Home > Conferences > OLC Innovate 2026 > OLC Innovate 2026 > Conference Welcome
Dear Colleagues,
We are thrilled to welcome you to OLC Innovate 2026, a dynamic and collaborative event presented by the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) and MERLOT. This year’s virtual conference, held March 3–5, 2026, invites educators, instructional designers, administrators, and innovators from across the globe to come together and reimagine the future of online, digital, and blended learning.
At OLC Innovate, we challenge traditional paradigms and explore bold new ideas that shape the evolving landscape of education. Whether you’re here to share your research, test new technologies, or connect with peers, this conference is designed to spark creativity, foster meaningful dialogue, and inspire lasting change.
Throughout the event, you’ll find opportunities to engage in hands-on sessions, thought-provoking keynotes, and collaborative activities that encourage experimentation and reflection. We invite you to lean into the spirit of innovation—ask questions, make connections, and explore the possibilities that emerge when passionate educators unite.
Thank you for being part of this vibrant community. Your contributions, insights, and energy are what make OLC Innovate a truly transformative experience. We look forward to the ideas and relationships that will grow from our time together.
Let’s innovate- together!
Warm regards,
Conference Chair – Jennifer Wurch, Penn Foster Group
Executive Conference Chair – Jennifer Mathes, Ph.D., Online Learning Consortium
MERLOT Executive Chair – Gerry Hanley, Ph.D.
August 3-5, 2026 | Tarleton State Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas and
August 6-7, 2026 | Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois
OLC Elevate is a bold new initiative from OLC that brings high-impact digital learning discussions, hands-on workshops, and thought leadership directly to your regional community. Designed as an alternative to traditional large-scale conferences, each OLC Elevate event is co-created with a selected partner organization to focus on timely, cutting-edge topics that drive meaningful innovation.