THE COLLECTIVE 2027
The Career Ecosystem Standard™
Celebrating 10 Years of
Transforming Career Ecosystems
April 13-15, 2027
Nashville, TN
Early-bird registration available through February 12, 2027
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Join us in Nashville, TN, as we continue the work to transform Career Ecosystems and expand on...
Our North Star: "Every College student receives the career learning they need to succeed."
From honky-tonk stages to tree-lined boulevards, from Southern soul to a skyline shaped by decades of musical legends, Nashville offers a rich history, a vibrant arts and culinary scene, and a reputation as one of the most electric destinations in the US, living up to its nickname, the "Music City." Nestled in the heart of Tennessee along the Cumberland River, Nashville does not disappoint!
Prepare to be inspired by the rhythm of live music on every corner, the talents of world-class performers, and the indulgence of refined Southern hospitality at boutique hotels, just steps from Broadway and walking distance to outstanding local restaurants, rooftop bars, and one-of-a-kind shops.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Day 1 - Tuesday, April 13, 2027
10:30 - 4:30 | Registration open
12:30 - 2:30 | Pre-Conference sessions
4:15 - 5:30 | Opening Session
5:30 - 6:30 | Opening Reception
Day 2 - Wednesday, April 14, 2027
7:30 - 8:30 | Breakfast
8:30 - 9:45 | MainStage Panel
10:00 - 10:45 | Ecosystem Transformation Sessions
10:45 - 11:15 | Networking Break
11:15 - 12:00 | Breakouts
12:00 - 1:30 | Lunch
1:30 - 2:15 | Breakouts
2:30 - 3:15 | Breakouts
3:30 - 4:15 | Breakouts
4:30 - 5:15 | Cohort Reunions: Mastermind, Aspire, Kickstart
Day 3 - Thursday, April 15, 2027
8:00 - 9:00 | Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 | Plenary Session
10:15 - 11:00 | Breakouts
11:15 - 12:00 | Breakouts
PRE-CON SESSIONS
April 13, 12:30-2:30
Title
Measuring a Career Ecosystem
Facilitator
Jeremy Podany
Founder & CEO
The Career Leadership Collective
Overview
How do you know whether your career ecosystem is truly working, and where it needs to improve? This session will explore practical approaches for measuring institutional commitment, student experiences, and the metrics that matter most across a comprehensive career ecosystem. Participants will leave with strategies for using data and evidence to assess progress, demonstrate impact, and tell a more compelling story about career learning.
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Title
Modern Strategies for Industry Partnerships
Facilitator
Coming Soon
Goal
Industry partnerships must move beyond transactions and recruiting events to create deeper, more strategic value for students, employers, and institutions. This session will examine modern approaches to strategic industry partnerships that support robust and long-term institutional collaboration. Participants will explore strategies for developing employer partnerships that are more intentional, scalable, and connected to the broader career ecosystem.
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Title
Faculty & Career Staff Partnerships for Embedded Career Learning
Facilitator
Sarah Schmitt, Associate Director of Career and Academic Integration
The College of Arts & Sciences
Walter Center for Career Achievement
Indiana University
Goal
Every student should encounter meaningful career learning throughout their educational experience, not only when they opt in and visit the career center. This session will explore how faculty and career staff can build stronger partnerships to embed career learning into the curriculum and create more consistent, equitable student experiences. Participants will examine practical strategies for collaboration, shared ownership, and integrating career learning in ways that connect academic learning with students' future goals.
CONFERENCE HOTEL
Virgin Hotel Nashville
A boutique hotel right in the heart of historic Music Row, located on 1 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203, just a few minutes from downtown Nashville and steps away from Vanderbilt University and the trendy Gulch neighborhood.
Conference Hotel Rate: $299
REGISTRATION
Registration is OPEN. Early-bird Pricing Available.