18 Best Education Conferences for Vendors & Educators | 2026

April 15, 2026

Written by

Trevor Hough

Your Guide to the Top Education Sector Events for Vendors and Educators in 2026

Whether you sell curriculum, edtech, compliance tools, workforce platforms, or professional development solutions, showing up at the right conference can open doors to major procurement cycles. This guide covers 18 of the most valuable education conferences and summits taking place across the US in 2026, selected specifically for vendors looking to build relationships, identify upcoming contracts, and stay ahead of what districts, institutions, and education leaders are buying next.

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1. ISTELive 26

Date: June 28 – July 1, 2026

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Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL

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Fees: Expo-only access is free for qualified education professionals; full conference registration varies by membership tier (member pricing typically ~$700–$900, non-member ~$1,000–$1,200); exhibitor booths start at $5,680 per 10'×10' space

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Website: https://conference.iste.org/2026/

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What is it: The premier annual conference for educational technology, co-located this year with the ASCD Annual Conference, bringing together tens of thousands of educators, administrators, and edtech leaders.

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For whom: K–12 and higher ed educators, instructional technology directors, curriculum leads, school administrators, and edtech vendors.

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Details for vendors: ISTELive 26 is one of the single largest gatherings of K–12 and higher ed technology buyers in the country, with a combined expo hall shared with the ASCD Annual Conference, effectively doubling your audience reach in one event. Vendors get direct access to classroom teachers, instructional coaches, district IT directors, and curriculum decision-makers, all under one roof.

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The expo hall features enhanced tools to help attendees discover the most pertinent companies, along with additional educational programming specifically designed to support the procurement process and purchasing decisions. With a dedicated "Solutions Summit" for edtech executives and product leaders alongside senior education buyers, it's one of the few events where you can advance both awareness and deals in the same week.

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2. EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2026

Date: September 29 – October 2, 2026 (in-person); October 14–15 online

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Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO

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Fees: Members ~$1,079–$1,279 (tiered by registration date); non-members ~$1,579–$1,779; exhibitor staff badges $149 each (4 complimentary per 10'×10' booth)

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Website: https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference

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What is it: The largest annual gathering of higher education IT professionals and technology providers in the US, focused on campus technology strategy, AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

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For whom: Higher education CIOs, IT directors, provosts, campus administrators, and enterprise technology vendors.

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Details for vendors: EDUCAUSE is the event where professionals and technology providers from around the world gather to network, share ideas, grow professionally, and discover solutions to today's challenges. It's the largest gathering of higher education technology peers. For vendors selling software, infrastructure, SaaS, or services into universities and colleges, this is where the buyers are concentrated: CIOs and IT leaders who hold or directly influence multi-year campus technology contracts.

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Programming includes presentations and discussions on the latest developments in higher ed technology, including the growing role of AI in the workplace and digital workplace transformation, all of which signal where institutional spending is heading. With 13,000+ attendees, it's an unmatched opportunity for pipeline generation in the higher ed market.

3. EDTECH WEEK NYC 2026

Date: October 20–22, 2026 (AI for Educators Summit: October 20; main festival: October 20–22)

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Location: Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City

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Fees: General registration historically ~$649–$749 (early bird); exhibitor/sponsor pricing available on request; CEO Summit is invitation-only

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Website: https://www.edtechweek.com/

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What is it: New York City's premier edtech festival bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers for pitches, demos, networking, and the invitation-only CEO Summit.

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For whom: EdTech founders, investors, K–12 and higher ed decision-makers, policymakers, and vendors looking to connect with senior industry leaders.

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Details for vendors: EdTech Week NYC offers high-caliber networking within a boutique, intimate setting that facilitates deeper connections, providing a curated environment where vendors can engage in meaningful, one-on-one dialogues with K–12 and higher education decision-makers, investors, and policymakers.

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Unlike large tradeshows where you compete with hundreds of booths, this event's smaller scale means more targeted conversations with exactly the right people. Vendors can showcase their edtech company and make connections in a dedicated demo space, while top global startups pitch to seasoned edtech investors for feedback and funding.

