NLSC Impact

Overall Conference Information and Statistics

SkillsUSA was in Atlanta June 23-27, 2025 for its 60th annual National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), the nation’s largest showcase of skilled trades. More than 19,000 students, teachers, education leaders, and representatives from 850 national corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions participated.

The highlight was the annual SkillsUSA Championships on June 25-26 with 114 hands-on skill and leadership competitions.

    • 19,019 total

    • Student contestants: 6,880

    • Voting delegates: 532 (27 middle school, 430 high school and 85 college/postsecondary)

    • SkillsUSA advisors (instructors): 3,200+

    • Contest judges: 1,112

    • SkillsUSA TECHSPO: 230 exhibits

    • SkillsUSA Championships supporters: 800+

    • Volunteers: 2,390

    • Leverage: 258 attendees representing 37 state associations

    • SkillsUSA University: 530 participants

    • Academy of Excellence: 810 participants

    • Models of Excellence

      • 24 teams

      • 48 students

      • 24 advisors

    • 40,500 total hotel nights for the week

    • Atlanta economic impact of $32.3 million

    • Total investment for medalist grants: 369,250.00 awarded to 213 medalists across 24 contests from 12 corporate partners

    • Total partner investment of travel scholarships: $186,525 Awarded

      • Adam Schoolcraft: $1,500

      • Aerotek: $55,000

      • Harbor Freight: $87,525

      • Hyundai: $22,500

      • Warner Bros. Discovery: $20,000

    • 370 participants

    • 82 bikes built

    • 9 children from LaAmistad attended to receive the bikes

    • Sponsored by Ariat International and State Farm

    • Total Impressions: 2 billion+

    • Hometown press releases: 5,798

    • Media mentions: 1,000+

    • Social Media: 2.5 million impressions

    • Website: 195,568 views by 52,922 users (SkillsUSA.org) 159,120 views by 54,977 users (NLSC microsite)

    • App Downloads: 14,802

    • Expedition NLSC

      • Total Participants:1,460 participants (653 teams)

      • Missions: 166

      • Submissions: 14,084

SkillsUSA will return to Atlanta for the National Leadership & Skills Conference from June 1-5, 2026.