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Know Before You Go: RCon® 2026

 

Read more for everything you need to know to make the most of your experience. 

Note: Due to high demand, the three RCon hotel room blocks are sold out. If you still need to book your stay, find a list of nearby hotels on the RCon hotel page.

Tour & Training Seats Available

There’s still time to update your registration with one of the SWANA Training Courses held Monday, Sept. 28, or the experiential learning tours offered Sept. 29-Oct. 1. See step-by-step instructions to update your registration and complete payment for add-on experiences.

The last day to add on a tour is Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. ET. If you are on a tour waitlist and have not received an email that they have been added to the tour by Friday, visit the registration counter to check if there are any no-shows.

 

How to Download the App

The RCon app is your go-to source for navigating, personalizing, and connecting throughout your experience. No paper program will be distributed as SWANA commits to responsible resource management.

Download the RCon app before you arrive to carry the agenda with session and speaker details, as well as important information and real-time updates in the palm of your hand.

  • Search “SWANA RCon” and download it from your app store.
  • Allow notifications so you don't miss important updates.
  • Log in with your SWANA profile email and password used to register; reset your password in the app if needed.
  • Select “RCon 2026” from Upcoming Events.
  • Complete your profile by adding your photo, title, organization, and brief bio.
  • Opt-in to networking to get the most out of your RCon experience.
Customize the "My Agenda" Section:

Search and filter the agenda by keywords, and add sessions to “My Agenda” to create your personalized schedule.

  • In the app, navigate to "My Agenda" and click “Explore sessions.”
  • Tap to add your preferred sessions so that they populate in your customized “My Agenda” section.
  • To also add the session to your personal calendar, tap the calendar icon in the top right corner of the session once it is added in “My Agenda,” then tap the download icon in the top right, and then tap “Download Agenda."

Explore the dynamic exhibit hall floor plan and directory, compete in the gamification contest to see how many points you rack up, connect with attendees, access FAQs, and more in the RCon app, sponsored by Paradigm Software®.

 

Registration

For fast and easy self-service check-in, look for your registration check-in QR code in an email sent Friday, September 18, from rcon@expobadge.com. Download the QR code to your mobile device or print out the email. Reference that same email to verify the information included on your badge. If something does not look correct, you can easily update it in your registration. Follow these instructions to access your registration to make this change.

When you arrive at the registration desk, located in the Washington Lobby (Level 1) of the America’s Center, scan your QR code at the counter to pick up your badge during registration hours:

  • Monday, September 28: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CDT
  • Tuesday, September 29: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Wednesday, September 30: 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDT
  • Thursday, October 1: 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CDT
  • Friday, October 2: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. CDT

RCon registrant badges will include two drink tickets sponsored by Redtail Renewables for the Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, September 29, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Pro tip: Don’t wait until the busiest time on Tuesday to pick up your badge; beat the crowd by checking in on Monday or early Tuesday!

Learn more about accessibility and accommodations or reach out to rcon@swana.org.

Registration is sponsored by Paradigm Software.

 

Explore the Exhibit Hall 

The sold-out Exhibit Hall is located on Level 1 near RCon registration. View the interactive floor plan and exhibitor directory here or in the app to plan your time on the show floor, which features: 

  • 200+ Exhibitors with industry solutions.
  • Rapid Insight Sessions in the New Way® Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday with 30-minute presentations led by EPA, Ideagen Envirosuite, New Way Trucks, Paradigm Software®, Sage Financial, and Watershed Geo.
  • Roundtable Sessions on Thursday with 45-minute discussions led/sponsored by HDR, Mobius Renewables, Raftelis, and Viridi. 
  • Pickleball Tournament open to all levels; sign up is required either as a pair or a solo player to be paired up – sponsored by WM. Not ready to commit to a tournament? Stop by the courts to chat with the Pickleball Pop-ups team or learn a few skills.
  • Live Demo of battery fire suppression with Fire Rover on Wednesday.
  • Live Demo of mobile compaction equipment with Packmat Equipment on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Disc Golf Experience to practice and learn how a closed landfill can transform into the perfect disc golf course – sponsored by SCS Engineers.
  • United Way Community Giveback Project on Wednesday anytime from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. to assemble a Smile kit in just a few minutes – sponsored by CDM Smith.
  • SWANA Central to talk about all things SWANA, pose for our magazine cover photo, recharge your devices, and grab some swag.
  • SWANA Young Professionals Lounge at booth #134 with corn hole and giant Jenga.
Exhibit Hall Hours: 
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.​ 
  • Wednesday, Sept.30: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.​ 
  • Thursday, Oct. 1: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
 

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) 

SWANA offers Professional Development Hours (PDHs) toward SWANA Certifications and other continuing education goals. All PDHs will be processed without sign-in sheets onsite. SWANA staff will update your SWANA record updated with your new PDH total within four weeks of the event.

  • 15 PDHs – Full RCon registration
  • 4.5 PDHs – One-day RCon registration
  • Up to 1.5 PDHs – Experiential Learning Tours
  • Up to 10 PDHs – SWANA Training Courses
 

Tours & Training Participants

If you registered for a SWANA Training or experiential learning tour, look for an email from SWANA containing details. Closed-toe shoes are required for the Recycle City and Champ Landfill Tours.

