The Forum 2025 will take place at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. For the latest information on speakers and event activities, visit The Forum 2025 Agenda tab. You can also check out our FAQs below or download the Whova app for more updates and news.

About The <b>Forum</b>

About The Forum

As workforce leaders, we can articulate the value and importance of upskilling our community’s workforce all day long. But what about us? What improves and ignites us?

The answer: The Forum. It’s the nation’s largest annual workforce development conference.

Advance your skills, so you can advance theirs.

Learn From the Experts

Learn directly from the nation’s most informed experts about workforce policy, initiatives, and trends.

Be inspired by our speakers and the brightest workforce development experts from around the nation.

The Forum 2025 Agenda

The Forum 2025 Agenda

Full programming for The Forum programming begins Sunday morning. Saturday arrivals are recommended — you don’t want to miss the Welcome Reception!

A full agenda will be posted here when available.

The Forum 2025 FAQs - General Questions

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 2025 will unite thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at a moment of transformational potential.

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

The Forum 2025 will be held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Please click on the agenda tab for the most up-to-date schedule in early December.

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

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

Proposals: Proposals for sessions opened in June and will close Sept. 26. 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 webina 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.

For help planning your visit to Washington, DC, check out Visit DC, which has information on just about anything to be found in the city. You can also check out this resource guide.

Yes. You can reserve a room at the Washington Hilton for $351/night or The Churchill, located right across the street from the venue for $263/night.

Please contact gentryj@nawb.org to discuss how we can customize a package that meets your needs or visit the Sponsorship Opportunities tab.

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 D.C. government 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.

The formal program begins on Sunday morning. It is recommended you arrive on Saturday — you won’t want to miss the welcome reception that evening!

Here is an event registration how-to guide for non-members and a helpful video showing you how to register.

If you have further questions, please contact nawbregistrar@nawb.org.

Sneak Peek registration opened on Oct. 17 and is valid through Oct. 27. Early Bird registration is valid Oct. 28 through Nov. 7.

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 7, 2025. 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 7 will not receive a refund, and transfers received after March 7 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 Early Bird 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 $2500, 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.

You can read all about our events and privacy policies here:

Ready to become a Forum sponsor?

Contact Director, Business Development, Jay Gentry, or Vice President, Communications and Events, Stacy Heit.

Lodging for The Forum 2025 and Workforce Advocacy Day

Lodging for The Forum 2025 and Workforce Advocacy Day

We have secured a special discounted room rate the Washington Hilton, where The Forum and Workforce Advocacy Day meetings are taking place, for $351/night. Click here to reserve a room before March 7, 2025.

For those who prefer not stay at the venue, we have reserved a smaller block of rooms at The Churchill, located directly across the street from the Washington Hilton, for $263/night. Reservations are limited, so act fast! Note that the Hilton is downhill from The Churchill. Click here to reserve a room at The Churchill before March 7, 2025.

Who can I contact for more information?