2025 CTE Summit | Leadership in Motion

DATES: November 12-13, 2025
TIME: See the Schedule at a Glance below for start and end times 
EVENT LOCATION: Delta Hotels Minneapolis Northeast, 1330 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413

THEME: Leadership in Motion

Education and work are changing faster than ever. New tools are reshaping industries, employers are rethinking what skills matter most, and learners are navigating pathways that no longer follow a straight line. For those of us in career and technical education, this constant movement isn’t just something to watch—it’s something we live every day. That’s why this year’s theme, Leadership in Motion, feels especially timely. 

Change brings uncertainty, but it also brings possibility. The pace of innovation means we can’t lead from a fixed position. Leadership today means listening carefully, adapting quickly, and creating conditions where others can move forward with confidence. In CTE, that might look like rethinking how programs connect to emerging careers, forming new or unlikely partnerships, or finding creative ways to keep students engaged in learning that prepares them for what’s next.

Leadership in Motion reminds us that progress doesn’t happen in the stillness. It happens when we’re willing to take risks, adjust, and lead together. In a world that refuses to pause, our ability to move—with intention, curiosity, and care—is what will keep CTE relevant and resilient.

2025 Schedule At-a-Glance 

This schedule is provided for planning purposes; times may shift slightly as we sort out details. The conference program, including details and concurrent sessions, will be posted soon. Thank you for your patience as we plan the last few details. 

November 12

NOTE: Exhibitors will be open on both days.

  • 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM 
    Registration Table Open: Pick up Name Badges
    Breakfast Buffet
    Music provided by Midwest Winds Quintet (8:00 AM)
  • 8:30 - 9:00 AM 
    General Session
  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    Keynote Speaker
  • 10:00 - 12:30 PM 
    Concurrent Sessions 
  • 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
    Lunch Buffet
    Music provided by Midwest Winds Quintet (12:30 PM)
  • 4:15 - 6:00 PM
    Reception hosted by Greater Twin Cities United Way

November 13

  • 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM 
    Registration Table Open: Pick up Name Badges
    Breakfast Buffet
  • 8:45 - 9:00 AM 
    General Session
  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    Keynote Speaker
  • 10:00 - 12:30 PM
    Concurrent Sessions 
  • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
    Lunch (Grab your lunch for a light networking session or take your lunch to go)
  • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    Post-Summit Session: Collaboration Across Difference in STEM Fields     (Separate registration required)
  • 1:00 - 3:00 PM
    Articulated College Credit Meeting (Business meeting for committee members)

This annual Career and Technical Education Summit brings together the largest and broadest group of people dedicated to serving students, workforce and business/industry, and local communities in career and technical education throughout Minnesota. We encourage you to attend if you self-identify with any of the following groups: 

  • Teacher or Faculty (school or college) 
  • Director, Coordinator, Administrator, Managers, and other leadership roles
  • Perkins Coordinator 
  • Workforce Development Roles
  • Business and Industry Leaders, Representatives, Trainers and Educators in CTE industries 
  • Career Counselors and Advisors (such as Career Navigators, CareerForce staff, etc.)
  • Teaching and Learning Directors and Professional Staff
  • Educators in the MNDOC involved in CTE classroom and career instruction 
  • Leaders in Career Pathways work
  • CTE leaders in concurrent enrollment, PSEO, and CTE articulation 
  • State agencies with initiatives focused on workbased learning, college to career, etc. 

About the Summit

This annual Summit has continued to serve secondary and postsecondary CTE teachers and faculty, educators, administrators, workforce, community partners, and business/industry partners since 2009. It has continued to grow over the years into the premier conference connecting the career and technical education community in the Upper Midwest. Participants and presenters alike come from high school, colleges and universities, workforce, local business and industry partners, and our local communities to convene once a year to share best practices in their field, network, and continue to develop their professional development in order to best serve CTE students across the state.

The Career and Technical Education Summit is Minnesota's largest conference convening career and technical education educators, leaders, community partners, workforce, and business and industry in K-12 and higher education. The Summit serves as a platform for learning, sharing best practices, addressing critical issues in CTE, raising awareness, discussing current trends in education, and fostering professional development. We bring together practitioners to share impactful strategies to close the equity gaps for career and technical education learners. 

 

For questions about the Summit, contact yingfah.thao@minnstate.edu, Director of Professional Development and the main point of contact for the Summit.

For all registration and payment concerns, contact jared.reise@minnstate.edu. 

For questions about communications, the web, and accessing the conference program on our SCHED App, contact sheri.hutchinson@minnstate.edu, Communications and Web Manager.

For questions about exhibiting, contact robb.lowe@minnstate.edu, Director of Career Pathways. 

For questions about interpreter needs, ADA accommodations and other special needs, contact eva.scates-winston@minnstate.edu, CTE Equity Specialist. NOTE: These requests are usually part of your registration when you register. We require at least two weeks prior to the event to adequately address your needs.