Legacy of the West: 20 Years of Opportunity and Impact
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:
- Networking opportunities
- Inspiring keynote speakers
- Interactive breakout sessions
- Program strategies
- Best practices
Conference Registration
We are excited to welcome you to this year’s milestone event. You’ll find all registration details listed below. Please note that payment is required at the time of registration to secure your spot.
Early Bird Registration
August – September 30, 2026
- $595 – Full Conference
- $545 – Presenter Registration*
Late Registration
After September 30, 2026
- $695 – Full Conference
Pre-Conference Experience
First-come, first-served.
- $20 – Registration Add-on
*Presenters: Selected presenters will receive a separate booking link and notification prior to the Early Bird cutoff date.
If you require a formal invoice or need to pay via physical check rather than online checkout, please reach out to california.gearup@ucop.edu to arrange your registration.
Pre-Conference Experience
All attendees are encouraged to register for a special pre-conference experience: “Inside the Entertainment Industry.” This pre-conference experience will take place on Sunday, October 18th from 1:00-4:30 PM. Registration for this experience is first-come, first-served. Visit the Pre-Conference Dashboard for more information.
Sunday Opening Dinner
All attendees are encouraged to attend the conference opening dinner and keynote held at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM. In order to help us plan accordingly, please indicate your attendance at the dinner when registering for the conference.
Confirmations, Invoices & Receipts
All confirmations, invoices and receipts will be sent via email. Please check your junk mail as this information may inadvertently be sent there.
Venue & Hotel Information
Get ready for sunshine, inspiration, and connection. This year’s conference lands at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City in sunny California.
Location: Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
Address: 555 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608
Our discounted group rate is available for extended stays from Wednesday, October 14 through Friday, October 23. Subject to availability.
Update: Saturday, October 17th group rate is now at capacity.
Group Rate Deadline: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Agenda
Get a first look at what’s brewing for GEAR UP West 2026 on October 18-20, 2026.
Ready to start planning? Click below to unlock your preview of the preliminary agenda:
Please note that this agenda is subject to change.
Check out our Local Guide & Discount Dashboard for things to do around Universal City, including exclusive discounts on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
2026 Professional of the Year Nominations
The GEAR UP West Professional of the Year award recognizes an employee who has done exemplary work on behalf of GEAR UP. The Professional of the Year is passionate about the college access mission, is a highly effective practitioner, and is a devoted advocate for students. They consistently exceed expectations and always demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and excellence.
Nominations for the Professional of the Year must be submitted by a State or Partnership Grant Director. If you are not a grant director but know of a deserving nominee, please reach out to your program director.
The GEAR UP Professional of the Year will be recognized at the GEAR UP West Conference in Universal City, CA, on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The winner must be present to receive the award.
Deadline for Nominations:
All nominations must be submitted by Friday, October 2, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
Presentations
Interested in presenting? Review your concurrent strands, get your team together and submit to present at GEAR UP West 2026 using the Call for Proposal Submissions Form.
Proposal Submissions Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
Proposals will be reviewed for alignment with conference priorities and selection criteria. Submissions should clearly describe the session content, intended audience, learning objectives, and participant takeaways, while highlighting promising practices, strategies, or lessons learned.
Presenters will be notified of proposal decisions by Friday, August 31, 2026.
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.
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.
Contact us
Be the first to know when registration is live by signing up for our email list. Received our “SAVE THE DATE” email? You are already on our list.
This conference is managed by California GEAR UP. Please send us an email if you have any questions regarding the conference agenda or registration.
