
Legacy of the West: 20 Years of Opportunity and Impact
Date: October 18–20, 2026
Location: Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
GEAR UP West is a regional conference for professionals dedicated to supporting student access, opportunity, and postsecondary success. The event welcomes participants from across the Western U.S., including educators, counselors, coordinators, college access professionals, mentors, evaluators, administrators, and others committed to helping students prepare for and succeed in their chosen post-high school pathways.
Conference attendees can look forward to:
- Inspiring keynote speakers
- Interactive breakout sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Program strategies
- Best practices
More information coming soon.
Interested in Presenting?
Review your concurrent strands, get your team together and submit to present at GEAR UP West 2026 using the Proposal Submissions Form.
Proposal Submissions Form Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
GEAR UP West Email
Conference registration is opening soon. Want to be the first to know? Join our email list!
Received our “SAVE THE DATE” email? You are already on our list!
Sponsor and Exhibitor Levels
GEAR UP West is made possible through the support of organizations that share our commitment to student success. We are grateful for the partners, sponsors, and exhibitors who invest in this event and help create meaningful learning experiences for attendees.
In return, we strive to provide sponsors with authentic opportunities to connect with college access professionals, educators, evaluators, and higher education leaders from across the western United States. Our attendees come looking for practical solutions, trusted resources, and new partnerships they can bring back to their students, schools, and communities.
Conference Sponsor ($5,000): Introduce keynote speaker of choice, premier logo placement on conference materials, website app, and event screens, recognition throughout the conference, preferred exhibitor location, 3 conference registrations.
Featured Keynote Sponsor ($3,000): Introduce featured keynote speaker, logo placement on keynote and conference materials, preferred exhibitor location, 2 conference registrations.
20-Year Celebration Sponsor ($2,000): Recognition during the GEAR UP West 20-Year Celebration, logo placement on celebration materials, preferred exhibitor location, 1 conference registration.
Preconference Sponsor ($2,000): Collaborate with conference leadership on the preconference experience, welcome/host participants, recognition in preconference materials, preferred exhibitor location, 1 conference registration.
Campus Tour Sponsor ($1,500): Recognition as Campus Tour Sponsor, logo placement on tour materials, opportunity to welcome participants, preferred exhibitor location, 1 conference registration.
Professional of the Year Sponsor ($1,500): Introduce the Professional of the Year recipient, recognition during award presentation, preferred exhibitor location, 1 conference registration.
Exhibitor ($550): Exhibitor booth and exhibitor credential.
Conference registrations include access to conference sessions, conference meals, and conference-sponsored networking events. Exhibitor credentials include exhibit hall access and designated exhibitor functions.
We are always open to creative sponsorship ideas that enhance the attendee experience. If you have a unique sponsorship concept or questions about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jacque Deahl at jdeahl@sde.idaho.gov.
