Virginia Boys & Girls Clubs

2026 Capacity Building & Sustainability Symposium

November 13–14, 2026 | Richmond, Virginia

A statewide professional development experience bringing together Boys & Girls Club leaders and staff from across Virginia to strengthen leadership, exchange practical strategies, and build stronger organizations for the young people they serve.

Explore the Symposium Register Now

Building Stronger Clubs Across Virginia

The 2026 Capacity Building & Sustainability Symposium will bring together professionals representing Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Commonwealth.

Across two days, participants will engage in focused learning, peer exchange, and practical conversations designed to strengthen leadership, program quality, communications, fundraising, and long-term organizational sustainability.

Days

Learning Tracks

Statewide

Collaboration

Symposium Schedule

Friday, November 13

Executive Leadership Experience

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Arrival, Lunch & Networking

Check in, pick up symposium materials, and connect with fellow Boys & Girls Club leaders from across Virginia. Lunch will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m.

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Opening Keynote: What's Your Superpower?

Dr. Antoinette L. Allen

What makes you uniquely you? In this energizing, humorous, and inspiring keynote, Dr. Allen will encourage participants to discover their unique gifts, embrace their experiences, and recognize how their individual strengths can make a meaningful difference.

2:30–2:40 p.m.

Break

2:40–3:50 p.m.

Statewide Leadership Discussion

Leah Dozier Walker

What does it take to build a stronger, more connected statewide movement? This interactive working session will explore shared priorities, opportunities for collective action, and ways to shape a statewide strategy and roadmap for the future.

3:50–4:00 p.m.

Break

4:00–6:00 p.m.

Storytelling with Data: Workshop

Alex Velez

How can you use data to tell a more compelling story? In this interactive workshop, participants will learn and practice effective data storytelling strategies through hands-on exercises, discussion, and real-world examples. Discover how to make data visualizations and presentations clearer, more engaging, and more impactful.

6:00–6:30 p.m.

Break & Transition to Dinner

6:30–9:00 p.m.

Dinner & Networking Reception

Enjoy an evening of dinner, music, and conversation with fellow Club leaders. Connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and build relationships as we close out the first day of the symposium.

Saturday, November 14

Professional Development Day

8:45–9:30 a.m.

Breakfast & Structured Networking

Connect with peers at networking tables organized by role and area of responsibility.

9:30–10:15 a.m.

Morning General Session

A shared conversation designed to set the focus and intended outcomes for the day.

10:15–10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30–11:20 a.m.

Concurrent Learning Sessions

Choose from concurrent sessions focused on executive leadership and administration, programs and youth development, or fundraising and communications.

11:20–11:30 a.m.

Break

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

Keynote

A keynote on addressing timely issues, opportunities, and emerging challenges for Club leaders.

12:45–1:00 p.m.

Break

1:00–1:50 p.m.

Role-Aligned Learning Session

Participate in a practical learning session aligned with your role, interests, or Club priorities.

1:50–2:05 p.m.

Break

2:05–2:55 p.m.

Applied Strategies Session

Explore strategies and ideas that can be applied within your Club and community.

2:55–3:05 p.m.

Break

3:05–3:50 p.m.

Solutions Lab: Facilitated Peer Discussion

Join a facilitated discussion with peers around a shared challenge. Topics may include:

Staff recruitment and retention Fundraising Youth mental health Board engagement Artificial intelligence Program quality Corporate partnerships Data and outcomes

3:50–4:20 p.m.

Closing Reflection & Commitments

Reflect on key insights, identify practical next steps, and close the symposium with commitments for continued collaboration.

The symposium concludes at 4:20 p.m.

Learning Tracks

Executive Leadership & Administration

Leadership, organizational management, financial sustainability, governance, and navigating change.

Programs & Youth Development

Program quality, youth engagement, staff development, impact measurement, and service delivery.

Marketing, Communications & Fundraising

Brand storytelling, donor engagement, communications strategy, partnerships, and revenue development.

Speakers & Facilitators

More featured speakers and subject matter experts will be announced shortly.

Our Meeting Space + Lodging

Exterior of The Westin Richmond — The Westin Richmond

Hotel Name

The Westin Richmond

Hotel Address

6631 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
USA

View Hotel Website

Nearby Lodging

Nearby guest accommodations will be provided at Embassy Suites by Hilton.

Exterior of Embassy Suites by Hilton in Richmond — Embassy Suites by Hilton — Richmond

Lodging Hotel

Embassy Suites by Hilton

Hotel Address

2925 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294

View Lodging Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Key details about registration, lodging, and reimbursement for the 2026 symposium.

When and where is the symposium?

The symposium will take place Friday, November 13 through Saturday, November 14, 2026, at The Westin Richmond, 6631 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230.

Who should attend?

The symposium is designed for Boys & Girls Club professionals across Virginia who want to strengthen leadership, program quality, communications, fundraising, and long-term organizational sustainability.

When is the registration deadline?

Full registration is due by November 6, 2026.

How many attendees may each Club register?

Each Club may register up to five attendees. Club leadership should coordinate registrations before forms are submitted.

What hotel accommodations are available?

Each Club may receive up to two paid hotel rooms for the night of November 13, with checkout on November 14. Hotel requests are subject to approval and are not confirmed by submitting the registration form.

When is the room reservation cutoff?

The room reservation cutoff is October 20, 2026.

What travel reimbursement is available?

Each Club may receive up to $1,500 in approved travel reimbursement. The limit applies per Club, not per attendee. Reimbursement requires approval, receipts, and supporting documentation.

How do I request accessibility accommodations?

Use the accessibility and accommodation fields in the registration form to describe what you need. This includes requests for an accessible hotel room.

Registration

Complete the official symposium registration form below. Your response will be securely submitted and saved.

Room reservation cutoff: October 20, 2026

Full registration deadline: November 6, 2026