Your FNCE 2026: How To Pack, Plan Your Days, and Enjoy San Antonio

My first FNCE was so much fun. It was also exhausting in a way I hadn’t planned for. That time, I brought my 1 year-old-daughter with me, which obviously gave me a lot to do while I was there. However, every time I’ve gone since, I’ve still needed more downtime than I expected.

I give myself a lot more grace now to skip a session, chill in my room, or explore the city by myself. I get more out of the sessions I do attend when I’m in the right headspace.

As I get ready for this year’s Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), I’m thinking about the whole day before filling every available hour. That includes what I’ll carry, when I’ll eat, and how much conversation I’ll want after several hours of learning. Your conference plans can make room for the things you want to do in San Antonio, too.

This year’s conference is October 24–27, 2026, in San Antonio, one of my favorite places in the world. I’m especially looking forward to seeing fellow Behavioral Health Nutrition (BHN) members and spending time in a city I love. I’m bringing together my conference advice and San Antonio recommendations here to help you plan your own visit.

Want the packing list handy? Get my free one-page FNCE packing checklist when you join the Mood Matters Dietetics email list. You can print it or check off items in a compatible PDF viewer.

Get the free FNCE packing checklist

Get oriented for FNCE 2026 in San Antonio

The conference is based at the Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market Street. Some events take place at the headquarters hotels, so check the location on each event listing before heading out. The official attendee FAQ has venue and accessibility information.

Save your hotel address and registration confirmation somewhere easy to find on your phone. Look at the route between your hotel and your first event, and leave time to get your bearings when you arrive. A restaurant or outing will be easier to fit into the day if you check its location against where you’ll actually be.

Plan your FNCE schedule with room to change your mind

I go through the program ahead of time and save anything that catches my eye. I’ve used Google Calendar before, but I prefer the FNCE app because it keeps my personal calendar cleaner.

When the time comes, I decide whether I’m up for a session at all, then look at which option feels most appealing or manageable. If I’m ambivalent and someone I’m with is excited about a particular session, I’ll sometimes go with them.

You can save several possibilities without committing yourself to every time slot. Before you start choosing, think about something you want to bring back to your work. Maybe there’s a question that keeps coming up in practice, or an area where you’d like more confidence. That gives you a reason to choose one session when several sound interesting.

Leave space between activities for getting to the next room, finding food, and talking with someone you run into. If you have an evening event planned, consider what your afternoon needs to look like for you to enjoy it.

The Academy says the 2026 app will include the program, maps, and handouts. Check the official FNCE FAQ for current app information.

Sessions I’m watching through a behavioral health lens

My work focuses on nutrition and mental health, so I want to come home with information I can connect to that work. A session’s relevance may extend beyond its title. As you look at the program, consider which questions it could help you answer and how closely the topic fits the people you work with.

Luckily, the Behavioral & Mental Health Track has returned this year!

Sunday, October 25th

8 am – Don’t Call Me Fat: Reframing Pediatric Obesity Counseling – Presented by Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, an excellent follow on LinkedIn.

8 am – Staying Ethical in a Polarized World – Advocacy, Science, and Communication – probably the session I’m most looking forward to on the Media & Communications Track.

9:30 am – From Fight-or-Flight to Rest-and-Digest: Integrating Trauma-Informed Tools in GI Nutrition Care – Every clinician should be practicing from a trauma-informed lens, so if you’re not familiar with the concept, this one should be a must-see.

1 pm – Metabolism in Menopause: Integrating Nutrition, Hormones & Strength – Presented by my friend Janna, along with a PT and MD!

3 pm – Psychotherapeutic Medications and Nutritional Status: Integrating Mental Health and Nutrition Care – I get asked about psych meds and nutrition, A LOT. One of these days, I’ll pretty up the spreadsheet I created to reference and make it available to everyone.

Monday, October 26th

1 pm – Learning Lounge: Understanding Food Noise and Evidence-based Approaches to Addressing it in Clinical Practice – Nice and short, but timely given recent client interactions.

3:30 pm – Clearing the Fog: Understanding, Measuring, and Managing Brain Fog Through Nutrition – I just had a follower bring up brain fog on a post this week! Although commonly brought up in relation to perimenopause, there are so many reasons for this, including inadequate intake.

Tuesday, October 27th

8 am – Repairing and Protecting the Brain: Micronutrient Interventions for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion – Presented by Army dietitians.

