Future World 2026

Xello presents

Where education and workforce unite to advance readiness for college, career, military, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

July 22-24 | Nashville, TN

K–12 schools & districts

Higher education

Government & nonprofits

Industry & employers

THE GATHERING FOR FUTURE MAKERS

THE GATHERING FOR FUTURE MAKERS

Future World is where the readiness movement converges—a national gathering of educators, employers, higher-ed leaders, and innovators defining what it means to be future ready.

It’s not just a conference.

It’s where ideas become action, connections become collaborations, and the conversation around college, career, and life readiness happens first.

Download attendance justification letter

WHERE FUTURE READINESS CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN

Immerse yourself in two-and-a-half days of learning, networking, and activation.

Program highlights include:

Keynote sessions: Visionary voices exploring the future of learning, work, and human potential.
Curated learning: In-depth, real-world sessions aligned to core conference themes, designed to spark new thinking and deliver practical takeaways.
Future readiness partners: A curated group of partners advancing future-ready learning, workforce, and credentialing solutions—integrated into the program and conference experience.
Interactive workshops: Facilitated, hands-on sessions focused on skill-building, applied learning, and translating ideas into action.
Networking & connection: Intentional meetups, roundtables, and evening gatherings designed to foster meaningful conversation and collaboration.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Wednesday, July 22

1:00 – 6:00 PM
Registration & Community Lounge Open

2:00 – 5:00 PM
Pre-Conference Deep Dive Workshops

5:00 – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception

Thursday, July 23

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast, Peer Meetups & Expo Open

8:30 – 9:00 AM
Welcome remarks from Xello co-founders Matt McQuillin & Jeff Harris

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Opening Keynote

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Themed Breakout Sessions

12:00 – 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch

1:00 – 2:45 PM
Themed Breakout Sessions

3:00 – 4:15 PM
Dedicated Expo & Networking Time

4:15 – 5:15 PM
Mainstage Fireside Chat

6:30 – 8:30 PM
Future World Evening Event

Friday, July 24

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast, Peer Meetups & Expo Open

8:30 – 9:15 AM
Themed Breakout Sessions

9:30 – 10:15 PM
Mainstage Featured Panel

10:30 – 11:30 AM
Closing Keynote

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Networking Lunch & Expo Connections

12:30 – 3:00 PM
Themed Breakout Sessions

3:00 PM
Attendee Departures

Themed Breakout Sessions

Over five hours of conference time is allocated to breakout sessions. Each aligns to one of our seven conference themes, showcasing real-world examples, case studies, and practical strategies from education and workforce leaders. Sessions run approximately 40+ minutes each.

THE OMNI NASHVILLE HOTEL

THE OMNI NASHVILLE HOTEL

Located in the heart of Music City and connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Omni Nashville sets the stage for a world-class learning and networking experience.

Special room rates will be made available after completing registration. A booking link and instructions will be provided in your confirmation email.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Future World partners don’t just sponsor an event—they join a national conversation shaping the future of education and workforce alignment.

Why sponsor?

Ensure your brand's at the center of the future readiness conversation. Show up where the most influential decision-makers, innovators, and educators connect.

For sponsorship details email futureworld@xello.world

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Share what’s working. Shape what’s next.

Future World is built on real stories, real solutions, and real impact. We invite proposals that are forward-looking, practical, and grounded in real-world experience.

Sessions should spark meaningful conversation, share lessons learned, and push forward how future readiness is designed, delivered, and supported across education and workforce pathways.

Submit proposal

CONFERENCE THEMES

The New & Evolving Worlds of Work

Automation, AI, and emerging economies are redefining what it means to be job-ready. As the future of work continues to evolve, educators and partners must rethink the skills, experiences, and mindsets students need to succeed in evolving roles and those that don’t yet exist.

K–12 Readiness Systems & Pathways

Future readiness must be designed as a system: intentional, measurable, and deeply human. Schools are building pathways that do more than move students forward, helping them explore interests, make informed decisions, and plan for life beyond graduation.

Leading CCR Through Counseling & Advising

Students are navigating decisions that are more complex than ever before. Counseling and advising plays a critical role in leading CCR systems, helping students build confidence, clarity, and direction while supporting the educators who guide them.

K–12, Postsecondary & Workforce Alignment

The connection between education and employment is critical to learner success. Stronger alignment across K–12, higher education, employers, partners, and communities helps create clearer pathways that connect learning to future plans.

The Human Side of Readiness: Navigating Uncertainty

Students face more choices than ever—pathways, programs, credentials, careers—yet clarity hasn’t kept pace with complexity. Future readiness depends not just on access to options, but on how students understand them, evaluate tradeoffs, and make confident decisions over time.

