WEDNESDAY

Board Certification Exam
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The INCE Professional Exam will be offered on the Wednesday preceding NOISE-CON 2026, The exam is open to pre-approved candidates seeking to become INCE Board Certified. INCE Board Certification requirements and application instruction are available at https://www.inceusa.org/board-certification/about. There will be a 1-hour break for lunch (lunch included for examinees)

Applications for the July 8^th exam are due by March 3, 2026.

Conference Social: Long Beach Luau*
Location: Rainbow Lagoon Park
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (evening before conference sessions start!)
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Fee: $68 per person, $25 for children 12 and under
Aloha awaits! You’re invited to a private tropical escape just a short walk from the conference venue. Experience the soul of the islands with a breathtaking Polynesian showcase featuring traditional hula, powerful Tahitian drumming, and the legendary fire-knife dance. Savor an authentic island feast of Kalua pulled pork, coconut shrimp, and teriyaki chicken and vegetables grilled to perfection. Complete your journey with signature cocktails and a vibrant display of delicious fruits. This is an optional event for registrants and accompanying persons – not included in registration fee.

Conference Social Luau Sponsored by:
  

Entertainment Sponsored by:

THURSDAY

Accompanying Persons Breakfast*
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
&Waffles is a popular Long Beach brunch spot serving creative sweet and savory waffle dishes, including their signature fried chicken & waffles. Come to breakfast to connect with other attendees and guests of NOISE-CON 2026!

Accompanying Persons Aquarium Visit*
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: ~ 10:30 AM to when you are ready to bail
After breakfast (see above), the group will walk approximately 13 minutes from &Waffles to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Attendees may explore the Aquarium at their own pace. Lunch is not provided.

Student Lunch and Career Mentoring
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 11:50 AM to 1:20 PM
All students and early career professionals are invited to attend. Learn how to get the most out of the conference and how to get more involved in INCE-USA. Meet with professional noise control engineers to discuss career choices, learn more about the companies or organizations they work for (or own), and understand what they are looking for in new employees.
Sponsored by:

Welcome Reception*
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join us at our Exhibitor Welcome Reception to network with attendees and exhibitors! Beverages and appetizers provided (included in conference registration). 
Sponsored by:

FRIDAY

Board Certification Breakfast
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM
The purpose of the informational breakfast will be to provide information on the requirements and process to become INCE Board Certified. We welcome all individuals interested in learning more about the Board Certification Program as well as current INCE Board Certified Individuals and members of the INCE-USA Certification Board.

Accompanying Persons Whale Watching*
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 11:15 AM to ~3:00 PM

Join us for an unforgettable 2½-hour whale watching cruise departing from Long Beach with Harbor Breeze Cruises. You’ll head out on a comfortable, custom-built boat with expert narration from Aquarium of the Pacific professionals and have the chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural Pacific Ocean habitat. We will meet in the conference hotel lobby at 11:15, then walk to the dock (~15 minutes).

Women in Noise Control Engineering Lunch
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 11:40 PM to 1:10 PM
While the demographics in engineering are slowly changing for the better, the number of women in noise control engineering is much lower than we desire. This is a chance to get together with women working in noise control engineering or related fields, enjoy lunch and chat about challenges and opportunities.
Sponsored by:
  

Fellows Dinner (Invitation only)
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
We are proud to honor those who have made distinguished contributions to the Institute and the field of noise control engineering. We look forward to celebrating with you! (Fellows: Please check your email for event details)

SATURDAY

Walt Disney Concert Hall Technical Tour
Location: Meet in the conference hotel lobby at 7 am, we will walk to the Metro light-rail station as a group to travel to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Tour at the Concert Hall will begin at 8:30 am. 
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM t0 11:00 AM
Transportation: LA Metro light-rail station is approximately a 10 minute walk from the conference hotel and the ride is about 1-hour one-way
Fee: $25 (Metro fare included)
The tour group will have private access to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where tour group leaders will discuss work that was undertaken to maintain the acoustical atmosphere of the Hall with the addition of a new subway line running underground adjacent to the building. The tour group will travel to the site using the LA Metro line that runs on unique vibration mitigation trackwork designed to minimize groundborne noise transmission into the hall.

Tour space is limited. Tickets for accompanying persons may be available upon request if capacity allows (email: events@inceusa.org).

Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks - USC Marching Band Special Appearance
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: ~ 12:30 PM (part of conference closing ceremony, which starts at 11:30 AM)
Close out the conference with a high-energy send-off from the one-and-only USC Trojan Marching Band, ranked among the best in the world!
INCE Awards Ceremony Sponsored by:

NOISE-CON 2027 Planning Meeting - Technical Activities Committees

The Accompanying Persons Program is designed and intended for significant others (and their children) and/or relatives or friends who would like to join you at NOISE-CON 2026 but aren't interested in the educational or technical sessions! The program is different from previous years, as there is no Accompanying Persons Registration. All activities are offered à la carte—you may select and purchase any individual add-ons you or your guest wish to attend. The à la carte items include the Conference Social (Luau Wednesday), breakfast (Thursday), Long Beach Aquarium (Thursday), Welcome Reception (Thursday), and Whale Watching Tour (Friday).