2026 Lineup
Keynotes
Speakers
2026 Agenda
December 10, 2026
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Convention & Exhibition Center
Additional sessions, speakers, and experiences will be announced soon.
Get settled and familiar with the venue before the program kicks off at 8:45 am.
- CareerWorks* offering complimentary 1:1 Career Coaching Resume Reviews & Professional Headshots.
- The Learning Stage features mini-masterclasses with actionable takeaways on leadership, career, or personal development topics.
- The Wellbeing Stage features mini-masterclasses with guidance for achieving physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
- Bookstore Lounge & Author Signings provide opportunities to meet featured authors, discover new reads, and have your books personally signed during special signing sessions.
*These offerings are first-come, first-served. Professional Headshots are accessible through our virtual line tool. Stay tuned for sign-up instructions in the Attendee Hub.
Executive Insights: Early-Career Stage
Starting out in your career can feel exciting — and uncertain — all at the same time. How do you stand out without overstepping? When should you ask for more responsibility? How do you build credibility and position yourself for advancement? Designed for professionals in the early stages of their careers, this dynamic session gives you direct access to Executive Mentors — Conference board members, senior executives, and community leaders — who offer guidance and insight to help you build momentum and move your career forward. No presentations or prepared remarks, you set the agenda in this audience-driven session. Ask about building visibility, navigating workplace dynamics, advocating for advancement, negotiating compensation, managing up — or any other early-career challenge you’re navigating.
Speakers to be announced!
Executive Insights: Mid-Career Stage
Mid-career is often where the stakes rise. You’ve built experience — now what’s next? How do you expand your influence, lead with authority, and avoid plateauing? When is it time to pursue a bigger role — or make a strategic pivot? Designed for professionals in the mid-career stage of their careers, this dynamic session gives you direct access to Executive Mentors — Conference board members, senior executives, and community leaders — who offer guidance and insight to help elevate your impact and move confidently toward your next level. No presentations or prepared remarks, you set the agenda in this audience-driven session. Ask about increasing scope, managing teams, navigating organizational dynamics, building sponsorship, making strategic career moves — or any other mid-career challenge you’re navigating.
Speakers to be announced!
Executive Insights: Senior-Career Stage
At the senior level, the decisions carry greater weight. You’ve built influence — now how do you scale it? How do you lead through complexity, shape strategy, and navigate board relationships? How do you prepare for your next chapter, including the transition into retirement? Designed for senior leaders, this dynamic session gives you direct access to Executive Mentors — Conference board members, senior executives, and community leaders — who offer guidance and insight to help you expand your influence, sharpen your strategic perspective, and lead or transition with clarity and confidence. No presentations or prepared remarks, you set the agenda in this audience-driven session. Ask about enterprise strategy, transformation, executive presence, corporate politics, scaling teams, managing risk, retirement planning — or any other senior-level challenge you’re navigating.
Speakers to be announced!
Executive Insights: HR Professionals
In today’s workplace, HR leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity. How do you balance strategic priorities with employee needs? How do you drive culture, manage risk, and support leadership while shaping the future of work? How do you build and retain a resilient workforce amid ongoing change? Designed for HR professionals, this dynamic session gives you access to Executive Mentors — Conference board members, senior executives, and community leaders — who offer guidance and insight to help you align people strategy with business goals, and navigate evolving workplace demands with clarity and confidence. No presentations or prepared remarks, you set the agenda in this audience-driven session. Ask about workforce strategy, retention and engagement, compensation equity, navigating corporate politics, leadership development, managing change — or any other HR challenge you’re navigating.
Speakers to be announced!
From the Locker Room to the Boardroom: Building Cultures Where People Rise
What does it take to build a team that shows up fully — not just when it’s easy, but when the stakes are highest? Duke Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kara Lawson makes a compelling case that belonging isn’t a culture initiative — it’s a competitive advantage. Drawing on her experience as a player and leading at the highest levels of sport, Kara explores how clarity, shared standards, and genuine accountability create the conditions where individuals stop just fitting in and start rising together. This isn’t about feel-good culture — it’s about building teams that perform when it matters most. Following her remarks, a fireside chat will offer practical strategies for building the kind of belonging that drives confidence, resilience, and collective excellence — on any team, at any level.
