“What happens in Vegas will be shared around the world” was a defining message throughout the StandWithUs International Conference 2026, which brought together more than 1,000 participants, including over 600 high school and college students. This year also marked the first time the conference was held outside of Los Angeles. From exceptional speakers and dynamic sessions to critical conversations and unparalleled networking opportunities, the conference equipped attendees with knowledge, tools, and inspiration that will extend far beyond the conference halls. Attendees represented multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Costa Rica, all coming together to take part in StandWithUs’ largest conference to date. 

Roz Rothstein, StandWithUs CEO and Co-Founder, shared a powerful message with attendees: while this work can often feel isolating, the conference served as a reminder that there is a vast and supportive community of like-minded individuals standing together. This sentiment echoed throughout the program, from breakout sessions that encouraged open dialogue to student leaders who took the stage to share their personal experiences combating antisemitism, helping others feel seen and less alone. 

This year’s conference also introduced specialized tracks tailored to a range of fields, including Legal, Healthcare, Rabbinical, and Classroom Educator tracks, as well as a Research Colloquium. Together, these tracks fostered a powerful and unified network of individuals committed to the urgent and ongoing mission of supporting Israel and confronting antisemitism within their respective professions. 

Featuring more than 60 speakers, the conference offered a dynamic mix of programming across plenary sessions, breakout discussions, fireside chats, and interactive workshops. Student-focused sessions emphasized both education and community, including one that allowed college students to share their campus experiences with high school students preparing for the transition to university life, offering the opportunity to meet a supportive network even before the students stepped onto college campus. 

Sunday night’s plenary opened with an energizing speech from award-winning actress, singer, dancer, and philanthropist Montana Tucker, who uses her platform to combat antisemitism and share the truth about Israel with her more than 14 million social media followers. The evening concluded with a special concert by renowned Israeli singer, producer, and composer Idan Raichel, who was honored with this year’s Guardian of Israel Award. Attendees also heard from former Miss Israel Noa Cochva, who served as an IDF reservist following October 7th, spending five months on the Gaza border as a medic. Her remarks underscored the importance of resilience, courage, and representation on the global stage.

Emotions ran especially high on Monday night as Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann took the stage to share his extraordinary story of survival and the enduring optimism that has defined his life, earning two standing ovations. His testimony was followed by Hamas captivity survivor Omer Shem Tov, who recounted the harrowing experience of being kidnapped during the Nova Music Festival attack and enduring 505 days in captivity, facing starvation and torture at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Their stories left a profound and lasting impact on everyone in attendance.

The conference’s final night brought the program to a powerful and thought-provoking close. Loay Alshareef, an Arab Muslim peace advocate, historian, and Abraham Accords expert, delivered a compelling address on the Iranian regime and the current situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of partnership between Israel and its Arab neighbors. His message of dialogue, understanding, and cross-cultural connection resonated deeply with the audience.

Attendees also had the privilege of hearing from Bret Stephens, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who previously wrote for The Wall Street Journal before joining The New York Times as an op-ed columnist in 2017. In his remarks, he acknowledged the lack of support American Jews experienced after October 7th, a sentiment that resonated strongly with the crowd. Stephens offered sharp insight and perspective, leaving the audience both inspired and reflective. The conference’s final evening concluded with a special performance by Joshua Washington, a professional composer, internationally touring recording artist, and Director of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI). His performance brought emotion, energy, and meaning to the close of the conference, leaving attendees uplifted, united, and inspired as they prepared to carry the experience forward into their communities.

With many participants describing it as one of the best, if not THE best, pro-Israel conferences they have ever attended, the event successfully fulfilled its mission: bringing together like-minded individuals in a space where they could learn, connect, engage in meaningful dialogue, and feel less alone. 

Ultimately, the power of community and connection stood at the heart of this year’s conference. It’s safe to say that what happened in Vegas will indeed be shared around the world.