Professional Development Institute

July 26-29,2026

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor? Please register here

Room Reservations Link

Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center

710 S. Main Street

Harrisonburg, VA 22801

(540) 564-0200

Website

Schedule at a Glance

Please note: Times are subject to change as conference details are finalized.

Sunday July 26, 2026

12:00 PM Preconference Registration

1:00PM - 5:00 PM DECA Boot camp

5:30 PM Meet and Greet

Monday July 27, 2026

8:00 AM-11:00 AM Registration

8:30 AM Welcome Breakfast for test takers

9:00AM - 10:30AM NRF Certification Testing (onsite)

8:30AM - 10:30AM Teacher of the Year Judging

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CPR Training

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Opening Luncheon Keynote - Melissa Ligh

Introduction of TOY Candidates

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Workshop Session I

2:30 PM- 5:00 PM Offsite field trip

Tuesday July 28, 2026

7:30 AM - 3:00PM Exhibitors

7:30 AM - 8:15 AM Working Breakfast - Marketing Update

8:30 AM -10:00 AM Workshop Session I - Off Site

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Workshops Session II -

11:15AM - 12:30 PM Recognition Luncheon - Years of Service & Teacher of the Year

12:45 PM- 1:30 PM Workshops Session III

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM Workshops Session IV

5:00 PM A Night of Mystery and VAME Auction

Wednesday July 29, 2026

8:00 AM -9:15 AM Working Breakfast - DECA Update

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Workshops Session I

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Workshops Session II

11:30 AM -1:00 PM Closing Luncheon

Business Meeting

REFUND AND PAYMENT POLICY:

The Payment Policy:

After your registration has been accepted, you will have the option to pay by credit card or request an invoice. Your payment is due 30 days from the registered date. Payments must be made in full. All payments are due no later than July 15th. If payment can not be made in full by July 15th, correspondence from a CTE Director, principal, or finance director must be received in writing. Registrants that do not pay by July 15th will be be dropped.

Cancellation Policy and No Show:

No refunds will be offered after July 15th. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to vame.org@gmail.com

VAME Membership:

If you were not a VAME Member for the 2025-26 school year at the April 15th membership cut off, then you are not eligible for the VAME Member rate at conference.

The 2026-27 VAME online membership will open at the 2026 conference.

Interest in being a Coordinator for the 2027 Conference?

Paid Contract Position.

Proposal due Friday, October 31, 2026.

Click here for the job description Click here to submit proposals