Below are the conferences I know are happening in 2026 that are specifically focused on Student and/or NextGen Ministry leaders.
Please note: Not all events have posted their 2026 dates yet, so until they do, I have noted when they typically have them.
Conclave NextGen
• Usually in October (Arlington, TX)
https://www.texasbaptists.org/events/conclave
D6 Conference
• March 6-7, 2026 (Seattle, WA)
• April 23-25, 2026 (Orlando, FL)
https://d6family.com/d6conference/
Dare2Share “Lead the Cause”
• July 6-11, 2026 (Denver, CO)
https://www.dare2share.org/events/ltc
DYM100: Roundtable Conversations
• Usually November (Irvine, CA)
https://dymtraining.com
Energize Conference
• April 23-25, 2026 (Denver, CO)
https://www.dare2share.org/events/energize
Exhort Retreat
• February 2-4, 2026 (Miamisburg, OH)
https://www.e3ministries.net/exhortretreat
Global Leadership Summit & GLS Next Gen
• August 6-7, 2026 (Online and Simulcast)
https://www.globalleadership.org/summit
Ignite Youth Leadership Conference
• March 13-14, 2026 (Des Moines, IA)
• March 20-21, 2026 (Colorado Springs, CO)
• March 27-28, 2026 (Chicago, IL)
http://www.igniteyouthleadership.org
Leader Treks Refuel Retreat
• Multiple dates and locations
https://www.leadertreks.org/refuel-retreat/
National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training
• Multiple dates and locations (Online and In-Person)
https://dymtraining.com/#NDO
Northeast Youth Ministry Summit
• March 16-19, 2025 (Lingonier, PA)
https://nymsummit.org
Rest & Renew Retreat
• September 14-17, 2026 (Hume, CA)
https://hume.org/lake/rest-renew
Southeast Youth Leaders Conference
• Usually in August (Chattanooga, TN)
https://thesylc.com
Student Ministry Essentials
Free strategic roundtables for student ministry leaders.
• February 10, 2026 (Bentonvill, AR)
• February 12, 2026 (Bixby, CO)
• March 3, 2026 (Raleigh, NC)
• March 5, 2026 (Lynchburg, VA)
https://www.lifeway.com/en/events/student-mininstry-essentials
Student Ministry Workers Retreat
• September 19, 2026 (Conway, AR)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/student-ministry-workers-retreat-2026-tickets-1730702049419
UYWI Fuel Networks Refuel Tour
• Multiple dates and locations
https://uywi.org/our-process/launch/refuel/
Wilderness
• Usually in October (Buena Vista, CO)
https://ciy.com/wilderness
Your First Decade in Youth Ministry
• Usually in October (Irvine, CA)
https://dymtraining.com
Youth Leader Summit
• February 23-25, 2026 (Leesburg, FL)
• May 21-23, 2026 (Harvey Cedars, NJ)
• September 28-30, 2026 (Hillsdale, MI)
http://www.youthleadersummit.com
Youth Ministry Conclave
• January 29-31, 2026 (Chattanooga, TN)
https://ymconclave.org
Youth Ministry Summit
• January 26-29, 2026 (San Diego, CA)
https://ciy.com/yms
Youth Pastor Summit
• March 23-24, 2026 (Lake Forest, CA) *YPS Regional Conference*
• April 13-14, 2026 (Dallas, TX) *YPS Regional Conference*
• April 20-21, 2026 (Nashville, TN) *YPS Regional Conference*
• April 27-28, 2026 (Raleigh, NC) *YPS Regional Conference*
• November 2-4, 2026 (Orlando, FL) *YPS National Conference*
https://slulead.com/yps
(I will continue updating this list as I find more details and events.)
Steve Cullum 