SACA is proud to announce the dates for the inaugural National Conference, AUGUST 10-11, 2026.
Open to education and industry, the conference will bring together leaders in technical education, industrial innovation, workforce training, and certifications. With two full days of programming, attendees will learn about certification implementation strategies, new credential development, building industry-education partnerships, hiring and recruiting strategies, and more.
The conference will be officially held from 9 am - 4:30 pm on Monday and Tuesday with a networking event on Monday evening at Lucette's, less than a mile from UW-Stout.
Connect, learn, and grow with others from across the country.

The Conference will feature two full days of speakers, panels, interactive sessions and networking opportunities.
Optional: SACA Gold Proctoring - August 12th & 13th
In collaboration with UW-Stout and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) we are proud to offer two additional days of professional development.
More information to come!
Wisconsin is where American manufacturing heritage meets the future of advanced technology. As a state with one of the nation’s strongest concentrations of manufacturing employers, Wisconsin offers a living laboratory for Industry 4.0 innovation.
Hosting the SACA National Conference at UW–Stout places attendees in the heart of a region that understands skills, values hands‑on learning, and actively invests in the next generation of technical talent.
About University of Wisconsin-Stout
At UW-Stout, students do more than earn a degree - they do on day one. From hands-on applied learning and research to career-focused experiences, we connect tomorrow's learners with the opportunities and employers to shape the future of engineering, technology, design, management, and more. More than your average four-year university, we're technology-forward, industry-informed, and people-focused. Our labs and studios outnumber traditional classrooms by three to one, and 99% of our graduates are employed within six months of graduation. Founded in 1891, we are Wisconsin's Polytechnic University.
