Connecting for Success

06/30/2026

Love this connection!

Great meeting Yvette Martinelli from Goodheart-Willcox strengthening partnerships and advancing career and technical education together at MAVA Connecting for Success

06/30/2026

The Exhibit Hall is buzzing with activity, and today’s the perfect time to connect with our outstanding exhibitors!

Be sure to stop by each booth to discover innovative products, resources, and solutions that are helping shape the future of Career and Technical Education. Our exhibitors are excited to meet you, answer your questions, and share ideas that can support your programs and students.

While you’re exploring, don’t forget your Connect & Collect card! Visit participating exhibitors and collect your stamps throughout the day. Once your card is complete, turn it in before you leave and enjoy a special treat from one of our specialty food trucks as our way of saying thank you for engaging with our exhibitors.

Happy networking, happy learning, and enjoy everything the Exhibit Hall has to offer!

CareerTechnicalEducation Networking ProfessionalDevelopment

06/29/2026

🎉 Day 1 Isn't Over Yet! As we wrap up the final sessions of Day 1 at , we hope you'll join us for our Networking Reception, generously hosted by Edmentum

Continue the conversations, connect with fellow educators and industry partners, exchange ideas, and build new relationships in a relaxed setting.

📍Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, Marlborough
🕟4:30–6:30 PM

Thank you to Edmentum for sponsoring this opportunity to bring our conference community together. We look forward to seeing you there!

06/29/2026

A sincere thank you to our headlining speaker, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley, for delivering a thoughtful and timely keynote at .

Jeff challenged us to think differently about the role of in education, not as something to fear or ignore, but as something we must approach with . He reminded us that before students can rely on AI, they must first develop the foundational skills that strengthen the brain: reading, writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Sometimes that means bringing back the "blue book," writing by hand, and giving students the opportunity to stretch their minds the traditional way before technology enhances their work.

He also emphasized that AI is becoming an essential skill. Our students must learn not only how to use AI, but how to question it, validate its responses, and think critically about the information it provides. As educators, we can't stop the wave of AI, or pretend it isn't coming. Instead, we must learn to surf the wave, embracing innovation while ensuring our students develop the knowledge and judgment to use these tools responsibly.

Perhaps Riley's most powerful reminder of all was that teaching and learning are fundamentally . Technology can support education, but it cannot replace the relationships, encouragement, mentorship, and belief that educators provide every day. Long after the latest AI tools evolve, students will still need trusted adults to help them discover their strengths, nurture their potential, and them to .

Thank you, Jeff, for reminding us that as we prepare today's students for tomorrow's trades, our greatest investment will always be in developing the minds, and the humanity, of the next generation.

06/29/2026

🎉 Welcome to ! We're thrilled to welcome educators, industry partners, exhibitors, and workforce leaders to the 2026 Connecting for Success Conference!

Over the next two days, we'll come together to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore this year's theme, Skill Shift: Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Trades. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for the work you do every day to prepare students for bright futures.

We hope you leave inspired, connected, and equipped with new ideas to bring back to your schools and organizations. Welcome... we're so glad you're here!

06/26/2026

Exhibitor Spotlight: FooQai Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way we work, learn, and prepare for future careers. Helping students and educators understand how to use these emerging technologies effectively is becoming an essential part of workforce readiness.

FooQai focuses on helping learners, educators, and organizations harness the power of artificial intelligence through practical tools and innovative learning experiences. By making AI more accessible and actionable, they help users develop the skills needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world.

As industries continue to evolve, AI literacy is becoming an important skill across nearly every career pathway. Whether supporting career exploration, workforce preparation, or technology integration, FooQai is helping educators and students understand how emerging technologies can enhance learning, productivity, and problem-solving.

06/26/2026

Exhibitor Spotlight: Massachusetts SafetyWorks Consultation! Safe workplaces don't happen by chance, they are built through education, planning, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, SafetyWorks Consultation is a no-cost, confidential service that helps employers identify workplace hazards, strengthen safety programs, and improve compliance with OSHA standards. Their team of experienced safety and health professionals provides guidance, training, technical assistance, and workplace evaluations designed to help organizations create safer work environments.

For Career and Technical Education programs, workplace safety is a foundational skill that students carry into every industry and career pathway. SafetyWorks Consultation supports organizations in developing strong safety cultures and promoting best practices that help prevent injuries and prepare future workers for success. Their expertise spans a wide range of industries, making them a valuable resource for educators, employers, and workforce development professionals alike.

06/26/2026

Exhibitor Spotlight: Haas Factory Team! From advanced manufacturing facilities to technical education classrooms, Haas Automation is helping shape the future of skilled trades and manufacturing careers.

As one of the world's leading manufacturers of CNC machine tools, Haas has become a trusted name in precision machining, manufacturing technology, and workforce development. Through innovative equipment, industry partnerships, and educational initiatives, Haas helps students gain hands-on experience with the technologies driving today's manufacturing industry.

A key part of that commitment is the Haas Technical Education Community (HTEC), a global network that supports schools with CNC equipment, curriculum resources, industry connections, certifications, and educator training. By providing access to real-world manufacturing technologies, Haas helps prepare students for careers in machining, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and related technical fields.

Haas Automation is helping educators equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving manufacturing workforce. Stop by their booth at to learn more about the technologies and educational resources supporting the next generation of skilled professionals.

06/26/2026

Have you downloaded the app yet? It's your go-to resource for everything you need before and during the conference. Browse the full agenda, explore session descriptions, locate meeting rooms, receive real-time conference updates, and view session capacities all in one place.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your conference experience... we are less than one week away! Reserve your sessions early, build your personalized schedule, and make sure you don't miss the learning opportunities that matter most to you.

Download the Sched app today and get ready to make the most of !