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Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) leaders, state administrators, and decision-makers—this conference is for you! If you're on the leading edge of transforming child care in your community, Child Care Aware® of America’s (CCAoA) Leadership Institute 2026 is your space to strategize, collaborate, and build the relationships that fuel purposeful, lasting impact.
 
Join us October 5-6 in Kansas City, MO for Leadership Institute 2026—where the system’s most effective and emerging leaders come together to share real-world strategies, deepen connections, and drive change.
 
 
CCAoA
Leadership Institute 2025

Why Attend?

Each year, we welcome CCR&Rs, systems leaders who make key decisions in their state, and organizational leaders operating at the highest levels to join us at Leadership Institute.

In 2025, we welcomed:

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150+ Attendees

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19 Sponsors

1-Jun-11-2026-08-52-00-4798-PM

30+ States

Purchase Tickets

Through July 21st, take $125 off your ticket price with code LI26-EARLY

Non-Member Registration
$995

per ticket 

SECURE YOUR SPOT
Member Registration
$875

per ticket 

SECURE YOUR SPOT

Not a Member?

Joining CCAOA as an organization can cost as little as $119 for an entire year of membership—and the benefits serve you all year long. Join today and take advantage of discounted registration to Leadership Institute 2026.

Hotel Information

InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza

401 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, Missouri 64112 
(816) 756-1500

Discover Kansas City’s historic charm at InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, offering elegantly appointed rooms and unrivaled Midwestern hospitality. Just minutes away, you’ll find Country Club Plaza, an outdoor museum of romantic Spanish architecture and European art with 15 blocks of shopping, dining, and architecture. Dine at our signature restaurant, American Slang Modern Brasserie, or sip a cocktail on our seasonal pool deck as you unwind at the day's end at our Kansas City hotel.

Reserve your room at CCAoA's discounted Leadership Institute rate through September 14th, 2026.

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Tabs are an effective way to organize information on a website page when there is a large amount of content that needs to be separated into distinct categories. Label your tabs with one or two words that define each category of information.

When styling your tabs, highlight the selected tab by giving it a color that differs from your unselected tabs, so that it's easy for your visitors to navigate.

Plenary Speaker Panel/Session Themes (this will be hidden until we have content)

CCAoA’s 2025 Symposium will feature sessions on the latest research, innovations, and effective models in the areas of practice, policy, advocacy, and movement-building. Explore the sessions below and check back for additions.

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Abigail Johnson

CEO and Founder
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Michelle Rodriguez

Chief Operating Officer
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Stephen Kim

Chief Technology Officer
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The Child Care Event of the Year (Kellie working on a sizzle real)

Sponsors - (Hidden until we have sponsors)

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Venue and Housing

Learn more about our beautiful conference venue in Arlington Virginia and consider making your housing reservations as soon as possible to ensure sleeping accommodations. Group rate expires September 1, 2025.  

Reserve Today
2023 CCAOA symposium

Schedule-at-a-Glance

View this year's conference outline and start planning your Symposium experience. 

Explore Schedule
sponsorship opportunities

Sponsorship

Sponsor the 2025 Symposium and enhance your brand, expand your network and get access 
to CCAoA’s audience of highly qualified child care professionals. 

Learn More

Hear From Past Attendees

“The conference was not only inspiring as a leader, but the keynote sessions provided highlighted strong women, which was truly inspiring after a long few years in the early childhood profession.”
 - CCAoA Event Attendee
“I love attending Leadership. It gives me a chance to learn and grow in my field as well as make connections and contacts which I use when I need additional perspective. It’s a chance to be around people that get the work we do and I return home rejuvenated.”
- CCAoA Event Attendee
“This event re-energized me. The speakers and topics were motivational and I was able to use their wisdom and guidance in my conversations later without representatives.”
- CCAoA Event Attendee