8 am – Beyond Turmeric: A Cultural & Ayurvedic Approach to Gut Microbiome Diversity – Loving the whole-body approach

When you’re torn between sessions, write down what you hope to learn from each. That can help you choose and gives you a useful question to listen for when you get there.

What to wear to FNCE in San Antonio

For daytime sessions and the expo, my recommendation is sneakers, jeans, and a presentable top, with a light sweater or cardigan handy. That’s based on what I’ve seen and felt comfortable wearing. Choose shoes you’ve already spent time walking in.

Evening events can be dressier. In my experience, BHN events tend toward business or cocktail attire, while some offsite events call for more of a going-out outfit. Check the guidance for each event you’ve registered for before adding outfits to your suitcase.

Think about your plans outside the conference, too. Clothes for a relaxed evening or a walk around the city deserve space alongside your event clothes.

Check the San Antonio forecast close to departure and adjust your outer layer then. A packing decision made weeks in advance doesn’t need to be your final one.

Packing tips before you zip your suitcase

Start with the days you’ll be away, including travel days, and check your evening plans before deciding how many outfits you need. Choose pieces you can wear in more than one combination. A cardigan that works with several tops can save you from packing a separate layer for every outfit.

Set out your shoes with those outfits. Consider which pairs you’ll actually want to wear for the walking involved, including getting to dinner or an evening event.

Keep the everyday essentials on your list even if they feel obvious: sleepwear, socks and underwear, toiletries, medications, and glasses or contacts if you use them. Add the charging cable and plug for each device you’re bringing. The checklist has space for personal additions because your essentials may differ from mine.

Pack optional items around how you’ll use them. Earplugs or headphones may be useful for breaks. A small notebook may be plenty for your notes. Check the forecast near departure before deciding whether to add a compact umbrella or a different outer layer. Plenty of business cards may be essential if a top goal is to build up your network.

Consider swimwear, it’ll likely still be in the 80s in Central Texas; and your hotel may have an indoor pool.

Before you close the suitcase, leave some space for any samples or souvenirs you may choose to bring home. If it’s already difficult to zip, decide what you can leave behind before you get to San Antonio.

Hint: roll your clothes instead of folding them. You’ll get back a ton of space this way! And fewer wrinkles.

The downloadable packing checklist puts these reminders on one page so you can check things off as you pack.

What to pack in your conference bag

At that first FNCE, I carried a notebook, pens, and a Chromebook. (And a stroller, diaper bag, and baby). Last time, I was down to myself, my phone, and a light sweater. I’ve become much more selective about what I want to haul around all day.

Think about how you actually take notes. If you’ll use a laptop or tablet throughout the day, bringing it may make sense. If you tend to capture a few thoughts on your phone, you may be happy leaving the extra device behind. A small notebook and pen are another option. Remember, you’ll have access to the FNCE app, which usually includes the slides of all the presentations you attend when you get back home.

For your daily bag, consider:

• Your phone and a charging option.
• A light sweater or cardigan.
• A reusable water bottle and snacks you enjoy.
• Personal items you need during the day, such as glasses or medications.
• Your preferred note-taking supplies, if you’ll use them.

I usually pick up at least one canvas bag on the expo floor, so I don’t generally bring a separate one. Bring a lightweight bag if you need one earlier. The expo doesn’t open until Sunday, so don’t count on picking one up there for Saturday’s activities.

Visit the expo in smaller stretches

The expo is huge. Give yourself time to talk with exhibitors and come back another day.

Look over the map and exhibitor list before you go. Mark the booths you especially want to visit, then work through one area at a time. You might have a question about a product or want to see whether a resource would be useful in your setting. Write that question down so you remember it when you get there.

You can also ask for digital information if you’d rather read it later. If someone wants to scan your badge, ask what follow-up to expect before you agree.

Samples and other giveaways accumulate quickly. Before accepting something, consider whether you’ll use it and how you’ll get it home. You can enjoy a conversation with an exhibitor without taking everything on the table.

For 2026, the expo runs Sunday, October 25, through Tuesday, October 27. Research posters are in the Expo Hall, too. If you want to speak with a presenter, look for their scheduled presentation time in the official conference information.

Have a meal plan beyond expo samples

Some attendees feel they can piece together a meal from the food samples. That hasn’t been my experience, so I’d still plan for lunch.

I usually visit a grocery store and get breakfast food to keep in my room. I also keep shelf-stable snacks, like little packs of nuts or trail mix, that I can put in my purse. Free food options will likely be provided by AND, but these typically involve quite a wait in line.

