Early Childhood Education Conference

47th Annual | April 24 and 25, 2026
In this Section

April 24 - 25, 2026, UW-Stout Memorial Student Center

This year's theme, Whole-Child, Whole Educator: Building Emotional Wellness in Every Classroom, highlights the integral relationship between the emotional well-being of educators and the holistic development of children. This year’s conference broadens its focus to include Kindergarten through 3rd-grade educators, recognizing the shared importance of emotional wellness across the early and elementary learning continuum. We also invite early childhood special education teachers to join us as we work together to build inclusive, emotionally supportive learning environments. Through research-based practices, collaborative dialogue, and innovative approaches, this theme invites educators to examine how nurturing both the whole child and the whole educator contributes to stronger, more connected, and emotionally supportive learning environments.  

Submit Presentation Proposal

Register for the Conference

2026 Keynote Presenters

We are excited to announce Stout's own Julie Bates-Maves as our Friday Keynote!

Julie Bates - Maves

Julie Bates-Maves, LPC, PhD, is a licensed professional counselor and professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She specializes in treating trauma, substance use disorders, and resilience-building.

Keynote title: Stress and Burnout: Considerations for Teachers

Stress and burnout impact the lives and work of teachers. Understanding that impact is important. More important, however, is knowing how to respond. This talk will explore the state of burnout, its progression, and recommend responses to support the body in a stressed state. Information will be useful for teachers as much as for the students they teach. 

Hotel Accomodations

Attendee Hotel Accommodations: 

Hampton Inn & Suites Menomonie 

We have a room block set here for your convenience. 

2017 Stout Street
Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751
Explore More at Hampton Inn & Suites

  • Rate: Coming soon!
  • Distance to UW-Stout: 8 min. drive
  • Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay

Call (715) 231-3030 to book your room

 

Cobblestone Inn & Suites Menomonie

We have a room block set here for your convenience. 

149 Main Street E.
Menomonie, WI 54751
Explore More at Cobblestone Inn & Suites 

  • Rate: $150.00 per night
  • Distance to UW-Stout: 2 min. walk
  • Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay


Call (715)-233-0211  to book your room

 
Best Western Plus Inn & Suites Menomonie

We do not have a room block set here. 

320 Oak Avenue
Menomonie, WI 54751
Explore More at Best Western

  • Rate: $122.00 per night
  • Distance to UW-Stout: 6 min. drive
  • Parking: Free onsite parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay

Call (715) 235-5664  to book your room.

Call for Proposals is open!

We are accepting proposals until January 20, 2026!

Registration is Open!

Early Bird registration open until March 1, 2026!

2026 Registration Rates: 

General Attendee Rate

General Attendee Full Conference early bird rate: $200.00

General Attendee Full Conference regular rate: $225.00

General Attendee One-Day early bird rate: $145.00

General Attendee One-Day regular rate: $165.00

Student rate

Student Attendee Full Conference rate: $45.00

Student Attendee One-Day rate: $25.00

Exhibitor Rate

Exhibitor Single Booth (includes one six-foot table) early bird rate: $165.00

Exhibitor Single Booth (includes one six-foot table) regular rate: $180.00

Exhibitor Double Booth (includes two six-foot tables) early bird rate: $225.00

Exhibitor Double Booth (includes two six-foot tables) regular rate: $250.00

Sponsorship Opportunities

Help support the Early Childhood Education Conference Today!

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits: 

Platinum Sponsor: $5,000 and up
  • Logo recognition in conference promotional piece
  • Logo recognition in e-mail promotional messages
  • Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
  • Opportunity to provide company promotional piece in participant packets
  • Logo recognition on conference signage
  • Logo recognition during lunch slide show
  • Logo recognition on the conference program cover
  • Single booth space at the conference
  • Four complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 4)
Gold Sponsor: $2,500 - $4,999
  • Logo recognition in conference promotional piece
  • Logo recognition in e-mail promotional messages
  • Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
  • Opportunity to provide company promotional piece in participant packets
  • Logo recognition on conference signage
  • Logo recognition during lunch slide show
  • Logo recognition on the conference program cover
  • Single booth space at the conference
  • Three complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 3)
Silver Sponsor: $1,500-$2,499
  • Text recognition in conference promotional piece
  • Logo featured on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
  • Logo recognition on conference signage
  • Logo recognition during lunch slide show
  • Text listing recognition on the conference program cover
  • Single booth space at the conference
  • Two complimentary registrations, including booth attendant (total 2)
Bronze Sponsor: $750-$1,499
  • Text Listing on the conference website, including a link to your company’s website
  • Text listing recognition on conference signage
  • Text listing recognition on the conference program cover
  • Single booth space at the conference
  • One complimentary registration, including booth attendant (total 1)