Massachusetts

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.

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.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]