2026 Annual Conference | Conferencia Anual

Artwork by Shelley Walters, Director of Faith Development, St. John’s United Methodist Church, Austin

2026 Rio Texas Annual Conference

June 17–20, 2026
Hilliard Center*, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX

Join the Rio Texas Conference for a time of worship, connection, and holy conferencing during the 2026 Annual Conference.

*Name changed from American Bank Center to Hilliard Center.

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Important Dates

Sunday, May 17 – 4 pm – Pre-conference Webinar (Virtual)
Wednesday, June 17 – 7 pm – Opening Worship & Episcopal Address (Hilliard Center)
Thursday, June 18 – 5 pm – Service of Remembrance (FUMC Corpus)
Friday, June 19th – 6:30 pm – Service of Commissioning & Ordination (FUMC Corpus)

Special Events

Mission Breakfast
Friday, June 19
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
(Doors open at 6:40 a.m.)
Water Garden A, Hilliard Center

Join us for a time of breakfast, storytelling, and conversation as we reflect on what it means to move forward with hope and build the Beloved Community together.

This event is free to attend, thanks to the generous support of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

United Women in Faith Luncheon
Thursday, June 18
First United Methodist Church
900 S. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX

Join us for a time of fellowship and connection at the United Women in Faith Luncheon.

Rebecca McIlwain, Project Manager for Texas Faith Votes of Texas Impact, will be the keynote speaker. Lunch will include roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Please note this event has moved from Friday to Thursday this year to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Time and cost will be announced soon, along with a registration link.

Q & A Sessions

Have questions about reports, actions, or proposals from the committees listed below? Join one of our Q & A sessions. These sessions are open to anyone and are designed to help participants better understand the proposals, ask questions, and receive clarification on the work being presented.
Thursday, June 18 – 1 pm - 1:30 pm – Standing Rules (Hilliard Center, Room Pending)
Friday, June 19 – 1 pm - 1:30 pm – Finance Committee (Hilliard Center, Room Pending)

A robing room will be available at FUMC Corpus Christi.

Hotel & Travel Information

Planning your trip to Annual Conference 2026 in Corpus Christi?
Information about hotel reservations, parking, transportation, and tax exemption forms is available on our Hotel & Travel page.

The Rio Texas Conference room block at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel opens March 13 and will be available through May 29, 2026, or until the block is full. We encourage participants to book early, as rooms may fill before the reservation deadline.

Hilliard Center Map

To help you navigate the Annual Conference, view the Hilliard Center layout and key locations, including meeting spaces, worship areas, and main entrances.

Blueprint for Wellness Screening – 2026 Update

On-site Blueprint for Wellness screenings will not be offered during Annual Conference. Eligible HealthFlex participants may complete the screening January 1–August 31 at Quest Diagnostics locations.

Read the full update below.

Ministry Booth Information

Booth space for the 2026 Annual Conference is now full. Thank you for the strong interest from our Conference and ministry partners. We look forward to offering opportunities again next year.

Ministry Meeting Room & Catering

Ministry groups and affiliated organizations wishing to reserve meeting space during Annual Conference must submit a meeting room request form. If your gathering includes food, catering must be arranged directly with the Hilliard Center’s exclusive provider.

Room request deadline: April 17, 2026.