State Leadership Conference (SLC)
The State Leadership Conference is where educational symposium, career exploration, networking, and competition all come together. Our best and brightest HOSA members from Illinois will shine in competiton and leadership.
LOCATION
Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Meeting Area & The BOS Center, Springfield, IL
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ROUND 1
Online testing & Uploads at your chapter school.
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ROUND 2
Abraham Lincoln Hotel Meeting Center & The BOS Center - Springfield, IL
State Leadership Conference dates for Round 1 and SLC Round 2 in-person will vary based on event and educational level.
The Structure
Two rounds. The State Leadership Conference.
Illinois HOSA State Leadership Conference is Two Rounds. Event guidelines will explain the method of how the State Leadership Conference tasks are completed.
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
SLC-Round 1
At your Chapter School
Round 1 Requirements are testing and uploads based on: 1. Event Type 2. Educational Competition Area (Middle School, Secondary or Post-Secondary/Collegiate)
PLEASE SEE GUIDELINES FOR ACCURATE TASK COMPLETION
All Chapter testing will be Proctored.
STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
SLC -Round 2
Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Convention and The BOS Center in Springfield, IL.
State Leadership Conference Schedule will be attached to the HOSA App that each member can download using the email they are signed up with for their competitions.
MARCH 17–19, 2027
Educational Symposium and SLC Events are included in your experience.
The top 10 in each event will be called on Stage for awards and Certificates at our Awards Ceremonies.
Illinois guidelines apply to the Preliminary Round only. From Round 1 onward you follow National HOSA guidelines. They are different documents. Confirm which one applies before you prepare, every year.
Illinois HOSA Competitive Events
Competitive Event Guidelines on the National HOSA website are created specifically for the International Leadership Conference (ILC). Some elements may not apply to competitors at Regional/Preliminaries or the state level. This page is dedicated to all things competitive events in Illinois.
For ALL events, read the IL HOSA event guidelines to prepare for Regional/Preliminaries and the State Leadership Conference. To prepare for ILC, read the National HOSA event guidelines.
Event Guidelines All Updated 10/22/2026
Secondary and Postsecondary/Collegiate Events
Health Science Events
Health Professions Events
- Biotechnology
- Clinical Lab Science (Medical Lab Scientist)
- Clinical Nursing
- Clinical Specialty
- Dental Science
- Family Medicine Physician
- Genetics
- Home Health Aide
- Medical Assisting
- Nursing Assisting
- Occupational Therapy
- Patient Care Technician
- Personal Care (IDEA EVENT)
- Pharmacy Science
- Phlebotomy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant – Medical Case Challenge
- Respiratory Therapy
- Sports Medicine
- Surgical Technologist
- Veterinary Science
Emergency Preparedness Events
Leadership Events
- Extemporaneous Writing – Health Policy
- Health Career Photography
- Healthy Living
- Interviewing Skills (IDEA Event)
- Job Seeking Skills
- Organizational Leadership-SLC Only Running for State Office
- Prepared Speaking
- Researched Persuasive Writing & Speaking
- Speaking Skills (IDEA Event)
Middle School Events
Middle school members can compete in a total of 2 events listed below. Events must be in different categories. Middle School Events are for students enrolled in 6th-8th grade.
Middle School Health Science Events
Middle School Leadership Events
Middle School Emergency Preparedness Events
Middle School Teamwork Events
Recognition Events Upload and Hours are for State Leadership Conference Recognition
- America's Blood Centers & HOSA Blood Drive*
- American Red Cross Chapter Recognition
- Barbara James Service Award*
- Healthcare Issues Exam SLC ONLY State Officers & Running for State Officer
- HOSA Happenings*1 per chapter
- Hilarity for Charity Recognition (A Only)
Events with a "*" are also open to middle school members. Members will only complete testing/uploads during State Leadership Conference Round 1.
Event names follow this season's national HOSA competitive events list. Questions about a specific event? Email the state office.
