2026 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit Tuesday, July 21 - Thursday, July 23, 2026 Gateway Technical College & KTEC Schools of Innovation Sturtevant, Kenosha, & Racine, Wisconsin |
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| We are excited to welcome you to the 2026 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit, hosted at NC3’s founding school, Gateway Technical College, alongside KTEC Schools of Innovation. Anchored in our theme, LEAD 2026, this Summit will challenge you to leverage the expertise of the coalition, empower the next generation of CTE leaders, advance innovative solutions in skills training, and deliver valuable certifications that impact in our communities.
Join educational leaders and industry partners from across the country as we explore emerging initiatives, share insights from NC3 Leadership Schools, and chart a path toward a stronger, more agile skilled workforce. |
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Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - New Member Orientation Pre-Conference Programming and events for new NC3 Leadership School members, prospective members, and/or new faculty of tenured member schools. |
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| Optional Benchmarking Tour
- Featured NC3 partnerships: Lincoln Electric, Greenlee, Swift, 3M (Abrasives & Fall Protection)
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| New Member Orientation
- NC3 Membership Overview
- Industry Partner Networking Activity
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| New Member Happy Hour
- A special event for new NC3 Leadership School members! Mingle with the NC3 team, NC3's Global Industry Partners, and other NC3 Leadership School colleagues.
- Tour of the SC Johnson iMET Center
- Appetizers and beverages provided by NC3
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Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - Day 1 | Full Conference Programming and events for new members and tenured members; everyone is encouraged to attend! |
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| Optional Benchmarking Tour
- Featured NC3 partnerships: Trane, Copeland, RIDGID, Snap-on HVAC Diagnostics
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| Breakfast Hot Breakfast Buffet & Coffee Available |
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| Hear From Your Peers Breakout Sessions Tap into the power of the NC3 Network through our Hear From Your Peers breakout sessions—dynamic, peer-led conversations designed to spark new ideas, share practical solutions, and build lasting connections. Learn directly from fellow educators and industry leaders as they showcase real-world strategies and innovative approaches shaping CTE today. |
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| Leading the Next Era: NC3 Board Insights on Talent Development & Industry Alignment Join the NC3 Board for an engaging discussion on how evolving technologies, workforce expectations, and employer partnerships are reshaping Career and Technical Education. Panelists will offer forward-looking perspectives on building programs that meet both student aspirations and industry demands. |
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Industry Partner Hands on Breakout Sessions |
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| Networking Reception
- Mingle with the NC3 team, NC3's Global Industry Partners, and other NC3 Leadership School colleagues.
- Appetizers and beverages provided by NC3
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Thursday, July 23, 2026 - Day 2 | Full Conference Programming and events for new members and tenured members; everyone is encouraged to attend! |
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| Optional Benchmarking Tour
- Featured NC3 partnerships: Snap-on, Thermo King, Kubota
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| Breakfast Hot Breakfast Buffet & Coffee Available |
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| Welcome to KTEC Schools of Innovation KTEC Student Activity & Panel |
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Industry Partner Hands-on Breakout Sessions |
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Closing Remarks & Next Steps |
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Optional Benchmarking Tour @ KTEC Schools of Innovation |
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Optional Benchmarking Tours |
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| Gateway Technical College is offering three optional benchmarking tours of the campuses that will not be featured in the 2026 Leadership Summit programming. These will take place before the start of the conference each day.
Important Note: You must provide your own transportation for every component of this event including the optional benchmarking tours. |
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| Racine Main Campus
Tuesday, July 21 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
1001 S Main St, Racine, WI
Featured NC3 partnerships: Lincoln Electric, Greenlee, Swift, 3M (Abrasives & Fall Protection) |
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| Kenosha Main Campus
Wednesday, July 22 7:30 am - 8:15 am
3520 30th Ave, Kenosha, WI
Featured NC3 partnerships: Trane, Copeland, RIDGID, Snap-on HVAC Diagnostics |
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| Horizon Center
Thursday, July 23 7:30 am - 8:15 am
4940 88th Ave, Kenosha, WI
Featured NC3 partnerships: Snap-on, Thermo King, Kubota |
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Event Registration & Pricing |
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| Please note, registration is required to attend the 2026 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit; online registration closed on Friday, July 10, 2026.