Before you buy groceries, check what your room has for food storage and preparation. A hotel breakfast may also work for you, but check its hours against the start of your day.

Give yourself time for an actual meal during the day. A small gap between sessions can disappear quickly once you account for walking and ordering. San Antonio has been fantastic for nearby restaurants in my experience, and I want time to enjoy those, too.

Meet people without filling every evening

If you’re coming alone, an event connected to your interests can give you a place to start. Dietetic practice groups (DPGs) and member interest groups (MIGs) bring together people with shared professional interests or experiences.

I’m the membership chair for BHN, and one thing I appreciate about DPG events is that executive committee members often circulate and look for people who might welcome an introduction or a chat. Some of the more outgoing among us will walk right up and introduce ourselves.

You can also open a conversation by asking which session someone’s looking forward to or what kind of work they do. You already have the conference in common.

Check registration requirements beforehand. The Academy says DPG/MIG events require registration; the networking social at the DPG/MIG Showcase is free and open to FNCE attendees. Find details in the FNCE FAQ.

Where you’ll find me at FNCE

I’m planning to be running around all over the place!

My definitely will attend events include:

• Opening Session – I love Jessica Knurick’s videos; I actually nominated her for a BHN award last year. Looking forward to hearing her thoughts.
• Closing session – Aly Raisman is a cool pick for a keynote speaker.
• Metabolism in Menopause: Integrating Nutrition, Hormones & Strength – Super excited to be moderating this session with my friend Janna!
• BHN/SHPN Event – Sunday, October 25th – 5:30-9 pm – BHN decided to join forces this year to bring a bigger and better event for our members. Anyone can attend, but members of BHN and SHPN can attend for free! You must add on this event to your FNCE registration. Follow this link to add the event if you didn’t during your FNCE registration.
• DPG/MIG Showcase – Monday, October 26th – 5-7 pm – San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter (HQ Hotel) – If y’all haven’t attended this showcase before, try to fit this in! There’s usually free food involved, and tons of awesome conversations. No registration required!
• EXPO – No set schedule, just when I feel like it!

If our plans overlap, I’d love to say hello.

Getting to know the city’s history and culture

San Antonio is one of my favorite places, and a little historical context can add a lot to the time you spend here. A mission visit, a neighborhood walk, or a stop at a museum can introduce you to people whose stories you might otherwise miss. These are a few places to start during your FNCE trip.

Indigenous communities and Spanish colonization

People lived in this region for thousands of years before the Spanish missions. The name Coahuiltecan is often used for many culturally distinct Indigenous groups from South Texas and northeastern Mexico. But don’t think everyone shared one language or way of life.

Beginning in 1718, the mission communities along the San Antonio River became part of Spain’s colonial expansion. Mission life changed Indigenous people’s religious practices and daily lives, and over generations, elements of their languages and religions were lost. The National Park Service’s history of the missions explains both those changes and the connections local families maintain today.

If you visit one of the missions, make time for the accounts of the people who lived there and their descendants. American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions shares mission history from a descendant perspective, including the effects of colonization. Indigenous people and mission-descendant families remain part of San Antonio’s community today.

Mexican, Mexican American, and Tejano history

You’ll encounter the word Tejano around San Antonio. It generally refers to a Texan of Mexican descent, with a history and identity rooted in Texas. The Texas State Historical Association explains the term’s historical use.

For a specific person’s story, visit Casa Navarro State Historic Site, the preserved home of José Antonio Navarro, a political leader and advocate for Tejano rights. His home gives you another way to consider Texas history alongside a visit to the Alamo.

For contemporary Mexican American culture, look toward the Westside’s murals and arts organizations. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center offers programming in music, dance, theater, and other arts, along with a Latino bookstore. Check its calendar when planning your visit. These are places where local artists and families continue to create and share culture. Visit San Antonio’s Westside guide can help you choose a starting point.

Black heritage and community stories

Black history in San Antonio includes generations of educators, business owners, military service members, artists, and community leaders. The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum preserves and shares those local stories. Its museum is in La Villita, so you can include it when you visit that area.

The Carver Community Cultural Center is another place to look, especially if you’d enjoy a performance or gallery visit. Its programming includes a particular focus on African and African American arts. Visit San Antonio’s Black heritage guide connects these organizations with other places to learn about the city’s Black communities. Check the individual calendars for what overlaps with your stay.

German immigration and the King William neighborhood

German immigrants also helped shape San Antonio. In the nineteenth century, German merchants settled in what became the King William neighborhood. Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, built the home now known as the Guenther House. A walk through King William or a visit to the house offers a way to connect that immigration history with the buildings and businesses it left behind. Visit San Antonio’s German heritage overview has more background.

