2026 NCAEYC Annual Conference

Please join us for NCAEYC's Annual Conference. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to join early childhood educators in two great days of learning.

The theme for NCAEYC’s 66th Annual Conference is Revive • Renew • Restore - Reignite Your Passion • Refresh Your Purpose. From our beginnings in 1953 as the North Carolina Kindergarten Association, then transforming into a state affiliate of NAEYC in 1974, we are connected by a commitment to high quality care and early learning for young children Birth – 8. Today’s leaders and members continue to live out this commitment by exemplifying professionalism and valuing our connections to each other and to the advocacy impact we have when we join together to make a difference for children, families and our field. With a renewed mission, vision and priority initiatives, NCAEYC continues to adapt, transform, lead and innovate so we can promote and inspire purpose, passion and professionalism in early care and education. Our great line-up of sessions reflect our interrelated Priority Initiatives: • Developmentally Appropriate Practice across the Birth – 8 age spectrum • Wellness and Resilience in Early Childhood Education • Professionalism, Leadership and Advocacy Our desire is to create space for you to be meaningfully connected to, actively engaged with, and uniquely inspired by other professionals committed to this valuable early childhood journey

We are so honored to have Willa Brigham as our Keynote speaker. Willa is a TWO-TIME Emmy Award Winning Host of the Television Show, Smart Start Kids, an Inspirational Speaker, Storyteller, Writer, Teacher and Performing Artist.

Reignite your passion and refresh your purpose by attending an unforgettable evening at the Raleigh Mariott Crabtree on Friday, September 20th from 6:00-10:00 p.m. to celebrate the worthy work you do daily for North Carolina's youngest citizens. "Bet on Yourself," with keynote Molly Grantham, a 4x-Emmy award-winning journalist, 3x-author, and national speaker who juggles life with humor and poise and will leave you inspired and valued. The party continues as we dance the night away with DJ DELUXE Event Group. There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Put on your dancing shoes and reserve your spot.

NCAEYC has a room block at our official Conference hotel, the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree located at 4500 Marriott Drive in Raleigh. All rooms are double queen size and you will receive a reduced rate as an NCAEYC presenter, vendor, volunteer, or registrant. Reserve your accommodations by clicking the link below:

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1713988187470&key=GRP&app=resvlink

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Host or Publisher NC Association for the Education of Young Children