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ECE Summit

The Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children ECE Summit is returning to Embassy Suites Portland Airport for three days of professional development, statewide connection, leadership, and inspiration.

Join 250 early childhood educators, administrators, faculty, advocates, students, and partners from across Oregon for engaging keynote speakers, meaningful conversations, practical learning opportunities, and the return of the Grand Articulation Summit.


Why Attend?

  • Inspiring keynote speakers and featured presenters 
  • Practical strategies and ideas you can apply right away
  • Networking and collaboration with professionals from across Oregon
  • Conversations focused on leadership, advocacy, workforce development, and inclusion
  • Opportunities to reconnect, recharge, and build community
  • ORO Hours Certificate/Certificado de Horas ORO

The ORAEYC ECE Summit brings together professionals from every part of the early childhood field to learn from one another and strengthen the future of early learning in Oregon. Attendees can expect:

  • Inspiring keynote speakers and featured presenters

  • Sessions for educators, administrators, higher education faculty, advocates, and program leaders

  • Practical strategies and innovative ideas you can incorporate into your work right away

  • Networking and collaboration opportunities with professionals from across Oregon

  • Conversations focused on workforce development, advocacy, leadership, inclusion, and developmental and culturally appropriate practice

  • Opportunities to reconnect, recharge, and build community



Embassy Suites Portland Airport

Venue features include complimentary breakfast for hotel guests, evening reception for hotel guests, on-site restaurant and gathering areas, convenient airport shuttle access, calming center atrium and indoor pool, and close proximity to shopping and restaurants.

Where to Stay: 

Embassy Suites Portland Airport

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland Airport

Hampton Inn Portland Airport

Sheraton Portland Airport

Residence Inn Portland Airport at Cascade Station


Summit Highlights

Grand Articulation Summit

The Grand Articulation Summit will once again be part of the ECE Summit experience, bringing together higher education and secondary faculty, administrators, and partners for conversations about pathways, transfer, workforce development, and the future of early childhood education preparation.

Professional Development

The Summit will offer learning opportunities designed for professionals at all stages of their careers with sessions focused on practical application, leadership growth, advocacy, emerging issues, and innovative practice.

Connection & Community

The ECE Summit is intentionally designed to create opportunities for meaningful connection through shared meals, networking opportunities, collaborative sessions, and informal gathering spaces throughout the event. 

Informational Booths and Vendors

Enjoy learning about a variety of resources available to you and shopping some of our favorite vendors. 


Celebrating Milestones in Early Childhood Education

The 2026 ECE Summit will also serve as a special opportunity to celebrate major milestones in the early childhood education community.

This year marks:

  • 100 years of National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • 60 years of Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children
  • 20 years of NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation 

Let's celebrate!



Included with Registration

Registration for each day includes:

Thursday luncheon

Friday morning coffee, lunch, and refreshments

Saturday coffee, lunch, and refreshments

Access to keynote sessions and breakout sessions

Networking opportunities and community events

Grand Articulation Summit (limited to invited guests)

Register Today


Schedule at a Glance

Thursday

Half Day (12:00 PM-4:30 PM)

11:00 AM Registration Opens

Luncheon

Featured Speaker- Marica Cox Mitchell*

Breakout Sessions*

Featured Speaker- Alissa Mwenelupembe

Evening Event: Books & Bites featuring Jamie Cho and Ninderjit Gill

    Friday

    Full Conference Day (8:00 AM-4:30 PM)

    Keynote Session

    Featured Speaker (virtual)- Elliot Haspel

    Featured Speaker- Elsa Jones*

    Breakout Sessions (English and Spanish)

    Lunch

    Afternoon Sessions (English and Spanish)

    Evening Event: Estamos Aqui Celebración

      Saturday

      Full Conference Day (8:00 AM-2:00 PM)

      Featured Speakers- Dennis McGregor and Beth Wood

      Discurso de Apertura

      Sessions (English and Spanish)

      Lunch

      Special Sessions

      Closing Sessions & Anniversary Celebration

      *Traducción al español disponible.

      Conference Sessions

      • Redefining the Word "Expert": A Community Forum for the Oregon Registry Trainer Program Revisions Project

      Presenter: Kate Randall with Nancy Orem

      • Finding Your Seat at the Table: Building Leadership Skills Through Professional Board Service

      Presenter: Danielle Cunningham

      • More Than Training: Trusting Educators' Embodied Knowing

      Presenter: Nichole Blum

      • Sharing a Small World: Geography and Ecology for Young Learners

      Presenter: Rachael Schuetz

      • A Recipe for Childcare Success: The Douglas County Childcare Coalition Story

      Presenter: Karissa Bent with Robin Van Winkle, Michelle Martin

      • Defensa de la primera infancia: Conectando tu historia con las políticas de educación infantil.

      Presentador: Elena Barreto

      • Beyond Behavior Management: A Nervous System Approach to Responsive Care

      Presenter: Mackenzie Coggin

      • Coaching for the Future: A Look at Early Learning Apprenticeship

      Presenter: Julie Smith with Jenna Sanders

      • Using Observation Data Beyond Assessment

      Presenter: Logan Holley

      • Tu historia, Tu fortaleza, Tu liderazgo

      Presentador: Herlin Alvarez

      • Building Capacity by Providing Culturally Responsive TA & Professional Development

      Presenter: Ty Morris with Dee Wetzel, Nancy Orem

      • What Great Teachers (and Parents) Do Differently

      Presenter: Robert Ahdoot

      • How Do You Bring Out the Best in You and Your Children?

      Presenter: Younghee Kim

      • An Introduction to Child Care Emergency Preparedness

      Presenter: Jax Richards

      • Stepping Up on the Oregon Registry: Planning Your Professional Development Journey

      Presenter: Nancy Orem with Heather Erwin

      • Beyond the Taboo: Understanding Healthy Sexual Development and Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Early Childhood

      Presenter: Claire Kille-Sanders with Alma Hernandez, Lindsay Spaulding

      • Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment that Celebrates All Children

      Presenter: Cindy Ryan

      • Nature Journaling in Early Childhood Settings

      Presenter: Nicole Dravillas Fravel

      • Make Conversations Meaningful: Talking with Families About Developmental Concerns

      Presenter: Jenine Schmidt with Beth Cole

      • Triangles! Squares! Patterns! Oh My! Math for the Fearful

      Presenter: Deborah Murphy

      • Música, Juego y Movimiento: Planeando Tu Sesión de Música con Intención
      Presenter: Guadalupe Meza-Burks



      Scholarships

      You may be eligible for a scholarship to assist with your attendance.

      Scholarships | Portland State University

      Or, contact conference@oregonaeyc.org 


      Become a Sponsor

      Support early childhood professional development and have your business features at the event.

      We look forward to connecting with you about sponsorship options. 

      Sponsor Packet

      Become a Vendor

      Share your organization, service, or product that supports early learning and care professionals.

      Vendor Application



      Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children, 2026

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