2026 Policy and Talent Development Summit
Details
Online Registration is now closed. To register please email conferences@ncher.org to register.
Agenda Now Available: 2026 Policy and Talent Development Summit
NCHER’s 2026 Policy and Talent Development Summit, will take place February 11–12 in Washington, D.C. Formerly the Legislative and Leadership Meeting, this Summit offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with top Trump Administration officials, congressional policymakers, and subject-matter experts shaping the conversation in Washington. It also convenes leaders who are redefining talent development: from organizational leadership and culture to the systems that connect education and employment nationwide. This Summit will provide attendees with the insight, relationships, and strategies needed to lead confidently in a rapidly evolving education finance ecosystem.
NCHER is pleased to release an updated agenda. The packed agenda lists many confirmed Summit participants and includes:
- A keynote session by Sarah Lagrotteria, Head Educator of Just Bloom School (sponsored by ECMC Group);
- A bipartisan congressional staff panel featuring Republican and Democratic staffers from the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions;
- A panel session delivering important updates on H.R. 1 implementation; and
- Sessions on the future of learning and work, college affordability, employer partnerships, and preserving college access.
To celebrate the release of this updated agenda, NCHER is extending the early bird rate a final time. Please register on or before January 16, 2026, to secure the discounted Summit pricing.
Thank you to our sponsors who help make this Summit possible!
Keynote Sponsor:
ECMC Group
Premier Sponsors:
MOHELA
Yrefy
Benefactor Sponsor:
Edfinancial
ARC Servicing
Champion Sponsors:
Access Lex
HESC
Advocate Sponsor:
ELFI
Conference Fees ▼
Member Early Rate – $750
Member Regular Rate – $850
Non-Member Early Rate – $950
Non-Member Regular Rate – $1050
Early Rate is available until January 23, 2026
Payments:
You must be logged in to register online and receive member pricing.
Once you complete the registration process, an invoice will be sent to you with payment options. NCHER does not accept payments on our registration page. A payment invoice will be sent within 48 hours for payment.
NCHER registration fees must be paid prior to attending the meeting. Should the registration fee remain unpaid 30 days after the meeting concludes, a 2% per month late fee may be assessed.
Event FAQ ▼
ROOM RATE
The NCHER group room rate is $259.00 per room, per night, single or double occupancy. The NCHER discounted rate will be available until the group reservation cut off date or the room block is full whichever comes first. Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible.
RESERVATION PROCEDURE
Hotel reservations can be made online.
CUTOFF DATE
The hotel will accept reservations until the cut-off date of January 20, 2026. After that date all rooms remaining in the group block will be returned to the hotel’s general inventory for sale to other groups and individuals.
ROOM CANCELLATION
A 72 hour cancellation notice is required to refund any deposits received except for persons with medical emergencies.
CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT TIMES
Check-in time at the hotel is 3:00 p.m. Check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
ATTIRE
AIR TRAVEL / GROUND TRANSPORTATION (Fares quoted are approximate)
Taxi Fare from Ronald Reagan International Airport $15-20.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be in writing to the NCHER office and addressed to conferences@ncher.org. Cancellation fees will be assessed for both prepaid and non-prepaid registrations. Registrations cancelled prior to January 7, 2026 $75 administrative fee. Registrations cancelled after January 21, 2026, will not receive a refund. Registrations may be transferred to another registrant from your organization within the same conference at any time. Please note that registrations fees from prior conferences/conventions for your organization will be deducted from any refunds. Refunds will be processed 30 days after the conference.