The 2026 AECA Conference is going to bring together early childhood professionals from all over Arkansas to take the collective strength of our workforce and channel it into a powerful impact on our educators, children and families. Our theme, Uniting Our Purpose: Lifting Our Voices, reflects a year focused on connection, supporting each other, and elevating the diverse voices that shape early learning every day. Inspired by our conference logo—six colorful figures forming a circle—this year’s conference will emphasize what is possible when we come together: stronger programs, more resilient educators, and brighter futures. Over three days at the Wyndham in North Little Rock, we will explore ways to lift:

• We’ll highlight practical strategies for empowering our workforce—through coaching, reflective supervision, well-being and resilience. AECA 2026 will be a space for educators to be heard, supported, and valued.
• Sessions will center on DAP, trauma‑responsive care, family engagement, and relationship‑based guidance that supports every child’s holistic growth.
• We’ll talk about strengthening early childhood professionalism—communicating effectively, how to make learning visible and championing developmentally appropriate practice.  
• Educators and administrators will find sessions on classroom practice, curriculum and assessment, and enhancing environments for young children.  
• Directors, supervisors, and leaders will explore tools for building programs with excellence and supporting people with compassion.

REGISTRATION

Conference registration opens on April 1, 2026. Anyone interested can register online here.

You can find out more information about registration prices here. If you need any help, please call the AECA office at 501-680-1930. 

ACCOMODATION

The conference will be held at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel, 2 Riverfront Pl, North Little Rock, AR, 72118. Rooms are available in a block reserved for the conference for $114 per night + tax. Reserve a room here or call the hotel directly at 501-371-9000.

CALL FOR SESSION PROPOSALS

This year’s theme, UNITING OUR PURPOSE: LIFTING OUR VOICES, highlights the power of early childhood educators and leaders to shape strong programs, supportive workplaces, and brighter futures for young children. This year we invite proposals that:

1. Lift the voices of educators and caregivers
2. Lift the voices of children and families
3. Lift the voice of the profession
4. Lift the quality of programs
5. Lift the capacity of leaders and administrators

Please read our Sessions Proposals Guide and then submit your proposal using the link in the document. Proposals are due June 30, 2026.

EXHIBITOR & VENDOR INFO

We want to invite your organization to join us as an exhibitor or sponsor at the 64th Annual Arkansas Early Childhood Association Conference, taking place October 7–9, 2026, at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock.

As most of you probably know, we have hundreds of early childhood educators, program leaders, coaches, higher‑education partners, and family child care professionals attend AECA every year to reconnect with their purpose and explore solutions that strengthen their daily work. This year’s theme—Uniting Our Purpose: Lifting Our Voices—focuses on the connections that fuel strong programs, resilient educators, and better outcomes for children and families. 

For vendors, partners and sponsors, this creates the perfect space to:

• Connect with practitioners and decision-makers who actively seek program solutions, high‑quality tools and services
• Demonstrate products in a high‑traffic, relationship‑centered exhibit hall
• Build year‑round visibility through sponsorships, digital placements, and program advertising
• Engage directly with a workforce that influences thousands of program purchasing decisions across Arkansas

 Download and review the 2026 Vendor Prospectus. As you look through it, you will quickly see it outlines a wide range of opportunities—from single‑booth exhibitor packages to premium partnerships that offer expanded branding and connection points throughout the conference.

Whether you provide classroom materials, curriculum, technical assistance, workforce supports, family engagement tools, technology solutions, or even personal goods and services that strengthen early childhood programs and contribute to the well-being of educators, we would be honored to welcome you into our exhibitor and sponsor community this year.

You can register as a vendor here. We will then send you a confirmation and invoice.

If you have questions or would like to explore a customized partnership package, please feel free to reach out at 501-680-1930.