Mark your calendars for April 27 & 28, 2027

SkillsUSA Wisconsin Returns to Madison!

SkillsUSA: Champion Your Future 2025-2026

53rd Annual State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC)

April 7–8, 2026 | Alliant Energy Center & Madison Area Technical College

SkillsUSA Wisconsin is thrilled to return to Madison, WI, for the 53rd Annual SLSC, our premier celebration of career and technical education. Over 2,000 students, teachers, advisors, and industry professionals from across the state will come together for two days of high-energy competitions, leadership development, and networking.

🏆 Winners in all National-Qualifying Events will be invited to represent Wisconsin at the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, GA, June 1–5, 2026.

Check out our NLSC Page for the 2026 Wisconsin Information!

    2026 Wisconsin State Contests and Updates – Click Here!

📊 Scores are NOW posted!

Check them out here: https://www.skillsusa-register.org/scores
You’ll need your contestant number + date of birth that was entered in registration to log in.

Welding Results/Scores – can be found at: https://skillsusawisconsinwelding.weebly.com/

🤝 Get Involved: Partner, Sponsor, Volunteer!

Help make this event a success and grow your visibility in Wisconsin’s skilled talent pipeline:

👉 Interested? Contact Quinn Novy at engagewiskillsusa@gmail.com

📍SkillsCity Partner Booths!

📖 Students – Pick up your SkillCity Passport at the Registration Desk and start your adventure! 
🏢 Visit each SkillCity Partner Booth listed on your passport and collect a signature ✍️ from every stop.

📬 Turn in your completed passport at the SkillsUSA Registration/Help Desk by 2:00 PM on Wednesday.

📱 Winners will be announced in the Yapp App by 4:00 PM Wednesday, and prizes can be picked up at the Awards Ceremony.

It’s that easy—start exploring and good luck! 

🗓️ SkillsCity Booths Schedule

  • Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Booths open during event briefing meetings (optional)
  • Wednesday, April 8, 2026 • 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM – Booths open during competitions (main event)

👀 Spectators Welcome!

Parents, community members, and industry partners are invited to spectate at no cost to enter the Alliant Energy buildings Free Entry into the Coliseum Alliant Energy buildings, however Dane County requires a parking fee each day at the Alliant Energy Center. Fees are $10 per car and $30 per bus. To purchase parking passes, visit Alliant Energy Center Parking. Please note that each day must be purchased separately. The Alliant Energy Center no longer accepts cash for parking fees. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Come support Wisconsin’s best and brightest in CTE!

🏅 Closing Ceremonies & Awards

📅 Wednesday, April 8th at 6:30 PM
📍 Alliant Energy Center Coliseum

Come one, Come All! Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our student competitors as we announce winners and recognize outstanding achievements across the state. Free Entry into the Coliseum Alliant Energy buildings, however Dane County requires a parking fee each day at the Alliant Energy Center. Fees are $10 per car and $30 per bus. To purchase parking passes, visit Alliant Energy Center Parking. Please note that each day must be purchased separately. The Alliant Energy Center no longer accepts cash for parking fees. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

📅 Schedule of Events

Click for printable Master Schedule – By Contest – updated 4-2-26

Click for printable Master Schedule – By Date – updated 3-23-26

Bus Schedule to Madison College 2026

📱 Advisors & Students—Stay Connected! Download the Yapp App for the live schedule , customize your own agenda , and receive real-time updates 🔔 so you never miss a moment!

https://my.yapp.us/SKILLSUSAWI

New for this year: Dane County requires a parking fee each day at the Alliant Energy Center. Fees are $10 per car and $30 per bus. To purchase parking passes, visit Alliant Energy Center Parking. Please note that each day must be purchased separately. The Alliant Energy Center no longer accepts cash for parking fees. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

Tuesday, April 7th

  • 9:00 am – Noon –  School Registration – Hall D

  • 9:00 am – 11 am – Business & Industry Meeting in AEC Boardroom  – all invited to attend!
  • Noon – Lunch on your own (Concessions will be available on site)

  • 12:15 pm – Coliseum doors open

  • 1:00 pm – Opening Ceremonies at the Coliseum (All Students & Advisors)
  • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – SkillsCity is OPEN! Visit the partner booths
  • 3:00 pm – Contests and Briefings Start 
  • 6:00-7:00 pm – Contests Conclude for the night
  • 7:00 pm – Last Bus to arrive at AEC from MATC
  • 8:30 pm – State Bowling Social, Ten Pin Alley, 6285 Nesbitt Rd, Fitchburg – All welcome, first come first serve, must have own transportation. Pizza, Soda and Bowling provided!

