About
Leadership in career and technical education has never been more important.
Today's CTE leaders are preparing students for high-demand careers while navigating evolving accountability systems, workforce needs, funding opportunities, teacher shortages, and rapidly changing industries.
The CTAT Winter Leadership Conference is designed to help you meet those challenges with confidence.
Each February, more than 600 CTE administrators, coordinators, counselors, ESC specialists, and solution providers gather to explore innovative ideas, share best practices, strengthen professional networks, and discover practical solutions they can immediately apply in their districts.
Whether you're leading a district CTE department, supporting educators, or shaping the future of student success, Winter Leadership equips you with the knowledge, relationships, and inspiration to lead with confidence.
Choose from a myriad of presentation topics specially curated for all levels of attendees.
Strands
Peer led sessions on topics relevant to current challenges with intuitive solutions to take with you.
- Data-driven Program Planning
- Assessment and Accountability
- Teacher Training and Instructional Support
- Curriculum and Instructional Resources
- Curriculum Selection and Criteria
- Best Practices in Cultural Diversity
- Program Access and Non Discrimination
- Innovative Courses and Programs
- Early College High School Models
- Sequencing and Articulation
- Serving Special Populations
- Professional Learning Communities
- Industry and Community Partnerships
- Leadership Development Topics
- Budgeting and Finance
- Facilities and Equipment
- Administrative Policies and Procedures
Additional Trainings
These sessions provide a deep-dive look at effectively managing different CTE programs. Sessions take place on February 9th and require pre-registration and an additional fee via the online registration system in order to attend. Attendees must be a paid registrant in order to participate and receive session materials.
FAQs
Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Registration Open |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30am – 5:00pm | Registration Open |
| 7:30am – 9:00am | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | Level I Training for New CTE Administrators (additional pre-registration fee required) |
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | Level II Training for Experienced CTE Administrators (additional pre-registration fee required) |
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | Level III Training for Experienced CTE Administrators (additional pre-registration fee required) |
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | The Role of the Counselor and Affective Advising Practices for CTE (additional pre-registration fee required) |
| 9:00am – 3:00pm | Training Quality CTE Programs for Students with Special Needs (additional pre-registration fee required) |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | PreConference Reception hosted by CareerCraft |
| 3:30pm – 4:00pm | CTAT Executive Committee Meeting |
| 4:00pm – 5:30pm | CTAT Board of Director's Meeting |
| 6:00pm – 7:00pm | San Antonio Riverwalk Barge Tour |
| 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Board Social |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30am – 8:30am | Continental Breakfast |
| 7:30am – 4:00pm | Registration Open |
| 8:00am – 8:15am | First-time Attendee 101/Welcome |
| 8:00am – 4:00pm | Exhibit Hall / Solution Center |
| 8:30am – 10:00am | Opening General Session |
| 10:00am – 10:45am | Morning Solution Center Walkabout/Break |
| 10:45am – 11:15am | CTAT Area Meet & Greet |
| 11:30am – 12:15pm | Breakout Sessions 1 |
| 12:15pm – 1:30pm | Lunch - on your own |
| 12:15pm – 1:30pm | CTAT Area Presidents Luncheon |
| 1:30pm – 2:15pm | Breakout Sessions 2 |
| 2:30pm – 3:15pm | Breakout Sessions 3 |
| 3:15pm – 4:00pm | Afternoon Solution Center / Beverage Break Hosted by GW |
| 3:30pm – 4:00pm | CTAT Awards Committee Meetup |
| 4:00pm – 4:45pm | CTAT Roundtable |
| 5:00pm – 5:30pm | NextGen HH (by invitation only) |
| 5:00pm – 7:00pm | CTAT Reception Hosted by iCEV |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:30am – 8:30am | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:00am – 10:00am | Registration Open |
| 8:00am – 11:00am | Exhibit Hall / Solution Center |
| 8:30am – 9:15am | Breakout 4 |
| 9:30am – 10:15am | Breakout Sessions 5 |
| 10:15am – 11:00am | Morning Solution Center Walkabout / Break |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm | Stay Ahead of the Curve: TEA State Updates for CTE Leaders |
Detailed Agenda
Click here to download the detailed agenda for Winter 2027. Download the conference app to view the most current agenda.
Sign up to Present
CTAT invites you to impact CTE programs across the state by sharing your expertise. Presenters are expected to prepare engaging and interactive sessions with resources, strategies, how-to guides, examples, tools, and tips for supporting high-quality CTE programs. Sessions should target content areas specific to CTE.
Deadline to submit: TBD
Selection Process
Submissions
Any individual with experience in career and technical education, workforce development and business/industry are welcome to submit a presentation. All proposals are carefully reviewed and selected by a committee of CTAT members. Presentations will be chosen based on current relevant need and interest for CTAT conference attendees. Applicants will receive an acceptance or regret notification in December 2026.
Requirements
Presentation sessions are 45-minutes in person. Handouts and interaction among attendees are encouraged. We also encourage presenters to upload any materials prior to their presentation. Be prepared to share proven strategies and best practices from personal experience and research.
Note to Vendors
An exhibitor contract at the partnership/sponsor levels must accompany your presentation submission form to be eligible for a presentation session. There are a limited number of presentation slots for the conference and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. A vendor presentation submission will not be accepted without an accompanying contract.
Location
Conference Headquarters
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
600 E Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-1234
Beware of Hotel Scams
CTAT is committed to your safety. Avoid unauthorized housing companies posing as CTAT affiliates. Book directly through our provided link to secure your accommodations. If you have any questions or concerns about the validity of a hotel marketing call or email, please contact us at 512.288.8666. Your safety and security are our top priorities, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us combat housing scams.
Hotel Cancellation Policy
In order to reserve a room at the discounted rate, a deposit in the amount of one room night plus tax will be charged to the provided credit card 30 days prior to the date of arrival. Failure to cancel a reservation 30 days prior to arrival, will result in payment for one room night plus tax. The deposit is not refundable.
Register
Early bird deadline: TBD
Deadline to pre-register:TBD
Member Rates
Early Bird Rate
$585
Regular Rate
$635
On-Site Rate
$695
Non-Member Rates
Early Bird Rate
$635
Regular Rate
$695
On-Site Rate
$695
About Exhibiting
Increase your reach. CTE continues to be at the forefront of evolving education as strong interest in quality CTE programs across the country continues to increase. CTAT works to protect over $3,000,000,000 in state funding districts use to purchase equipment, supplies, and instructional materials.
Leverage the momentum of growing interest in CTE at CTAT Winter and Summer where administrators, counselors, ESC personnel, college articulation staff and CTE teachers gather to explore resources and services available to support their programs. Choose from several options to reach your existing and potential customers to gain exposure and maximize returns.
Maximize Brand Recognition Among Decision Makers. The key to reaching buyers in the career and technical education marketplace is to participate in Texas’ two premier state conferences, CTAT Summer and Winter Conferences, for CTE and workforce training.
Exhibitor Resources
Conference Exhibiting Opportunities
Sign up to Exhibit
Exhibitor Presentation Submission
Exhibitor Terms and Conditions