Ignite Action. Inspire Futures.
Join leaders from industry, education, and workforce development for the 9th annual Workforce Development Summit happening December 1-2, 2026, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, LA. This one-and-a-half-day convening brings together national partners committed to strengthening the connections between business and education to support high-quality career and technical education (CTE).
Through dynamic discussions, real-world examples, and interactive conversations, attendees will explore strategies for advancing workforce development initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and addressing emerging talent pipeline needs.
The Summit also provides valuable opportunities to:
- Connect with industry association, nonprofit, and business leaders from across the country
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with educators and workforce development professionals
- Learn from innovative models that align education with workforce needs
- Build relationships that support long-term collaboration and impact
Who Should Attend the Workforce Development Summit?
Association & Nonprofit Leaders
- Leaders from education and workforce development associations
- Nonprofit professionals focused on career readiness and youth employment
- Foundation representatives supporting CTE and workforce initiatives
Industry & Business Leaders
- Workforce development and talent pipeline managers
- HR professionals and corporate training leaders
- Business executives engaged in education partnerships
Policy & Government Stakeholders
- State and local workforce development board members
- Education and labor agency representatives
- Economic development and policy advisors
Draft Agenda
Agenda is subject to change. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Day 1: Tuesday, Dec. 1
- 8:00 am – Breakfast and First Time Attendee Orientation
- 9:00 – 9:30 am – Networking Opportunity
- 9:30 – 10:30 am – Keynote
- 10:30 – 10:45 am – Morning Break
- 10:45 am – 12:00 pm – Panel Discussion: Funding for OJT
- 12:00 – 12:45 pm – Lunch
- 12:45 – 1:45 pm – Fireside Chat: Upskilling Your Member Companies
- 1:45 – 3:15 pm – Local Industry Case Study
- 3:15 – 3:30 pm – Afternoon Break
- 3:30 – 4:30 pm – Best Practices: Building Successful Advisory Boards
- 4:30 – 5:00 pm – Closing
- 5:00 – 6:30 pm – Networking Reception
Day 2: Wednesday, December 2
- 7:45 – 8:15 am – Breakfast
- 8:15 – 8:30 am – Welcome
- 8:30 – 10:00 am – Policy Session
- 10:0 – 10:15 am – Morning Break
- 10:15 – 11:30 am – Consultancy Session
- 11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Closing
Registration and Travel Information
Summit Registration
- ACTE Member Early Bird (before July 31) | $375.00
- Non-Member Early Bird (before July 31) | $425.00
Your registration includes:
- Access to all Summit sessions and program materials
- Directory of Summit participants
- Hot breakfast, lunch and refreshments Monday
- Monday evening reception featuring expanded hors d’oeuvres and beverages (including beer, wine, spirits)
- Hot breakfast, refreshments Tuesday
CareerTech VISION 2026 Add-on Rates
- ACTE Member Early Bird (before July 31) | $475.00
- Non-Member Early Bird (before July 31) | $665.00
CareerTech VISION 2026 One-Day Rate
- ACTE Member (Thursday Only) | $365.00
- Non-Member (Thursday Only) | $480.00
* Reservation deadline: November 8
Hilton New Orleans Riverside SOLD OUT
*Headquarter Hotel
Two Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70140
Room rate: $249/night
Aloft
225 Baronne St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Room rate: $229/night
Astor Crowne Plaza
739 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $215/night
Blake Hotel
500 Saint Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229/night
Cambria
632 Tchoupitoulas St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $199/night
Caesars
228 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $249/night
Courtyard by Marriott
124 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $209/night
Embassy Suites
315 Julia St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229/night
Hampton Inn & Suites SOLD OUT TUES. ONLY
1201 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $209/night
Homewood Suites
317 N Rampart St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Room rate: $225/night
Hotel Indigo
705 Common Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $186/night
Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center
1001 S. Peters St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $189/night
Hyatt Place Convention Center
881 Convention Center Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $199
Loews
300 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229/night
NOPSI
317 Baronne St.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Room rate Sunday – Thursday: $209/night
Room rate Friday – Saturday: $259/night
Q&C Hotel
344 Camp St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $189/night
Royal Sonesta
300 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229/night
Sheraton
500 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229-$239/night
Sonesta ES Suites Convention Center
345 St. Joseph Street
New Orleans, LA
Room rate: $185/night
SpringHill Suites Downtown/Canal
1600 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Room rate: $229/night
SpringHill Suites Warehouse Arts District
301 St. Joseph St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $229/night
The Higgins Hotel
1000 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $199/night
The Riverfront Hotel
701 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $239/night
Voco St. James
330 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $199/night
Westin
100 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA
Room rate: $219/night
Wyndham
124 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Room rate: $179/night
Air travel, hotel reservations and transportation from/to* the airport is the responsibility of our guests.
Venue
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Two Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70140
Closest Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Digital Assets
Are you participating in the Summit as a sponsor or attendee? Here are social media graphics and posts you can use to share with and invite your networks — be sure to use #CTE2Workforce and tag us in your posts!
Social posts coming soon
Thank you to our 2026 Workforce Development Summit Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring this event? View our 2026 Summit One-Pager to learn more!
Featured Partner
Premier Supporters
Key Contributors
Summit Advocates
Additional Opportunities
ACTE turns 100! Join us for ACTE’s Centennial Celebration at CareerTech VISION 2026, happening Dec. 2-5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Experience the premier event for CTE professionals with hundreds of sessions, inspiring presenters, a bustling Expo and unforgettable centennial celebrations. VISION offers comprehensive programming covering high-quality CTE in secondary and postsecondary environments and emerging trends in the field to help career and technical educators thrive in their careers.
CareerTech Expo
The vibrant gathering place for CTE professionals, CareerTech Expo features 300+ companies offering the largest and latest collection of CTE products and services, exhibitor workshops, demonstrations and a wealth of networking opportunities.