The NCE education program comes in a variety of formats to match your learning styles and real-life priorities.
Choose from more than 200 Educational Sessions, Thought Leader Sessions, General Sessions and Roundtable Sessions. All educational programing for the National Conference on Education 2026 will take place in The Music City Center in Nashville, TN, February 11-14, 2026.
Download the NCE Mobile App to help you plan ahead for a seamless experience onsite. All session changes and handouts will be updated via the app.
General Sessions
Get a 30,000 foot view of education policy, transformational leadership strategies and more. There is one general session each day. They include the award presentations, special appearances and keynote speakers and are located in Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Pre-Conference Workshops are on a variety of topics and happen the Wednesday, February 11, before the conference starts. A separate registration fee is required to attend all pre-conference sessions.
Thought Leader Sessions
Thought Leader sessions are large-format educational sessions that touch on some of the most critical topics in the public education field. They are located in the Knowledge Exchange Theater in the Exhibit Hall or Room 104 ABC.
Educational Sessions
These one-hour sessions, covering core professional development, run concurrently and offer a wide array of topics organized by Focus Zone. They are located in meeting rooms 201 – 209. This year's Focus Zones include:
- Attract, Hire, Retain and Reward the Best Employees
- Build Highly Engaged School, Family and Community Partnerships
- Finances, Techology and Operations
- Measure What Matters
- Prioritize Student-Centered Learning
- School Safety and Security
- The New Basics: Real Skills for Real Life
Roundtable Sessions
Attendees at Roundtable Sessions can choose the discussions to participate in during one-hour time slots. At the 30-minute mark, they have the opportunity to move to a second table if they wish. This format encourages group discussion in a relaxed environment. Sessions are located in the back of the Exhibit Hall, Booth #155. Roundtable Sessions are also organized by the following Focus Zones:
- Attract, Hire, Retain and Reward the Best Employees
- Build Highly Engaged School, Family and Community Partnerships
- Finances, Techology and Operations
- Measure What Matters
- Prioritize Student-Centered Learning
- School Safety and Security
- The New Basics: Real Skills for Real Life
Digital Education Inserts
Check out some of the companies that will be exhibiting at the National Conference on Education 2026 before, during or after coming to the conference for additional resources and inspiration on future ready leadership.
Page Last Updated: January 15, 2026.