General Information
AETA and CETA/ACTE do not affiliate with anyone that conducts telephone or email solicitations for booking hotels and do not recommend that you make hotel reservations with any of those groups.
We’re excited to start looking ahead to the 2026 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Annual Convention! While details are still being finalized, we can promise another year of engaging sessions, industry insights, and opportunities to connect with leaders and peers across the field. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, topics, and the full program as they become available
Why Attend #AETACETA2026?
“AETA does an excellent job with [its] continuing education (CE) offerings.”
“The opportunity to meet all of these important and legendary people was out of this world.”
“[I] met new people and interacted with people I often only see at AETA once a year.”
“The impact of neonatal heat stress on multiple generations, as well as the series about embryo labeling and ABC forms, was very helpful.”
“I appreciate the practical tips that practitioners share[d] on stage and in the hall conversations.”
“[I] have found all Joint [Annual] Conventions to be valuable.”
“My technician enjoyed the student/technician sessions.”
“[The poster sessions were] valuable and [had] applicable research.”
“[Each year has] good meetings with practical take-home information.”
“[I intend to] evaluate our practice as to whether it has a positive work environment, and examine ways to involve staff in more responsibilities associated with the ART services in our practice.”
“[There were] a lot of tips about the lab and field part of reproduction.”
“The IVF [Practitioner Forum Roundtable session] will likely create conversations for us as a company.”
“[I’m taking away] preconference seminar tips, purchases from vendors, and technological advancements.”
“In the ‘Tiny Travelers: Precision in Shipping and Selecting Bovine Oocytes and IVF Embryos’ session, we discussed applicable techniques to take home to improve our protocols and daily practices.”
“I found several [poster sessions] to be very informative.”
What to See and Do in Madison
Nestled between two sparkling lakes, Madison blends Midwestern charm with innovative culture and natural beauty. Discover Wisconsin’s vibrant capital, with its endless opportunities for exploration, during #AETACETA2026.
Cultural Attractions
Located in the heart of downtown Madison and home to #AETACETA2026, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center is where visionary design meets the picturesque lakefront in perfect harmony. You won’t want to miss the 68,000 square-foot Rooftop Garden, which offers a birds-eye view of Madison and Lake Monona.
A five-minute walk from the Monona Terrace is the stunning Wisconsin State Capitol, which is free to visit and offers tours daily at no cost. Or catch a musical, play, or symphony performance at the Overture Center for the Arts!
Outdoors and Recreation
With over 200 miles of scenic biking and hiking trails and more than 260 parks and beaches, there’s an abundance of things to do outdoors in Madison. Madison is also surrounded by five lakes, meaning the water activities are endless!
Food and Drink Experiences
Experience the legendary Dane County Farmers’ Market (the largest producer-only market in the nation), sample craft beers at one of Madison’s 20 breweries, and explore eclectic Williamson “Willy” Street eateries.
Shopping and Local Favorites
Browse independent shops along pedestrian State Street while shopping for Wisconsin-made goods and local cheese. More than 350 shops, galleries, boutiques, eateries, and more make downtown Madison a diverse shopping experience with something for everyone!
America’s Dairyland: Cheese, Curds, and More!
Wisconsin’s capital sits in the heart of America’s Dairyland, where award-winning cheese curds, artisan creameries, and farm-fresh dairy delights make Madison a must-visit destination for cheese lovers and foodies alike.
Celebrate Madison’s dairy heritage with award-winning ice cream from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Babcock Dairy Store, artisan cut-to-order cheeses at Fromagination, and fresh, squeaky cheese curds (try them beer-battered at Lone Girl Brewing!).