Where SEA Leaders Connect, Collaborate, and Bring New Ideas Home
đź“… May 19-20, 2026
đź“Ť Hilton Garden Inn, Des Plaines, IL
NCSEA Leadership Week is NCSEA’s annual convening of SEA leadership and NCSEA leaders to align on priorities, share best practices, and build the relationships that help strengthen local SEAs and the structural engineering community nationwide. It’s designed for strategic collaboration, practical learning, and real takeaways SEA leaders can bring back to support their organizations.
This year, we’re doing things differently.
Instead of splitting the week into separate programs, Leadership Week will be one integrated event with multiple tracks designed for SEA leaders. Participants will join focused sessions throughout the day and then regroup with fellow SEA leaders at key points for shared discussion, connection, and collaboration of ideas.
Who Should Attend?
Each SEA should select the representatives who can best participate in strategic conversations and carry ideas back to support local operations. This can be an SEA representative, executive director, or administrator.
We also encourage sending new voices this year. If your SEA attended last year, consider rotating in someone else to broaden perspectives and strengthen leadership across your organization.
2026 Schedule
Thank You to Our Sponsor
Reimbursement & Travel Information
For Committee Chair reimbursement, please refer to the NCSEA Travel Reimbursement Policy.
Click to access the Committee Chair Expense Form.
All complimentary SEA representatives will receive the following from NCSEA:
- Up to $500 travel stipend*
- 1 hotel night**
NCSEA will be responsible for all attendee hotel reservations. Hotel-provided shuttle will be available to all attendees.
The number of complimentary attendees per SEA is based on the SEA’s most recently reported membership count.
| 1-300 members | 1 complimentary attendee |
| 301-600 members | 2 complimentary attendees |
| 601-900 members | 3 complimentary attendees |
| 901-1.200 members | 4 complimentary attendees |
| > 1,201 members | 5 complimentary attendees |
Note: Additional SEA representatives were welcome and encouraged to attend! A registration fee of $300/person for all non-complimentary individuals will provide them 1 hotel night, food, and event content. Additional registrants are responsible for their own travel.
*Reimbursement for complimentary attendees will be for airfare and ground transportation to/from the attendee’s departure airport. If driving, mileage at 72.5¢ per mile and any tolls will be reimbursed. Expenses above $500 is the responsibility of the individual, the individual’s company, or their SEA. Please click here for the expense reimbursement form.
**Complimentary attendees from the following states may request an additional hotel night (2 hotel nights), if needed: Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This additional night will be for May 18th and only for those unable to travel the morning of May 19th and/or arrive by noon CST on the 19th, originating from the Pacific and Mountain time zones.
Requests for ANY exceptions are required to be made to NCSEA before May 1, 2026.
NCSEA has partnered with United Airlines!
To receive an added discount, book your flight to Leadership Week by visiting united.com/meetingtravel and enter the discount code: ZS6D196365.
*If you need additional assistance with your booking, you may call United Meeting Reservation Desk Monday-Friday from 7am-8pm CT at (800)-426-1122.
Leadership Week Moments Through the Years
Curious if you are eligible to attend? Â
Please contact our Director of Membership & SEA Outreach, Leo Baran.