NLSC Impact
Overall Conference Information and Statistics
SkillsUSA was in Atlanta June 1-5, 2026 for its 62nd 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 with 115 hands-on skill and leadership competitions.
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19,062 total
Student contestants: 7,002
115 competitions (111 official, 4 demo)
Voting delegates: 513 (25 middle school, 403 high school and 85 college/postsecondary)
SkillsUSA advisors (instructors): 3,270
Courtesy Corps: 97
SkillsUSA TECHSPO: 242 exhibits
Leverage: 260 attendees representing 40 state associations
SkillsUSA LEARN: 1,175 participants
24 teams
48 students
24 advisors
100 high school and college/postsecondary students participated in a three-day immersive construction program.
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42,203 total hotel nights for the week
Atlanta economic impact of $34.9 million
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Total investment for medalist grants: $412,500 awarded to 404 medalists across 56 contests from 22 corporate partners
Total partner investment of travel scholarships: $136,199.79 awarded
Harbor Freight: $87,499.79
Ford Philanthropy NLSC Travel Grant: $30,000
Adam Schoolcraft Memorial NLSC Travel Grant: $1,500
R. Flint Student Leadership Development: $5,200
Hyundai NLSC 2026 Travel Grant: $12,000
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300 SkillsUSA participants built 120 beds for children sleeping on the floor in the greater Atlanta area.
460 participants created 10 custom murals to be donated to care facilities across the nation.
427 toiletry items were collected for City of Refuge.
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Total Impressions: 3.8 million
Social Media: 3 million impressions
Website: 229,446 views by 61,411 users (SkillsUSA.org) 138,200 views by 51,019 users (NLSC microsite)
Live Stream: 27,682 unique viewers
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App Downloads: 13,805
2,605,194 total in-app clicks at an average of 188.74 clicks per user
SkillsUSA will return to Atlanta for the National Leadership & Skills Conference from June 21-25, 2027.
