Event Registration
June 2, 2026
* Registration closes May 27
* Registration rates vary by training firm
* See ticket prices in Pre-Conference section below
General Conference
June 2-5, 2026
A purchased general conference registration includes 4 days of event programming and materials as well as a certificate of attendance. Members receive a discount on conference registration. Ticketed Event | Limited Availability.
Registration Schedule
Registration rates vary by member status and time periods
* Pre-Conference Events closes May 27
* Early (expires March 31): MEM $485 | NON $555
* Regular (April 1-May 19): MEM $500 | NON $570
* Late (May 20-27): MEM $530 | NON $600
* Onsite (June 12-5): MEM $560 | NON $630
Event App
The app event page provides users with access to real-time information such as an active registration button, agenda, workshops as well as speaker, sponsor and exhibitor listings. Visit regularly to check for event updates!
Get details about event registration fees, deadlines, payment options, substitution policies and much more! Members receive a discount on conference registration.
Credit cards are our preferred method of payment to expediently confirm registration. You will immediately receive an email confirmation and full app access upon receipt of payment.
RIVHSA has enhanced its online registration solutions to support agency check (and purchase order) transactions through our event app portal. RIVHSA only accepts agency checks. With this payment option, registrations are held in a pending status until payment is received. Agencies will receive an email confirmation and full app access once payment is received.
HOTEL GROUP BLOCKS
JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead
3300 Lenox Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
P: 404.262.3344
Hotel Group Rate: Expires May 11
Rates vary from $229-$269 based on room type and inventory
Experience the perfect blend of luxury service and serene elegance at the newly renovated JW Marriott Atlanta, GA, Buckhead hotel. Situated in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood, our hotel provides all you need to explore the allure of Atlanta, GA. Find our family-friendly hotel directly connected to Lenox Square® and just minutes from popular local attractions, such as the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo and High Museum of Art.
Pre-Conference Events
Tuesday - June 2, 2026
This is an optional, add-on ticketed event with limited availability. If attending the general conference, this event ticket requires an additional fee. You are not required to attend the general conference to purchase this event ticket.
* Non-refundable ticket
* Intensive Seminar ticket includes Public Policy Luncheon.
* Public Policy Luncheon ticket is for the luncheon only.
* There is no on-site registration for this event.
[Public Policy Luncheon]
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Title: TBA
Fee: $125
Firm: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Tuesday - June 2, 2026
These are optional, add-on ticketed events with limited availability. If attending the general conference, these event tickets are an additional fee. You are not required to attend the general conference to purchase these event tickets.
* Non-refundable ticket
* Ticket price varies by firm.
* Intensive Seminar ticket includes Public Policy Luncheon.
* Public Policy Luncheon ticket is for the luncheon only.
* There is no on-site registration for these events.
[Seminar A]
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Title: TBA
Fee: TBA
Firm: TBA
Speaker: TBA
[Seminar B]
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Title: TBA
Fee: TBA
Firm: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Call for Proposals
SUBMISSION DEADLINES (subject to change)
[Early] Received by March 31
[Regular] April 1-30
[Wait-List] May 1-15 @ 12 p.m. EST. All applicants considered. However, because of the short turnaround notice with this option, presenters based in Georgia are given priority due to proximity
Exhibitor Registration
June 2-4, 2026
See ticket Options
Exclusive Invitation for Corporate Sponsors
In appreciation of your commitment to our mission and network, this expo experience is exclusively for our active corporate sponsors. Join us in Atlanta to network with Head Start and Early Head Start leadership from across the southeast. At checkout, apply the sponsor discount code (sent by separate mail to all active sponsors) for complimentary expo space. The expo hours, location and setup are provided with your registration confirmation.
Our corporate sponsorship program is a powerful tool for increasing visibility and customer loyalty with a targeted audience. Sponsorship activation and exhibitor registration are simultaneous. Sponsorship details provided in ticket description. The expo hours, location and setup are provided with your payment confirmation. Submit questions to expo@rivhsa.org.
Released May 1, 2025: The Office of Head Start officially released the details of its interim restructuring plan for the remaining 5 regional offices. Although the regions have been reshaped at the federal level, RIVHSA's commitment to serving the Head Start community has never been and never will be limited by map lines. We have always welcomed and enjoyed conference support from states across the country as there are no boundaries for professional growth and development. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming June and September events.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Homecoming 2026: A Gathering for Leadership
For four decades, RIVHSA has been more than an organization — we’ve been a home. A home for shared purpose, bold ideas, transformative learning, and lifelong connections in this regional Head Start/Early Head Start network. Across our eight charter states and countless communities, our network has championed early childhood education, strengthened families, and inspired leadership that that endures for generations. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and innovation — one that continues to evolve with the needs of children, families, and the programs that serve them.
At our annual conference in February 2026, we launched a yearlong celebration marking 40 years of legacy and leadership—bringing together champions past and present while issuing a rallying call for the work ahead.
The Leadership Summit builds on the momentum of our milestone year by shifting the focus from celebration to strategy, connection, and stewardship. The event convenes leaders from across our charter states and around the country to reflect on our shared journey, strengthen the relationships that anchor our region, and focus on the decisions that will shape the future of Head Start/Early Head Start in Region IV.
We invite you to join us for the next chapter of this milestone celebration year. This isn’t just another conference, this is your homecoming - a gathering for leadership to reconnect, reflect, and reimagine the future of early care in communities as well as across the Southeast and the nation.
