Our annual conference is an important training and professional development opportunity for early childhood educators. The event brings together expert and engaging keynote presenters, breakout groups, interactive sessions and other workshops to engage, inspire and educate. The event attracts hundreds of attendees from across the state, country and world each year.
Save the Date: The 2025 WECA Conference will be held Oct. 3-4 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. Stay tuned for details!
The 2024 conference drew nearly 900 attendees across in-person and virtual opportunities, 35 sponsors and exhibitors, and partners across a wide range of sectors, including direct care child care providers, ECE partner organizations, higher education, child health, educational material vendors, and advocates. All in attendance had the opportunity to learn, connect, network, and have fun while being able to take advantage of up to 34 hours of professional development credit.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Iheoma Iruka
Thursday Keynote
Dr. Iheoma U. Iruka is an award-winning tenured professor of maternal child health at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and founding director of the Equity Research Action Coalition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She leads projects and initiatives focused on ensuring that minoritized children and children from low-income households thrive through the intersection of anti-bias, anti-racist, and culturally grounded research, programs, and policy. Author of more than 100 publications, she provides talks on addressing systemic inequities and advancing research and action on child and family well-being.
Judy Jablon
Friday Keynote
Judy is founder and strategic advisor of Leading for Children (LFC), bringing more than 40 years of dedication to the field of early learning. In 2016, Judy founded LFC, a non-profit organization focused on ensuring that all children birth to five grow and learn in thriving communities. Judy developed LFC’s groundbreaking Humanity First Model that focuses on community and the collective wisdom of its members. It centers around the great passion and determination of all the different individuals who dedicate their lives to leading for children.
Dr. Anthony Broughton, “MiSTER B”
Saturday Keynote
Dr. Broughton is an award-winning master educator, educational consultant, and educational leader. He streamlined his talents and experiences as a certified educator, regional pre-K coordinator at the South Carolina Department of Education and an administrator to develop AVA Educational Consulting, LLC. Children around the world affectionately refer to Dr. Broughton as “MiSTER B,” as they engage in his highly energetic and interactive educational videos that have garnered significant following on YouTube.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
We are so grateful to this year’s generous sponsors! Their support helps you have the best experience possible.
- Celebrate Children Foundation
- City of Madison
- Civitas Strategies
- Community Shares of Wisconsin
- Early Learning Ventures
- First Business Bank
- Gundersen Health System
- Kaplan Early Learning Company
- Pathways Early Autism Intervention
- Reach Dane
- Shine Early Learning / YoungStar Connect
- Total Administration Services Corporation (TASC)
- UW Health
- Vermont State University
- We Energies Foundation
- Wegner CPAs
- Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health
- Wisconsin Registry
- Wisconsin Technical College System
