2023 Bridge Conference: Forging Brighter Futures

SOWA’s annual Bridge Conference brings together school-age care providers, youth development professionals, leaders, community organizers, funders, and policymakers from across the country. Attendees hear from thought-provoking presenters and learn new strategies to build strong programs and equitable systems for young people, in and out of school. Reflected in all aspects of the Bridge Conference are the values of equity, belonging, leadership, nourishment, change, innovation, and community. Our attendees and presenters represent the diverse communities we work with across the state.

We gather to:

• Engage with a diverse range of knowledge, people, and perspectives. 

• Identify and address the specific ways that racial inequities impact youth, expanded learning opportunities, and educational outcomes.

• Experience a sense of belonging to nourish social connection and professional networking.  

• Learn how to implement tangible practices that promote high-quality programs and an equitable expanded learning opportunity ecosystem. 

• Strive to recognize power dynamics throughout programs and systems and begin to strategize how to co-create stronger partnerships across sectors.

We are excited to return to the Greater Tacoma Convention Center for Bridge 2023: Forging Brighter Futures. Our schedule includes inspiring keynote speakers, six workshop periods, an exhibitor showcase, connection and networking opportunities with youth-serving professionals from across the state, and much more.

• Day 1 — Monday, November 6, 2023 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM PST
• Day 2 — Tuesday, November 7,2023 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM PST

Registration will open on July 7, 2023. This is a two-day Conference (Monday, Tuesday), and you will need to indicate which day(s) you plan to attend when you register.

Early Bird (July 7 - Sept 4,2023)

2-Day Registrant $550

1-Day Registrant $350

2 -Day WA State Licensed School-Age Provider $275

Team Special (Bring a team of 4 or more; 2-Day Only) $525/person

Standard (Sept 5 - Oct 8,2023)

2-Day Registrant $600

1-Day Registrant $375

2 -Day WA State Licensed School-Age Provider $275

Team Special (Bring a team of 4 or more; 2-Day Only) $525/person

Late (Oct 9 - Oct 23,2023)

2-Day Registrant $650

1-Day Registrant $400

2 -Day WA State Licensed School-Age Provider $300

Team Special (Bring a team of 4 or more; 2-Day Only) $600/person

for written and visual supports on:

• Registering Yourself and/or your Team: for how to navigate Eventbrite, enter Promo Codes, use the Early Bird Team rate, and more.
• Registration Policies: for information on cancellations, refunds, and registration changes.
• Scholarship Information: for Promo Code information and how to request scholarships.

Still have questions? Reach out to us by sending an email to [email protected]

Registration Cancellation requests for Attendee tickets will receive a:

• PARTIAL REFUND, if sent by Friday, October 6, 2023. These requests are subject to a 10% cancellation fee, and you will be refunded 90% of the total cost of your registration. (e.g., an individual will receive a refund of $540.00 for a $600.00 ticket)
• NO REFUND, if sent after Friday, October 6, 2023. This is considered a late cancellation.
• There are NO REFUNDS for Exhibitor Tickets. All sales are final.

See our for the 2023 Bridge Conference. This resource includes our most up-to-date health and safety protocols in relation to COVID-19, including our Universal Masking Policy.

If you have a disability and/or accommodation request, please describe your request in your registration form for reasonable accommodations to fully participate in the conference. We will follow up to see how we might be able to accommodate your accessibility needs. Please reach out as soon as you are aware of your access need and/or by Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 if you have an accommodation request.

Seeking financial support to attend the Bridge Conference? If you are interested in receiving information about scholarships, please fill out this . Because this is a nonprofit Conference, we have limited scholarships available and at this time those scholarships are reserved for specific initiatives. We will contact you as soon as possible if additional funds become available. Our goal is to notify potential scholarship recipients at least one week prior to the Conference. If you know of organizations interested in sponsoring Bridge, please refer them to our website or to [email protected] to learn about Sponsorships.

Register 4 or more people for Bridge and receive a discounted rate at $525 per ticket. Offer valid until October 8, 2023.

If you have a STARS ID, you can qualify for DCYF Training Reimbursement. Please follow these steps to request reimbursement:

• Head to the .
• Scroll down and navigate to 'Training Reimbursement’ to learn more on how to apply. Individuals can apply for up to $250 worth of training reimbursement each year.

If you have any questions, please contact our training team at [email protected]

Are you interested in promoting products or services at the conference? For more information, see our . You can submit your exhibitor application via Eventbrite by heading to the "Exhibitor Registration" ticket group.

For more information about exhibitor opportunities, see our Bridge website or contact Ben Baird at [email protected]

Any questions about the 2023 Bridge Conference? Our customer service team will respond to your requests within 1-2 business days. Contact us at:

• Customer Service Email: Contact us at [email protected]
• Customer Service Phone Number: Bridge Customer Service will be available via phone beginning October 2nd, 2023.

For more information head to our

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