The 2026 Gatlinburg Law Enforcement Conference is now open for registration and offers one of the most comprehensive training opportunities available to law enforcement professionals in the Southeast. Held May 4–7, 2026, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this annual conference brings together officers, investigators, command staff, prosecutors, and criminal justice professionals for four days of high-level instruction, collaboration, and professional development.
The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy has approved the conference for 17 hours of law enforcement training credit, making it an excellent opportunity for officers to meet training requirements while engaging with nationally recognized instructors and timely subject matter.
A Premier Training Environment
The conference will be hosted at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, set against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Each year, the Gatlinburg Law Enforcement Conference is known for delivering relevant, practical instruction that reflects the evolving challenges faced by today’s law enforcement professionals.
Attendees can expect in-depth sessions covering a wide range of critical topics, including:
- Artificial intelligence applications in solving cold cases
- Responding to and investigating hoax bomb threats and swatting incidents
- Drug-related death investigations
- Sextortion and child exploitation cases
- Violent extremist threats, including 764 violent extremists
- Emerging criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua
- Officer wellness and resilience
- Leadership and professional development
These sessions are designed to provide actionable insights that officers and agencies can apply immediately in the field and within their organizations.
Nationally Recognized Speakers
The 2026 conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers with extensive real-world experience:
- Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General of the United States
- Scott D. Payne, retired FBI undercover agent and former Greenville County Sheriff’s deputy, who will share firsthand experiences from long-term undercover operations
- Chris Cowan, former Chief of Police in Cayce, South Carolina, bringing leadership and operational insight from executive-level policing
In addition to keynote presentations, attendees will have access to workshops led by nationally recognized instructors with expertise across investigative, leadership, and wellness disciplines.
Who Should Attend
The Gatlinburg Law Enforcement Conference is designed for a broad audience within the criminal justice system, including:
- Police officers, deputies, investigators, and supervisors
- Chiefs, sheriffs, and command staff
- Federal agents
- Prosecutors and victim services personnel
- Other criminal justice professionals
Whether attending for investigative training, leadership development, or professional networking, participants will find content tailored to the demands of modern policing.
Registration and Lodging Information
Registration details, the full conference schedule, lodging information, and exhibitor details are available on the official conference website:
The host hotel for the 2026 conference is the Embassy Suites Resort in Gatlinburg. Attendees are encouraged to make hotel reservations early, as availability is limited during the conference dates.
A detailed agenda outlining daily sessions and speakers is available in the official conference announcement PDF 2026 GLEC Announcement.
Commitment to Professional Training
High-quality training remains essential to officer safety, effective investigations, and strong leadership. Conferences like the Gatlinburg Law Enforcement Conference play a vital role in equipping law enforcement professionals with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to meet emerging challenges and continue serving their communities at the highest level.
Registration is now open. Officers and agencies interested in attending should visit https://gatlinburglec.com for complete details and to secure their place at the 2026 conference.
