USDLA 2026 National Conference
39th USDLA National Distance Learning Conference, June 22nd – 25th
USDLA conference registration, hotel reservations, proposal submissions, keynote speakers, schedule, becoming a partner, and more.
2026 Conference Registration
Universal Harmony: Exploring the Melodic Chords of Distance and Digital Learning
Join us at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower June 22 - 25th, 2026! Our USDLA National Conference has long been an event where leaders, educators, instructional designers and others mingle, discuss e-learning technology and learn from an audience broader than our own. Past attendees have enjoyed the in-person interactions, hands-on networking and personal relationships made with one another. All registrations include the virtual conference sessions being held June 16th-17th, 2026.
Presenter Rates*
- On-Site Presenter fee $300 (includes full on-site conference pass)
- Virtual Presenter fee $100 (if presenting remotely)
*Contact Harriet Watkins for presenter registration code at harriet.watkins@iconnect-na.com
USDLA Single Attendee Conference Registration Rates
- Member** Early Bird $495 (Extended through 3/31/2026)
- Member** Standard $550 (Valid 4/1/2026 through 6/21/2026)
- Member** On-site $595 (after 6/21/2026)
- Non-Member Early Bird $595 (Extended through 3/31/2026)
- Non-Member Standard $650 (Valid 4/1/2026 through 6/21/2026)
- Non-Member On-site $695 (after 6/21/2026)
**Members will need to provide their membership username at time of registration to receive the USDLA Member rate. Please send any questions to membership@usdla.org
Team Discount Special (Bundle Savings, valid through 6/21/2026)
- Purchase 2 registrations for $990, get the 3rd for free
- Purchase 3 registrations for $1485, get the 4th and 5th for free
- Bring the team pass! $2495 for up to 10 attendees
Single Day and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event Rates
- One-Day Pass – $299 (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday)
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Event - $199 (includes private tour and cocktail hour)
Cancellations: The registration cancellation period expires May 8th, 2026, after which time your registration can be applied in full to the 2027 conference.
Can't make it on-site to the national conference?
Sign up for our virtual experience.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Event
Join us for an exclusive, private evening of exploring, heavy apps (enough for dinner) and cool beverages. We will kick everything off at 6:30 with shuttles taking attendees to the event from the hotel. Attendees will be given VIP passes (lanyards) with information on what is on each level of the hall. The R&R HOF staff will be our guides for the evening.
2026 Call For Proposals (Backups Being Accepted)
Interested in applying as a backup speaker?
This year our theme will be “Universal Harmony: Exploring the Melodic Chords of Distance and Digital Learning.” While all speaker sessions have been filled, you can still apply to be on the backup list in the event that someone has a conflict. You will have the option of proposing a session for the onsite event, the virtual component of the conference, or a Friday webinar. Please note that the virtual sessions will be on June 17-18, 2026.
2026 Hotel Information
"Rock-n-Roll With AI Tools For Education"
The 2026 event will be held at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower the week of June 22nd, 2026.
Room rates are $234 per night and can be extended prior to and after the conference, subject to availability.
Hotel Guests Parking: there is a discounted USDLA rate of $25 per night (plus tax) for on-site parking without in/out privileges. There were also several public parking garages nearby:
- Huntington Park garage
- Willard Park garage
- 55 Public Square garage
NOTE: Cutoff date for this preferred hotel rate is Saturday 5/30/2026.
2026 Conference Schedule Quick View
June 22, 2026
Monday - Day 1
8:00am - 7:00pm
Registration
USDLA Staff
9:00am – 4:00pm
Exhibitor Setup
Main Ballroom
9:00am – 4:00pm
Sententia Gamification Certification - Level 1
Jonathan Peters
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Pre-Conference AI Workshop with Dr. Robbie Melton
USDLA Staff
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Pre-Conference Leadership Workshop
Hugh Jensen
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Opening Reception (Lite fares & cash bar) - Tips, Tech, and Tapas
First chance to connect with attendees
June 23, 2026
Tuesday - Day 2
6:15am – 7:15am
Morning Stretch – Yoga
Alexandra Salas and Anna Gibbs
7:00am – 4:00pm
Registration
USDLA Staff
8:00am – 5:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
Sponsor Demonstrations
8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast Served
Ballroom
8:45am – 9:00am
Opening Announcements
Pat Cassella, USDLA Executive Director
9:30am – 10:15am
Opening Keynote in the Ballroom
Michael Torrence
10:15am - 10:40am
TEDx-style Presentation
Sponsor Spotlights
10:45am – 11:30am
Concurrent Sessions 1
multiple presentation choices
11:45pm – 12:15pm
Featured Speaker
Josh Penzell
12:15pm – 1:15pm
Lunch Service
Awards Announcements
4:00pm – 4:45pm
Distance Learning Production Tips
John Chen
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Concurrent Sessions 2
multiple presentation choices
2:30pm – 3:15pm
Concurrent Sessions 3
multiple presentation choices
3:30pm - 4:15pm
Build Your Playlist
4:15pm – 5:00pm
Announcements, Awards and Drawings
Shana Garrett - USDLA President
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Tour
USDLA Board of Directors & Attendees
9:30pm – Midnight
Midnight Karaoke in the Ballroom
John Chen and Friends
June 24, 2026
Wednesday - Day 3
6:15am – 7:15am
Bill Jackson Memorial Sunrise Run/Walk
All USDLA Attendees Welcome
7:00am – 4:00pm
Registration
USDLA Staff
8:00am – 5:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
Sponsor Demonstrations
8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast Served
