Hosted by Florida Cooperative Extension Service
June 1-4, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida
Welcome to the NETC 2026 conference page
We are excited to welcome you to Gainesville, Florida for the upcoming National Extension Technology Community (NETC) Conference! Hosted by Florida Cooperative Extension Service; UF and FAMU.
Sunshine as a Service: This year’s National Extension Technology Community conference celebrates the power of shared knowledge and collaborative growth. Just as sunshine fuels life, our community fuels innovation — making technology accessible, sustainable, and impactful. Together, we’ll explore how IT and Extension professionals can harness emerging tools, cultivate grassroots solutions, and shine light on practices that strengthen technology efforts across the Extension community.
To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve included helpful information about Florida and Gainesville, along with a guide to local restaurants. We will host our awards dinner Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, so be sure to nominate your colleagues for NETC awards to celebrate the incredible work happening across Cooperative Extension Services.
NETC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to extending professional development, education, and networking opportunities to Cooperative Extension employees. We’re excited to continue that mission with you in 2026.
See you soon in Gainesville!
What is NETC?
The National Extension Technology Community (NETC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to extending professional development, education, and networking opportunities to Cooperative Extension employees. Take a look at their website for more information:
NETC Annual Awards
The National Extension Technology Community’s Board hosts an awards program with the goal of recognizing outstanding performers within the Community. Check out the website for more information:
https://netctech.org/member-resources/awards/
Breakout Sessions - Call for Proposals:
The National Extension Technology Community (NETC) is a thriving hub of forward-thinking professionals dedicated to advancing digital solutions in the Cooperative Extension System. Our annual conference is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, discover cutting-edge tools, and build meaningful connections with colleagues who are redefining how technology can support Extension work.
We invite you to submit a session proposal for the 2026 NETC Conference in Gainesville, Florida. You could present a breakthrough initiative, share valuable lessons from the field, or explore bold new concepts. If you have a story to tell, a strategy to share, or a tool that’s making a difference, we want to hear from you.
Let’s shape the future of Extension technology, together!
Session details
Timing: 45 minutes each, running concurrently. There is also an opportunity to offer two 45-minute sessions (e.g. Part 1 and Part 2).
Format: Presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, roundtable etc.
Deadline: The submission deadline has been extended to May 1st, 2026
To apply: https://forms.office.com/r/ZtbhKLYLsA
Registration Information:
Scholarships are available through the NETC Board, take a look at this webpage for more information: https://netctech.org/scholarships/
Sample justification letter: 2026 NETC Justification Letter Sample
Registration Policy: Full refunds are available until May 15, 2026.
Please visit our registration page: https://cvent.me/w2lR0N
Rates
Early bird rate below ends on May 1, 2026
$650 General Attendee
$590 Institutional State NETC Member*
$590 NETC Hall of Fame Member
$620 NETC Retiree
Regular registration ends May 15, 2026.
Regular rates will be $700 for General Attendees, $590 for Institutional members and NETC Hall of Fame members, and $620 for NETC retirees.
There is no late registration fee.
NETC Hall of Fame members, NETC retirees and NETC Institutional State members will be offered a discount. Institutional members: University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Arkansas, Auburn University, Clemson University, and The Ohio State University.
Conference locations and hotel Information:
The NETC 2026 conference will be held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida. Our awards dinner on June 3rd will include transportation to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and back to the host hotel. Please use the following information to book your room and travel to the host location.
Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32607
352-371-3600 (front desk)
Room rate: $159/night June 1-3, 2026
Room reservation link: https://group.hilton.com/f6klto
Reservations close on May 6th, 2026
Sponsorships:
A range of sponsorship packages are available to accommodate varying levels of participation. Should existing options not meet your requirements, we welcome the opportunity to develop a tailored sponsorship package in consultation with you.
Join us in making the 2026 NETC Conference a success—your support helps shape the future of technology in Extension!
Detailed information on sponsorship packages: 2026 NETC Sponsorship
Please reach out to Val Aldrnari with questions, or to begin the sponsorship process: valkyriea@ufl.edu
Addresses and other information:
Conference location/Hotel: Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32607, 352-371-3600
Awards Dinner (transportation included in registration): Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Champions Club, 157 Gale Lemerand Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, 352-375-4683
Conference Host: Florida Cooperative Extension Service ATTN: Val Aldrnari, PO Box 110210, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-392-1761
Conference Host contacts: Val Aldrnari, Admin Specialist, valkyriea@ufl.edu or 352-273-3594 and Joe Gasper, Systems Admin, gasperj@ufl.edu or 352-273-1474
Agenda:
PDF version of agenda: NETC 2026 Agenda
Full agenda with tours, all breakout sessions and descriptions: Coming soon
Monday, June 1
5:30pm – 7:30pm Welcome Reception
Tuesday, June 2
7:30am – 8:30am Announcements/Breakfast
8:45am – 11:45am Sessions, Networking and Refreshment Break
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm – 5:00pm Tours
5:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner on Your Own
Wednesday, June 3
7:30am – 8:30am Announcements/Breakfast
8:45am – 11:00am Sessions, Networking and Refreshment Break
11:00am - 11:45am Keynote Speaker
12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
1:45pm - 4:45pm Sessions, Networking and Refreshment Break
6:15pm - 8:15pm Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Thursday, June 4
7:30am - 8:30am Announcements and Breakfast
8:45am - 10:30am Sessions
10:30am - 11:00am Networking and Refreshment Break
11:00am - 11:30am Closing remarks
Travel Information:
Airports
Gainesville Regional Airport (closest, 8.6 miles) GNV - https://www.flygainesville.com
Jacksonville International Airport (84 miles) JAX - https://flyjacksonville.com
Orlando International Airport (121 miles) MCO - https://www.orlando-airport.com
Car rentals
All listed airports have car rentals available to assist with your commute to Gainesville. Gainesville has additional locations in town and at our airport for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
Local Information:
Visit Gainesville!
Click here for things to do in Gainesville including local events, history, tours, outdoor recreation and trails, museums, shopping and dining. Some museums are in walking distance of the host hotel.
Click here for a list of restaurants that are ready for large groups.
Click here for Alachua County Ale Trail – Award-Winning Craft Breweries
Visit Florida!
Florida offers a wide variety of attractions worth exploring, from thrilling theme parks to serene state parks. Take a look at the websites below as a starting point.
Orlando visitor website
Jacksonville visitor website
Tampa visitor website
Florida State Parks website
Additional ideas: Ocala, St. Augustine, Sarasota
Contact Val Aldrnari for web updates
Last updated February 2026