Next year’s website is already under construction,
so please check back with us often!
While you wait, please explore previous conferences by utilizing the tabs above.
Why should you attend the
Western Pathways Conference?
Identify and highlight innovative and effective solutions to one of the most pressing challenges in our society
The Western Pathways Conference is an annual event that focuses on how to develop a better education and workforce development system, one that adequately prepares young adults for careers leading to economic independence.
a call to action:
According to the Coalition for Career Development, our current education and workforce development system is inefficient, ineffective, and inequitable.
The Conference is an action-oriented event where bipartisan state teams and individuals work together to address these issues, tackling topics such as:
the crisis of the skills gap
strengthening connections between business and education
advocating for public policy changes
providing high-quality career development
creating career pathways within the education system
and much more!
Join us June 10-12, 2020 in Kansas City to be part of the growing movement to align education with workforce needs.
More information on the 2020 Conference is coming soon, so please check back with us often. You can get a taste of what’s in store next year by exploring previous conferences above.
Connect with top leaders from across the country in education, business, government, and philanthropy
Unlike most conferences which are designed for a single sector, Western Pathways attracts leaders from multiple sectors, with over 100 cross-sector leaders speaking at each annual conference.
During the three-day event, there is a focus on interactive sessions and networking opportunities. At the Western Pathways Conference, you are not only learning about the issues, but you are making the connections you need to drive actionable change in your organization and community.
Previous presenters and participants have included…
Current or former governors from five states: Arizona, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota, and Oregon
Deborah Herron, Director of Public and Government Affairs for Walmart
Gene Bottoms, former Senior Vice President for the Southern Regional Education Board
Honorable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development
Brad Smith, VP of Microsoft
Joseph Aoun, President of Northeastern University
Brian Hutchinson, Treasurer of the National Career Development Association
Allen Blue, Co-Founder of LinkedIn
Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District
Tammy Thieman, Senior Manager of Amazon Career Choice North America for Amazon
Gabriela Gonzalez, Deputy Director of the Intel Foundation
Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University
Explore videos and presentation materials from the 2019 Conference here, and learn more about our former speakers here. Information about 2020 speakers coming soon, so be sure to check back with us often.
Learn cutting-edge ideas and best practices from exemplary programs across the Western states, and present your own
Each conference has more than 100 speakers who present in a multitude of formats so that all kinds of learners have the ability to understand the issues, make connections with industry leaders, and deepen their understanding of the task at hand.
Join the conversation on workforce development and education reform by registering as a regular attendee for the 2020 Conference, or consider the benefits of presenting:
Showcase your brand or product before a highly-influential audience of education, business, government and philanthropic leaders.
Position your organization as a leader in the movement to improve education and career and workforce development.
Deepen your relationships with the states that will send prominent teams to the Conference.
Network with influential regional and national leaders in an effort to create a more effective education and workforce development system.
Help develop a robust talent pipeline for your business or industry.
Interested in being a speaker, sponsor, or partner of the 2020 Western Pathways Conference? Visit our contact page to learn how you can get involved.
Despite our “Western” name, the Conference welcomes leaders and attendees from across the nation who are involved in these issues. In 2019, 41 of 50 states were represented at the Conference.
More information about registration for the 2020 Conference coming soon, so be sure to check back with us often!
DIRECTOR’S INVITATION
Click the title above to read an invitation to the Western Pathways Conference from the Director of the Global Pathways Institute at Arizona State University.
2019 Conference Highlights
Want to re-live the 2019 conference, or want to get a first-hand experience of what the Conferences are all about? Click the title above to explore some of the best video and PowerPoint highlights from Portland.
Agendas
Click the title above to browse the topics that have been addressed at previous Western Pathways Conferences.