Wednesday, April 8th

  • 6:45 am Doors Open & Bus arrive for MATC pick-up
  • 7:00 am Bus Leaves for MATC
  • 7:00 am Some Contests start – (Check Master Schedule)
  • 7:30 am – 4:00 pm – SkillsCity is OPEN! Visit the partner booths 

  • 8:00 am – Most Contests Start 

  • Noon – Bag Lunch Provided to all Registered Participants (Attendees with reported Allergies pick-up lunch @ Registration Office)
  • 4:00 pm – All Contests Conclude
  • 5:00 pm – Last Bus arrives from MATC – Dinner on your own (Concessions will be available on site or you can plan dinner off site)
  • 5:45 pm – Coliseum doors open
  • 6:30 pm – Closing Ceremonies & Awards (All Students & Advisors)

Thursday, April 9th

  • 7: 00 pm – NLSC Information Meeting for Advisors, Contestants and Parents who placed 1st – Meeting Link to be provided

📝 Registration Information

  • SLSC Registration Opens: January 16, 2026 at 7:30 am  (Note: Some contests may close early if capacity is reached.)

  • State Leadership & Skills Conference 2026 Advisor Packet (Click)

  • Closes: February 28, 2026 (strict deadline – no refunds after this date)

  • Registration Fee:  High School students: $100, Middle School students: $80.  (Includes one Leadership/Occupational contest and one Skilled contest.)

  • Note: All students must be registered as National SkillsUSA Members before registering for the conference.

  • Click HERE for SLSC 2026 Contests and WI Technical Standards
  • For a printable list of the 2026 Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Contests, click here.

🎤 2026 National Anthem Performer Search

Do you have musical talent? We’re searching for a student to perform the National Anthem at the Opening Session on April 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

📧 Email wisconsinskillsusa@gmail.com by March 1, 2026 to receive a Google folder link for uploading your audition video.

Please include your name, school, and email in the submission.

🏨 Hotel Information

The hotel block for the 53rd annual State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC) is now open. 

To receive discounted hotel rates, you must book through the official online system. Reservations will not be accepted directly through the hotels.   

Click here to make hotel reservations 

  • Reservations can be made in the online block until  
  • Up to 20 rooms can be reserved at one time. If you have more than 20 room, please contact services@destinationmadison.com for assistance.
  • If you are tax-exempt, please make your reservations and wait until you have received your confirmation numbers. Then contact the hotel directly in advance to make arrangements or present that documentation to the hotel upon check-in to receive tax-exempt status.
  • The cut-off for making reservations is March 20th at 11:59PM CT. After that date, any remaining rooms will be released back to the hotels.

If you have any questions about the hotel block, please contact services@destinationmadison.com for assistance.

Click HERE for more information about visiting Madison!

 

🔑 Key Deadlines

  • January 7th, 2026 Pin Design Registration Closes

  • February 28, 2026: SLSC Registration Closes (no late entries or refunds)

  • March 1, 2026: State Officer application deadline

  • March 22, 2026: Volunteer registration due

  • April 7, 2026: Conference payment due

  • April 24, 2026: NLSC Registration due – It’s a quick turnaround! Be sure to review your NSLC packet in advance so you’re prepared to make a decision right away if your student places first at SLSC.  Winners in all National-Qualifying Events will be invited to represent Wisconsin at the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, GA, June 1–5, 2026.                                                           Check out our NLSC Page for the 2026 Wisconsin Information!

🔧 Competition Details & Updates

  • Click HERE for SLSC 2026 Contests and WI Technical Standards
  • For a printable list of the 2026 Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Contests, click here.

  • The National Technical Standards that reference uploading materials only apply to the National Conference.  At the State level, no uploads are required. Everything will be handled on site. Students should simply bring their resume and any required materials for their specific competitions according to the Technical Standards. There is nothing you need to send or upload ahead of time unless you receive a specific email requesting it.

  • Students may participate in one Leadership/Occupational contest and one Skilled contest.

  • Advisors are responsible for assisting students in managing competition schedules.

  • Due to scheduling conflicts, some students may be limited to one competition.

  • All contests have limited enrollment and are first-come, first-served.

  • Contests may be canceled if minimum participation is not met.

  • Welding Auto-Qualifiers: Students placing 1st at a Fall Welding Competition, District or Regional will automatically qualify (Welding portion not Job Interview portion) .

  • Pin Design Competition: Registration opens December 2025, competition held January 2026.
    Winners revealed at SLSC—Champion pins included in registration packets.

  • Contest Attire
  • General SkillsUSA Regulations 2024-2026

🛠 Competitions Held at Madison College (Transportation Provided with buses running every 20 minutes):

Bus printable schedule – Bus Schedule to Madison College 2026

  • Additive Manufacturing

  • Automotive Refinishing Technology (PS ONLY)

  • Baking & Pastry Arts

  • Collision Repair Technology

  • Culinary Arts

  • Electronics Technology

  • Precision Machining Technology

  • Technical Drafting

  • Welding (High School)

Important Forms: