Mark your calendars for April 7 & 8, 2026

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.

🤝 Get Involved: Partner, Sponsor, Volunteer!

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

  • Sponsor the Event – Support the future workforce while promoting your brand.

  • SkillsCity Booth – Connect directly with students, educators, and industry partners.

  • Volunteer or Judge – Play an active role in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals. Please fill out form if you are a New or Returning Volunteer!

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

👀 Spectators Welcome!

Parents, community members, and industry partners are invited to spectate at no cost to enter the Alliant Energy buildings (parking fees do apply $10/car $30/bus per Dane County Regulation). 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 (parking fees do apply $10/car $30/bus per Dane County Regulation).

📝 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.

🔧 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
  • Yapp App – Conference App with schedule (not live yet)

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

Subject to change – 

  • Additive Manufacturing

  • Automotive Refinishing Technology

  • Baking & Pastry Arts

  • Collision Repair Technology

  • Culinary Arts

  • Electronics Technology

  • Precision Machining Technology

  • Technical Drafting

  • Welding (High School)

Important Forms:

📂 2025 Event Archive

The following materials are from the 2025 SLSC and are provided for historical reference only. 2026 updates will be posted as they become available.

Click to Retrieve Results from SLSC 2025 – You will need your Contestant Number and DOB