Speaker: Kara Lawson, Duke University Head Women’s Basketball Coach and USA Basketball Women’s National Team Head Coach
Additional speakers to be announced!
Session title, description, and speakers announced soon!
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, actionable conversations on the topics shaping how women work, lead, and grow now.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, practical conversations designed to help you protect your energy, support your health, and thrive with more clarity and intention.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Emcee: Maria Stephanos, Co-anchor, NewsCenter, WCVB Channel 5
Board Member Welcome: Renee Connolly, Chief Belonging & Inclusion Officer; SVP, Life Science Communication & Branding, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; Board President, MA CFW
Bozoma Saint John, Marketing Executive, Entrepreneur, Author, and Cultural Strategist
Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States
Codie Sanchez, Founder & CEO, Contrarian Thinking; NYT Bestselling Author, Main Street Millionaire
Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Ski Champion, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
*** LUNCH INTERMISSION ~11:45 AM – 12:00 PM (subject to change) ***
The Energy Instinct: Unlocking Your New Leadership Edge
What if the secret to transformative leadership doesn’t lie in doing more, but in aligning with the natural energy dynamics that drive you and your ability to ignite the best in others? In this session, researcher and creator of The Energy Exam® Erin King shares striking findings from a study of more than 10,000 professionals that support just that: a leader’s personal energy is more influential than education, skillset, and connections combined. In our AI-driven world, that human edge matters more than ever. Together we will explore five distinct energy types to help you identify your own “energy instinct” — pinpoint your superchargers, ditch what’s draining you, and lead in a way that inspires action, creates buy-in, and builds a team that truly thrives. You’ll walk away ready to lead with more presence, influence, and energy — without burning out trying to lead like someone you’re not.
Speaker: Erin King, The Energy Expert
Host: Kate Skouteris, VP, Individual & Small Group Markets, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
The Distracted Team: Reclaiming Focus for Peak Performance
Your team isn’t disengaged — they’re distracted. And in a world engineered to fragment attention, that distinction matters more than ever. In this session, neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr. Amishi Jha translates cutting-edge brain science into what it means for you and your team right now. Research shows we are missing 50% of our lives simply because we aren’t paying attention — and the cognitive toll on performance, productivity, and decision-making is real. Dr. Jha will explore how attention actually works under pressure and introduce flexible, research-backed tools you can implement in minutes a day. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to sharpen focus, reduce cognitive overload, and build a team culture where attention — and performance — can actually thrive.
Speaker: Dr. Amishi Jha, Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Psychology Professor, University of Miami
Additional speakers to be announced!
High Performance, Recharged: Thriving in the Energy Economy
Energy is the new currency in today’s workplace. Managers are navigating engagement and retention in new ways, while individual contributors balance shifting priorities and expanding responsibilities. Drawing on insights from the annual CFW Wellbeing Report, this session will explore how to rethink performance without running on empty in a workplace where capacity—not time—is the true constraint. A thought leader will give initial remarks to frame the data behind this shift, and will then be joined by a panel of professionals offering candid, actionable advice to recalibrate workloads, set clearer performance boundaries, and align expectations to prevent burnout while driving results. You will walk away empowered and ready to sustain performance and wellbeing in parallel—whether that means leading teams more effectively or advocating for the conditions they need to thrive.
Thought Leader: Tessa West, Psychology Professor, New York University and Communication Expert
Additional speakers to be announced!
Optimize Your Career: The Framework for Having it All
Most of us are making the biggest decisions of our careers on gut instinct alone. Wharton economist and author of Having It All Corinne Low thinks there’s a better way — and she has the cutting-edge research to back it up. Corinne challenges the narrative that ambition and wellbeing are at odds — and makes a compelling case that the right framework, not harder work, is the key to having it all. In this workshop, she shows how to make more strategic decisions about your time, career paths, and trade-offs without compromise. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to evaluate opportunities through a long-term lens, optimize your earning potential while protecting your personal priorities, and design a career that evolves with your life.