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The Shark Tank-style pitch format and invite-only CEO Summit make this particularly valuable for companies seeking visibility with investors and senior district-level buyers simultaneously.

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4. ACTE's CareerTech VISION 2026

Date: December 2–5, 2026 (Expo: December 3–4)

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Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

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Fees: Attendee registration varies by membership and timing; exhibitor booths at $2,125 per 10'×10' (early bird rate); exhibitor registration fees separate.

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Website: https://www.careertechvision.com/

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What is it: The largest annual conference for career and technical education (CTE) professionals, convening 6,000+ secondary and postsecondary educators, business leaders, and industry experts, this year marking ACTE's centennial celebration.

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For whom: CTE educators, workforce development professionals, curriculum directors, and vendors serving vocational, technical, and career education markets.

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Details for vendors: CareerTech VISION is the premier event for CTE professionals, convening more than 6,000 secondary and postsecondary educators, business leaders, and industry experts, and this year serves as the centerpiece of ACTE's centennial celebration, making it a milestone event with exceptional visibility.

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For vendors in areas like workforce tech, simulation software, trades equipment, curriculum platforms, or assessment tools, this is a rare event where CTE department heads and vocational program directors all gather in one place.

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The CareerTech Expo offers a dynamic space to explore the latest tools, technologies, and resources that drive innovation in education and industry, and content tracks span agricultural education, health science, engineering and technology, skilled trades, and work-based learning, giving vendors clear signals about where institutional investment is focused. The centennial edition is expected to draw unusually high attendance, making 2026 a particularly strong year to exhibit.

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5. AACRAO Annual Meeting

Date: April 19–22, 2026

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Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

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Fees: Member (roster): $925–$1,260 depending on timing; Non-member: $1,125–$1,460; One-day passes available from $659

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Website: https://www.aacrao.org/events-training/meetings/annual-meeting

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What is it: The premier annual gathering of higher education registrars, admissions officers, and enrollment management professionals focused on student records, admissions, credential evaluation, and institutional policy.

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For whom: Registrars, admissions directors, enrollment managers, international education professionals, and higher ed administrators.

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Details for vendors: The conference focuses on AACRAO's role in providing information on student admissions, academic records, international education, and enrollment management, making it a targeted opportunity for vendors offering student information systems, credential verification tools, enrollment software, and document management solutions.

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With an exhibit hall opening reception on the first evening, vendors get direct face time with the registrars and admissions officers who actually procure these systems. It's a smaller, more specialized event than EDUCAUSE or ISTE, which means less noise and more meaningful conversations with niche decision-makers.

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6. ATDLE Annual Conference 2026 (34th Annual)

Date: June 17–19, 2026

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Location: Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA

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Fees: Early Bird (before March 2): $675; Regular (March 3–May 8): $725; Late/Onsite (after May 8): $775; pre-registration closes June 12

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Website: https://atdle.org/annual-conference/

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What is it: The leading annual conference for Two-Way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) and Dual Language education professionals, gathering K–12 educators, administrators, and researchers from across the US.

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For whom: Dual language program directors, bilingual educators, curriculum specialists, and K–12 school administrators.

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Details for vendors: Dozens of exhibitors and vendors throughout the conference space showcase the latest instructional materials and programs for review by educators building or running dual language programs.

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For vendors in bilingual curriculum, language learning software, assessment tools, or culturally responsive instructional materials, this is the single most targeted gathering of dual language buyers in the country. It's a tight-knit community conference, great for relationship-building with district decision-makers who are actively sourcing Spanish-English and other bilingual program materials.

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7. UPCEA SOLAR 2026 (Summit for Online Leadership and Administration)

Date: July 29–31, 2026

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Location: Westin Boston Seaport District, Boston, MA

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Fees: Early registration (by April 22): varies by member/non-member tier; regular registration through July 1; late registration after July 2

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Website: https://conferences.upcea.edu/SOLAR26/

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What is it: The leading annual conference for senior leaders and administrators in postsecondary online education, focused on digital transformation, online program strategy, and AI in higher ed.

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For whom: Chief Online Learning Officers (COLOs), provosts, deans, instructional designers, and institutional technology leaders in higher education.

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Details for vendors: SOLAR brings together key campus leaders, presidents, provosts, deans, instructional designers, faculty, and others focused on digital leadership, the exact decision-makers who select LMS platforms, online program management partners, AI tools, and digital learning infrastructure.

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The conference has an intimate, curated format that favors genuine engagement over tradeshow browsing, making it well-suited for vendors who want substantive conversations with senior buyers rather than just booth traffic. Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities are available through UPCEA.

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8. UPCEA Convergence 2026: Credential Innovation in Higher Education

Date: October 13–15, 2026

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Location: Washington, DC

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Fees: UPCEA/AACRAO member and non-member rates available; see conference registration page

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Website: https://conferences.upcea.edu/convergence2026/

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What is it: A joint UPCEA + AACRAO event focused exclusively on alternative credentials, microcredentials, and credential innovation strategies in higher education.

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For whom: Deans of professional education, registrars, chief online learning officers, and institutional leaders involved in credential strategy.

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Details for vendors: Convergence brings together key campus stakeholders in credential innovation, including deans of professional education, chief online learning officers, registrars, and their staff, to define and advance institutional strategies around alternative credentials.

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For vendors in digital credentialing, badging, LMS, and workforce-aligned learning platforms, this is the most concentrated gathering of buyers actively building out credential infrastructure. The partner list already includes Credly, Coursera, Anthology, Modern Campus, and Instructure, signaling this is exactly where the procurement conversations in this space happen.

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9. SCCE Higher Education Compliance Conference

Date: June 7–9, 2026

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Location: San Antonio, TX

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Fees: Typical SCCE conference rates apply (member discounts available); exhibitor/sponsor prospectus available on request from SCCE Marketing Solutions

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Website: https://www.corporatecompliance.org/

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What is it: The annual compliance conference specifically for higher education institutions, covering regulatory updates, Title IX, research compliance, data privacy, and risk management.

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For whom: Higher education compliance officers, general counsel, risk management professionals, and institutional administrators.

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Details for vendors: The conference provides knowledge, tools, and connections to excel in higher education compliance roles, featuring the latest updates on laws and regulations, practical guidance, and proven strategies for building and sustaining effective compliance programs, and runs concurrently with the Research Compliance Conference, effectively doubling the audience at no extra registration cost.

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For vendors selling compliance management software, training platforms, policy tools, or legal tech, this is a focused, high-intent audience of buyers who are actively looking for solutions. Exhibitor and sponsor slots are limited and available through SCCE's marketing solutions team.

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10. CAEL Conference 2026

Date: November 3–6, 2026 (hybrid: in-person and virtual)

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Location: Pittsburgh, PA (+ online)

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Fees: Member: $995; Non-member: $1,250; half-day pre-conference workshops: $449 (member) / $549 (non-member); full-day workshops also available

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Website: https://www.cael.org/cael-conference

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What is it: The premier annual conference at the intersection of adult learning, workforce development, and postsecondary education, focused on credit for prior learning (CPL), employer partnerships, and career pathways.

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For whom: Postsecondary educators, workforce development professionals, employers, HR leaders, policy advocates, and adult learner service providers.

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Details for vendors: By becoming a conference or collaborator sponsor, vendors have the chance to connect with postsecondary education, training, employers, and workforce development professionals from hundreds of institutions who are actively designing and procuring adult learner programs, CPL systems, apprenticeship tools, and workforce training platforms.

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This is a niche but growing market, particularly relevant for vendors in LMS, credentialing, skills-based hiring tools, and workforce analytics, and the hybrid format extends reach beyond in-person attendees.

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11. Innovative Schools Summit — Nashville

Date: July 25–29, 2026

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Location: Nashville, TN (hotel to be confirmed; nearby shuttle provided)

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Fees: Attendee pricing shown per person in cart with volume discounts ($25 off groups of 3–9, $50 off groups of 10+); exhibitor packages available through AccuTrain

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Website: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/nashville/

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What is it: A multi-day professional development mega-summit for K–12 educators, offering 8 conferences under one registration, covering teaching strategies, at-risk students, AI/tech, SEL, school discipline, leadership, and more.