A Unique Conference Experience
Our Leadership Summit is intentionally designed to be different from our annual conference. Rather than a large-scale training event, this summit is an intimate, focused leadership convening that brings together executive leaders, administrators, professionals and partners.
Get ready for an inspiring and impactful experience with executive administrators, professionals, influencers and partners from across the region and nation for 4 unforgettable days centered on:
- Leadership conversations that matter. Engage in candid discussions with regional leaders and national partners on the policy, funding, and operational realities shaping the future of Head Start.
- Focused leadership sessions. Participate in targeted sessions designed specifically for leaders navigating today’s complex early childhood landscape.
- Peer exchange and solutions labs. Move beyond presentations into facilitated discussions where leaders share challenges, promising practices, and real-world solutions.
- Purposeful networking. Reconnect with colleagues, mentors, and partners in an environment designed to foster meaningful dialogue and lasting professional relationships.
Target Audience
The conference is designed for executive leaders, administrators, professionals and key partners across the Head Start and early childhood ecosystem who are responsible for guiding strategy, governance, and program leadership. This gathering is ideal for those shaping policy, managing complex organizations, and advancing outcomes for children (birth to five) and families. Whether your role centers on organizational leadership, program oversight, governance, or cross-sector collaboration, this event offers valuable learning, collaboration, and innovation opportunities tailored to your role and responsibilities.
- Administrators & Executive Leaders. Explore leadership strategies that strengthen organizational stability, balance mission and resources, and guide programs through growth, change, and emerging challenges.
- Program Managers & Education Teams. Gain insights into effective practices that support high-quality early learning, whole-child development, and strong program implementation.
- Parents & Family Leaders. Discover tools and strategies that strengthen family engagement, support healthy child development, and reinforce parents’ roles as children’s first and most important teachers.
- Governing Bodies & Policy Council Members. Deepen your understanding of governance responsibilities, shared leadership, and the systems that support high-quality services for children and families.
- Community & Strategic Partners. Connect with Head Start leaders to strengthen partnerships that advance family well-being, educational success, and economic mobility within communities.
Learn More and Register
Your Homecoming journey starts here — explore, connect, and customize your conference experience with our official event website and app!
- Stay in the know with access to real-time information and the latest updates, preview speakers and sessions, explore sponsors and exhibitors, build your agenda and connections.
- Our comprehensive learning tracks are designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. Sessions are confirmed and released in rounds. Visit the app regularly to check for new releases!
- Payment Guidelines: Get details about event registration fees, deadlines, payment options and policies. Consult the Event Registration section to download our Payment Guidelines (See toolbar on left side of website).
Event App
Our Event App is Powered by PheedLoop: App access granted with ticket purchase only. Once you have purchased event tickets, you will gain complete app access. You will receive an e-mail from the app with a download link and instructions prior to the event. You must use the email address entered when registered for the event as your user login. then create/input password. The app is compatible for download on Apple or Android devices and can be accessed via a mobile device or web platform on a desktop computer. Participants will be able to:
- View our event agenda and plan their personal schedule;
- Access handouts, pre-recorded sessions, and live webinar sessions directly within the agenda and utilize the session Q&A and chat to ask questions and interact with other participants;
- Set up in-person/virtual meetups with other attendees to connect and network;
- Create and converse through various discussion topics in the Community Board;
- Receive updates such as last-minute session changes;
- And much more!
RIVHSA Marketplace: 2026 Regional Swag/Merch
RIVHSA Marketplace - Get RIVHSA + Event Merch
Mix, match, and collect from our exclusive merch lineup featuring 20 swag items and 6 bold designs inspired by connection, pride, and legacy. Our event swag is more than memorabilia—it’s a statement. From everyday essentials to standout favorites, there’s something for everyone to wear, carry, and share. All available through convenient drop-ship ordering. Place your order before or during the event, and your swag will be shipped directly to your home or office—no lines, no carrying bags, just RIVHSA style made easy. (Very limited products and quantities will be available onsite for purchase)
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) Is the event in-person or hybrid? The event is in-person conference in Atlanta, Georgia. All sessions and events will be live; there is not a virtual option.
(2) Are CEUs available for purchase at this event? Currently, RIVHSA does not offer CEUs. However, a certificate of attendance is available at no-cost and is available in the app post-event.
(3) App Troubleshooting
< The app does not accept my login > Make sure you are using the correct email address. Participants must use the email address entered when registered for the event as your user login.
< I cannot remember my password > If the participant has forgotten their password, they must reset by clicking “forgot password”. RIVHSA does not have access to the password.
< The current event does not show in the app > If the app was downloaded for a previous event but does not show the current event, the best fix is to: (1) uninstall the app; (2) reinstall the app; (3) login using the correct email address.
(4) Will there be health and safety measures? RIVHSA prioritizes the health and safety of all participants - attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and staff. We are committed to delivering the world-class conference experience associated with our brand while observing industry-leading health and safety practices in collaboration with our partners and contractors. In keeping with our duty of care and responsibility as an event host, RIVHSA is guided by recommendations from the event venue as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will abide by the legal mandates of the State of Georgia at the time of the event. RIVHSA will continue to monitor CDC guidance, make protocol adjustments as required, and post updates accordingly because we are committed to delivering this year’s conference content in a format that makes you feel comfortable while still allowing you to receive the industry’s best training.
LEGACY
PRESIDENTIAL
DIAMOND
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
