December 3-4 Birmingham, AL

Alabama JLDC

Get ready to THRIVE at Alabama’s Joint Leadership Development Conference

About JLDC

With nearly 7,000 students, educators, industry leaders, administrators and counselors attending, Alabama’s Joint Leadership Development Conference is the largest non-athletic joint gathering of students in the South Eastern United States for an educational purpose.

The goal of JLDC is to build Alabama’s College+Career-Ready workforce with employability skills, leadership training, exposure to Alabama’s career opportunities, and increased knowledge of CTE+CTSO opportunities.

World of CTSOs

Engage with your state leaders! Connect with other members! Learn about your organization! New this year is the World of CTSOs. Each organization will host an experience to showcase the very best of your organization. You will walk away knowing more about how you can THRIVE in your CTE+CTSO!

CTSO+CTE Training

This year’s JLDC will include specialized training for each CTSO and CTE program on the first day of JLDC. Three-hours of programming will be led by each organization’s state officers to provide their members with the latest updates on key programs and initiatives for your organization. In addition, Alabama State Department of Education staff will concurrently be leading professional development training for advisors and teachers.

Entertainment

Originally from Slapout, Alabama, Jessica Meuse went all the way from the statewide artist showcase, Stars of Alabama, to Hollywood's top singing competitions. A spot on Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice followed, where she made it to the blind auditions and was on Vans Warped Tour. Jessica was then selected by American Idol’s judges, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick, Jr., for Season 13 of the TV series where she rose to be a Top 4 National Finalist. Jessica also became the first person in the history of Idol to perform her own original song during the finals and joined Idols LIVE Tour, performing in 40+ cities across the USA and Canada. She recently reached one million streams of her latest album, "Halfhearted". While in high school Jessica was a member of DECA, so she knows the value CTE+CTSOs have in helping you THRIVE!

Student Leaders

Teachers+ Parents

CTE+CTSO Chapters

Schools

School Administrators+ Counselors

Career Clusters

Motivators, Communicators+ Entertainers

CTE+CTSO Programs and Organizations

Why Attend JLDC?

Students attend JLDC each year to:

Learn about the opportunities available to them through Alabama’s CTE+CTSO organizations.
Develop employability skills essential to success in college and careers.
Strengthen their CTSO+CTE program involvement through specialized programming.
Network with 6,000 of their peers with similar goals and aspirations.
Connect with CTSO+CTE state officers and student leaders.
Be inspired by internationally acclaimed speakers.
Have fun preparing for an awesome and bright future!

Speakers

Meet the JLDC lineup

Learn more

Eddie Slowikowski

Premier General Session

Stephen Mackey

Kickoff Session

Jessica Meuse

Featured Entertainment

Jess Ekstrom

THRIVE Session

Bobby Jon Drinkard

THRIVE Session

Tell Your Story Video Challenge

Whether it is the competition, friendships, travel, or leadership… we know you love your organization. Now is your chance to Tell Your Story! The Alabama CTE Leadership Council is hosting the “Tell Your Story Video Challenge” exclusively for CTE+CTSO organization members. The goal is simple: Capture your story of how your organization has impacted you, your school, and your community. The top submission will receive a $500 prize at JLDC in December. Prize is given to winning chapter.

Click here to learn more.