19th Annual WPRA Leadership Academy

December 2-4, 2026
Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center
1 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Register Here
View the Registration Brochure

*Registration Deadline: November 9, 2026 

Registration Rates

  Member Rate Non-Member Rate Late Fee (after Nov. 9th)

Traditional Registration

 $505 $555 add $50

Alumni Registration

 $285 $335 add $50

Student Registration

 $455 $505 add $50


*Group Registration Rate - Available for groups of 4 or more enrolled from same Agency/School - $505 each first 3 enrolled, $329 for each additional enrolled. Email the WPRA Office for the discount code.

 Schedule

Wednesday, December 2nd
11:00 am - 11:45 pm     Arrival & Check-in
11:45 am - 12:00 pm Welcome
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Be the Type of Leader You Want to Follow*
Ali Starr 
2:45 pm – 5:15 pm

Navigating the Ten Tensions for Leadership*
Neil Ihde 
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Dinner
9:00 pm Social (Activity planned by year two students)
Thursday, December 3rd
7:30 am – 8:30 am   Breakfast
8:30 am 
 Group Photo
9:00 am - 11:30 am  

Leading Through Change*
Yvonne DeGroot 
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Lessons Learned Managing Crisis Events*
David Funkhouser 
3:45 pm – 6:15 pm

Essential Tools for Challenging Times*
Neil Ihde 
6:15 pm  Dinner
7:00 pm

Social (More information to come!)
Friday, December 4th
8:00 am - 9:00 am  Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:30 am 

Courageous Growth: Leading with Strength & Confidence*
Jason Kotecki 
11:30 pm - 12:00 pm Recognition & Graduation Ceremony 
* CEU Opportunity

Hotel Information

Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center
1 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Call 920-230-3200 to reserve your room.

Rates: $101/Night
*The rate for the event will be the prevailing state per diem for overnight accommodation in Oshkosh on the day of arrival.

Check-In is at 3:00 pm
Check-Out is at 11:00 am

*A limited number of discounted rooms have been reserved for attendees of the Leadership Academy. Because availability is limited, we encourage you to book early. Reservations must be made by Monday, November 9, 2026 or while rooms remain available within the block.

Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors!


*Scholarships from the WPRA Foundation are available to attend Leadership Academy: Apply today!

Event Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received three weeks prior to an event are entitled to a full refund minus a processing fee. Cancellation requests after this date are subject to a 25% processing fee unless otherwise stated for any WPRA event.