GAEYC 2026 Annual Conference

Rise
Together.

Advocacy, Strength, and the Future of Early Childhood

Celebrating 60 Years of GAEYC
October 2–3, 2026
Phase Events · Alpharetta, GA
Registration Closes September 18
Register Now View schedule
60th Member Special $150 Member Registration Register by September 18
200
Seats
Available
2
Full Days
of Learning
4
Learning
Tracks
Sep 18
Registration
Deadline
Featured Plenaries

The conversations that will move the room.

Day 1 · October 2 · 9:00 AM
Opening Plenary
Council Table Podcast Live Session + Keynote by Dr. Lamman Rucker
The official launch of GAEYC 2026 brings two distinct moments to one stage: a live recording of the Council Table Podcast, followed by a keynote from Dr. Lamman Rucker.
Live Recording
The Council Table Podcast · Hosted by Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr.
Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr.
Dr. Calvin E. Moore Jr.
Host · Council for Professional Recognition
Dr. Bisa Lewis
Dr. Bisa Lewis
Council for Professional Recognition
Dr. Dina Walker-DeVose
Dr. Dina Walker-DeVose
Georgia Southern University
Dr. Keon N. Berry
Dr. Keon N. Berry
Morehouse College
Tatjyana Elmore
Tatjyana Elmore
BCDI Atlanta
Ant Toombs
Ant Toombs
Life is Good Playmaker Project
Keynote
From Platform to Purpose: Turning Influence into Impact
Dr. Lamman Rucker
Dr. Lamman Rucker
Actor, Educator, Activist, Entrepreneur
Day 2 · October 3 · 3:30 PM
Closing Plenary
The Power of a Playful Mindset
Ant Toombs closes two days of learning and community with a vision for what's possible when early childhood educators are seen, supported, and equipped to lead.
Ant Toombs
Ant Toombs
Life is Good Playmaker Project
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The GAEYC Community

See what it looks like inside the room.

A look inside past GAEYC conferences — the energy, the connections, the people.

GAEYC conference attendees GAEYC conference session GAEYC conference community
Four Learning Tracks

The STAR Framework

Every session at GAEYC 2026 connects to one of four pillars designed to strengthen the early childhood profession from every angle.

S
Strength
Building personal and professional capacity to lead, teach, and sustain the work of early childhood education.
T
Together
Collaboration across classrooms, programs, and communities to advance shared goals for Georgia's children.
A
Advocacy
Equipping educators and leaders with the tools and voice to shape policy and champion early childhood at every level.
R
Resilience
Sustaining yourself and your practice through challenge, change, and the daily demands of this essential work.
S trength · T ogether · A dvocacy · R esilience
Venue

Phase Events
Alpharetta, GA

This year, we made a deliberate choice — depth over volume. Phase Events is an intimate, purposefully designed venue where every conversation has space to breathe and every connection is intentional.

Address 12150 Morris Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Conference Dates Friday–Saturday, October 2–3, 2026
Free Parking Complimentary on-site parking for all attendees
Get Directions
200
Intentionally intimate Capped at 200 attendees so every interaction is meaningful — not a sea of strangers.
2
Full days of programming Plenaries, workshops, Table Talk Lunches, wellness breaks, and an Evening Reception.
∞
Connections that last A purposefully designed space where Georgia's early childhood community can build real relationships.
✦ Volunteer Opportunities
Help us make it happen.
Join our team.

Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this conference. If you're passionate about early childhood education and want to serve your community from the inside, we want you on our team.

Sign Up to Volunteer
Takes less than
5
Minutes
Program
Schedule
at a Glance

Two days of plenaries, workshops, Table Talk Lunches, and wellness breaks. See the full agenda and plan your conference experience.

View Schedule
Accommodations
Hotel
Booking

We've secured a group rate at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, just minutes from Phase Events. Book before October 1 to lock in your discounted rate.

Book Your Room
Sponsorship
Partner
with GAEYC

Stand alongside Georgia's early childhood community. Sponsorship opportunities are available now — slots are filling. Download the prospectus to learn more.

Get the Prospectus
The City
Explore
Alpharetta

Making a trip of it? Discover dining, attractions, and things to do in Alpharetta while you're in town for the conference.

Explore the City
Questions?

We're here
to help.

Have questions about registration, sessions, sponsorship, accessibility, or anything else? Our Conference Coordinator is happy to help — just reach out.

conference@gaeyc.net
Register for the Conference
Registration closes September 18, 2026
Schedule at a Glance
Plenaries, sessions & more
Book Your Hotel
Group rate expires October 1