AJA 2027 jail conference and expo, May 22-26 in Spokane.
Dates
22–26 May 2027
City / country
Spokane, United States
Venue
Spokane Convention Center
Time
5:15 AM – 7:00 PM
Event overview
AJA 2027, the American Jail Association's 46th Annual Conference & Jail Expo, runs May 22-26, 2027 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington.
It is the only annual national conference built exclusively for jail professionals, combining hands-on training and peer workshops with a Jail Expo floor of corrections products and services.
Attendees include sheriffs, jail administrators, command staff, officers, trainers, healthcare providers and procurement officials from agencies across the United States.
TL;DR
AJA 2027 is the one week each year when jail operators compare notes with peers from other counties and states, not just vendors. The programme covers leadership, staffing, healthcare, legal risk and technology, and the Jail Expo puts the suppliers behind those systems in one hall. Spokane's compact downtown puts the convention center, conference hotels and riverfront within walking distance, which keeps the week efficient for small agency teams.
Exhibiting at AJA 2027 puts products in front of the people who specify, budget for and run county jails: sheriffs, administrators, procurement staff and command officers. The audience is national and specialised, so a 10x10 booth reaches buyers who are actively replacing aging systems rather than general public-safety traffic. Booths start at $2,100 and are assigned first come, first served, so early applications get the better floor positions.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Spokane Convention Center, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201, United States
Entrances & gates
Main entrance
334 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Food options
Downtown Spokane dining
On-site diningParking: Downtown Spokane has metered street parking and several public garages within a short walk of the convention center; the venue does not publish an event-specific parking rate.
Gate: Use the main Spokane Falls Boulevard entrance; badge pickup is inside the convention center lobby.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Member early bird
Through January 18, 2027
Nonmember early bird
Through January 18, 2027
One-day registration
Member early-bird rate
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a photo ID and your registration confirmation to the AJA registration desk in the convention center lobby.
Ticket notes
Advance, regular and onsite rates are higher; a banquet ticket is a separate $20-$30 add-on. Group bookings of four or more receive $25 off per registration through AJA.
Registration deadline
2027-05-06
Build-up & tear-down
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 2,200
Exhibitors: 275
Edition #: 45
This edition
2027
Visitors: 2,500
Exhibitors: 300
Next edition
2028
The 47th AJA Conference & Jail Expo moves to Providence, Rhode Island, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, May 20-24, 2028.
New city and venue in Providence 2028 booth sales open at the AJA Pavilion on May 25, 2027
Edition recap
The 45th AJA Conference & Jail Expo took place May 16-20, 2026 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AJA reported a successful week of workshops, networking and a busy Expo Hall, with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office as host agency.
New this edition
New exhibitor showcase
The 2027 prospectus offers up to 15% off for new exhibitors in a limited new-exhibitor showcase.
SourceImpact
AJA 2027 matters because county jails buy in small, decentralised budgets. A national week lets suppliers compress months of agency visits into three expo days, while agencies compare vendors side by side before their next budget submission.
Audience quality
The audience is narrow and senior: sheriffs, jail administrators, command staff, healthcare managers and procurement officials. That means fewer casual visitors than a general security expo, but a high share of people who can specify, recommend or sign for a purchase.
Exhibitor outcomes
A 10x10 booth at $2,100 is a low entry cost for reaching county decision-makers. ROI depends on booking meetings before the show and following up within a week; the expo has only about eight open floor hours, so lead capture discipline matters more than booth size.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
County jails are the front door of the US justice system, and nearly every one is dealing with staffing gaps, rising healthcare costs and aging technology. AJA 2027 concentrates those buyers in one hall, so a supplier can meet decision-makers from dozens of agencies in three days instead of travelling county to county.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Staffing and retention pressure
Jails continue to compete for officers with better-paying public-safety employers, pushing agencies toward scheduling automation, wellness programmes and retention-focused leadership training.
What it changes: Vendors that reduce administrative load or support officer wellbeing have a clear budget case.
Inmate healthcare and telehealth
County facilities are expanding telehealth, medication management and mental-health screening to cover constitutional care obligations with limited clinical staff.
What it changes: Healthcare and remote-consultation providers are among the fastest-growing exhibitor categories.
Contraband detection and digital evidence
Agencies are investing in body scanners, cell-signal detection, video analytics and evidence-management platforms as contraband enters through mail, visits and staff.
What it changes: Security technology buying is shifting from cameras alone to integrated detection and evidence workflows.
The AJA conference moves to a different US city each May, giving exhibitors a repeatable national route into the county-jail market.
AJA 2026 Conference & Jail Expo (45th)
Milwaukee, United States
Baird Center; third-party estimates of 2,200 attendees and 275 exhibitors.
websiteAJA 2028 Conference & Jail Expo (47th)
Providence, United States
Rhode Island Convention Center.
websiteAJA 2029 Conference & Jail Expo
Wichita, United States
Venue to be confirmed by AJA.
website2027 Spokane
May 22-26, 2027.
Dates and venues for 2028 and 2029 come from the AJA Future Conferences page.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport; taxi or rideshare to downtown.
7 miles
to venue
15 minutes
by car
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
Smaller regional alternative; rent a car for the drive.
75 miles
to venue
90 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–160 / night
Book early; budget stock is limited during a convention week.
USD 180–240 / night
Close to the convention center and the AJA conference rate band.
sourceUSD 260–380 / night
Walkable luxury options for senior teams and hosted buyers.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Spokane Transit Authority bus
Day passes available; the downtown Plaza is a short walk from the center.
