Our Nurses Expo 2026 “Empowering the Future” was a huge success! Informative, exciting, and fresh! The attendance was high – we had several undergrad groups of students, health systems who sent nurses, and groups of nurses who registered and attended together, as well as many individual nurses and students from all over the Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois area; all of which promoted a warm, engaged networking atmosphere. This year, we had our Expo at The BMO in downtown Rockford, a large and exciting venue! We had a terrific lineup of speakers with continuing education offered, t-shirts, swag bags filled with sponsor goodies and literature, a photobooth for all of us to “Strike a Pose”, raffles, and an exhibitor room filled with a variety of sponsors, both old and new. Attendees who visited our Gold and Silver Sponsors as well as our Stateline Nurses Network booth and got their passports stamped, had a special chance at a grand prize raffle. It was a very rewarding day, topped off by recognition of award, poster, and scholarships winners.
SNN Nurses Expo 2026 in the news!Thank you to all of our Nurses Expo Sponsors!
We could not provide this conference without your support.
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Stateline Nurses Network & the Nurses Expo Planning Committee have chosen Winnebago County CASA as our highlighted charity for this conference. Click their logo to see more about this worthy cause.
NURSES EXPO 2026 REGISTRATION
NURSES EXPO 2026
Nurses Expo 2026
Registration for Nurses Expo 2026 is closed. We look forward to Nurses Expo 2027!
Nurses Expo is one of Illinois’ longest-running nursing educational and networking events with over 40 years of community history! This year 2026, the Nurses Expo was held at the BMO CENTER, 300 Elm Street, Rockford, Illinois. The theme was: “Empowering Our Future” which truly embodies the spirit of nursing moving forward.
SPEAKERS
On our schedule this year, we had 2 keynote presentations, as well as three breakout sessions with a choice of three speakers per session from which to choose. Program topics for the breakout sessions covered a variety of topics and spanned all areas of nursing. Click the buttons below to learn more about each speaker and presentation we had.
Call for Poster Abstracts,
Poster Presenter Student Grant
Stateline Nurses Network and the Nurses Expo Committee invite you to submit an abstract and present a poster at our annual Nurses Expo. The purpose of the poster session is to recognize nursing Innovations, Evidence-Based Practice projects (EBP), Research that reflects the diversity of nursing in clinical practice, administration, and education, and, Practice Improvement Projects, including simulation projects, projects completed or completing at work to improve patient care, lessons learned, successful changes to processes in the nursing field. This opportunity is open to all nurses and nursing students.
All presenters must register and attend Nurses Expo so they may answer any questions from Nurses Expo attendees.
We are WAIVING THE FEE FOR THE MAIN PRESENTER TO ATTEND NURSES EXPO. Anyone else on the team who wishes to attend will still need to pay the registration fee.
Other Student Discounts:
ALL other undergraduate students who are accepted to present a poster may download the Undergraduate Student Poster Presenter Grant and attend for free (see below link). Other students who are on the team who wish to attend Nurses Expo are eligible for a discount – contact Patty Hall, our administrative assistant, at statelinenurses2013@gmail.com for details.
Click the buttons below to download the Call for Poster Abstracts and Poster Presenter Undergraduate Student Grant applications, complete the forms within the fillable PDF and follow the included instructions to make your submission.
Deadline to Submit: Is Now Closed
SNN 2026 Volunteer Grant
We have a great opportunity for nurses and nursing students to get involved with AND attend Nurses Expo free of charge!
Up to 5 Volunteer Grants will be offered to worthy recipients. In exchange for FREE attendance, we ask for help for a few hours the day before and all day during Expo. All volunteers will be guided by experienced Committee members, and will be able to experience the Expo, listen to speakers, and receive CEUs (Volunteers who are not yet licensed will not need or receive CEUs). Please complete the form and return it to us to be considered.
Deadline to Submit: Is Now Closed
Awards & Scholarships
Let's grow together
Awards
Events
Scholarships
Stateline Nurses Network Awards
Honor a fellow nurse or nursing supporter!
In accordance with SNN’s mission to advance the profession of nursing, SNN seeks nominations for awards. These awards are presented at Nurses Expo. Personal letters of congratulations will be mailed to all winners.
Every year, Stateline Nurses Network honors our area nurses as a way to say, “THANK YOU; we value everything you do and for being the backbone of our community”. Every year we also honor and thank a supporter of the nursing profession.
Help Stateline Nurses Network choose this year’s award winners. Submit your nominations today!
- Distinguished Advocate for Nursing Award: is for an individual, group, agency, or institution that has promoted and/or supported nurses, the nursing profession, or the specific missions of nursing.
- Excellence in Nursing Award: is for an outstanding nurse who has demonstrated excellence in practice and in their contribution to the community outside of work.
Nomination: Is now closed
Find more information below and apply through our website!
Additionally, you can view previous winners with the button below.
Distinguished Advocate for Nursing Award
The Distinguished Advocate for Nursing Award is for an individual (nurse or non-nurse), group, agency, or institution that has/have promoted and or supported nurses, the nursing profession, or the specific missions of nursing.
It is important that you use your best evidence to discuss why you believe your nominee should receive this honor. The committee will use only the information written by you regarding the nominee.
Excellence in Nursing Award
The Excellence in Nursing Award is for an outstanding nurse who has demonstrated excellence in practice. Previous winners are eligible for re-nomination provided they are being nominated for accomplishments made after their past award. The Candidate must:
- Be professionally active
- Demonstrate ethical integrity, which includes behaviors such as fairness, honesty, etc.
- Demonstrate competency and/or leadership in nursing
- Have provided a contribution to the practice of nursing
- Demonstrate a positive attitude about nursing
SNN Nursing Scholarships
The Stateline Nurses Network is pleased to announce the availability of four scholarship awards. The members of the Stateline Nurses Network wish to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in both academic and clinical performance.
Applicants should reside or attend school in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin.
Monetary awards in the amount of $1,000.00 will be presented to selected applicants who demonstrate potential for excellence in professional nursing practice in the following categories:
- Pre-Licensure student – RN or LPN (must be enrolled in at least the 2nd term of clinical courses)
- Bachelor of Science degree completion
- Master of Science degree completion
- Doctor of Nursing programs
Deadline to Submit: Is Now Closed
