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News
Now in its 72nd year, CSWE’s Annual Conference is the preeminent event in social work education, drawing thousands of educators, administrators, students, and practitioners from across the United States and its territories. This year’s theme—Rooted in Resilience: Honoring the Past, Grounding the Present—invites the social work community to reflect on the enduring strength and adaptability of the profession, especially during these times of transformation and challenge. The event will celebrate the legacies of justice, advocacy, and care that inform social work education, while also exploring the core values that root social work as a profession.
“Annual Conference helps shape the future of social work education and the social work profession,” said CSWE President and CEO Halaevalu Vakalahi, PhD, MSW, MEd. “This is where the best and brightest in our profession gather to share ideas, connect with each other, and learn from one another. This year, we are delighted to be back in Atlanta—a city that many of those best and brightest in our profession call home.”
The four-day event features hundreds of educational and informational sessions covering dozens of topic tracks including addiction, child welfare, aging and gerontology, veterans’ issues, rural issues, and many more. Additionally, the conference hosts plenaries and keynotes from respected global leaders in social work education, leadership, and research. Members can network and celebrate the year’s accomplishments at more than a dozen receptions, side events, and other gatherings.
Volunteering gives students the opportunity to actively engage with social work professionals, expand their network, and be a vital part of creating a memorable experience for our attendees and exhibitors. In addition to the registration discount, students receive our official volunteer t-shirt (sponsored by the University of Central Florida School of Social Work) and a certificate of appreciation.
Attendees can add these events to their conference registration in the registration portal for an additional fee. This year, CSWE is offering the following pre-conference events:
CSWE will be unveiling speakers, award winners, and more important information about its Annual Conference between now and October. Follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for up-to-date news and information.
Published on : May 6, 2026
Registration is officially open for CSWE’s 2026 Annual Conference, which returns to Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis from October 22 to 25.Now in its 72nd year, CSWE’s Annual Conference is the preeminent event in social work education, drawing thousands of educators, administrators, students, and practitioners from across the United States and its territories. This year’s theme—Rooted in Resilience: Honoring the Past, Grounding the Present—invites the social work community to reflect on the enduring strength and adaptability of the profession, especially during these times of transformation and challenge. The event will celebrate the legacies of justice, advocacy, and care that inform social work education, while also exploring the core values that root social work as a profession.
“Annual Conference helps shape the future of social work education and the social work profession,” said CSWE President and CEO Halaevalu Vakalahi, PhD, MSW, MEd. “This is where the best and brightest in our profession gather to share ideas, connect with each other, and learn from one another. This year, we are delighted to be back in Atlanta—a city that many of those best and brightest in our profession call home.”
The four-day event features hundreds of educational and informational sessions covering dozens of topic tracks including addiction, child welfare, aging and gerontology, veterans’ issues, rural issues, and many more. Additionally, the conference hosts plenaries and keynotes from respected global leaders in social work education, leadership, and research. Members can network and celebrate the year’s accomplishments at more than a dozen receptions, side events, and other gatherings.
Student Volunteers Needed
Each year, CSWE relies on an army of student volunteers to help ensure the success of the Annual Conference. Students serve in a variety of roles, from aiding attendees with mobility issues, to providing directions and information, and more. In return, students can attend the conference for a discounted rate of just $50 (students must register at the full conference rate and the registration fee will be adjusted once the 4-hour assignment is completed).Volunteering gives students the opportunity to actively engage with social work professionals, expand their network, and be a vital part of creating a memorable experience for our attendees and exhibitors. In addition to the registration discount, students receive our official volunteer t-shirt (sponsored by the University of Central Florida School of Social Work) and a certificate of appreciation.
Pre-Conference Summits and Institutes
Once again, CSWE is offering a slate of exciting and informative pre-conference events. These CE-eligible events take place on October 21 and 22, prior to the conference’s official kickoff.Attendees can add these events to their conference registration in the registration portal for an additional fee. This year, CSWE is offering the following pre-conference events:
- Center for Diversity Pre-Conference Institute: Immersive experience exploring Atlanta’s community history, equity, and resilience through a social work lens, fostering reflection on place-based learning and community-informed practice.
- Leadership Development Institute: All-day institute focused on strengthening leadership skills in social work education, with an emphasis on inclusive workplaces, civility, and futures thinking to build supportive, forward-looking organizational cultures.
- AI & Technology in Social Work Education Institute: Explores how AI and digital tools shape social work education, emphasizing ethical, effective, and critically informed technology use in preparing students for modern practice.
- Field Education Institute: Sponsored by Preferra Insurance Company RRG, this collaborative institute examines field education’s history, resilience, and future, focusing on student success, partnerships, supervision, and adapting practices to contemporary challenges and opportunities. • Assessment Institute: Focuses on best practices in assessing student learning and program outcomes, offering strategies aligned with accreditation standards to strengthen evaluation, improvement, and organizational effectiveness.
- Student Summit: Sponsored by the NYU Silver School of Social Work, this student-centered event explores leadership and resilience, equipping future social workers with skills, perspectives, and strategies to lead with purpose across diverse professional settings.
CSWE will be unveiling speakers, award winners, and more important information about its Annual Conference between now and October. Follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for up-to-date news and information.