Reimagining Postsecondary Pathways

As postsecondary education continues to evolve, K–12 educators have an opportunity to help students navigate what comes next with confidence. New credential options, changing enrollment patterns, and shifting definitions of value are creating a wider range of postsecondary pathways.

Strengthening Home–School–Community Partnerships

Families and communities are essential partners in future readiness. When schools actively connect learning to life beyond the classroom, students benefit from consistent support and shared understanding of what’s possible.

Multi-Themes Presentations

• Real-world examples, case studies, or lessons learned
• Practical takeaways that apply immediately
• Examples of and ways to foster collaboration across education, workforce, and community sectors
• Inspiring new ways of thinking about future readiness and opportunity

FAQs

What is Future World 2026?

Future World 2026, presented by Xello, is a new national conference dedicated to strengthening K–12 career and college readiness.
The event takes place July 22–24, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Future World is not a product user conference—it’s a gathering designed to bring together educators, district leaders, higher education, employers, and policy innovators to explore the future of student readiness.

Who should attend?

Future World is designed for anyone shaping college, career, and life-readiness pathways for students, including:
- K–12 counselors and CTE leaders
- School and district administrators
- Higher-education and community college partners
- Workforce, industry, and employer representatives
- Government and nonprofit organizations supporting student readiness
Most attendees are decision-makers and influencers responsible for driving CCR strategy in their schools, districts, or organizations.

What can attendees expect at the conference?

Future World offers a mix of inspiration, practical learning, and collaboration:
- Visionary voices exploring the future of learning, work, and human potential
- In-depth sessions aligned to core conference themes, designed to spark new thinking and deliver practical takeaways
- Facilitated, hands-on sessions focused on skill-building, applied learning, and translating ideas into action
- A curated group of partners advancing future-ready learning, workforce, and credentialing solutions
- Intentional meetups, roundtables, and evening gatherings designed to foster meaningful conversation and collaboration

Why is Xello hosting this event?

Xello created Future World to help advance and unify the national conversation on student readiness.
The goal is to:
- Bring together leaders across education, industry, and policy
- Foster collaboration and innovation around emerging CCR trends
- Highlight best practices and real-world implementation models
- Strengthen alignment between K–12 education and the future workforce

What makes Future World different from other education conferences?

Future World is the only national event dedicated to uniting K–12, higher education, workforce, and industry around the shared mission of preparing every student for future success.
Unlike traditional conferences focused on a single sector, Future World brings all CCR stakeholders into one space to collaborate, solve challenges, and map out what readiness should look like in the years ahead.
Attendees can expect a blend of thought leadership, practical frameworks, and cross-sector innovation — all designed to elevate and accelerate student readiness efforts.

What is the cost to attend?

Registration Rates:
- Early bird: $499
- Standard admission: $599
Group Rates:
- Discounted pricing will be available for groups purchasing 10 or more tickets.

Are sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities available?

Yes. Future World offers several sponsorship levels including, Presenting, Gold, Silver, and Exhibitors.
A-la-carte opportunities will be available as well, such as, Wi-Fi sponsorships, receptions, and attendee experiences.
Organizations interested in sponsoring can email futureworld@xello.world for details.

How should school districts view this conference?

Future World is designed to support and elevate district CCR efforts through:
- Research, frameworks, and practical sessions
- Professional development for counselors, CTE educators, and CCR teams
- Opportunities to share district successes and innovations
- Networking with national leaders, employers, and peer districts
It is not a sales event — it is a learning and leadership experience.

Can districts or organizations propose presenters?

Yes. The call for proposals will open in early 2026. Session categories will include:
- District leadership panels
- CTE and counseling roundtables
- CCR implementation and best-practice sessions
- Innovation and case-study presentations

Who can I contact with additional questions?

For any questions about Future World, please reach out to the Xello team at futureworld@xello.world or visit our event website for updates.

Future World

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY XELLO

Future World

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY XELLO

At Xello, our mission is simple yet powerful—to equip every student with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build a successful, meaningful future. Future World 2026 extends that mission convening the partners, ideas, and energy to make future readiness real for every learner.

Xello presents

K–12 schools & districts

Higher education

Government & nonprofits

Industry & employers

THE GATHERING FOR FUTURE MAKERS

THE GATHERING FOR FUTURE MAKERS

WHERE FUTURE READINESS CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Themed Breakout Sessions

THE OMNI NASHVILLE HOTEL

THE OMNI NASHVILLE HOTEL

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Why sponsor?

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

CONFERENCE THEMES

FAQs

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY XELLO

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY XELLO

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