Illinois AEYC Growing Futures Conference 2026

The conference was held at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois.

The listed audience was early childhood education professionals in Illinois.

The organizer listed 20 exhibitors.

It was most worth it for Illinois early childhood teachers, center directors and program staff who wanted an affordable regional conference with 20 exhibitors, including Lakeshore, Kaplan Early Learning Company and Discount School Supply, for classroom materials, plus university programs such as National Louis University for credentials. Its three-day format with daily sessions from 8:20 am to 2:20 pm in Springfield suited people in the state who could step away midweek; educators outside Illinois, or those seeking a national-scale program with large-name speakers, would likely have gotten less from it.

Early childhood educators at state conferences usually wear business casual or comfortable smart-casual clothes, such as slacks or skirts with a cardigan and flat, comfortable shoes for long days of sessions and exhibit browsing.