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For whom: K–12 teachers, school counselors, instructional leaders, administrators, and school district staff.

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Details for vendors: Vendors have a powerful opportunity to present their solutions directly to counselors, school leaders, teachers, and other decision-makers who are actively seeking new ideas and trusted partners, with multi-summit sponsor discounts available. The multi-conference format means vendors reach an unusually broad cross-section of K–12 buyers, from classroom teachers to administrators, all in one location across five full days.

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Exhibitor tables are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and include a complimentary conference registration. The Nashville summit also runs concurrently with ISS Las Vegas (July) and San Antonio (December), giving vendors repeated touchpoints with the same market throughout the year.

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12. HMH Model Schools Conference (34th Annual)

Date: June 28 – July 1, 2026

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Location: Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, FL

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Fees: Registration pricing not publicly listed; contact HMH directly; purchase orders accepted

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Website: https://www.hmhco.com/model-schools-conference

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What is it: The nation's largest annual gathering for rapidly improving K–12 schools and districts, hosted by HMH's Center for Model Schools, featuring honored Model Schools and Innovative Districts sharing proven turnaround strategies.

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For whom: K–12 teachers, principals, district administrators, curriculum directors, and instructional coaches focused on school improvement.

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Details for vendors: The conference draws administrators and educators from across the country, representing 21 states, with honorees sharing proven strategies for driving K–12 improvement, making it a concentrated audience of change-oriented school leaders who are actively adopting new instructional tools.

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Sessions cover HMH literacy programs, NWEA MAP Growth data, future-focused instructional strategies, and data-driven leadership, signaling clear procurement priorities in literacy, assessment, and school improvement platforms. Vendors aligned to curriculum, professional learning, or assessment products will find a highly motivated buyer audience here.

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13. ELEVATE Your Classroom — Las Vegas 2026

Date: July 8–10, 2026 Location: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

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Fees: Check Eventbrite for current pricing; registration by credit card or purchase order

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Website: https://www.elevateyourclassroom.com/lasvegas2026

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What is it: A 3-day professional development conference designed exclusively for early childhood and primary educators in Pre-K through 2nd grade, covering all core subjects, SEL, classroom management, and culturally responsive teaching.

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For whom: Pre-K through 2nd grade classroom teachers, early childhood educators, and primary school instructional coaches.

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Details for vendors: ELEVATE delivers research-based, practical, and engaging professional development across reading, writing, math, science, social studies, SEL, school culture, and classroom management, drawing educators who want resources they can use immediately.

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This is a very niche, highly engaged audience of early childhood buyers who are actively looking for classroom materials, early literacy tools, manipulatives, and curriculum resources. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available directly through the organizers. Note: relevance is limited to vendors specifically targeting the Pre-K–2nd grade market.

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14. NCTE Annual Convention 2026

Date: November 19–22, 2026

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Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA

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Fees: Member registration ~$350 (2025 rates honored); non-member rates higher; membership ($59/year) saves $135 on registration; group discounts for 10+

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Website: https://convention.ncte.org/

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What is it: The flagship annual gathering of English language arts and literacy educators across PreK through graduate level, featuring sessions, author events, and a large publisher and curriculum exhibit hall.

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For whom: ELA teachers, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, reading teachers, school librarians, and ELA researchers across all grade levels.

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Details for vendors: The NCTE Annual Convention attracts educators from PreK through graduate level and engages the national publishing community, featuring a large exhibit hall and presentations by more than 250 authors each year. With 8,000+ literacy educators in attendance, this is the premier event for publishers, edtech companies, and curriculum vendors in literacy, reading, and writing to showcase products directly to the teachers who adopt them.

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For vendors in phonics programs, literacy platforms, classroom libraries, or writing tools, the exhibit hall is directly adjacent to the sessions most influencing purchasing decisions.

