empowerED26
Elevate, Enrich and Engage: Insights from the Field
ANNOUNCING MELISSA VANPELT AS OUR DAY 2 KEYNOTE! ANNOUNCING JULIE DIRKSEN AS OUR DAY 1 KEYNOTE! Early Bird registration is on sale through December 31, 2025!
- Early Bird Member ticket is $799 (discounted from $999)
- Early Bird Non-Member ticket is $1349 (discounted from $1499)
Convince Your Boss
Need help convincing your boss? We've drafted this letter to help you convince your boss to give you the green light to attend our conference. Take a look and edit it per your specific needs.
About empowerED26
The Flagship Event for Customer Education returns to Austin in 2026!
empowerED is more than a conference. Each year, seasoned practitioners, education leaders, and rising trailblazers come together to explore what’s next in customer education - not just as a function, but as a strategic growth driver for their organizations.
Building on a Breakout Year
empowerED25 was a massive success. Leaders from across the globe gathered in Austin to share what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s possible in our space. With top-caliber speakers from some of the most recognized brands in the world, it was an unforgettable experience. This year, we’re building on that momentum.
Why Attend?
Whether you’re leading a global Customer Education function or designing your first scaled learning program, empowerED is where you go to level up.
You’ll gain practical strategies, hear unfiltered stories from the field, and engage with peers who are just as passionate about elevating the craft as you are.
In 2026, we're leaning into new ways to learn, connect, and lead. Our agenda is still in development, but you can expect:
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Inspiring sessions from industry trailblazers
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Hands-on learning and active participation
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Emerging trends and insights shaping the future of CE
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Opportunities to influence and co-create the experience
The entire experience is designed to help you shape your future strategy, demonstrate impact, and drive growth through education. We're a boutique conference, so seats are limited. Be sure to reserve your spot today!
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Early Bird Member Ticket
Access to our full conference, including meals and snack breaks, plus our Welcome Reception and Tuesday Networking Dinner. |
$799.00 |
|
Early Bird Non-Member Ticket
Access to our full conference, including meals and snack breaks, plus our Welcome Reception and Tuesday Networking Dinner. |
$1,349.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Non-Member Ticket + CEdMA Annual Membership
|
$1,199.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Member Ticket
|
$999.00 |
|
Non-Member Ticket
|
$1,499.00 |
Agenda
| March 23 | |
| 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Registration
Please be sure to register at our welcome desk. You will need to retrieve your badge, select your networking restaurant, and receive any additional items. |
| 12:00 PM |
Exhibitor Setup for Partners Begins
CEdMA partners are welcome to arrive and begin setting up their exhibitor spaces beginning at noon. |
| 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
Welcome Reception
Please join us for our Welcome Reception. Drinks and appetizers will be served. Conference registration will continue at the entrance to the reception. |
| March 24 | |
| 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM |
Registration
Please be sure to register at our welcome desk. You will need to retrieve your badge, select your networking restaurant, and receive any additional items. |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Conference Day 1 - TBA
Includes mid-morning networking and snack break. |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Conference Day 1 Continued - TBA
Includes mid-afternoon networking and snack break. |
| 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Tuesday Networking Dinner
Please join us for an evening of local cuisine and networking. At in-person registration, you will choose from a variety of neighborhood Austin restaurants. More information available soon on our event page. |
| March 25 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
Conference Day 2 - TBA
Includes mid-morning networking and snack break. |
| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30 PM - 3:15 PM | Conference Day 2 Conclusion - TBA |
We are thrilled to announce our Day 2 Keynote Speaker!
Melissa VanPelt is Vice President of Digital Customer Success at Seismic, where she leads the company’s evolution toward a scaled, digital-first engagement model.
With more than 18 years of experience spanning B2B SaaS and MedTech, she builds holistic enablement ecosystems that extend beyond training to deliver connected experiences that empower customers to succeed. A recognized thought leader on the convergence of Customer Success, Marketing, and Education, Melissa is passionate about transforming reactive success models into proactive, self-sustaining digital ecosystems that accelerate adoption, retention, and growth.
Melissa will present at the beginning of day 2 (March 25) of the conference. More details on her presentation will be available in mid-December.
About our Day 1 Keynote Speaker
JULIE DIRKSEN is the author of the books Design for How People Learn and Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change. She is a learning strategy consultant with a focus on incorporating behavioral science into learning interventions. Julie's MS degree is in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. She has been an adjunct faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and is a Learning Guild Guild Master.
Julie will present a workshop-style presentation at the beginning of day 1 (March 24) of the conference. More details on her presentation will be available in mid-December.
Our 'Call for Speakers' closed on November 15. We are now in process of reviewing submissions and selecting our conference speakers. Please check back here in mid-December for our speaker line up!
Our Partner FAQ covering onsite logistics for booths and other sponsorships will be available in early 2026. Please stay tuned.
Our conference agenda is subject to change at any time.
For More Information:
