The 2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference, hosted by NMSU’s Domenici Institute, takes place September 8 and 9 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, bringing national policymakers, security analysts, and university students together for public discussions.
Hosted by New Mexico State University after an eight-year hiatus, the two-day gathering covers artificial intelligence, energy geopolitics, national security, and candidate debates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
NMSU President Valerio Ferme, who also serves as director of the Domenici Institute at NMSU, said bringing the conference back reflects the university’s role as a public institution committed to expanding access to ideas, expertise and dialogue.
“Universities play a pivotal role in stimulating and facilitating the kinds of discussions that shape policy, engage our citizenry, and spark curiosity and passion in our students,” Ferme said. “The Domenici Public Policy Conference has a prestigious 11-year legacy of being that catalyst for our region. Bringing it back to NMSU gives our students and our broader community an opportunity to engage directly with some of the leading voices in public policy and to be part of conversations that extend well beyond our campus.”
What are the event details?
- Dates: September 8–9, 2026
- Times:
- 5:15–8 p.m. on September 8
- 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on September 9
- Location: Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave.
- Registration: Event registration is required. NMSU students may attend the conference free of charge, and general attendee registration costs $50.
What is the 2026 Domenici Conference schedule?
The conference opens Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. with an opening reception, followed by a keynote dinner.
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) President Heather Wilson delivers the opening keynote address at Tuesday’s dinner. Wilson previously served as Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and represented New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Wednesday features a full day of panel discussions, speaker presentations, and student-led questioning. Pre-selected student panelists will ask questions following each presentation.
Tuesday, September 8
- Opening Reception: 5:15 p.m.
- Dinner with Keynote Speaker, The Honorable Heather Wilson, President, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP): 6:15 p.m.
- Program Concludes: 8 p.m.
Wednesday, September 9
- Registration Opens: 7 a.m.
- Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
- Program Opens: 8 a.m.
- Welcome from NMSU President Valerio Ferme
- Posting of the Colors, NMSU ROTC
- Pledge of Allegiance, NMSU student
- Prayer/Blessing
- The Future of Democracy, Ambassador Chase Untermeyer: 8:15 a.m.
- Artificial Intelligence, Gregory Allen: 9:10 a.m.
- National Security, Ambassador Jeff Flake: 10 a.m.
- Geopolitics of Energy, David Hill: 11 a.m.
- Lunch with keynote speaker, The Honorable Ben Ray Luján, Jr., United States Senate, New Mexico: 12:15 p.m.
- Lieutenant Governor Candidate, The Honorable Stephanie Garcia Richard (Invited): 1:15 p.m.
- Gubernatorial Candidate, The Honorable Gregg Hull: 2:05 p.m.
- Congressional Candidate, Greg Cunningham: 3 p.m.
- Congressional Candidate, The Honorable Gabe Vasquez: 3:55 p.m.
- National Perspective on the 2026 Midterm Elections, Paul Begala (D) and Charlie Black (R): 4:45 p.m.
- Program Concludes, No Host Reception: 5:45 p.m.
How do NMSU students participate?
NMSU undergraduate and graduate students serve as designated stage questioners during every speaker session.
Selected student participants research speaker backgrounds and policy topics ahead of time. This structure allows students to question policy figures directly from the auditorium floor on matters impacting domestic policy, regional economics, and technology governance.
What is the history of the Domenici Institute?
Named in honor of Pete V. Domenici, the longest-serving U.S. senator in New Mexico history, the Domenici Institute for Public Policy operated at NMSU from 2008 to 2018.
During its initial 11-year run, the conference hosted bipartisan discussions featuring figures such as former Secretary of State James Baker, former Defense Secretaries Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel, and former Homeland Security Secretaries Janet Napolitano and Tom Ridge.
NMSU President Valerio Ferme partnered with former New Mexico Governor Garrey Carruthers to organize the 2026 revival.
Register for the 2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference
Online registration is open for the 2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference at the Las Cruces Convention Center on September 8 and 9. General admission is $50, and free for all current NMSU students. Complete your registration online at nmsu.edu/domenici, or contact the NMSU President’s Office directly by email at president@nmsu.edu or by phone at 575-646-2035 to get your seat.
Where and when is the Domenici Public Policy Conference held?
The 2026 Domenici Public Policy Conference takes place on Tuesday, September 8, and Wednesday, September 9, at the Las Cruces Convention Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The venue is located at 680 E. University Ave., adjacent to the main New Mexico State University campus. The event begins with an opening keynote dinner on Tuesday evening and resumes Wednesday morning with full-day panel sessions, policy presentations, and candidate forums concluding in the afternoon. Parking is available on-site for all registered attendees.
Who can attend the Domenici Public Policy Conference, and what does registration cost?
The conference is open to the public, including community members, professionals, educators, and students. General public registration costs $50 per person to gain access to all speaker presentations, panel discussions, and daytime sessions across the schedule. The event is free for current New Mexico State University system students, though students must complete advance online registration to secure a seat. Because seating capacity at the Las Cruces Convention Center is limited, register online early at nmsu.edu/domenici to reserve your spot before registration closes.
Who are the featured speakers at the 2026 conference?
The 2026 speaker lineup includes regional and national leaders across defense, foreign policy, and technology. UTEP President and former U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson delivers the opening keynote address on September 8. Wednesday keynotes and panels feature U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, former Ambassador to Qatar Chase Untermeyer, former Senator and Ambassador to Türkiye Jeff Flake, Decision Tree Research CEO Gregory Allen, and Bipartisan Policy Center executive vice president David R. Hill. The program also features New Mexico general election candidates alongside political strategists Paul Begala and Charlie Black.
What topics and policy issues will the conference cover?
The conference agenda focuses on major national and international issues shaping public policy. Key topics include the future of democratic institutions, national security challenges, the conflict in the Middle East, and the geopolitics of global energy markets. A dedicated morning session examines the rapid expansion and regulation of artificial intelligence and strategic technology. Afternoon programming includes discussions on state and federal governance, featuring presentations from candidates in New Mexico’s upcoming gubernatorial and congressional general election races alongside national political analysis of the 2026 midterm election cycle.
How do New Mexico State University students participate in the event?
NMSU system students play an active, central role throughout the conference rather than serving only as audience members. Selected undergraduate and graduate students serve as official stage questioners during each speaker session and panel presentation. In preparation for the event, student questioners research participating experts’ backgrounds and policies. This structure allows university students to question national policymakers, diplomats, and technical leaders on critical issues impacting regional economic development, public governance, and international relations.
Posted by LasCruces.com
