The Forum 2026: Ignite. Innovate. Impact.

After 40+ years in DC, NAWB’s The Forum is rolling the dice and taking this show on the road!
First stop: LAS VEGAS – March 23-26, 2026!

This is more than a venue change—it’s the start of a nationwide tour of the boldest workforce innovations in the country

Watch the Las Vegas announcement video and get ready to pack your bags. What happens in Vegas could change the future of work.

Preliminary information follows. Watch this space for the latest!

About The Forum

Why Attend: 

The Forum is the premier annual event for workforce leaders, employers, educators, and partners working to build stronger communities and competitive economies. It’s the one place where policy, practice, and partnership come together, equipping you with the insights, resources, and connections to drive impact at home. 

Who You’ll Meet and What You’ll Gain: 

  • Workforce Development Board Executive Directors
    Shape national policy, strengthen your leadership, and connect with peers across the country. 
  • Workforce Development Board Chairs
    Gain tools for effective governance and new strategies to engage employers and community leaders. 
  • Workforce Development Board Staff
    Learn practical, hands-on approaches to program implementation, operations, and innovation. 
  • Employers and Business Leaders
    Discover proven talent solutions, influence policy discussions, and build partnerships to grow your workforce. 
  • Chambers of Commerce
    Position your Chamber as a driver of workforce solutions with fresh data, strategies, and connections. 
  • K–12 Education Leaders
    Explore employer-driven trends and build partnerships that expand career pathways for students. 
  • Higher Education Leaders 

Align programs with employer demand, strengthen partnerships with WDBs, and tap into resources that expand career pathways. 

  • Vendors and Consultants
    Showcase your solutions, connect with decision-makers, and expand your reach in the workforce system. 

The Bottom line: 

At The Forum, you’ll return to work with: 

  • Actionable strategies to strengthen your organization 
  • Partnerships that expand your impact 
  • Insights into the future of work, policy, and funding 
  • A stronger voice in shaping the national workforce agenda 

 Join us at The Forum 2026 to Ignite. Innovate. Impact.

Share Your Bold Ideas at The Forum 2026

The Forum 2026 is where workforce leaders ignite fresh thinking, inspire innovation, and collaborate on bold solutions for the future.

We’re seeking dynamic, interactive sessions that go beyond slide decks and Q&A—sessions that energize, engage, and equip attendees with practical tools they can use right away.

Submission Deadline: October 24, 2025

The Forum 2026 FAQs

We convene The Forum to learn from one another as we work to build a flourishing, resilient economy that provides for workers and families. The Forum 2026 will unite thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at a moment of transformational potential.

We’ve answered a few of the most common The Forum-related questions for your convenience:

The Forum 2026 will be held in Las Vegas, NV.

An agenda will be posted in the fall.

The Forum is open to anyone with an interest in workforce development.

Our typical attendee list includes workforce development board members, local elected officials, job center staff, employers/business, HR professionals, economists, and educators.

Proposals: Proposals for sessions open in late summer. Presenters should be notified of the review committee’s decision before Thanksgiving.

Review Process: A team of NAWB Board members will review and rank all proposals. If your proposal is not selected for a session, you may be selected for a webinar or other NAWB event.

Reviewers will score each proposal based on the following:

  1. Identifies ideas that are relevant to the success of workforce development effort.
  2. Relevancy to the event theme and related tracks.
  3. Provides tangible takeaways.
  4. Provides useful and practical information focusing on solutions not problems.
  5. Interactivity and creativity.
  6. Presents new and innovative practices and ideas.
  7. Includes the participation of more than one workforce board partner across a geographic span.
  8. Shares varied perspectives of multiple presenters.
  9. Includes information on how the information/program/strategy can be replicated through lessons learned, obstacles overcome, key drivers, and tools.

Sessions are limited to no more than 4 presenters.

Visit visitlasvegas.com for the most up-to-date info on what’s happening.

Please contact gentryj@nawb.org to discuss how we can customize a package that meets your needs.

The safety and well-being of the NAWB community is our top priority. Our safety protocols are informed by the guidance of multiple sources, including Nevada and Las Vegas governments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will be following their guidance before and during the conference.

The dress code is business casual. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.

If you need to cancel your registration you may choose to transfer it to another individual or to receive a refund for a limited time.

Transfers and requests for refunds must be made in writing to nawbregistrar@nawb.org by 11:59 pm ET on March 1, 2026. Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt.

An administrative fee of $75 will be charged for all cancellations and transfers. Cancellations made after March 1 will not receive a refund, and transfers received after March 1 will not be accommodated.

We understand that your organization may have a complicated or lengthy process for approving conference attendance, travel, etc. and we want to give you time to lock in current rates.

We require invoices be paid in 30 days. If you registered during the Advance Registration rate offer but NAWB hasn’t received payment within 30 days, your regstration will be cancelled and you will have to begin the process again at the current rate (same applies for subsequent rates/discounts).

We encourage all attendees to pay in advance. We do not accept checks onsite. If you plan to pay the onsite registration rate of $2900, please ensure you have a valid credit card.

Thanks for asking! Yes!

  • The Forum is a paperless event. Please consult the event app for the full event agenda and to choose which sessions you will be attending.
  • We recommend you bring a reusable water bottle to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the event. Water coolers will be available throughout the event for refilling.

Interested in The Forum sponsorhip?

Contact Director, Business Development, Jay Gentry.

Lodging for The Forum 2026

Stay tuned for the link to secure your room in our discounted block.

Who can I contact for more information?