2026 Connection Conference
We invite you to the annual Connection Conference, a milestone event recognizing the incredible impact of empowering the American Dream. From July 9-15, 2026, in Tucson, we’ll unite to celebrate YOUR and CTE’s impact on student success and workforce development.
Join us for an immersive experience at the forefront of Career and Technical Education. With 300+ sessions, hands-on workshops, and ADE-approved certification courses, this event is your chance to level up your skills, connect with industry leaders, and discover the latest innovations shaping the future of education.
A Purpose-Driven Experience
- Discover the latest innovations shaping CTE
- Connect with fellow professionals and leaders
- Gain strategies to spark real change
- Engage in affiliate meetings and sessions
- Expand your learning through networking and keynotes
- Celebrate excellence at the Awards Breakfast
To help you find sessions that best enhance your conference experience, refer to the Preview of Sessions page, which includes curated filters to guide your selections.
You can also explore the Content Areas List to easily locate sessions aligned with your interests. For additional clarification, consult the Abbreviations and Acronyms List for key terms and program references.
Administration:
- ACOVA
- Arizona Dept. of Education
- CTED Superintendents
Agriculture (AG):
- AgriScience
- Veterinary Assisting
Business and Marketing Education (BME):
- Accounting
- Business Management
- Business Operations
- Finance
- Marketing
Communication Media Technologies (CMT):
- Digital Animation
- Digital Communication
- Digital Photography
- Digital Printing
- Film and TV Production
- Graphic Design
- Music and Audio Production
Community College:
- AOAC
Construction Science Technologies (CST):
- Architectural Drafting
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Construction Technologies
- Electrical and Power Transmission Installation
- Electronics Drafting
- Energy Systems
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Heavy Equipment Operations
- Mechanical Drafting
- Plumbing
- Stagecraft
Education and Training (EDT):
- Early Childhood Education
- Education Professions
Engineering, Manufacturing (ENGR, MFG):
- Automation and Robotics
- Engineering
- Precision Machining
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS):
- Culinary Arts
- Fashion Design and Merchandising
- Hospitality Management
- Interior Design and Merchandising
Health Science Technologies (HST):
- Bioscience
- Cosmetology and Related Services
- Dental Assisting
- Emergency Medical Services
- Home Health Aide
- Laboratory Assisting
- Medical Assisting Services
- Medical Records Technologies
- Mental and Social Health Technician
- Nursing Services
- Pharmacy Support Services
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Therapeutic Massage
- Veterinary Assisting (ADD)
Information Technologies (IT):
- Technology Devices Maintenance
- Electronic Technologies
- Network Security
- Software and App Design
Interdisciplinary:
- ACTEAZ
Public Service Careers (PSC):
- Fire Service
- JROTC
- Law and Public Safety
School Counseling
Transportation Technologies (TT):
- Air Transportation
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Automotive Collision Repair
- Automotive Technologies
- Diesel Engine Repair
- Heavy Industrial Maintenance
Welding
Below are commonly used abbreviations and acronyms in CTE:
- AG-ED – Agriculture Education
- AATA – AZ Agriculture Teachers Association
- ABEA – AZ Business Education Association
- ACOVA – An Association of CTE Administrators
- ACT – American College Testing
- ACTE – Association for Career and Technical Education
- ACTEAZ – Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona
- ADDA – American Design Drafting Association
- ADE – Arizona Department of Education
- ADM – Average Daily Membership
- AEPA – Arizona Educators Proficiency Assessment
- AME – Arizona Marketing Educators
- AMP- Arizona Manufacturing Partnership
- AOAC – Arizona Occupational Administrators Council
- APS – Arizona Public Service
- ASAP- Arizona State Parliamentarians
- ASCA – Arizona School Counselors Association
- ASE – Auto Service Excellence
- ASU – Arizona State University
- ATIEA – AZ Technology and Industrial Education Association
- AWS – American Welding Society
- AzAFCS – Arizona Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
- AzCRN – Arizona Career Resource Network
- AZCTECC – Arizona CTE Curriculum Consortium
- AzHCEA– Arizona Health Career Education Association
- CAD – Computer Aided Drafting
- CAR – Consolidated Annual Report
- CAVIAT – Coconino Association for Vocation Industry and Technology
- CAVIT – Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology
- CIP – Classification of Instructional Programs (6-digit code identifies CTE program)
- CMT – Communication Media Technologies
- CO-OP – Cooperative Education
- CTD – Cochise Technology District
- CTDS – County/Type/District/School Code (9-digit code)
- CTE – Career and Technical Education
- CTED – Career Technical Education District
- CTSO – Career Technical Student Organization
- CVIT – Cobre Valley Institute of Technology District
- DCE – Diversified Cooperative Education
- DECA – An Association of Marketing Students
- ECE – Early Childhood Education
- EP – Education Professions
- ESSA – Elementary and Secondary School Act
- EVIT – East Valley Institute of Technology
- FBLA – Future Business Leaders of America
- FCS – Family and Consumer Sciences
- FCCLA – Family, Career & Community Leaders of America
- FFA – Future Farmers of America
- FY – Fiscal Year
- GIFT – Gila Institute For Technology
- GME – Grants Management Enterprise
- GPS – Grants Program Specialist
- HST – Health Science Technologies
- HOSA – Health Occupations Students of America
- LEA – Local Education Agency
- MICTED – Mountain Institute Career Technical Education District
- NATEF – National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation
- NATIVE – Northeast Arizona Technological Institute of Vocational Education
- NAU – Northern Arizona University
- NAVIT – Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology
- NCCER – National Center for Construction Education and Research
- NCCTE – National Center for Career Technical Education
- NOCTI – National Occupational Competency Testing Institute
- NOI – Notification of Intent
- NPS – National Policy Seminar
- OCR – Office of Civil Rights
- OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- OCTAE – Office of Career Technical and Adult Education
- PCJTED – Pima County Joint Technical Education District
- PD – Professional Development
- PLTW – Project Lead the Way
- SAIS – Student Accountability Information System
- SDLP – State Determined Level of Performance
- SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test
- SENSE – Schools Excelling through National Skills Standards Education
- SkillsUSA – A National Students Organization
- STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math
- STEDY – Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma
- SY – School Year
- U of A – University of Arizona
- VACTE – Valley Academy for Career & Technology Education
- WACA – Western Apprenticeship Coordinators Association
- WAVE – Western Arizona Vocational Education
- West-MEC – Western Maricopa Educational Center
- WIOA – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act