Annual Meeting
LYFTing Up Local Champions:
It’s not a person – it’s a pipeline!
Thursday, January 15 • 8 am - 2:30 pm • Ridgewater College, Hutchinson Campus
Conference Agenda
Registration, Breakfast & Pre-Session Networking
8:00 am - 8:50 am
Arrive early for breakfast and join our “Who’s on Your Team?” networking activity, a fun and fast way to meet people who can strengthen your community’s pipeline.
Framing the Day: The Power of Local Champions and Strong Teams
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Be inspired for a day centered on “LYFTing” up local champions and building your bench.
Learning from the Field: Teamwork in Action
9:15 am - 10:10 am
Hear from educators and employers who are rewriting what’s possible for students. Discover what has made their work successful - and who helped them along the way.
Learning from the Field: Economic/Workforce Realities
10:10 am - 11:10 am
Walk in someone else’s shoes as we explore what educators should know about employers, what employers should know about schools, and how student interests fit into the picture.
Real Stories - Real Impact - Real Perspectives
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Prepare to be moved. Hear firsthand how career-connected learning changes lives.
Lunch and FutureForward™ Engagement Challenge
12:00 am - 12:45 pm
Fuel up and have some fun as we recognize current champions and learn how FutureForward™ can bring even more champions to the table.
From Stuck to Unstoppable: Who’s Driving Change?
12:45 pm – 1:20 pm
Share your toughest questions - and see how others are tackling theirs. Explore the players driving change.
From Inspiration to Action: Building our Pipeline
1:20 pm – 2:10 pm
Roll up your sleeves and turn ideas into action. Walk away with clear action steps for 2026.
Collective Insights & Closing Reflections
2:10 pm - 2:30 pm
Walk away energized with one commitment you’ll make to LYFT up champions and strengthen your community’s team in 2026.