May 4–7, 2026 | Toronto, Canada

PowerNET, our annual conference, brings together the full Network community—drawing more than 500 professionals, lay leaders, partner organizations, funders, and sponsors for learning, networking, and innovation across the sector.

We invite you to share your expertise with the Network by submitting a workshop proposal for PowerNET 2026, held May 4-7^th, 2026 in Toronto, Canada!

We encourage you to reflect on your successes, challenges, and experiences, especially as we continue navigating turbulent times. By coming together, sharing our resources, and exchanging knowledge, we can harness these shared experiences to strengthen our communities, amplify our collective impact, and drive lasting change.

• Call for proposals closes: October 31, 2025

• Accepted workshop notifications: December 31, 2025

This year, the conference will focus on eight key areas:

1. Advocacy and Crisis
2. Agency Operations
3. Behavioral/Mental Health Services
4. Development/Marketing
5. Lay Leaders
6. Management/Leadership
7. Non-Clinical Services, Programs, and Collaborations
8. Workforce Development Services

Our goal is for every attendee to leave with valuable insights, renewed commitment to colleagues, and actionable strategies to enhance their work and communities. PowerNET 2026 is designed to enrich knowledge, foster meaningful connections, and equip attendees with transformative ideas and skills.

• October 31^st, 2025: Call for proposals closes.
• December 2025: PowerNET Workshop Committee peer review all proposals.
• December 31^st, 2025: Accepted workshops notifications.
• January 9^th, 2026: Presenter acceptance deadline.
• March 20^th, 2026: Deadline for Presenters registration.
• April 10^th, 2026: AV needs and presentation materials (Powerpoints, videos, and additional resources) are due.
• May 4^th-7^th, 2026: PowerNET 2026!

• All session presentations will be 75 minutes, including the introduction by the session chair and the Q&A.

• Workshop presenters are not limited to professionals or members, but priority is given to Network member agencies.

• Proposals from one agency may be combined with proposals from another.

• The Network will be holding a mandatory class on “How to Create Engaging Interactive Workshops” for all accepted submissions. This class will take place in February 2026.

• Thanks to you, PowerNET continues to grow each year, and as such, we expect over 100 workshop submissions. This makes our review process more competitive as we will only be able to accept 30% of the submitted proposals. When you submit your proposal, please make sure it is complete. Incomplete submissions will not be considered for review by the Conference Committee.

• Please download this PDF to read the application questions and prepare required documents. All applications must be submitted through our online form. We encourage you to utilize this template to draft your application; then simply cut and paste your ideas into the link prompts.

• If you are submitting a behavioral/mental health proposal, we will consider that session for CEU approval. At least one presenter must be a licensed clinician—please make sure to read all presenter requirements in the application.

• If you are submitting a Development/Fundraising-related proposal, these sessions will be approved for CFRE credits

• We are pleased to offer a single $75 Speaker Rebate per member agency, for member agencies in good standing, sending staff/lay leaders as presenters at our conference.
• The rebate amount is limited to $75 per agency, regardless of the number of speakers or presentations.
• Following attendance at the conference, a rebate check will be prepared and sent to the agency.

Please contact Lisa-Loraine Smith, Network Chief Program Officer, by email or at 201-693-5130 with questions.