Speaker: Corinne Low, Associate Professor, Wharton School, “Top 40 Under 40” Business Professor and Author
Additional speakers to be announced!
Why Mattering Matters: The Foundation of a Life Well Lived
In a world moving faster than ever, too many of us are left asking a quieter, harder question: Do I matter? Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace makes an urgent case that mattering — the feeling that we are valued and have value to offer — is a core human need, as essential to our wellbeing as food and water. And yet it’s quietly eroding. Drawing on research and deeply moving stories of mattering lost and regained, Jennifer explores how burnout, disconnection, and lack of purpose are rarely about circumstance — they’re about an unmet human need. You’ll walk away with practical tools to strengthen your own mattering core, deepen your relationships, and navigate life’s uncertainties with greater resilience and purpose — at work and beyond.
Speaker: Jennifer Wallace, Award-Winning Journalist and Author
Additional speakers to be announced!
Wired and Tired: The Hidden Health Costs of Our Digital Lives
We know screens are everywhere — but do we know what they’re actually doing to our bodies? Award-winning NPR host and author Manoush Zomorodi set out to find the answer — and the findings from her groundbreaking research from the Body Electric study reveal a surprising truth about what our screen-saturated lives are doing to our bodies. From everyday symptoms like posture problems, disrupted breathing, and restless sleep, to serious long-term conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease — the consequences are real and largely invisible to most of us. And for women navigating hormonal shifts and menopause, a sedentary screen-filled lifestyle can make every one of those symptoms worse. So what if the solution isn’t a total digital detox, but something far more doable? In this session, Manoush will share scientifically-backed ways to counteract the toll of modern life without giving up the technology we rely on. Walk away with simple, powerful habits to interrupt that cycle, reclaim your health, and feel better in your body immediately — without having to overhaul your life.
Speaker: Manoush Zomorodi, Award-Winning Host, NPR’s TED Radio Hour and Bestselling Author
Additional speakers to be announced!
Session title, description, and speakers announced soon
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, actionable conversations on the topics shaping how women work, lead, and grow now.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, practical conversations designed to help you protect your energy, support your health, and thrive with more clarity and intention.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Meet the voices behind some of the day’s biggest ideas. Visit the Bookstore Lounge in the Interactive Hall for author signings, book conversations, and more opportunities to connect. Signing times and titles will be announced soon.
The Energy Instinct: Unlocking Your New Leadership Edge
What if the secret to transformative leadership doesn’t lie in doing more, but in aligning with the natural energy dynamics that drive you and your ability to ignite the best in others? In this session, researcher and creator of The Energy Exam® Erin King shares striking findings from a study of more than 10,000 professionals that support just that: a leader’s personal energy is more influential than education, skillset, and connections combined. In our AI-driven world, that human edge matters more than ever. Together we will explore five distinct energy types to help you identify your own “energy instinct” — pinpoint your superchargers, ditch what’s draining you, and lead in a way that inspires action, creates buy-in, and builds a team that truly thrives. You’ll walk away ready to lead with more presence, influence, and energy — without burning out trying to lead like someone you’re not.
Speaker: Erin King, The Energy Expert
Additional speakers to be announced!
Managing Up, Down, and Across: Thriving in a Complex Workplace
Rapid technological change, evolving workforce expectations, and shifting economic conditions are reshaping how we work. Professionals at every level are navigating new dynamics of influence, communicating across generational differences, and balancing competing priorities. This session will explore how to lead and collaborate effectively in an increasingly interconnected environment. A thought leader will give initial remarks to discuss how influence and decision-making are evolving inside organizations. She will then be joined by a panel of experienced professionals who share practical strategies for managing up with clarity, managing down with empathy, and managing across with collaboration to drive alignment and results. Attendees will leave with actionable approaches to strengthen relationships, build credibility, and sustain momentum in a changing workplace.
Thought Leader: Henna Pryor, Workplace Performance Expert, Author and Inc. Columnist
Additional speakers to be announced!
Wired and Tired: The Hidden Health Costs of Our Digital Lives
We know screens are everywhere — but do we know what they’re actually doing to our bodies? Award-winning NPR host and author Manoush Zomorodi set out to find the answer — and the findings from her groundbreaking research from the Body Electric study reveal a surprising truth about what our screen-saturated lives are doing to our bodies. From everyday symptoms like posture problems, disrupted breathing, and restless sleep, to serious long-term conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease — the consequences are real and largely invisible to most of us. And for women navigating hormonal shifts and menopause, a sedentary screen-filled lifestyle can make every one of those symptoms worse. So what if the solution isn’t a total digital detox, but something far more doable? In this session, Manoush will share scientifically-backed ways to counteract the toll of modern life without giving up the technology we rely on. Walk away with simple, powerful habits to interrupt that cycle, reclaim your health, and feel better in your body immediately — without having to overhaul your life.
Speaker: Manoush Zomorodi, Award-Winning Host, NPR’s TED Radio Hour and Bestselling Author
Additional speakers to be announced!
Networking Meet Up: STEM
At a Conference of this scale, meaningful connection doesn’t always happen organically. This session creates intentional space to connect with others who share common ground. We will begin with guided prompts exploring the forces shaping STEM fields today — from rapid innovation and emerging technologies to research advancements, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and leading through continuous change. It then transitions into an open mix & mingle, giving you time to deepen conversations, exchange contacts, and build relationships in a more informal setting.
Speakers to be announced!
Networking Meet Up: Conference Reflections
At a Conference of this scale, meaningful connection doesn’t always happen organically — and after a full day of keynotes and sessions, it can be difficult to process everything you’ve heard. This session creates intentional space to connect across industries while reflecting on the ideas, speakers, and moments that resonated most. The session begins with guided prompts designed to unpack what stood out — from powerful keynote insights to bold perspectives and practical advice you’re ready to apply. It then transitions into an open mix & mingle, giving you time to continue conversations, exchange perspectives and contact information, and leave with both clarity and connection.
Speakers to be announced!
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, actionable conversations on the topics shaping how women work, lead, and grow now.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Join us in the Interactive Hall for short, practical conversations designed to help you protect your energy, support your health, and thrive with more clarity and intention.
Sessions, speakers, and topics will be announced soon!
Featuring a DJ, dancing, and some sweet treats.
Meet the voices behind some of the day’s most inspiring ideas. Visit the Bookstore Lounge in the Interactive Hall to purchase books and have your copies signed. Featured authors will be announced soon.
Don’t forget to check your email and complete the Attendee Survey. Your feedback is important.
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2026 Tickets
All in-person tickets include complimentary access to the
virtual National Conference for Women on March 3, 2027.
Before you register, please review Helpful Tips.
December 10, 2026
General admission access
to keynotes, breakouts,
career services, networking,
Interactive Hall, and lunch.
December 10, 2026
General admission access
+ premium seating, speaker
meet & greet, all day hospitality
lounge, and CFW Swag Bag.
March 3, 2027
A virtual gathering with
Keynotes, Breakouts,
mini-classes, career services,
networking + 30 days on-demand.
Attendee Hub
Tickets for the 2026 MA Conference for Women are now SOLD OUT.
Join the ticket notification list.
Early Bird
Available June 3–July 8 (or while supplies last)
$445 individual ticket | $4,450 per table (seats 10)
Standard
$545 individual ticket | $5,450 per table (seats 10)
VIP Experience
$1,000 individual ticket (while supplies last)
All Massachusetts Conference tickets include free access to the virtual National Conference on March 3, 2027.
Credit cards (preferred) immediately secure your tickets. You may also pay by check to hold your tickets. An invoice will be issued, and payment must be received within 10 business days or tickets will automatically be released. Government agencies have 30 days to submit payment. Purchase orders are not accepted.
Choose to pay by check and an invoice will be emailed to you. You may then pay the invoice by either check or credit card.
Your ticket provides access to the in-person Massachusetts Conference for Women and the virtual National Conference for Women. Tickets may not be split between individuals.
Massachusetts Conference for Women | In-Person | December 10, 2026
- Reserved seating for Keynotes and Lunch
- Breakout sessions across leadership, career and wellbeing tracks
- CareerWorks including 1:1 Resume Reviews, Career Coaching, and Professional Headshots*
- The Interactive Hall featuring booths, programming, experiences, Conference bookstore, author signings, and lounges
- Networking opportunities
- Complimentary boxed lunch
National Conference for Women | Virtual | March 3, 2027
A fully immersive, interactive virtual Conference experience — not a webinar or Zoom — designed to engage and connect participants nationwide.
- “Best of” Keynotes and Breakout Sessions from recent in-person Conferences, plus new curated content
- Learning Stage featuring expert-led career and wellbeing mini masterclasses
- Live audience Q&A with speakers
- Virtual 1:1 Resume Reviews and Career Coaching*
- Structured and informal networking with professionals nationwide and globally
- 30 days of on-demand access to Breakout and Learning Stage sessions
*Resume Reviews, Career Coaching, and professional headshots are first-come, first-served and space is limited.
The VIP Experience includes everything within the Early Bird/Standard ticket, plus these additional benefits:
- Reserved premium seating for Keynotes and Lunch in front section (see map of premium seating)
- Participation in Meet & Greet with a Keynote speaker (speaker to be determined by Conference but will not be Michelle Obama)
- All-day hospitality lounge with light food and beverages
- CFW swag bag
Tickets for the 2026 MA Conference for Women are now SOLD OUT.
Join the ticket notification list.
It’s easy! To register as an individual or a group, click the Register button at the top of the page (starting June 3) and follow the steps to complete your registration.
Tickets for the 2026 MA Conference for Women are now SOLD OUT.
Join the ticket notification list.
Groups are registered through the standard online registration process. The purchaser is automatically designated as the group’s main contact.
A confirmation email will include instructions for submitting attendee names and meal preferences, which must be completed at least 30 days prior to the event.
Note: you do not need to know who will use the tickets at time of registration.
Yes, please take a look at our Helpful Tips.
Seating for Keynotes and Lunch is assigned based on the date and time of registration.
To guarantee seats together, all tickets must be purchased within a single registration or secured through Sponsorship.
Seating requests for attendees in separate registrations (up to 10 individuals) may be submitted after purchase using the link provided in your confirmation email. We accept seating requests for groups of up to 10 individuals. While we make every effort to accommodate seating requests, they are not guaranteed.
All ticket sales are final (no refunds, no exceptions). Tickets may be transferred to another individual by updating the ticket assignment in your registration account.
Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (formerly named Boston Convention & Exhibition Center)
415 Summer St, Boston, MA 02210 (entrance on Summer Street)
The Conference runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET. Doors open at 7:00 AM, the Interactive Hall opens at 8:00 AM, and programming begins at 8:45 AM. For a detailed schedule, view the Agenda.
Expect heavy traffic and large crowds on event day. We encourage you to plan ahead, leave early, and allow for extra travel time to ensure a stress-free arrival.
We highly recommend carpooling, Rideshare or taking Public Transit to avoid traffic delays and limited parking near the venue.
Onsite Parking
Limited onsite self-parking is available at the MCEC and is first-come, first-served. Valet parking is NOT available. We encourage you to arrive early to secure your space. After 8:00 am, the lot will be at capacity, so please proceed directly to an offsite parking option to save time.
Accessible parking spaces are available in the MCEC South Lot, closest to the building.
Parking is $35 for standard vehicles and $70 for oversized vehicles.
Offsite Parking
Several additional private lots and garages throughout the South Boston Waterfront offer parking. The closest offsite parking to the MCEC is the Channel Center Garage (116 West First Street, Boston, MA 02210), which has approximately 400 spaces available for attendees. Please see Spot Hero for details, rates, and to reserve your spot at this and other lots in advance:
For your convenience, there are complimentary shuttles available at the MCEC South Lot and the Channel Center Garage. Shuttles are continuous all day, every 5-8 minutes.
South Lot Shuttle:
Pick up/drop off at NW Level 1.
Channel Center Garage Shuttle:
Pick up/drop off at MCEC/Omni Walkway located at SE on Level 0.
Rideshare drop-off and pick-up are located at the cutouts on Eastside Drive (between the Westin Hotel and MCEC), D Street, and Claflin Street.
Take the MBTA Silver Line to the World Trade Center stop—just steps from the venue. Alternatively, you can walk from South Station, a major transit hub, which is about a 15-minute walk.
ADA drop-off and pick-up is located at the cutout on East Side Drive (between the Westin Hotel and MCEC).
Yes! Check back in July to access our complete Travel Guide with travel, parking, and shuttle options.
We’ve made it easy to find convenient, comfortable stays in Boston — with exclusive deals available through our official hotel partner EvolveCon, LLC. For the best deals on local hotels including access to exclusive Conference rates, use HotelMap.
Check out WBUR’s “Field Guide to Boston” for the latest news on arts and culture exhibits in the area and day trip recommendations.
And if you’re new to our city, get to know us a little better with the Newcomer’s newsletter, a limited series that introduces you to all-things-Greater Boston.
Your printed badge is your official ticket and required for entry before passing security and must be worn all day. Lanyards and badge holders will be provided onsite.
Your badge contains important information about your assigned seat for the Keynote and Lunch.
Your badge will be emailed to you on Monday, December 7, 2026.
If you forget your badge, you may visit the Help Desk located in the North Lobby, however, wait times may be extensive.
If you registered yourself, please log into your registration to download your badge and/or email badges to your attendees. Your registration log in can be found on your confirmation receipt. If you still need assistance, reach out to: [email protected].
If you registered as part of a group and need assistance, please contact the primary registrant for your group.
Yes, all attendees are required to pass through security (and magnetometers).
Yes. Two coat checks are available, and are located in the North Lobby (near the Help Desk) and inside the Interactive Hall. The cost is $5 per checked item (including luggage), payable by cash, credit, or Apple Pay.
We do not have a dress code, however most attendees are business casual. The venue is large and there will be a lot of walking, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
You can view the full Agenda online. A printed Schedule Overview will also be available onsite.
The Conference is designed to give you a full day of inspiration, learning, and connection. Here’s a snapshot of the schedule and offerings:
- Doors Open (7:00 AM)
- Interactive Hall Exhibits, Bookstore & Programming (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- CareerWorks: 1:1 Coaching, Resume Reviews & Professional Headshots (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed during Keynote Session)
- Executive Insights Sessions (8:45 AM – 9:45 AM)
- Keynote Session (10:10 AM – 1:20 PM)
- Lunch Intermission (~ 11:45 AM)
- Workshop & Panel Sessions (1:45 – 2:45 PM)
- Workshop, Panel & Networking Sessions (3:15 – 4:15 PM)
- End of Day Party (4:00 PM)
Browse the Agenda for full session and speaker details.
The Keynote Session takes place from ~10:10 AM – 1:20 PM, with a lunch intermission around noon.
Sessions are offered in three time blocks throughout the day:
- Session I: 8:45 – 9:45 AM
- Session II: 1:45 – 2:45 PM
- Session III: 3:15 – 4:15 PM
Many Session II offerings will be repeated in Session III, in case you’re having trouble choosing.
Browse the Agenda for full session and speaker details. Learn about session formats and tracks in the Session Key.
The Learning & Wellbeing Stages, located in the Interactive Hall, feature a full lineup of miniclasses throughout the day — except during the Keynote Session — and cover a wide range of career development, physical health, and emotional wellbeing topics. Sessions are 15 minutes in a fireside chat format and include time for audience Q&A.
Browse the Agenda for full session and speaker details.
CareerWorks takes place in the Interactive Hall and is home to complimentary 1:1 Career Coaching, Resume Reviews, and Professional Headshots.
Sessions are available throughout the day — except during the Keynote Session. Operating hours are: 8:00–10:15 AM and 1:20 PM–5:00 PM.
Space is limited, and first-come, first-served.
No advance sign-up needed!
Seating is assigned for the Keynote Session and Lunch. Check your badge for your seat assignment.
Breakouts, Learning & Wellbeing sessions, and CareerWorks are open seating. Space is limited and sessions are first-come, first-served, so we encourage you to plan ahead.
Yes! New this year, we’re offering two facilitated Networking Meet Ups during Session III at 3:15 PM. One will be Industry focused and the other will focus on Conference Reflections. Each session begins with guided prompts to spark conversation, followed by open networking to connect with peers, exchange contacts, and build relationships.
Yes, check out the Sponsor List.
Sponsorship offers companies the opportunity to engage employees and elevate their brand on Conference day and throughout the year. To learn more about opportunities and benefits, visit our Sponsorship Overview or contact Marlyse Fant.
This year’s Interactive Hall is packed with energy, connection, and experiences you won’t want to miss. Explore hundreds of dynamic exhibitor booths, stop by the Small Business Hub and shop the marketplace, enjoy photo ops, visit the Bookstore Lounge to purchase books and participate in author signings, and level up with miniclasses on the Learning & Wellbeing Stages.
You can also take advantage of our CareerWorks which provides complimentary 1:1 Career Coaching and Résumé Reviews, plus Professional Headshots.
Check back in November for a full list of exhibitors.
Exhibit at a CFW event in 2026 to unlock powerful lead generation, lasting brand growth and direct access to influential decision-makers including thousands of top employers, rising leaders, and ambitious professionals. Learn more about Exhibit opportunities and apply soon — space is limited.
Yes — a complimentary boxed lunch with filtered water is provided (one per person). The full menu will be available on the website no later than September 30, 2026.
Lunch takes place during a scheduled intermission (~11:45 AM) within the Keynote Session. Seating is assigned, and your table number is printed on your badge.
Yes. An alternate boxed lunch that is both vegan and gluten-free is available upon request.
All attendees are automatically assigned the standard meal. The deadline to request the alternate meal is November 19, 2026. Requests must be submitted through your registration account (or through your group’s main contact, if applicable).
The full Menu will be available on the website no later than September 30, 2026.
If the alternate lunch option does not meet your needs, you’re welcome to bring your own food. Concessions will also be available for purchase.
Yes, the MCEC provides complimentary wireless Internet. Look for “MCEC Wireless Network” — no password required.
Yes. Two coat checks are available, and are located in the North Lobby (near the Help Desk) and inside the Interactive Hall. The cost is $5 per checked item (including luggage), payable by cash, credit, or Apple Pay.
Yes, a variety of Concessions will be available in the North Lobby (7:00 AM–5:00 PM) and Hall A (8:00 AM–3:00 PM).
Yes. Hydration Stations will be available in the Interactive Hall throughout the day. Bring a water bottle.
There is a Mamava nursing pod available on Level 1, across from Meeting Room 159. There is also a dedicated Nursing Mothers Room. You’ll find power outlets and refrigeration in Meeting Room 101 on Level 1.
The Keynote Session will be closed-captioned. The virtual National Conference provides closed captioning for all sessions.
CFW is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience. If you require an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected] at least 30 days prior to the Conference. We will do our best to support your request, although it is not guaranteed.
Men’s restrooms will be limited, as most have been converted to women’s. You can find men’s restrooms in the following locations:
- Level 0 – Exhibit Hall (East wall) & General Session (East wall)
- Level 0 – Southeast Lobby B2
- Level 1 – North Lobby (East wall) and SE & SW ends of hallways
- Level 2 – SE & SW ends of hallways
- Level 3 – East and West sides of Ballroom
CFW will contact you from the following email addresses (sender IP 23.249.216.70). Please ask your IT department to allow our emails through your firewall, and check your spam folder.
2026 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Champion
Corporate
Patron
Contributor
Advocate
Community Partner
Media Partner
