There’s a lot of noise when it comes to “the future of fitness”—trends to chase, fads to decipher, and emerging technologies to evaluate. But what do members actually want and need? What if the future is less about fitness and more about movement, strength, and connection—and how those elements drive engagement, deepen relationships, and build meaningful community?

Dive into advanced approaches for fostering character development in youth and adults. This session highlights tools and practices that strengthen values-based leadership.

We are at a defining moment. Across our country, millions of young men are disconnected out of school, out of work, and too often without a clear path forward. The need is urgent—and the responsibility starts with us. As YMCA leaders and practitioners, we are on the front lines of changing this trajectory. In this session, we’ll share how Ys have built upon the teen pillars through a practical framework and proven approaches for how local YMCAs play a meaningful role in responding to this moment by strengthening connection, building capacity of our staff, expanding opportunity, and helping more boys and young men thrive.

Join a panel of YMCA leaders who have been exploring trends shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Gain insights into skills, partnerships, and programs that prepare youth for future careers.

This session explores how the YMCA’s Healthy Living Framework and Mental Health Community Care Model work together to support whole-person health by connecting physical and mental health as well as other social needs. Using a local YMCA example, participants will see how these approaches translate into programs and services, staff practices, and partnerships that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being—without relying on clinical services. Designed for Y leaders looking for practical, operational takeaways.

This 30-minute panel features local YMCA leaders sharing innovative business models from anti-hunger initiatives and pickleball programs. Learn how these programs drive engagement, deliver measurable community outcomes, and strengthen organizational capacity. Designed for executive leaders, the session offers practical insights on aligning mission impact with sustainable growth.

Learn how enduring Christian principles can shape steady, compassionate leadership within YMCA environments. This session offers practical ways to weave these values into your daily practice, strengthening organizational culture and supporting teams with clarity and purpose.

Examine emerging trends in aquatic safety and program delivery. Gain tools to enhance member experience while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Learn about the critical role brain health plays in overall well-being and explore strategies and programs that promote brain health across all ages.

Learn how Christian, the YMCA onPrinciple Advisor can support YMCA leaders and volunteers by co-creating devotionals, reflections, and mission moments rooted in the Y’s Christian heritage and shaped for today’s world. Christian helps you speak to spirit, mind, and body with messages that are clear, welcoming, and grounded in the values that have guided the YMCA since its beginning.

Learn how a YMCA established the architecture and alignment to measure impact across the organization—moving beyond outputs to outcomes. This includes shared outcome definitions, quarterly impact surveys, and integrated data platforms that allow us to consistently measure Achievement, Relationships, Belonging, Joy, and Contribution across our membership and community.

QUAD F fosters connection by creating a welcoming community where adults with autism and communication disorders can build meaningful friendships through shared experiences in fitness and fun. Participants find a true sense of belonging as they engage with peers who understand and support one another. Through consistent interaction and inclusive activities, QUAD F cultivates relationships rooted in encouragement, trust, and shared purpose.

Learn how to cut costs and do more with less.

What started as a disaster response activation became something bigger. When Instacart and YMCA of the USA partnered during the 2025 LA wildfires, they discovered a shared mission that extended well beyond emergency relief. Laura Anderson and Stacey McDaniel share how that moment sparked a multi-year, multi-program collaboration built around expanding food access in communities across the U.S.

Join Y-USA and AstraZeneca to explore how Ys serve as trusted conveners, awareness builders and community partners, helping individuals access information, connect to resources, and take proactive steps toward better health. Participants will gain insight into the Y-USA and AstraZeneca partnership vision, learn about upcoming early detection and screening education efforts, and discuss opportunities to strengthen the YMCA's role in supporting healthier communities through education, awareness, and engagement around cancer screening and early detection.

Safe Place® strengthens communities by ensuring young people facing crisis have a visible place where they are welcomed, respected, and supported. Through partnerships with schools, businesses, libraries, public safety agencies, and YMCAs, the program creates a network of trusted adults ready to respond when youth need help most. By connecting youth to immediate safety and professional support, Safe Place fosters belonging, strengthens community responsibility, and ensures no young person has to face crisis alone.

Out of nearly every Y using AI somewhere, very few can point to what changed as a result. Most adoption so far has been individual and informal: one person, one tool, no shared workflow, and no way to measure whether anything improved. This session explores what separates Ys gaining real capacity from Ys running disconnected experiments: where AI belongs, where human judgment stays, and what governance a board should expect before an association scales anything.

The YMCA Learning Hub is more than a new learning platform. It is the gateway to the YMCA Learning Ecosystem, connecting staff and volunteers to learning, leadership development, certifications, resources, trainers, and peers across the Movement. Designed with a modern, mobile-first experience, the Learning Hub makes it easier than ever to discover learning opportunities, follow personalized learning plans, track progress, and access development resources anytime, anywhere. In this interactive 30-minute Learning Zone session, participants will explore how the Learning Hub and broader Learning Ecosystem work together to support individual growth, strengthen talent pipelines, and create a culture where learning is part of the job. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for leveraging these tools and resources to develop staff, engage learners, and build stronger Ys.

Join Y-USA's Teen Mental Health Fellows for a Learning Zone session.