Join Jobs for the Future (JFF) and fellow ELEVATE postsecondary network leaders on October 1–2, 2026, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for our inaugural in-person convening. Together, we’ll connect as a national community of state, system, and institutional leaders to swap strategies, spark new ideas, and dig into research and real-world practices that ensure postsecondary credentials lead to quality jobs.
Through two catalytic, energizing days of collaboration and innovation, you’ll explore how states and institutions are:
- Ensuring credentials have value as trusted containers of dynamic, transferable skills that connect to work and long-term economic advancement.
- Reducing credential costs so learners can access credentials of value with fewer time and money barriers.
- Maximizing learning through structures and supports that help students attain the skills needed for quality jobs.
Attendance is by invitation only for ELEVATE members and select partners.
Space is very limited for our inaugural convening. Don’t miss out!
You don’t want to miss this one
First ELEVATE In-Person
This is our first face-to-face convening. You won’t want to miss it!
Tackle persistent challenges
Get tactical and learn what strategies are working in states across the country and how to adapt them for your context.
Discover how to scale innovations that work
Look around the corner with us at how states and institutions are reimagining credentials, programs, and supports through skills-first learning, competency-based education, AI-informed redesign, and more. See emerging models and learn what it really takes to implement them at scale and sustainably.
Map out YOUR next steps
Leave with an action plan for implementing what you’ve learned.
Have some fun!
Connect with peers who share your curiosity and understand the hard work you’re leading.
Content to Expect
The agenda is developed by JFF’s ELEVATE team and is designed to showcase national innovative and promising practices and strategies for pathways and highlight the expertise of Network members.
The agenda features a mix of plenary and breakout sessions that highlight exemplary reform work.
An agenda will be sent before the event.
Who Should Attend
The ELEVATE network brings together a broad coalition of state-level leaders from success centers, departments of education, system offices, education agencies and associations, and key postsecondary institutions. At our annual in-person convening, network members participate in a national conversation and engage in peer learning and collaborative problem-solving across state and regional contexts.
Secure your spot today
Registration closes on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and is by invitation only. Space is limited. We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Registration Cost: $825
Your registration does not include your hotel accommodation or travel to/from the event. We have a block of rooms available for registered attendees. If you would like to receive the discounted block rate, you must use this booking link
Contact qstroud@jff.org with any questions about the event.
Agenda At-A-Glance
Here's an overview of what's happening at the event!
We anticipate most attendees to arrive on September 30, 2026 and depart on October 2, 2026.
- Registration & Breakfast8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
- Plenary9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- Learning Sessions11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Lunch12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Learning Sessions1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Reception5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Registration & Breakfast8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
- Plenary9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
- Learning Sessions10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Lunch12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Learning Sessions1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Closing2:30 PM - 3:00 PM