Ballroom
8:45am – 9:00am
Opening Announcements
Pat Cassella, USDLA Executive Director
9:00am – 9:45am
Featured Speaker
Betty Dannewitz
10:00am – 11:15am
Workshop Session Block 1
multiple participation choices
11:30pm – 12:30pm
Lunch Service
Awards and Announcements
12:45am – 2:00pm
Workshop Session Block 2
multiple participation choices
2:15pm – 3:00pm
Last Dance with Exhibitors
Solution Demonstrations
3:15pm – 4:00pm
Concurrent Session Block 4
multiple presentation choices
4:15pm – 5:00pm
Concurrent Session Block 5
multiple presentation choices
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Evening Activities
June 25, 2026
Thursday - Day 4
7:00am – 10:00am
Registration
USDLA Staff
8:00am – 9:00am
Breakfast Served
Location TBD
8:30am – 9:15pm
Concurrent Session Block 6
multiple participation choices
8:30am – noon
Ballroom Virtual Field Trips
9:30am – 10:15pm
Concurrent Session Block 7
multiple participation choices
10:30am – noon
OHDLA Selected Speakers
details TBD
10:30am – 2:00pm
Hands-On Augmented Reality for Learning & Development
hands-on workshop
10:30am – 2:00pm
Oops AI Did It Again: From concept to course
hands-on workshop
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Boxed Lunch
location TBD
1:30pm – 4:00pm
Off-site Field Trip to the CMNH
off-site trip
2026 Conference Tracks
The Conference and Events committee strives each year to provide the best experience possible for personalized networking and cutting-edge session tracks. We value past attendee feedback in planning the details for the event.
For our 39th anniversary we focused on tracks that are in high demand as we continue to navigate both remote and in-person learning strategies. These tracks included:
- The Digital AI Groove: Exploring Innovative Techniques and Technologies Education
- Backstage Pass to Policy: Navigating Governance and Regulation in Distance Education
- The Headliners: Distance and Digital Leadership on the Higher Education Mainstage
- Open Mic, Open Minds: Ensuring Quality, Flexibility, and Access in Online Learning
- The ID Set List: Curating Best Practices in Instructional Design
- Amplify Every Voice: Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity in Online Education
- The K-12 Playground: Curating Best Practices in the K-12 Space
2026 Conference Events
Keynote: President, Motlow State Community College
Dr. Michael Torrence
Dr. Michael Torrence is a nationally recognized strategist, visionary, writer, and thought leader
in higher education who has redefined institutional excellence through innovation, inclusion, and transformative leadership. Since becoming the seventh President of Motlow State Community College in May 2018, he has transformed the institution into an award-winning, cutting-edge model of academic and workforce innovation.
Rehearsing the Future: Finding Harmony When Everyone's Improvising
Josh Penzell
AI didn't hand us a script. It handed us a jam session. The organizations struggling with AI are the ones waiting for sheet music — clear instructions, defined processes, predictable outputs. But that's not how this works. AI is a collaborator that riffs, responds, and surprises. The question isn't how to control it. It's how to play with it. Learn More
Pre-Conference: Associate Vice President – SMART Global Technology Innovation Strategist
Robbie Melton
Dr. Melton has published and presented globally on the impact and value of mobile devices for education and the workforce and has acquired a new distinction as an “App-ologist” due to her study of the pedagogy and best teaching practices with mobile devices.
Innovation Workshop
USDLA Partners
Explore the latest in product innovations shaping the distance learning landscape. Experience hands-on demonstrations and learn how these valuable tools are being used to improve classroom pedagogy.
2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Why SHould I Attend?
Leading speakers, concurrent session, workshops and more - the conference offers something for everyone. Watch below:
2026 USDLA Awards
Every year, the USDLA recognizes leaders from around the world for their contributions to the digital/distance education landscape. These standouts are then recognized as a highlight of the USDLA National Conference.
To learn more about 2026 award categories and the submission process, click here
2026 Other/Misc. Information
2025 Conference Recordings: If you were an attendee of the 38th Annual USDLA 2025 National Distance/Digital Learning conference, the recordings are now available to all attendees through the membership portal and can be accessed directly at: 2025 National Conference Recordings and Resources
2026 Conference Sponsors
Are you tired of large shows with limited attendee engagement? You know the venues, where thousands of professionals have free passes to grab free giveaways and have limited interest.
Our national conference is a more intimate environment, where partners are part of the production from the very start with some even demonstrating their gear as part of the conference production.
The dramatic growth of the distance learning industry makes our market attractive to a host of technology, content, and service providers. Conference partners are giving something back to the distance education community by stepping up to sponsor the Association.
Join us for a change of pace at a very interactive conference where you will meet paid attendees that are truly interested in how you can help them improve distance learning.
2025 Exhibitor List
Booth 1: Sententia Gamification
Booth 2: Verizon
Booth 3: Wolfvision
Booth 4: AVAILABLE
Booth 5: McGraw-Hill
Booth 6: Center for Interactive Learning (CILC)
Booth 7: AVAILABLE
Booth 8: Harmonize Learning
Booth 9: AVAILABLE
Booth 10: Smartbrief
Booth 11: AVAILABLE
Booth 12: Bocavox
Booth 13: State Chapters
Booth 14: AVAILABLE
Booth 15: Certify-Ed
Booth 16: AVAILABLE
Booth 17: AVAILABLE
Booth 18: Symbiosis
Booth 19: AVAILABLE
Booth 20: VDO360
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Friends & Exhibitors
