2026 EWTG Annual Professional Development Conference
Embrace Your Power!
November 8-9, 2026
Kalahari Resorts and Convention, Round Rock, TX
Executive Women in Texas Government is proud to present the 40th Annual Professional Development Conference.
Join us this year for two dynamic days, as we continue to deliver high-quality education and networking opportunities full of diverse, innovative, interactive, inclusive, and exciting education topics. We welcome all professionals including EWTG members, non-members, students, retirees, and those working in Texas government, academia or public-private partnerships to attend.
The 2026 Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG) theme, Embrace Your Power! builds on the momentum of last year’s theme, Unite, Empower, Elevate! After listening to five phenomenal leaders share their experiences in our closing panel at our 2025 Annual Conference, one thing became clear to us, real leadership starts with recognizing your own power and choosing to own it.
When you embrace your own power, everything shifts. You show up differently—and so do the people around you. When you’re grounded in your own power, you lead from clarity instead of doubt and insecurity. You build trust by being steady and authentic. People don’t feel compared or crowded out; they feel welcomed and included. When you own your voice, you give others permission to use theirs, and that’s when real alignment begins.
Power that is embraced—not hidden or over-asserted—is contagious. It shows up in how you set boundaries, speak honestly, and act with purpose. That kind of leadership sends a powerful message: you can do this too. Empowerment grows when leadership is shared through action, not guarded.
True power isn’t about control—it’s about raising expectations. When you lead with your strengths, values, and vision, the quality of conversation improves. Decisions become more intentional. Results become more meaningful. People rise to the standard you consistently demonstrate.
Embracing your power creates alignment instead of division, confidence instead of dependence, and growth instead of stagnation. This is exactly how unity, empowerment, and elevation truly happen. Every member of EWTG has a role in that. When we each step into our own power, we strengthen EWTG and expand our collective impact.
Presentation Requirements
Presentations should be 45 minutes to an hour long, with additional time allocated for questions and answers to promote interactivity. EWTG will provide the exact presentation times if your proposal is selected. Please note that group and panel presentations are also accepted.
All proposals are welcomed. The incorporation of the 2026 theme, Embrace Your Power! into your presentation is encouraged. Suggested topics from our most recent EWTG survey include:
- Artificial intelligence and/or other technology topics
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership styles
- Leading diverse and/or intergenerational teams
- Mental/emotional wellness
- Other professional or personal development topics
Speaker Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Alignment with the conference theme – Embrace Your Power!
- Applicability to challenges faced by our members including students enrolled in a degree program focused on public service, professionals currently working in Texas government or higher education, and retirees.
- Relevance to professional or personal development.
- A creative approach to presenting the topic.
Priority will be given to a presenter whose proposal demonstrates new ideas and/or approaches, teaches specific techniques, and includes resource materials and handouts.