Communications Training Officers, Training Coordinators & Educators

For the leaders who train, coach and certify 9-1-1 professionals.

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Built for the Leaders Who Train, Coach & Certify 9‑1‑1 Professionals

If you are a communications training officer (CTO), training coordinator or educator, APCO 2026 was built with your role in mind. Taking place August 2–5, in San Antonio, Texas, APCO 2026 delivers the education, technology access and peer connections you need to strengthen training programs, support new hires and prepare your center for what’s next.

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What past attendees had to say about opportunities for trainers:

  • "I attended more of the training sessions to help enhance my training as a CTO. The sessions were very informative, and I was able to bring back information to help enhance training at our center."

  • "[A] variety of classes ... were available to bring great training ideas back to our communications center. "

  • "The training center was very valuable for me as I am developing myself constantly."

Why CTOs, Training Coordinators & Educators Choose APCO 2026

CTOs, training coordinators and educators operate at the intersection of performance, leadership and accountability. APCO 2026 recognizes that reality and delivers programming that supports hands‑on trainers as well as those managing full training programs.

At APCO 2026, CTOs, Training Coordinators and Educators gain:

  • Practical strategies for coaching and remediating trainees.
  • Tools to standardize evaluations and reduce subjectivity.
  • Education that supports defensibility and documentation.
  • Insight into emerging technology that will impact training delivery.

This is not theoretical learning; it’s education designed for the real‑world pressures of the training floor.

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Education That Translates Directly to the Training Console

APCO 2026 features four days of educational sessions, supporting APCO certifications and agency training requirements, including the track ‘Training Essentials’ built specifically with you in mind.

For CTOs and training leaders, sessions focus on:

  • Building effective new‑hire and field training programs.
  • Coaching techniques that improve confidence and performance.
  • Preparing trainees for NG9‑1‑1 and evolving technology.
  • Strengthening leadership skills for lead trainers and mentors.
  • Balancing trainee development with live operations.

APCO 2026 also offers pre‑conference courses on August 1, giving CTOs, training coordinators and Educators additional in‑depth learning opportunities and CEUs before the main conference begins.

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Takeaways You Can Use Immediately

Training professionals attend APCO because they leave ready to act. CTOs, training coordinators and educators return home with ideas and approaches they can implement immediately, including:

  • More effective daily observation and performance feedback methods.
  • Strategies for identifying and correcting skill gaps early.
  • New approaches to trainer consistency and accountability.
  • Peer‑tested solutions for common training challenges.

And with APCO 2026 session recordings, the value of the conference extends well beyond those who attend in person, allowing CTOs, training coordinators and educators to reinforce learning across the entire training team.

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The Exhibit Hall: Tools That Support Training Success

The APCO 2026 Exhibit Hall features 200+ exhibitors showcasing solutions that directly impact training environments.

CTO‑relevant exhibit hall solutions include:

  • CAD and call‑handling systems with training environments.
  • Recording, playback and QA/QI platforms for coaching and evaluation.
  • NG9‑1‑1, cloud and IP‑based communications solutions.
  • Training, simulation and educational products.

Dedicated exhibit hours ensure uninterrupted time to explore solutions, ask questions and evaluate tools that support both trainees and trainers—without interrupting the educational sessions.

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Learn From Trainers Who Understand Your Challenges

APCO 2026 brings together thousands of public safety communications professionals, including CTOs, supervisors, training managers and educators from agencies of all sizes.

For CTOs, training coordinators and educators, this means:

  • Peer‑to‑peer problem solving with fellow trainers.
  • Exchanging ideas on onboarding, remediation and coaching.
  • Learning how other centers reduce burnout and improve trainer retention.

We’ve created a special meet-up in the APCO Pavilion this year, giving you dedicated time and space to engage with peers who understand your role. These conversations, formal and informal, are often cited as one of the most valuable outcomes of attending APCO.