Rideshare / taxi
15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Most non-US attendees and exhibitors without ESTA eligibility | $185.00 | Varies by consulate; apply well before travel |
Visa Waiver Program nationals may travel under ESTA for business visits; check current eligibility before booking.
The US accepts ATA carnets for temporary admission of display goods; confirm the exhibit freight handler requirements.
Official visa pageWeather
Late May in Spokane is mild and often sunny, with highs around 70°F and cool evenings near 48°F.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Downtown hotels and the convention center offer Wi-Fi; buy a US eSIM for mobile data.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
Restaurant servers expect 18-20% tips; taxis and rideshare drivers appreciate 10-15%.
Walkable downtown
Spokane’s core is compact and safe by day; the Riverfront Park trail is a short walk from the convention center.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: GEG (Spokane International Airport)
Book 6-10 weeks ahead for late-May travel; Seattle connections are frequent.
Most international visitors need a US B-1 business visa or ESTA authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program.
Estimated cost: $185 visa fee; ESTA is about $21
Processing: Apply at least 8-12 weeks ahead
Bring the AJA registration confirmation and hotel booking to the visa interview.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: GEG is about 7 miles from downtown; a taxi or rideshare takes 15-20 minutes.
Hotel → venue: Most conference hotels are within a 5-15 minute walk of the Spokane Convention Center.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate in Spokane; airport pickups use the designated rideshare zone.
Public transit: Spokane Transit Authority buses serve downtown; the Plaza is a short walk from the center.
Parking: Public garages and metered street parking are available downtown; confirm event rates locally.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 48-72°F
Seasonality: Late May is generally mild with occasional showers; daylight lasts well into the evening.
Packing: Bring layers, a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes for the walk between hotels and the venue.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: 2027-05-24
Monday May 24 has the longest expo block, 10 am to 2 pm, and most attendees are on site after the Sunday opening reception.
Register at the AJA member or nonmember rate and book a downtown hotel — Early-bird pricing ends January 18, 2027; hotel deadline is April 30, 2027.
Book flights into GEG and confirm airport transfer — Allow 15-20 minutes from the airport to downtown.
Download the conference app and shortlist sessions and exhibitors — Build a floor plan around the expo hours: May 24 10-2 and May 25 9:30-12:30.
Confirm badge, photo ID and agency travel approval — Bring a government-issued ID to registration.
Check the weather and pack layers for cool Spokane evenings — Late May highs near 70°F, lows near 48°F.
Registration and badge pickup
Spokane Convention Center lobbyMorning workshop or keynote
Convention center session roomsLunch and supplier meetings
Downtown SpokaneJail Expo floor walk and demos
Exhibit hallRiverfront Park and Spokane Falls
Walk
5-10 minutes from the convention center
Easy pre-dinner walk to the falls, SkyRide and the Looff Carrousel.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Day Trip
35-45 minutes by car
Lakefront town with restaurants and a scenic drive if you extend the trip.
Jail Expo Grand Opening Reception
official
Sunday May 23, 5:15-7 pm in the exhibit hall.
Downtown Spokane brewpub district
informal
Walkable options near W Main Ave for small-group dinners.
AJA attendees are agency buyers with long budget cycles; speed matters, but so does understanding county procurement.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 190–260 / m²
Raw space
USD 120–180 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Published 2027 booth rates. Shell-scheme and raw-space per-square-metre bands are derived planning estimates.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · 10x10 inline
USD 2100 / booth
registration
visitor · member early bird
USD 395 / person
hotel
both · conference rate
USD 189–219 / night
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | 10x10 inline | USD 2100 / booth | actual | 2026-10-31 |
| registration | visitor | member early bird | USD 395 / person | actual | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | conference rate | USD 189–219 / night | actual | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether AJA 2027 is worth a visit, a booth, or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have an active project and can travel May 22-26.
Best for
Jail administrators, command staff, trainers and procurement officials evaluating vendors or training a team.
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
Register by January 18, 2027 for the early-bird rate.
Risks
Limited expo hours
Travel cost from outside the Pacific Northwest
exhibit
You sell into county jails and can pre-book meetings.
Best for
Corrections suppliers with a product to demo and a team to staff a booth.
Min. budget
$6,000.00
Timeline
Apply early in 2027; booth space is first come, first served.
Risks
Freight and booth build costs
Only about eight open floor hours
skip
Neither visiting nor exhibiting has a clear budget owner.
Best for
Teams with no budget, no active project and no ability to travel in May 2027.
Timeline
Revisit for the 2028 Providence edition.
Risks
Missing relationship-building with agency buyers
Book with
Spokane Convention Center
The 2027 host venue, operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District, at 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Venue address and contact details from the Spokane PFD.
Spokane International Airport (GEG)
The closest airport, about 7 miles and 15 minutes from downtown Spokane.
Airport is the natural arrival point; no official AJA airline partner was published.
Greater Spokane Inc.
The regional chamber of commerce for Spokane, useful for local business and relocation information.
Regional chamber; not named as an AJA partner.
American Jail Association
The national association that owns and runs the Conference & Jail Expo.
Organiser website and registration contact.
Recommended providers
Apply for a B-1 visa or ESTA well before travel.
Booking links are sent after registration; deadline April 30, 2027.
Compare flights into GEG; book 6-10 weeks ahead.
Official 2027 freight handler is named in the exhibitor services kit.
Exhibitor liability and travel cover; confirm the venue requirement.
Riverfront Park and Coeur d'Alene are the easiest add-ons.
Badge scanning or a simple CRM import can replace a dedicated scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
6 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
7
References
3
Publishers
7
Date checked
American Jail Association
Spokane Public Facilities District
ShowFloorTips
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
