Breann Weishaar, BS
Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT)
United States
FACT Education is heading into 2026 with momentum—and a milestone. After an incredible 2025 that saw more than 800 professionals trained through in-person and virtual programs, FACT now celebrates 30 years of service to the cellular therapy community. As we reflect on where we’ve been, we remain focused on what comes next: empowering the next generation of quality and safety leaders across the field.
As part of this transition year, FACT would also like to share an important update regarding accredited continuing education credits. In 2025, FACT partnered with the Endeavor Health as part of a joint providership, to offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for eligible education events. This collaboration allowed FACT to provide over 60 CME credits to eligible U.S. physicians, helping streamline professional and licensure requirements. Due to Endeavor’s own reaccreditation requirements, this initiative will be paused for 2026. FACT remains committed to resuming CME offerings as soon as possible and expanding the types of credits available in the future.
FACT’s in-person education journey began, as it does every year, at the Tandem Meetings—this time in Salt Lake City, Utah. On Monday, February 2, FACT hosted a Quality Boot Camp, followed on Tuesday, February 3, by an Accreditation Workshop and Clinical Inspector Training. Later that week, FACT recognized its volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on Thursday, February 5. Attendees also stopped by the FACT Booth in the Exhibit Hall to connect with the FACT team and pick up some special 30th-anniversary swag.
From there, FACT heads to Madrid, Spain for the 2026 WMDA & EBMT Annual Meetings. On March 21–22, FACT will offer a Cord Blood Banking Inspector Training and a Cord Blood Banking Accreditation Workshop. Members of the FACT Cord Blood Standards Committee will also be onsite as they begin planning the 9th Edition NetCord-FACT Standards, making this an especially exciting moment for the cord blood community.
The spring continues back in the United States at the 2026 ASFA & WAA Joint Meeting in Denver, Colorado, where FACT will host an Apheresis Collection Inspector Training Course on April 21 and participate in the exhibit hall. Those interested in becoming inspectors are encouraged to explore eligibility requirements at https://factglobal.org/inspectors/ or reach out with questions at inspectors@factglobal.org.
April remains busy as FACT once again partners with the 2026 CTTC Annual Meeting to bring education opportunities to our Canadian colleagues. This year, FACT will host an Accreditation Workshop and also plans to participate in the exhibit hall, with more details to be shared as the meeting approaches.
Later in the year, FACT travels to Melbourne, Australia for the ISCT ANZ Regional Meeting, where an Accreditation Workshop and a Clinical Inspector Training Course are planned. FACT’s final scheduled stop for 2026 will be at the ASH Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, where the organization will host an exhibit booth.
As always, FACT continues to look for new opportunities to reach and support the global cellular therapy community. If there is a conference you would like FACT to attend in the future, requests may be submitted through the Ask FACT form at https://www.factglobal.org/ask-fact/. Please note that all educational offerings are subject to change.
In addition to in-person events, FACT remains committed to expanding access through virtual education. Building on lessons learned since the COVID-19 pandemic, FACT’s 2026 virtual offerings include webinars, workshops, and boot camps designed to meet learners where they are. The year began with a webinar introducing the new Community Immune Effector Cell (IEC) Standards, recorded on January 27, 2026. Those who missed the live session may register for the on-demand version free of charge.
FACT will also host a Virtual Workshop on Apheresis Collection & Laboratory Processing Accreditation on June 25, 2026, followed by a Virtual Boot Camp on Apheresis Collection & Laboratory Processing Quality Management on September 10, 2026. The boot camp will feature interactive lectures and small-group breakout sessions. While examples may focus on collection and processing, both events are applicable to professionals across cell and gene therapy programs.
Rounding out the year is one of FACT’s most anticipated offerings: Quality Management Webinar Series 14. The four-part series will run from July through November 2026, with options to register for individual sessions or bundled LIVE or On-Demand access. LIVE participants will receive real-time access and recordings, while On-Demand registrants will receive recordings and access to evaluations required for certificates of completion.
FACT looks forward to learning with you throughout 2026 as we continue to empower the next generation of quality and safety. To stay informed about upcoming and on-demand education opportunities, as well as receive industry and newsletter updates, subscribe to FACT’s Mailing List. For questions about FACT’s educational offerings, please contact FACT Events at factevents@factglobal.org.
2026 Education Calendar: https://learn.factglobal.org/EducationEvents
Upcoming Events: https://learn.factglobal.org/upcoming-events
On-Demand Education: https://learn.factglobal.org/on-demand
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