The 2026 Little League® International Congress officially came to an end on Monday, February 9, with the Closing Celebration Luncheon and a Keynote Address by Steve Shenbaum, President of Game On Nation, a trusted leader in communication, leadership, and team-building training.
“As we close our Little League International Congress, I want to thank you all again for your support, service, and dedication,” said Stephen P. Johnson, Little League International Board of Directors Chairman. “As you head back home, remember to take what you’ve learned and use it to continue to enhance the Little League experience for all children, all volunteers, and all communities wherever you serve.”
East and West Region Field Director Nominations
During the East and West Region meetings on Sunday, the respective District Administrators (D.A.s) in attendance elected Carmine Conti and Rick Duarte to be nominated to the Little League International Board of Directors as their new Field Directors for the Board, who will take over for John Berardi and Martin Hoover as their four-year terms conclude in November 2026.
Education Sessions
To kick off the morning, the attendees had the opportunity to enjoy the final two of the four optional educational sessions to help provide guidance on how to support their leagues throughout the course of the 2026 season and beyond:
- Elevating the Tournament Experience: Best Practices for District Administrators
- Central Registration 2027: The Transition from Sports Connect to PlayMetrics
- League Voices: Insights and Actions from League and Community Visits Around the World
- Transitioning to SAFE: The Evolution of Safety Initiatives in Little League
Closing Celebration and Keynote Address
Following an exciting weekend full of knowledge, data, and insights to the future, the weekend concluded with a celebration luncheon to thank all the volunteers in attendance, featuring a keynote address by Shenbaum, who also got his start on the baseball fields at West Covina (Calif.) Little League.
To learn more about the 2026 Little League International Congress, including daily recaps from the entire weekend’s activities, visit LittleLeague.org/Congress or download the free Congress app for attendees on site.