The Maryland Workforce Association's “Raising the Bar" Conference is back in 2026, and there's more to look forward to than ever before — including a new home! This year, we're thrilled to welcome attendees to the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, bringing a fresh energy to our annual gathering. The conference remains a great opportunity for in-depth conversations and networking for workforce and educational professionals to discuss innovative workforce development solutions for job seekers, youth, and businesses. We're also excited to introduce a brand-new AI Pre-Conference — “AI and the Workforce System: Aligning Industry, Workforce, and Education" — bringing together cross-sector leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs, skills, and hiring across Maryland's workforce ecosystem. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act challenges our system to be creative, flexible, and innovative in the delivery of these solutions. Bring your challenges, ideas, and evidence-based solutions and join us as we explore promising practices in developing the best workforce system in the Country.

NEW FOR 2026!

AI Conference

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workforce, changing how businesses operate, how workers develop skills, and how education and training systems prepare individuals for careers. As these changes accelerate, workforce, education, and industry leaders are being challenged to respond in real time.

The 2026 Raising the Bar Pre-Conference will bring together leaders from across industry, workforce development, education, economic development, and public policy for an interactive working session focused on the future of AI and workforce alignment.

This is not a traditional conference experience built around presentations alone. Participants will engage in facilitated discussions, collaborative workshops, and cross-sector working groups designed to generate practical ideas, identify emerging challenges, and explore how Maryland's workforce ecosystem can better respond to the changing demands of employers and workers alike.

The session will explore:

• How AI is impacting jobs, skills, and hiring trends

• What employers are seeking in an AI-driven economy

• How workforce systems can adapt services and strategies

• The evolving role of K-12, higher education, and training providers

• Ethical, operational, and policy considerations surrounding AI adoption

• Opportunities for stronger alignment between workforce, education, and industry partners

The pre-conference will also incorporate labor market trends, policy discussions, and emerging research related to artificial intelligence and workforce transformation, while drawing on the perspectives of employers, practitioners, educators, and system leaders working directly in the field.

The goal of the pre-conference is to move beyond theory and create a space for meaningful collaboration and problem-solving. Insights and themes gathered throughout the session are expected to inform a post-conference summary and future conversations surrounding workforce strategy, education alignment, and talent development across Maryland.

Whether you work in workforce development, education, economic development, business leadership, or public policy, this session is designed to help participants better understand the opportunities and challenges AI presents and contribute to shaping the future of Maryland's workforce system.

Opening Reception at Orioles Stadium