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The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) will host its annual Nonprofit Day Conference on March 4 at The Antlers, 4 S. Cascade Avenue. Attended by more than 450 individuals representing 235 organizations last year, the 2016 conference promises to provide nonprofit and business professionals, volunteers and community leaders with the insight they need to see their organizations excel, increase in knowledge and advance the nonprofit sector as a whole.

“CNE’s Nonprofit Day Conference is vital to the health of our community,” said CNE Executive Director Dave Somers. “As the Center for Nonprofit Excellence celebrates its twenty-fifth year in 2016, this conference draws a cross section of community leaders who look forward to essential education, informative discussions and key relationship building. Business and nonprofit professionals alike set this day aside to develop staff, advance their missions and connect with each other.”

With an eye towards the future, this year’s conference will focus on talent development, including investing in our greatest resource: people. Several of the 18 breakout sessions will focus on leadership development, strategy and planning and the potential impact of the impending generational shift in the US workforce. Throughout the day, attendees will participate in panel discussions, workshops and lectures on topics related to fundraising, nonprofit governance, volunteerism and more.  Most workshops are led by homegrown nonprofit experts like Jody Alyn of Jody Alyn Consulting, Joan Rennekamp of Lewis Roca and Rothgerber, Kimberley Sherwood of Third Sector Group, and international speaker Crystal Jonas.

“We believe that investing in an organization’s talent is essential,” said CNE Deputy Director Abby Laine Sienkiewicz. “Our people – staff, volunteers, board members – are our most valuable resource. CNE is excited to honor those who serve the community and highlight the importance of building up talent in the nonprofit sector.”

Along with breakout sessions, exhibitors and networking opportunities, the conference will feature several keynote speakers. Dr. Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, will kick off the day as the morning keynote speaker, and Mike Gemm, Lauren Hug, and Michael Diaz-Rivera will be featured speakers during the luncheon.

Early bird tickets, with discounts for CNE Members, are available through February 10. Regularly priced tickets are available through February 24 or until the conference is sold out. For more information, or to register to attend, please visit cnecoloradsprings.org.