HOSA STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN SPRINGFIELD
What to know.... Competitions, Symposiums, Hotels, and MORE!
All Student Members that qualified are invited to attend the ILLINOIS HOSA State Leadership Conference.
Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference and The BOS Center
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701
Dress Code for State Leadership Conference
What to wear to this Professional Event & Competition
Download HOSA App
Using your email that you were registered. Provides appointment times and locations.
Educational Symposium Schedule
Read Bios of our Speakers and Experiences that are offered at the State Leadership Conference.
Hotel & Food Trucks
State Officer Schedule- Wear your Uniform & SLC ID
Applying for Illinois HOSA State Office please see the schedule so you are at the events to complete interviews and give your speeches.
Courtesy Corp & Illinois HOSA Ambassadors
Service Hours for Courtesy Corp & Illinois HOSA Ambassadors can be picked up at the awards ceremonies.
You do not register yourself for Round 2; your chapter does. Confirm with your advisor before the deadline.
Dates
Dates and deadlines
Every State Leadership Conference date moves each season. One does not.
Every year
February 1
State Leadership Conference registration closes
Advisors register the chapter through the National HOSA portal.
State Officer applications due
Applications and letters of endorsement go to the state office.
IL HOSA Scholarship applications due
Read the requirements before starting, because they take references.
2025–2026 season
Illinois HOSA Regional/Preliminary Round
November 30-December 4, 2026
State Leadership Conference Round 1
February 22-26, 2027
State Leadership Conference Round 2 in Springfield
March 17–19, 2027
Exact dates are confirmed by the state office each season. Advisors receive the calendar.
$110/attendee
Competitor registration & Advisor/Chaperone registration
$75/non attendee
Online testing only Qualifier (Secondary ONLY)
Chapter Fee and Invoice please mail to:
Illinois HOSA · PO Box 46018 · Chicago, IL 60646
Before You Go
Before you go
Two checklists. One for competitors, one for advisors.
Students
Required for entry
Code of Conduct & Medical Liability Release
Review and sign with a parent or guardian before you travel. Signatures are due to your advisor, not the state office.
Run for State Office
State officers are elected by Illinois HOSA members at the conference. Applications and endorsements are due February 1.
Everything about serving on the state officer team →
IL HOSA Scholarship
For seniors continuing their education in a health science field. Applications are due February 1 and reviewed by the state office.
Completed applications are returned to Illinois HOSA.
Pins, designs, and art
Creative and submission deadlines for the pin design and t-shirt design contests run earlier than the conference.
Advisors
Conference checklist
The full advisor checklist covers forms, rooming, and every deadline in order.
Register your chapter
Advisors register the chapter through the National HOSA portal. Registration closes February 1, and the state office cannot reopen it.
Voting delegates
Every chapter sends voting delegates to the general session. The amount of voting delegates is a reflection of your chapter membership size. Please add the voting delegate option to their State Leadership Conference Registration.
1–25 members
1 delegate
26–100 members
2 delegates
101–250 members
3 delegates
251–500 members
4 delegates
Chapters above 500 members should contact Illinois HOSA.
Accommodations
Students with an IEP or 504 plan can request testing accommodations for every round. Requests come through the advisor.
THE ILLINOIS HOSA STATE CONFERECE
State Leadership Conference 2026
March 18–20, 2026 · BOS Center, Springfield, IL
Keynote
Brittany Richmond, MS
Student speaker and advocate
Brittany opens the conference with a session on resilience and finding your place in health care, the same room where the top three in every event are named.
2026 Conference Sponsor
Partner logo placement
U.S. Army ROTC
Army ROTC sponsors the 2026 conference and exhibits on site. Members can talk with officers about ROTC scholarships and the health professions path they open.
Rounds
Round 2 is the only round held at the conference. Round 1 is completed at your school.
The top three in every event now represent Illinois at the International Leadership Conference.