EETC to hold 29th annual conference in Illinois

The Equipment & Engine Training Council announced its 29th annual conference will be held April 15-17, 2026, at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Illinois, with ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment serving as host sponsor.

The annual conference brings together educators, manufacturers, distributors and industry leaders focused on technician education and workforce development in the power equipment industry.

“This year’s conference continues our long-standing mission of connecting education with real-world industry needs,” said Bruce Tallman, Executive Director of EETC. “We are incredibly grateful to ECHO for their long-time support of technician education and for hosting the 2026 conference. Their commitment to training excellence reflects exactly what this event is about — equipping today’s technicians with the skills they need for tomorrow’s equipment.”

The 2026 conference will include product training, factory tours and technical sessions aimed at supporting instructors and strengthening training programs. Planned sessions include EFI troubleshooting, handheld battery equipment training, committee collaboration on two-stroke and electric vehicle topics and discussions on battery disposal and industry-education partnerships.

“These sessions are intentionally designed to be practical and immediately applicable,” Tallman added. “Attendees leave with curriculum resources, technical insights, and industry connections that directly improve their programs and the technicians they train.”

The event also will feature networking activities and a banquet speaker. Registration is open to instructors, manufacturers, service trainers and other industry partners.