Transportation is provided to all offsite RCon events, departing from the Washington Avenue Entrance of the America's Center (across the street from the Marriott St. Louis Grand).

 

RCon Food & Drink 

The following meals will be provided: 

  • Tuesday, September 29: Opening Reception includes hors d’oeuvres and up to two drink tickets. The reception is followed by  SWANA Volunteer Appreciation Bash which will include a dinner buffet and drinks at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, sponsored by GFL Environmental. 
  • Wednesday, September 30: Morning coffee & light snacks and lunch in the Exhibit Hall.  The evening SWANA Awards Celebration includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, sponsored by Redtail Renewables, New Way Trucks, and Raftelis. 
  • Thursday, October 1: Morning coffee & light snacks, and lunch in the Exhibit Hall.  Dinner and drinks will be served at the all-conference networking event, Reclaimed & Reimagined: A Night in the City Museum, sponsored by Republic Services, RHI Magnesita, and Watershed Geo®. 
  • Friday, October 2: Morning coffee & light snacks.
 

Safety & Health

Safety is a core value of SWANA and a theme of RCon. Please review the following guidelines: 

  • In an emergency, use any wall mounted black phone, dial 5016 to reach the 24-hour Public Safety Command Center with offices located at 7th and Washington Ave.
  • Locate your nearest emergency exits; during an emergency evacuation, stay calm and use marked emergency exits. 
  • Stay hydrated - refill reusable water bottles at refill stations throughout the America’s Center and hotels
  • Maintain situational awareness: See something, say something!
  • Only trust emails from @swana.org; SWANA does not sell attendee lists or authorize third-party outreach. Report suspicious messages as spam.
  • In the interest of ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, vendors, and venue employees, we kindly request that if you feel sick, you stay home or in your hotel.
  • Add Yoga on Wednesday at 6:45AM and/or the Fun Run on Thursday at 7AM to your agenda for no additional cost.  
 

Packing for RCon  

Weather: Late September usually brings the start of fall-like temperatures in St. Louis. Anticipate afternoon highs around 75°F (24°C) and crisp overnight lows near 53°F (12°C).  

Dress: Business casual dress is appropriate for the majority of RCon functions (dresses, dress pants and blouses or buttoned shirts, khakis and polos). We suggest bringing a light sweater or jacket during the day as the session rooms are air-conditioned. For those attending the Awards Celebration, we welcome you to dress up  with cocktail attire or rock your favorite reused or upcycled outfit to show your commitment to sustainability – whatever you’re comfortable wearing. 

Bring Your Water Bottle: Join SWANA’s commitment to sustainability by bringing a reusable water bottle – Fill it Forward and other water refill stations will be available at the RCon hotels and the America’s Center. Grab a custom RCon water bottle or a sticker with a Fill it Forward QR code and scan with each refill to track your sustainability impact and giveback a little bit to charity. SWANA will have a limited numbers of water bottles available, sponsored by Denso.

Don’t forget to bring business cards and leave room in your suitcase for giveaways!  

 

Transportation

The St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is one of the most historic airports in the US. America’s Center is just a 20-minute drive from the airport, or a 40-minute ride on the MetroLink Light Rail, which operates 5 a.m. – 1 a.m. daily.  

MetroLink Light Rail tickets are required, costing around $3 and can be purchased at Ticket Vending Machines located at all stations, or on the Transit app. To board the MetroLink Light Rail from the airport from terminal 1, go to the station outside Exit 1 and to board from terminal 2, go to the station outside Exit 12 through the parking. 

 

America’s Center Maps 

Reference the floor maps below to locate registration, session rooms, the exhibit hall, and shuttle departures from the main Washington Lobby entrance. 

 

Join the RCon Conversation

Download the RCon marketing toolkit to show off your RCon spirit! Be sure to tag SWANA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X with #SWANARCon when you post on social media or in the app Activity Feed.

 

Responsible Resource Management  

SWANA is intentional about sustainability. SWANA will provide reusable water bottles (first-come, first-serve), sponsored by Denso.  Meals will include china and glassware, avoiding single-use materials. 

The RCon Sustainability Sponsor is Republic Services. Learn more on the sustainability page. 

 

Exploring St. Louis  

Explore St. Louis is excited to host you in The Lou! Check out the microsite for RCon attendees, with information on getting around, restaurant recommendations, hidden gems, and free destinations. 

RCon and the room block hotels are on Washington Avenue with restaurants and nightlife options, such as: 

The Green Dining Alliance certifies St. Louis restaurants in sustainability, making it easy to dine at an establishment aligned with your responsible resource management mindset. View the list of certified restaurants. 

Visit the Explore St. Louis Concierge Desk located near RCon registration in the main entrance from Washington Avenue to help with questions about the America’s Center and St. Louis activities. 

SWANA staff and the board of directors can’t wait to welcome you and more than a thousand professionals to the America’s Center in St. Louis!