The 2026 Kansas Annual CTE Conference, hosted by KAESA, brings together educators, administrators, counselors, state leaders, and industry partners committed to strengthening Career and Technical Education across Kansas. This statewide event provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative teaching strategies, workforce alignment, and practical solutions that help schools build meaningful career pathways for students.
Why Attend
- Grow Your Expertise. Learn from state and national CTE leaders who share actionable strategies, stories of success, and insights that support program improvement and student outcomes.
- Discover What Works. Explore curriculum enhancements, certification opportunities, and pathway-training resources designed to prepare students for the modern workforce.
- Strengthen Workforce Connections. Meet with industry partners, service agencies, and vendors supporting training, apprenticeships, and career-ready pathways that benefit students and local economies.
- Build Your Network. Connect with educators, administrators, and coordinators from across Kansas who share the same passion for high-quality CTE and student success.
What to Expect
- Keynote Presentations and Breakout Sessions. With over 50 breakout sessions offered, attendees can choose from a wide variety of topics, including program design, industry partnerships, technical skills implementation, certification pathways, grant and funding strategies, and instructional best practices.
- Pathway Training and Certification Opportunities. Conference programming supports development and certification along career pathways to help ensure that students receive up-to-date, industry-relevant skills and credentials.
- Coordinator Discussions and Off-site Tours. Administrators and coordinators can take part in dedicated discussions and tours — offering real-world insight into facility design, lab setups, and collaboration with industry and post-secondary partners.
- Exhibitor Showcase and Vendor Interactions. Explore offerings from a range of vendors, curriculum designers, and service agencies supporting CTE — a great chance to evaluate equipment, instructional resources, and partnership opportunities.
- Social Events and Networking Receptions. The social receptions provide informal settings for networking with fellow educators, industry partners, and service providers — ideal for sharing experiences and forging new collaborations.
Who Should Attend
- CTE teachers, instructors, and administrators
- District and building leaders
- School counselors and career coordinators
- Postsecondary CTE faculty and staff
- Workforce and industry partners
- Curriculum designers and program developers
Save the Date & Location
When: February 2–4, 2026
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan, Manhattan, KS
Join the 2026 Conference to Strengthen CTE in Kansas
This conference offers a powerful opportunity to stay current on CTE best practices, forge industry and educator partnerships, and bring home actionable ideas to strengthen programs and better prepare students for success in high-demand careers.
