Save The Date:

May 13-14, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN

The Opportunities Exchange 2026 National Conference will bring together early childhood leaders, innovators, funders, and practitioners to spark bold thinking and actionable change. Under the theme Reframe. Reimagine. Retool., we will explore the future of early care and education through transformative sessions and collaborative dialogue.

Join us to connect with peers, draw inspiration from one another and discover creative strategies to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape. Together, we’ll build momentum to strengthen programs, partnerships and the future of early childhood education.

The Agenda

Tuesday, May 12

3:00 – 5:00 PM
Registration

WEDNESDAY, May 13

8:30 – 11:30 AM
Pre-conference for government staff (invitation only)

11:45 – 1:15 AM
Lunch and Opening Plenary
The Iowa Story, Wendy Hoogeveen, Bureau Chief, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Tami Foley, Program Manager, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

1:30 – 3:00 PM
Workshop Session A

3:15 – 4:45 PM
Workshop Session B

5:00 – 6:30 PM
Networking Reception

Dinner (on your own)

Workshop Preview

THURSDAY, MAY 14

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast and Keynote
Safiyah Jackson, Chief Strategy Officer, Smart Start Partnership for Children

9:45 – 11:15 AM
Workshop Session C

11:30 – 1:00 PM
Workshop Session D

Lunch

2:15 – 3:45 PM
Workshop Session E

4 – 5 PM
Closing Plenary
Leading Change: The Key Role of Philanthropy
Marica Cox Mitchell, Chief Program Officer, Bainum Family Foundation
Nara Topp, Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Katherine Robinson, Program Officer, Walton Personal Philanthropy Group

Policy

Modernizing Licensing Oversight: Using CCMS to Streamline Compliance
Right-Sizing Licensing Regulation
Building and Fire Codes: Addressing State and Local Barriers
From Pilot to Scale: Building Accountability in Business Coaching
Strengthening Staffed Family Child Care Networks at Scale
Reimagining the Front Door: Coordinated Eligibility Systems in Practice

Technology

Data Bridges: Connecting CCMS and Food Program Reporting
Rethinking CCR&R: From Manual Processes to Modern Systems
CCMS-Aligned Business Coaching: The Tech+ Framework
Demystifying AI for Child Care

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS

WEDNESDAY, May 13

3:15 – 4:45 PM
Change Management

THURSDAY, MAY 14

9:45 – 11:15 AM
Technology and Tools for Fraud Prevention

Practice

Measuring What Matters: Evaluation Across Statewide Coaching Initiatives
Measuring Impact in Shared Services
CCMS-Aligned Business Coaching: Lessons from the Field
Micro-Centers in Action: Scaling an Emerging Model
Expanding Retirement Savings Options for the Child Care Workforce
Measuring and Reporting Vacancy Data
Maximizing Tax Strategies for Child Care Business Owners
What’s New in Child Care Substitute Pool

For More Information

Questions Considered.

How do I think strategically about supporting child care business sustainability? How do I harness the power of technology? Who will provide funding for this work? The journey begins with asking the right questions—the conference is a place to hear how others have found answers.

Ideas Discussed.

It all begins with an idea...maybe we could find a way to improve wages … maybe we could do a better job connecting parents with ECE programs … maybe we could spend more time on education and less time on paperwork … the conference is fertile ground to plant the seeds of your idea.

Community Nurtured.

Let’s face it, changing the ECE sector is not for the faint of heart. You need time to be with kindred spirits who see not just “what is wrong and ask why”, but see “what could be and ask why not”? Fellow world changers, there is a seat at this table for you.