Finalizing your plans for Summer Meeting in Charlotte? Itching for more details?

Check out our just released schedule! And go ahead and register now to reserve your spot!

Tentative Schedule

Note: When making travel arrangements, most participants plan to arrive on Wednesday and leave on Sunday.

All events are held at the Westin Charlotte, 601 South College Street, unless otherwise noted. Schedule is subject to change.

Wednesday, July 22
5:00 p.m.  ‚Äã‚Äã                  Registration Opens
5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m. Welcome Reception: Meet, greet, and eat with all your movement friends and colleagues as we kick-off Summer Meeting at our first social event hosted by Equality NC.
                                     Luski Gallery, Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 North Tryon Street

Thursday, July 23
8:00 a.m.                        Registration Opens
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.  Plenary: Welcome Circle - This year we’re updating a proud Equality Federation tradition. The Welcome Circle is your chance to get a taste of the incredible, inspiring work that’s taking place across the country in red states and blue states, urban centers and rural areas, from the Pacific Coast to the Deep South. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in to get a sense of who’s in the room that you want to connect with and celebrate our successes, big and small.
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshop Session 1

• Using Digital to Get Bills Passed (and Kill the Bad Ones)
• 2016 Elections: Who Are You Ready For?
• Good Business: Effective Strategies for Engaging Businesses in Policy Advocacy
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (Discrimination)*

12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. Break
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m     Plenary Lunch: Enjoy lunch on us! Spend some time chatting with your movement colleagues before our thought-provoking presentation.
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.      Break
1:45 p.m.-  3:00 p.m.     Workshop Session 2

• If You Build It, They Will Come: Planning to Win Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Campaigns
• Let's Get Intersectional!
• Winning Protections and Fighting Exemptions: Lessons Learned from 2015
• Beyond the Story: Building Our Movement Through Strategic Storytelling

3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.    Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.    Workshop Session 3

• Research, Narratives & Voices: Talking About Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBT People
• The Bathroom Merry-Go-Round: The Engagement Feedback Loop
• Criminalization of LGBTQ people: Research, Strategies & Campaigns for Change

Evening  Fed Fling: An evening full of fun events hosted by Equality NC. More details coming soon!
                 Off-site

Friday, July 24
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Workshop Session 4

• Something to Talk About: Implementing Nondiscrimination Campaign Plans and Managing Campaign Communication
• Embracing Intersections: Religious Exemption, Voting Rights and Respecting Women
• 50 Shades of Gender: Incorporating the Gender Non-Binary Movement Into Your Organization's Work

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.  Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Plenary: FEDtalk - This plenary session will feature state leaders in a whirlwind of quick presentations on a wide range of topics. These talks are a chance for state leaders to highlight new and innovative aspects of their work—both programmatic and organizational—and spark conversations that will continue throughout the conference. You’ll love it! 
12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.   Lunch on Your Own
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.    Workshop Session 5

• Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Overnights, Oh My! Working with School Districts to Affirm Transgender Students in School
• HIV in the State House:  The Legislative Work That Will Help End AIDS
• Dangerous Therapy - Advocacy to Prohibit So-Called “Conversion Therapy”
• Can of Worms: Talking About Sweeping Religious Exemptions

3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m - 4:30 p.m.   Regional Caucus Conversations
Evening   Friday Night Out: Our Friday Night Out is all about fun with your friends and colleagues and seeing what Charlotte has to offer. Equality NC has come up with great options to choose from!
                 On- and off-site activities: Details TBA

Saturday, July 25
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.  Equality Federation Membership Meeting
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.  Workshop Session 6

• Getting the Biggest Bang for your Buck: Using Data to Craft Effective Nondiscrimination Public Campaigns
• Expanding Family Definitions and LGBTQ Economic Security: An Intersectional Strategy
• Working for Racial Justice in White-Led Organizations

12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.  Lunch on Your Own
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Workshop Session 7

• The Secrets of Great Nonprofit Boards
• Refusing Religion? Faith-Based Organizing and Advocacy for LGBTQ Justice
• Additional Session TBA

3:00 - 3:15 p.m.         Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Workshop Session 8

• Understanding and Combating Abolishing Local Liberty Bills
• Where’s the Power? In Your Hands!
• Bringing in the Bucks: Creative Fundraising Strategies

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Closing Reception: Bid farewell to your colleagues over dinner and drinks on us. Our closing reception is your last chance to make final connections before heading out to continue the incredible work you’re doing in all the communities we call home. We’ll continue our tradition of honoring exceptional movement leaders.