June 15-17, 2026
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Desoto, Savannah, GA
The Tactical and Occupational Performance Conference (TOPCON) is a premier event designed to advance the health, fitness, and performance of tactical professionals. It represents the evolution of two highly regarded events; the Peer Fitness Leader (PFL) Summit and the Human Performance Optimization (HPO) Conference. These successful efforts are now combined into an even more comprehensive and collaborative experience for professionals in tactical, health, and performance career fields. This new experience includes training and instruction for first responders, military personnel and those who support them.
TOPCON content includes hands-on physical training, wellness strategies, and insights into current trends tailored for law enforcement, fire service, and military personnel. The TOP Conference brings together experts from health, human performance, and tactical backgrounds to share strategic approaches for enhancing individual capabilities and well-being. Attendees will benefit from educational and practical sessions focused on improving physical and mental preparedness for tactical athletes. The TOP Conference features nationally known speakers and provides networking opportunities for attendees.
Key Note Speakers
LTC (Ret) Steve DeLellis served over 36 years on Active Duty, including more than 31 years in Army Special Operations Forces, completing 16 combat rotations across six conflicts. He culminated his career as Deputy Command Surgeon for United States Army Special Operations Command. A recognized leader in military medicine and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, Steve managed the longest continuously funded TBI surveillance program in ARSOF history and has co-authored more than 40 publications. He is a recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation Hero of Military Medicine award and an inductee into the Special Operations Forces Medical Hall of Honor (Inaugural Class, 2024). He currently serves as Senior Technical Advisor and Executive Director of The Geneva Foundation鈥檚 Fort Bragg Research Institute.
Mark Abel, PhD, CSCSD, TSAC-FD is Director of the First Responder Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky and a leading researcher focused on improving first responder health, safety, and operational readiness. A former firefighter, he is the recipient of the National Strength and Conditioning Association鈥檚 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Practitioner of the Year Award. Dr. Abel collaborates with international organizations advancing wellness integration within first responder agencies, including leadership roles with the IAFF-IAFC Wellness Fitness Initiative, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Physical Health Working Group, and the ProTeam Tactical Foundation.
Featured Speakers
Mark A. Christiani, MS, CSCS, RSCC聽is a Tactical Strength and Conditioning professional and U.S. Army Special Operations veteran with over a decade of experience in military and collegiate human performance. He holds a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from 橘子视频 and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach through the NSCA. Mark currently serves as a Human Performance Specialist supporting the U.S. Army Reserve, where he helped build one of the first large-scale readiness programs in his region. He also currently serves on the NSCA Florida State Advisory Board. Previously, he served as a Brigade Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach overseeing performance initiatives for more than 2,000 Soldiers and has taught biomechanics and exercise physiology at GSU Armstrong. As a collegiate coach he worked at Savannah State University, and the University of South Carolina.聽
Dungeons and Dynamometers
Chris Juneau, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, CPSS is a residency- and fellowship-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist with advanced expertise in biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and data-driven rehabilitation. He holds an MPhil in Rehabilitation Science and Biomechanics from Auckland University of Technology and serves as Director of Next Stage Physiotherapy & Performance.
Chris is the founder of Dungeons & Dynamometers, an education platform focused on force testing and applied performance analytics. He has supported high-performance initiatives within U.S. Space Force, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and U.S. Air Force programs, and regularly lectures nationally and internationally on performance testing and data-informed rehabilitation.
Jason Tuori, PT, DPT, SCS is a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist and Head Physical Therapist for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, GA. He completed his sports residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center and co-founded 鈥淒ungeons & Dynamometers: A Force Course,鈥� focused on force testing and handheld dynamometry for sports medicine professionals.
Jason specializes in hip and ankle injury management and technology-driven sports performance. He has presented nationally on athletic injury management, strength and conditioning, footwear, and return-to-sport testing, and previously held rehabilitation and sports science roles across soccer, hockey, and collegiate athletics. He is also co-host of the 鈥淧T Inquest鈥� podcast, dedicated to advancing physical therapy science.