Japanese heritage at the Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden offers another family’s connection to the city. Japanese immigrants Kimi Eizo and Miyoshi Jingu and their family lived there, and the family operated the Bamboo Room beginning in 1926. Decades later, descendant Ann Enkoji helped develop the garden’s history app so visitors could learn about the family and the place where they lived. The San Antonio Parks Foundation shares that history and information for visiting today.

Little Alsace of Texas

A little while west, you can explore my hometown, Castroville. You’ll find some decent hiking (though not on par with Hill Country), an authentic Alsatian farmhouse (originally built in Wahlbach, France), a historic Inn on the Medina River, and an Alsatian bakery. You may even be able to catch a performance by the Alsatian Dancers of Texas.

These stops offer an introduction to some of San Antonio’s communities. Choose one that interests you and give yourself time to read the exhibits or hear the stories behind it. Check current hours and travel time before fitting a visit around your conference schedule.

Military City

San Antonio’s identity as “Military City USA” reflects a connection that reaches back to the Spanish presidio established in 1718. Today, military training and medical care bring service members and their families to the city, and welcoming those families is part of local life.

For those of us visiting for a healthcare conference, Fort Sam Houston’s role in military medicine is a particularly relevant connection. If you’d like to learn more, the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum explores that history. Visit San Antonio’s military heritage guide has details; check the museum’s current hours and base-entry requirements before planning a visit.

My River Walk restaurant picks

I obviously haven’t been to every restaurant on the Riverwalk, but you can see my favorites below.

Waxy O’Connors – Irish Pub conventiently directly across the river from my favorite Riverwalk hotel.

Mad Dogs British Pub – They have a vegetarian Banger’s and Mash that has no reason to be so good.

Hard Rock Cafe – A chain, but with great music.

Schilo’s – Great, authentic German food from the oldest restaurant in San Antonio.

Fife & Farro – some of the best woodfired pizza I’ve ever had.

Rita’s on the River – Ok, in all honesty, the food is meh. Eat first, then come for an amazing margarita. My favorite is the Prickly Pear Margarita. Bonus, they’re open later than some of the other restaurants on the river level.

Texas River Bar – BBQ, in La Villita, right next to the river theater.

Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar – Modern Mexican comfort food.

Check the restaurant’s location against your hotel or event venue before making plans with colleagues. Allow time to enjoy the meal without having to leave halfway through for your next session.

Know that in general, you can’t go wrong with local food in San Antonio, which is largely considered to be the Culinary Capital of Texas. Three restaurants have achieved a Michelin Star, and many more have received Michelin recognition or other awards.

If you want to venture out for some authentic Mexican food, find a residential area, close your eyes, and point your finger. You’ll find a fantastic option.

La Villita and time to explore on your own

If nothing else, take some time to just wander the Riverwalk. If you get lost, just turn around! La Villita is my favorite area of the Riverwalk, you’ll see signs guiding you there. You’ll find a vibrant arts district with a plethora of artisan shops.

Choose an outing that fits the time and energy you have that day. Leaving an afternoon partly open gives you more flexibility than trying to fit every place into a fixed itinerary.

The Alamo and the other missions

The Alamo is likely the one historical attraction almost anyone in the US can name (“Remember the Alamo!”). The Alamo is within walking distance of just about all of the Riverwalk. In fact, you may find yourself stumbling across it by accident. People are often struck by how small it seems when they first see it. Remember, the structure that is still standing is only a small piece of the original mission.

Other missions in or near San Antonio include Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Their churches remain active Catholic parishes, so a visit may overlap with worship or other services. Check the National Park Service’s visiting guidance when planning your trip.

Decide what you’ll bring home from FNCE

Leave room in your suitcase for the samples and San Antonio purchases you choose to keep. Be selective as you collect things so packing for the trip home doesn’t become another project.

Give your notes some attention, too. After a session, capture the question it helped answer and anything you want to investigate further. Keep the source or session details with those notes so you can find the information again before applying it in your work.

If you meet someone you’d like to stay in touch with, jot down what you discussed and what you’d like to follow up on. Set aside a little time after the conference to send that message and review what you learned.

Your final check before leaving for San Antonio

Check the forecast close to departure, then make any final changes to your packing. Save your travel and event confirmations and review the locations of anything you’ve registered for. Check the breakfast and food-storage options at your hotel so you can plan your first morning.