SkillsUSA

CHALLENGE PARTNERS

AND

Challenge Theme

Field Ready

HOSTED BY

June 1-5, 2026

SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference

Atlanta, Georgia

Make48 continues its 2026 season in Atlanta, bringing the energy to the SkillsUSA competition floor.

Make48 is a 48-hour competition where teams are presented with a challenge and tasked to build a physical prototype, create a sales sheet, produce a 1-minute marketing video and pitch their big idea to a panel of judges.

SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education. Held in Atlanta each June, the NLSC is a week-long celebration of the skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders from across the United States. The event brings together more than 19,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more.

In June 2026, SkillsUSA will host the second play-off event of the year. Students from the Innovation Classroom Experience will meet on the SkillsUSA Conference floor to tackle a mystery challenge. The event will will host the 6-8 teams that were the TOP winners of their respective brackets.

For this challenge, collaboration is the key to success. Many people have big ideas but few possess the resources to develop a prototype that turns them into reality. To build anything, different skills, materials and equipment must work together to create a final product. Make48 allows this process to be achieved with a fun, fast-paced, and educational event. First place team will win $2,000 and the top two teams will advance on to Season 10 Nationals!