- NC3 Leadership Schools and dues-paying Industry Members will receive two (2) complimentary registrations as a membership benefit. Please register each attendee individually. Additional registrations are $299 USD each.
- NC3 Global Industry Partners will receive three (3) complimentary registrations.
- NC3Start School and Certification Center Members as well as prospective Leadership School representatives are welcome and encouraged to attend. Registration is $299 USD each.
- Local/Regional Industry Partner, Representative, or Distributor registrations are $299 USD each.
- Event Speakers & Panelists will receive complimentary registration.
Please contact Elizabeth Newcomer for any registration questions or concerns. |
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Event Locations, Travel & Hotel Information |
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Airport Information There are two airports near Gateway Technical College. |
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General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
21 miles to the iMet Center or 31 miles to the Kenosha Campus |
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Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Chicago, Illinois
56 miles to the iMet Center or 53 miles to the Kenosha Campus |
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| SC Johnson iMET Center
2320 Renaissance Blvd. Sturtevant, WI 53177
New Member Orientation and Happy Hour on Tuesday, July 21 |
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| Kenosha Campus - Madrigrano Conference Center 3520 30th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53144 Day 1 Conference Sessions and Activities on Wednesday, July 22 |
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| KTEC Schools of Innovation
1901 63rd St. Kenosha, WI 53143 Day 2 Conference Sessions and Activities on Thursday, July 23 |
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Transportation All attendees are responsible for their own transportation to the event. Please rent a car or use Uber/Lyft, if necessary. Parking is free on campus where the conference will be held; no parking permits will be required. |
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Hotel Reservations A full list of hotel partners—including room block rates, booking instructions, and reservation deadlines—is available below. To secure your stay at the preferred event rate, we recommend making your reservation at your earliest convenience. Rooms in the NC3 hotel blocks are anticipated to sell out—please book early! |
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| Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites - Kenosha Pleasant Prairie
10601 120th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
11 miles to Kenosha Main Campus
Available Block Dates: July 19 - 24, 2026 Rate: $154/night
Deadline to book: Friday, June 19, 2026
To reserve a room, please CLICK HERE or call 262-455-7795 and mention NC3. |
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| The Stella Hotel - Kenosha
5706 8th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
3 miles to Kenosha Main Campus
Available Block Dates/Rates: July 20 - Rate: $129_____July 22 - Rate: $149 July 21 - Rate: $139_____July 23 - Rate: $159
Deadline to book: Friday, June 20, 2026
To reserve a room, please CLICK HERE or call 262-842-2000 and mention NC3. |
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| Attire: Please dress in business casual and/or wear a school logo'd shirt.
Meals: We will be serving food and beverages on-site during this event as noted above. If you have any allergies and/or dietary restrictions we need to be aware of, please state them specifically in your registration form. |
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| Contact Elizabeth with questions about the 2026 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit and/or NC3 Membership benefits and opportunities. elizabeth.newcomer@nc3.net 703.975.5959 |
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| Contact Charlene about the 2026 NC3 Annual Leadership Summit invoicing and/or payment process
accounting@nc3.net 262.237.0339 |
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Invest in your team’s growth! |
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Looking to upskill your instructors? NC3 offers an instructor professional development opportunity the same week as the NC3 Leadership Summit at Gateway Technical College!
Our Train‑the‑Trainer program delivers an industry‑recognized professional development experience, offering certification pathways through immersive, hands‑on technical training designed for educators and industry professionals. This experience is designed to strengthen instructional practice and bring high-impact, industry-aligned curriculum to the classroom to drive student success. |
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