2026 Washington Economics Symposium
Location
University of Washington, Bothell
17927 113th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011
Date
Tuesday, July 28th, 2026
9am-5pm
Join K–12 educators, policymakers, and industry leaders
for a full day of exploration, collaboration, and hands-on learning. This year’s symposium, co-organized by Western Washington University's Center for Economic and Financial Education, the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education, and the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership dives into the forces shaping Washington’s economy with this year's theme: Navigating the New Economy: AI, Affordability, and Financial Resilience in Washington. Tailored tracks and interactive sessions give attendees practical tools and actionable strategies to navigate today’s rapidly changing financial landscape and prepare Washington's students for the future economy.
In addition to general sessions, we have two deep-dive speaker tracks:
- Policy and industry participants will connect with government and business leaders, exchange ideas, and gain actionable insights to advance economic and financial literacy across Washington.
- Teachers will experience interactive economics and personal finance sessions and will leave with classroom-ready tools, fresh insights, peer connections, and ideas that can be implemented immediately. Teachers will also receive an estimated 6.5 clock hours: 4 STEM and 2.5 general.
Tickets
All ticket fees include clock hours, educational sessions, breakfast, lunch and networking reception.
Students and Pre-service Educators - $25
In-service Educators - $50
All Others - $75
All registration fees go to the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education, which funds professional development for K-12 educators focused on teaching economics and personal finance.
Educator Scholarships Available
Limited scholarships are available to support teacher attendance at the Washington State Economics Symposium.
Available Scholarships:
• $50 scholarships for Seattle teachers - TWO REMAINING
• $50 scholarships for Whatcom or Skagit county teachers - TEN REMAINING
How It Works: Email kelli.burton@wwu.edu prior to your registration to apply. Scholarships are awarded first-come, first-served. Funds cover registration, and additional support available as needed.
The only requirement is event registration. Once you reach out, we'll handle the rest directly with a comp code or reimbursement.
"The entire day was fantastic - all of the break out sessions, all of the speakers and presenters did a great job, and the content was extremely relevant."
-WA High School Teacher & WES 2025 Attendee
Speakers
Mike Pellicciotti
Washington State Treasurer
Nick Brown
Washington Attorney General
Thomas Gilbert
Associate Professor of Finance and Business Economics
University of Washington
Andrea Caceres-Santamaria
Senior Economic Education Specialist
Federal Reserve Education
Miladys Garcia
Special populations program supervisor
FEPPP
Joel Miller
Education Manager
Foundation for Economic Education
More Speakers to be Announced Soon!
Agenda
Registration Opens and Continental Breakfast
Opening Remarks
General Session | All Tracks
Break
Breakout Session 1
Policy and Industry Breakout
Educator Breakout
Break
Breakout Session 2
Policy and Industry Breakout
Educator Breakout
General Session & Lunch | All Tracks
Break
Breakout Session 3
Policy and Industry Breakout
Educator Breakout
Break
Breakout Session 4
Policy and Industry Breakout
Educator Breakout
Breakout Session 5
Policy and Industry Breakout
Educator Breakout
Break
General Session | All Tracks
Closing Remarks
Networking
End of WES 2026
Thank You to Our WES 2026 Sponsors
