Last year's inaugural lightning round sessions were a highlight of the conference. These concise presentations spark interesting discussions and promote peer-to-peer networking.

Each of the sessions is focused on a general subject area and includes 7-minute talks by 10 speakers. Following each presentation, the session chair will moderate a brief audience Q&A.

Planned topics for 2026 include:

-Artificial Intelligence
-Business Cycles and Investment
-Elementary and Secondary Education
-Externalities
-Floods, Fire, and Extreme Heat
-Higher Education
-Housing
-Inflation and Expectations
-Innovation and Technology
-Labor Supply
-Money, Interest Rates, and Policy Effects
-Political Economy and Corruption
-Promoting Health Care Efficiencies
-Studies in Development Economics
-Topics in Banking and Credit
-Topics in International Trade

For more information about other upcoming program features, check the 2026 ASSA conference site and follow us on AEA social media channels. 

Join us at this leading economics conference featuring 500 sessions from 66 associations. Register now!

2026 ASSA Annual Meeting
January 3–5, (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
Philadelphia, PA

Still undecided about attending? Take a look back at last year’s conference in San Francisco:
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