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15. Learning Forward Annual Conference 2026

Date: December 6–9, 2026

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Location: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas, TX

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Fees: Member and non-member rates apply; early registration discounts available; registration opens in spring 2026

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Website: https://conference.learningforward.org/

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What is it: The only major annual conference focused exclusively on educator professional learning, bringing together instructional coaches, professional development leaders, superintendents, and curriculum directors to advance how educators learn. For whom: Professional development directors, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, school improvement specialists, and district administrators responsible for educator learning.

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Details for vendors: Sponsor sessions at the conference are 1-hour sessions that feature publishers, advocacy organizations, and technology partners, providing an opportunity to share new ideas, innovative solutions, and work in schools and systems to promote professional learning as a key lever for change.

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For vendors selling PD platforms, coaching tools, curriculum, or instructional improvement software, this is a rare event where the buyers are the professional learning decision-makers themselves, the people who set district-wide PD strategy and control related budgets. The conference theme "Unite for Learning" in 2026 emphasizes collaborative professional learning systems, making it especially relevant for vendors offering coaching, LMS, or district-wide implementation tools.

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16. NAEYC Annual Conference 2026 (Centennial)

Date: December 5–8, 2026

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Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

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Fees: Registration opens July 2026; based on 2025 pricing: member ~$300–$400 full conference, non-member higher; exhibitor applications open now

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Website: https://www.naeyc.org/events/annual

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What is it: The world's largest early childhood education conference, celebrating NAEYC's 100th anniversary, drawing thousands of early childhood professionals for sessions, policy discussions, and a major exhibit expo.

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For whom: Early childhood educators, program directors, child care administrators, early learning researchers, and PreK–3rd grade teachers.

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Details for vendors: The NAEYC Annual Conference Expo is one of the world's largest early childhood education show floors, with over 200 exhibitors and three days of programming, drawing a concentrated audience of early childhood program directors and educators who make purchasing decisions on curriculum, materials, toys, classroom supplies, and technology.

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The 2026 Centennial edition is expected to draw exceptional attendance given the milestone, making this year's event a particularly high-visibility moment for exhibitors. Thousands of early learning professionals will gather, giving exhibitors a direct opportunity to showcase their brand throughout the event and beyond.

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17. PBL World 2026 (15th Annual)

Date: June 15–18, 2026 (Pre-conference June 15; main conference June 16–18)

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Location: American Canyon High School, Napa Valley, CA

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Fees: Main conference: $1,400 per person; pre-conference add-on: $300; early bird discount of $100 for registration by December 31, 2025

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Website: https://www.pblworks.org/pbl-world

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What is it: The premier annual conference dedicated exclusively to Project Based Learning (PBL), offering immersive multi-day workshops for K–12 teachers, coaches, and administrators run by PBLWorks National Faculty.

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For whom: K–12 teachers, instructional coaches, school and district leaders interested in implementing or deepening Project Based Learning.

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Details for vendors: PBL World is a workshop-intensive, practitioner-focused event rather than a traditional tradeshow, so formal exhibitor opportunities are limited. However, it draws a concentrated group of innovation-minded educators and district leaders who are actively investing in instructional transformation, making it a strong fit for vendors offering project-based curriculum resources, collaboration tools, or classroom technology to build relationships rather than run traditional booths. Vendors whose products align with inquiry-driven, student-centered learning will find a highly receptive and self-selected audience here.

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18. ASHE Annual Conference 2026

Date: November 3–6, 2026 (Virtual Conference Day: October 22)

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Location: Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Fees: Member and non-member rates available; payment plans offered; see ashe.ws for current pricing

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Website: https://www.ashe.ws/conference

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What is it: The flagship annual conference of the Association for the Study of Higher Education, bringing together higher education scholars and researchers to share findings on policy, equity, and institutional practice.

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For whom: Higher education faculty, researchers, graduate students, policy scholars, and academic administrators.

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Details for vendors: ASHE is primarily a scholarly research conference, so vendor opportunities are limited compared to practitioner-focused events. It does have an exhibit presence and is worth considering for companies offering academic publications, research tools, survey platforms, or institutional research software targeting higher ed faculty and graduate programs.