Mark your calendars for April 27 & 28, 2027

SkillsUSA Wisconsin Returns to Madison!

The SkillsUSA logo for the 2026–2027 "Level Up" initiative, featuring bold blue and red text with an upward arrow.

SkillsUSA: Level UP 2026-2027

54th Annual State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC)

April 27–28, 2027 | Alliant Energy Center & Madison Area Technical College

SkillsUSA Wisconsin is thrilled to return to Madison, Wisconsin, for the 54th Annual State Leadership & Skills Conference (SLSC)! This is our premier statewide celebration of career and technical education, leadership, skilled trades, and student achievement – and you won’t want to miss it!

More than 3,000 students, teachers, advisors, and business and industry professionals from across Wisconsin will come together for two action-packed days filled with 70+ high-energy competitions, hands-on demonstrations, leadership development, career connections, and networking opportunities.  From the competition floor to SkillsCity, students will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test, connect with industry professionals, explore career pathways, and showcase the talent being developed in Wisconsin’s classrooms and technical programs. 

Experience the energy. Celebrate skilled talent. Build connections. Champion the future.

🏆 Winners in all National-Qualifying Events will be invited to represent Wisconsin at the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, GA, June 21–25, 2027.

                                                       

🤝 Partner, Sponsor & Volunteer

Help make SLSC a success while supporting Wisconsin’s future skilled workforce.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Quinn Novy at engage@skillsusa-wi.org

📍 SkillsCity Partner Booths

Pick up your SkillsCity Passport at the Registration Desk and visit participating partner booths to collect signatures.

Tuesday, April 27 | 3:00–5:00 PM – Booths open during event briefings (optional)
Wednesday, April 28 | 7:30 AM–4:00 PM – Booths open during competitions

Return completed passports to the SkillsUSA Registration/Help Desk by 2:00 PM Wednesday. Winners will be announced in the Yapp App by 4:00 PM and prizes will be available at the Awards Ceremony.

👀 Spectators Welcome!

Parents, families, community members, and industry partners are welcome to attend and support our competitors. Admission to the Alliant Energy Center buildings and Coliseum is free.

Dane County parking fees apply each day at the Alliant Energy Center.

🏅 Closing Ceremonies & Awards

Wednesday, April 28, 2027 | 6:30 PM
Alliant Energy Center Coliseum

Join us as we celebrate Wisconsin’s SkillsUSA competitors and recognize outstanding achievements across the state. All are welcome! Admission is free. Dane County parking fees apply each day at the Alliant Energy Center.

📅 Schedule of Events

Tuesday, April 27

  • 9:00 AM–Noon – School Registration | Hall D
  • 9:00–11:00 AM – Business & Industry Meeting | AEC Boardroom (All invited!)
  • Noon – Lunch on your own; concessions available
  • 12:15 PM – Coliseum Doors Open
  • 1:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies | Coliseum (All Students & Advisors)
  • 3:00–5:00 PM – SkillsCity Open
  • 3:00 PM – Contests & Briefings Begin
  • 6:00–7:00 PM – Contests Conclude for the Evening
  • 7:00 PM – Last Bus Arrival at AEC from Madison College
  • 8:30 PM – State Bowling Social | Ten Pin Alley, Fitchburg
    All welcome; first come, first served. Own transportation required. Pizza, soda, and bowling provided.

Wednesday, April 28

  • 6:45 AM – Doors Open & Bus Arrival for Madison College Pickup
  • 7:00 AM – Bus Departs for Madison College
  • 7:00 AM – Some Contests Begin (check Master Schedule)
  • 7:30 AM–4:00 PM – SkillsCity Open
  • 8:00 AM – Most Contests Begin
  • Noon – Bag Lunch Provided to Registered Participants
  • 4:00 PM – All Contests Conclude
  • 5:00 PM – Last Bus Arrives from Madison College; Dinner on your own
  • 5:45 PM – Coliseum Doors Open
  • 6:30 PM – Closing Ceremonies & Awards

Thursday, April 29

  • 7:00 PM – NLSC Information Meeting for Advisors, Contestants & Parents of First-Place Winners
    Meeting link will be provided.

📝 Registration Information

Opens: January 20, 2027 at 7:30 AM
Closes: February 28, 2027 (strict deadline; no refunds after this date)
Registration Fee: $100 for High School, Middle School students and Advisors/Chaperones  (Advisors/Chaperones that Volunteer will have FREE Admission – Volunteer Here)

Registration includes lunch on Wednesday and one Leadership/Occupational contest and one Skilled contest. Advisors should review schedules carefully, as some students may be limited to one competition due to scheduling conflicts.

Important Registration Details:

  • Review Advisor Packet (Not released for SLSC 2027)
  • Students must be registered as National SkillsUSA Members by March 1, 2027 before registering for SLSC.
  • All contests have limited enrollment and are first-come, first-served.
  • Contests may be canceled if minimum participation is not met.
  • No State-Level Contest Uploads: Students do not need to upload materials before SLSC unless specifically requested. Bring your resume and required competition materials listed in the Technical Standards.
  • Advisors are responsible for helping students manage competition schedules.
  • Contact Jamie Birchman at events@skillsusa-wi.org for all registration questions.

Welding Auto-Qualifiers

Students placing 1st at a Fall Welding Competition, District, or Regional Competition automatically qualify for the Welding competition at SLSC. This applies to the Welding portion only and does not include Job Interview.

Pin Design Competition

Registration opens December 2026, with the competition held in January 2027. Winners will be announced at SLSC, and champion pins will be included in registration packets.

📋 Important Forms & Resources

Substitution Rule: Only students already registered may be used as substitutes. Non-registered students may not be substituted into competitions.

🎤 2027 National Anthem Performer Search

SkillsUSA Wisconsin is seeking a student performer for the Opening Session on April 27, 2027, at 1:00 PM.

Email events@skillsusa-wi.org by March 15, 2027 to receive the audition submission link. Include your name, school, and email address.

🏨 Hotel Information

2027 reservation link coming soon.

For information about visiting Madison, Visit Madison.

🔑 Key Deadlines

  • December 2026 – Pin Design Registration Opens
  • January 20, 2027 | 7:30 AM – SLSC Registration Opens
  • February 28, 2027 – SLSC Registration Closes; no refunds
  • March 1, 2027 – State Officer Application Deadline
  • March 15, 2027 – National Anthem Audition Deadline
  • March 31, 2027 – Volunteer Registration Due
  • April 27, 2027 – Conference Payment Due
  • April 27–29, 2027 – SLSC 2027

🛠 Competitions at Madison College

Transportation provided; buses run approximately every 20 minutes.

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Automotive Refinishing Technology (Postsecondary Only)
  • Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Collision Repair Technology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Electronics Technology
  • Precision Machining Technology
  • Technical Drafting
  • Welding (High School)

📚 2026 Archived Information

The following resources are from the 2026 conference and are provided for reference. 2027 information will be posted as it becomes available.

Thank you to our advisors, volunteers, judges, sponsors, business and industry partners, parents, and supporters for helping provide outstanding opportunities for SkillsUSA Wisconsin members!

If you attended our previous events, we would love to hear from you  👉 Complete the Event Survey Today

Thank You to Our 2026 Partners Below!

We are grateful to the businesses and organizations that supported SkillsUSA Wisconsin in 2026.  Explore our 2027 Partnership Opportunities and join us in supporting Wisconsin’s future workforce!