Editor’s Note: Article submitted by the Florida State Oriental Medicine Association.
The Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA) is gearing up for its most impactful annual conference yet. Known for bridging ancient wisdom with modern, evidence-based advancements, the FSOMA Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine Conference in Orlando, Fla., is the premier gathering for acupuncture and Eastern medicine professionals in the Southeast. Attendees can anticipate cutting-edge clinical education, regulatory updates, an expanded exhibit hall, and networking with fellow colleagues.
Practitioners and students of Eastern medicine nationwide are invited to Florida to participate in this significant event, scheduled Aug. 14–16, 2026. For attendees with families, the conference offers an opportunity to combine professional development with a summer vacation in Orlando, a city known for its world-class attractions such as Disney World, Legoland and SeaWorld.
As the largest event of its kind in the eastern U.S., the conference celebrates over two decades of excellence. Organizers are dispelling myths about the local climate to welcome national attendees, noting that Florida’s August temperatures are often comparable to late-summer peaks in New England and the Midwest, making it an accessible summer destination for the entire country.
The 2026 gathering arrives at a critical juncture for the industry. "We need to come together as a profession," say conference organizers, pointing to a rapidly shifting landscape of federal oversight. Specifically, new U.S. laws implemented through the Department of Labor will impact acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) students and schools nationwide starting in July 2026. These regulatory shifts create an urgent need for practitioners to move beyond their individual clinics and unite together to protect the future of the medicine.
The conference not only brings together practitioners of AOM but also offers a rich and diverse curriculum, offering "Monday-morning-ready" skills. Both Florida and NCCAOM-approved continuing-education courses in clinical acupuncture, herbal medicine and biomedicine will be offered.
For the full list of confirmed 2026 speakers and to register for classes, visit fsoma.org/fsomacon/speakers/.
Anticipation for the upcoming conference is already growing. See what past attendees shared about their conference experience:
"2025 was the best conference I've ever attended; I can't wait until next year." - Annie S., a returning attendee.
"Chad Bailey's Tui Na classes rock." – Lynn M., echoing a sentiment shared by many who credit the conference with providing practical skills that immediately benefit their patients.
The FSOMA Annual Conference has always focused on the ongoing advancement and sustainability of the profession. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, the 2026 FSOMA Orlando conference promises to provide the knowledge and inspiration needed to elevate your practice to the next level. We invite you to join us in what promises to be a meaningful and visionary conference. Early-bird registration is through June 1st.
