The 5th GSAEC International Conference
From Roots to Horizons: The Next Era in Coaching Education

July 15–17, 2026 | Washington, DC

Convened by the Graduate School Alliance for Education in Coaching (GSAEC)
Hosted by The George Washington University One Humanity Lab

A Global Gathering for Those Shaping Coaching Education

The GSAEC International Conference convenes coach educators, scholars, students, program leaders, and experienced practitioners from around the world for a dialogue-driven exploration of the questions shaping coaching education today and in the years ahead.

This conference is a working gathering for people who design, teach, research, and steward the coaching profession.

Coaching education is evolving—shaped by professionalization, expanding global reach, new research, emerging technologies, and deeper questions about ethics, pedagogy, and impact.

The GSAEC International Conference creates space for thoughtful dialogue across coaching education, scholarship, and practice. Participants explore foundational assumptions, examine emerging questions, and engage with peers who are actively shaping programs, standards, and practice worldwide.

Rather than centering expert performances, the conference is designed to support shared inquiry, multiple perspectives, and sustained conversation.

Who the Conference Is For

This conference brings together people who are engaged in, curious about, or exploring the evolving field of coaching education, including:

• Faculty and program directors in coaching and related disciplines
• Coaching scholars and students
• Leaders of coach education, supervision, and mentoring programs
• Experienced coaches with an interest in education, standards, and professional pathways
• Practitioners and emerging leaders interested in shaping the future of the profession
• Leadership Development and Human Resources Professionals invested in building coaching capacity

Active engagement and interaction are hallmarks of this conference, and participants are invited to take part in shared dialogue, inquiry, and co-creation throughout the experience.

Who You’ll Be in Conversation With

The 2026 conference is expected to draw well over 100 professionals from a wide range of universities, professional bodies, and organizations across the coaching and higher education landscape. See the list below for a sample of participating institutions and organizations.

Conference Highlights

Participants can expect interactive dialogue labs and roundtables; multi-perspective exploration of pressing questions in coaching education; sunrise “ignition” sessions to begin each day in community; opportunities to connect across roles and perspectives; book launch conversations with authors; and time for reflection, relationship-building, and informal exchange.

Launch of Coaching Education: Foundations of Excellence
Be among the first to explore the new GSAEC book—offering rigorous, evidence-based chapters that integrate theory and practice, with rich resources and reflective dialogue to support high-quality coaching education. Meet the contributing authors during the Chapter Café Crawl.

Program Recognition Pilot Roundtable
Hear from institutions pioneering GSAEC’s recognition program and join live conversations on lessons learned.

Hot Topic Dialogues
Fast-paced, interactive sessions tackling today’s most urgent and undiscussed issues in coaching and education.

Improv for Coaches & Coach Educators
Rethink assumptions and rediscover play as a powerful tool for learning and leadership.

Sunrise Sessions & Wellbeing Activities
Start your mornings with movement, reflection, community, or scholarship.

Location

The GSAEC 2026 International Conference will be held in Washington, DC, providing a fitting setting for global dialogue and professional exchange.

Venue details, hotel information, and travel guidance are available on the conference logistics page. 

Registration

A Global Gathering for Those Shaping Coaching Education — registration is open, and we warmly invite you to join the dialogue. 

Conference Sponsorship

We would appreciate your consideration and a conversation about how we can make a GSAEC Conference sponsorship valuable to you and your related organizations. Click below to view the sponsorship framework. Or, reach out to Yaron Prywes to start a conversation.

About GSAEC 

The Graduate School Alliance for Education in Coaching (GSAEC) is a global network of universities and institutions committed to advancing excellence, rigor, and innovation in coaching education.

The GSAEC International Conference is the Alliance’s flagship gathering for reflection, connection, and shared learning across the field.