AccessFest 2026
October 8-10, 2026
Join Investigative Reporters and Editors for our fifth-annual, virtual-by-design conference. The conference will provide professional development opportunities that focus on diversity, belonging, equity and inclusion issues within the newsroom and in news coverage. AccessFest will also feature some of the best sessions from past NICAR and IRE Conferences, including tried-and-true data skills and investigative techniques.
Remember: You must be a current IRE member through October 31, 2026, to attend the conference.
Expired members must renew their membership before registering for the conference. Not an IRE member? You can apply online.
Fellowships
Looking to get a fellowship? Apply here!
Please email us with any questions or comments: conference@ire.org.
Schedule at a glance
(all in Eastern Time Zone)
Thursday, October 8
- Programming begins: 10:00 a.m.
- Meal Break: 1:30 p.m.
- Programming continues: 2:30 p.m.
- Meal Break: 5:00 p.m.
- Evening Programming continues: 9:00 p.m.
Friday, October 9
- Programming begins: 10:00 a.m.
- Meal Break: 1:30 p.m.
- Programming continues: 2:30 p.m.
- Meal Break: 5:00 p.m.
- Evening Programming continues: 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10
- Programming begins: 11:00 a.m.
- Programming concludes: 2:30 p.m.
IRE Principles (Code of Conduct)
(Effective September 27, 2026)
IRE is committed to providing an environment where journalists and others can learn, collaborate and engage in meaningful discussion. This code addresses conduct, not viewpoints. IRE welcomes disagreement and the expression of diverse opinions, but discussions must occur without harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats or behavior that prevents others from participating (see link below for full code online for definitions).
IRE expects participants to:
● Treat others with professionalism, dignity and respect.
● Engage in disagreement without personal attacks.
● Respect personal boundaries and privacy.
● Follow reasonable directions from IRE staff, event organizers and venue personnel.
● Help maintain an environment where everyone can participate fully.
● Exercise professional judgment and public decorum while participating in IRE activities.
Conduct that may violate this code includes:
● Harassment, discrimination or intimidation.
● Threats, stalking or unwanted physical contact.
● Sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual conduct.
● Personal attacks, abusive behavior, slurs or discriminatory language targeting an individual or group.
● Recording, photographing, livestreaming individuals and/or posting of such content on social media where/when there is a reasonable expectation of privacy or after they have asked you not to do so.
● Repeated unwanted communication after someone has asked that it stop.
● Retaliation against anyone involved in a Code of Conduct matter.
● Conduct that substantially disrupts an IRE activity or prevents safe participation.
If you have a concern
If you experience or witness conduct that may violate this code, report it to an IRE staff member, board member or event organizer, or submit a report through IRE's secure online complaint form.
If you are facing an immediate threat, you should immediately contact emergency services or venue security. IRE reviews concerns expeditiously and thoroughly, makes reasonable efforts to protect privacy but cannot guarantee nondisclosure of information related to claims of a violation. IRE also prohibits retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
IRE will determine next steps based on its review of the incident and the complaint. This could include suspension or revocation of membership.
Read the full IRE Code of Conduct. Access our online complaint form.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be sent via email to logistics@ire.org. All cancellations must be in writing. There is a $30 processing fee for cancellations and a $15 processing fee for student cancellations until September 23, 2026. After that date, requests for refunds will be considered case by case. Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Recording Notice
All IRE events are subject to being photographed, video/audio-recorded, screen captured and/or live-streamed. Attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors may be captured via these formats. All conference sessions, materials and activities are subject to recording by IRE and may be reproduced in part or whole, and distributed or used in any way consistent with IRE’s mission.
Questions?
For questions about registration or general conference questions, please contact logistics@ire.org.