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10am MST at the National Western Stock Show. Animals will be available for preview at the National Western Stock Show Stockyards Event Center sale pens on Friday, January 23, in the afternoon and on Saturday, January 24, until 9:30 am.In-person bidders will register on site in the Sale Office at the Wagner Equipment Auction Arena located in the Stockyard Event Center. To register for online bidding, visit https://cci.live/. Want to enter animals? Click here to enter!

Contact Us

For more information or questions please contact: info@nationalbison.org or call 303-292-2833