Registration is Now Open!
Registration Fees:
- Early Military/First Responders Registration: $150 (ends March 31)
- Regular/Onsite Military/First Responders Registration: $200
- Early Registration: $200 (ends March 31)
- Regular Registration: $250 (ends May 31)
- Late/Onsite Registration: $300
Present at TOP CON
Information for Educational and Practical Session Proposals:
- Title (no more than 15 words)
- Type of session (education or practical session)
- Session Description (250 word limit)
- Session outline (50 minutes total) 鈥� include content level (basic, intermediate, or advanced)
- any equipment needs or special requests (session rooms will include basic AV of a screen and computer, with further details to be provided after acceptance of session)
- participant limit (if applicable)
- Learning objectives (up to four)
- References (at least 5)
- Speakers (name and short bio of no more than 250 words)
Information for Research Abstract Submissions:
- Preference of oral presentation (15 minutes) or poster presentation
- Title (no more than 15 words)
- Presenting Author and co-authors
- Abstract body (limit of 3000 characters including spaces)
- Background/Purpose
- Participants/Subjects
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusions
Deadline to Submit a research abstract has been extended to May 1, 2026
For any questions regarding proposal submissions after the deadline, please contact Joseph Kardouni, jkardouni@georgiasouthern.edu or Emma Williams, enwilliams@georgiasouthern.edu
Accommodations
A special rate of $193/night has been secured for a limited number of rooms at The Desoto Savannah. Please use the link below to reserve your room! Valet parking is available at The Desoto for an additional fee, public parking is also available one block away on Liberty St.
Attendees may also call 1-855-703-4655 to make reservations via phone. The group code is: 2606TOPSGS
The deadline to book your room at this rate is: Friday, May 15, 2026, no later than 11:59pm
Sponsors & Exhibitor Opportunities
Please complete the forms to indicate your interest in either sponsoring or exhibiting at this year’s conference!
The fee for sponsors sand exhibitors are as follows:
- Exhibitor – $350
- Bronze – $500
- Silver – $1,000
- Gold – $2,500
- Platinum – $5,000
Exhibitors will receive a 6 ft. table and access to power. All sponsorships come with one or more exhibitor table. for all sponsorship benefits please view the Sponsorship Packages linked below.
After completing one of the forms above, the planning committee will review your information and someone from Conference Services will notify you of the committee鈥檚 decision and next steps.
Please email dceconferences@georgiasouthern.edu with any questions.
Testimonials
– “Fantastic program, willingness and openness of instructors/faculty was absolutely phenomenal. Thank you!”
– “The facilities were great, the catering was really nice, and the event staff were fantastic to work with. I was also really impressed with the keynote speakers and other presenters throughout the conference.”
– “Great breadth of topics delivered. The speakers were excellent in the their content and delivery.”
FAQs
Visit the Tactical and Occupational Performance Institute’s website to learn more about what we offer year-round!
This event is ideal for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military personnel, as well as peer fitness leaders responsible for leading or supporting fitness and wellness initiatives within their organizations. Health and wellness coordinators who manage or design wellness programs for tactical athletes will also benefit, along with training officers and supervisors seeking to enhance their teams鈥� physical readiness and overall well-being. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts in tactical professions who are passionate about improving their own fitness and sharing best practices with peers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in advancing wellness, fitness, and resilience in tactical professions will find this summit highly valuable.
The dress code is business casual and/or athletic leisurewear.
TOPCON 2026 will be held at The Desoto in Savannah. The address is: 15 E. Liberty, Savannah, GA, 31401
If you are driving to the conference each day, the nearest public parking to The Desoto are:
- Liberty Parking Deck: 15 W. Liberty St. Savannah, GA 31401 (1 block away)
- Liberty St. Parking Garage: 301 W Liberty St, Savannah, GA 31401 (2 blocks away)
Yes! More information coming soon.
For general information, contact:
Email: dceconferences@georgiasouthern.edu
Phone: 912-478-5555
For registration assistance, contact:
Email: ce-registrations@georgiasouthern.edu
Phone: 912-478-5551