Do you remember your first NCCEP/GEAR UP Capacity-Building Workshop (CBW)? My first CBW was in New York City. It was cold, but the weather didn't phase me.  All that mattered was that Chic-fil-A was only a few blocks away and I had the opportunity to engage with the national GEAR UP community. I was excited! CBW is only weeks away and I am feeling that same excitement again. 

2020 threw us some hard punches, but I am thrilled that I can kick this new year off with you. In preparation for what will be a great experience here are a few things everyone should know about CBW 2021.

1. It’s All About You

CBW has been curated specifically for the GEAR UP community. Burst sessions, workshops, and seminars have been designed to meet the current and future needs of GEAR UP. GEAR UP experts, representing programs across the country, will share tools and resources specific to the work you do every day.

2. Enjoy It for A Year

You will have unlimited access to all CBW sessions for an entire year. Registered attendees can login to view 3 Burst sessions, 15 Workshops, 5 Seminars, and 5 Well-Being sessions. That is over 20 hours of intense professional development!

3. Networking

Social distancing has been tough for many of us, but luckily it doesn’t prevent us from connecting. CBW is a virtual experience, however, attendees can still expect networking opportunities. At CBW, you will have the opportunity to catch up and network with the national GEAR UP community and its partners.

4. Easy Access

No matter where you are, you will have access to CBW. Whether you are working from home, in a school, or administrative building, CBW is only a click away. On February 8th, check your internet connection, grab a few snacks, and login to the conference platform to get started. 

5. You Have to Register

In order to experience all that CBW has to offer, you must register! You can learn more about CBW offerings, view the pre-program, and register by clicking here. If you’ve already registered, be sure to login and select your sessions!

I am looking forward to reconnecting with each of you. Until then, be safe and stay well!