Hi friends! Given all of our recent progress on objectives laid out a year or more ago, it’s time for our next irregularly-scheduled Network Summit 
In our Network Summits, we bring together members from across our network – including resource directory information specialists, community navigators, technology developers, policymakers and more – to share knowledge and envision our collective path forward.
The Summit is free to attend – though we ask all participants to strive to be fully present for the duration of the event.
Prospective 2026 Summit Objectives:
-
Map the progress and impact that we have achieved over the past decade+, and assess changes in our landscape during that time.
-
Explore new opportunities and challenges posed by AI tools in resource directory information management and delivery.
-
Discuss emerging experiences and new ideas – such as for structuring and transmitting user feedback on data quality – that may reveal new needs for tooling and standardization.
-
Learn about collaborative data partnerships: enduring challenges and emerging best practices.
-
Take stock of our progress toward resource data federation, and outline the next chapter of our work toward this big goal.
The actual agenda will be shaped in close collaboration with confirmed participants, with input solicited from all involved, and organized in a dynamic format that leaves room for emergent topics to be added to the program during the event.
When and how:
The Summit will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 7 and 8 October 2026, from 15h to 18h UTC / 8-11am US PT / 11am-2pm US ET.
This timing is intended to give our international community the best possible shot at sharing a calendar window (with apologies to our friends in Australia).
Please let me know if you’re interested in attending – and/or if you have any suggestions for other specific people we should invite! – and we will follow up to exchange more information.
Looking forward!
Greg