Preparing for a Successful Building Together Experience

As the beginning of May inches (or maybe barrels) closer, the anticipation of travel builds. This comes with real excitement for learning, connecting, and inspiration, but it also comes with some challenges. Work travel isn’t easy, but conferences like this, in my experience, are always worth it!  

These are some tips I have to help you prepare for a successful Building Together experience.  

1. Clear your calendar, including the day before and after your travel. This will allow planning and reintegration time (or travel disturbance time, if needed). Plan to disconnect from the outside world. Cancel those side meetings, Zoom meetings, and check-ins and prepare to be present and in the moment.
2. Download the event app to build your schedule, review the attendees and say hi to people you know. Maybe set up a coffee date or meet up!
3. Get inspired by learning more deeply about the topic ahead of time. Maybe pick up a book from one of the speakers or on the topic of building bridges, conflict resolution, or pluralism! Or check out the Council’s three-part series, Coming Together Not Apart. There are also a lot of great podcasts on the topic – some of my favorites that were featured at the last Building Together conference are Amanda Ripley and Monica Guzman. There are lots to choose from.
4. Get excited about Seattle! Whether it’s your first time visiting, or you’ve lived there for years, this is either a brand-new city to explore, or you get to show off the place you call home to people from around the country. If you’re from Seattle, get your recommendations ready. If you’re visiting, find out what you want to explore. For me, I always search for an independent bookstore, locally roasted coffee, and a gift shop to buy unique souvenirs for my family and team back home. Elliot Bay Book Company is on the top of my list of bookstores, and I was excited to hear they will have a booth at Building Together selling books authored by some of the speakers! At the last conference, I ended up picking up a bunch of books and really had to work hard to fit them all into my suitcase – so plan accordingly!
5. Do your best to get mentally prepared to soak in the information. Have a new notebook and favorite pen picked out, set aside some time in your calendar, if possible, to think about what you want to bring back from this conference. Who do you want to connect with? What do you want to focus on in your learning? What can you bring back to your community?
6. Lastly, block off some time AFTER the conference to look through all your notes for things that require follow up! This is an essential part to make sure the learning actually gets put into practice.

Before attending Building Together 2024 in Chicago, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was, however, excited to explore the city (pack your comfiest sneakers!) and learn from the amazing list of speakers and session presenters. When I think back on what I learned in that week, it’s amazing how many ideas were inspired by those few days and what I was able to bring back to my community. This week should not only inspire new ideas, but it should be fertile ground for documenting ideas already proven to work and finding ways to right-size them for your community and implement them. 

So, as a reminder: bring a new notebook and favorite pen, write down everything you can think of that’s interesting, and don’t forget to block time to complete #6 on this list! It’s essential!

I look forward to meeting so many new people in May and following my own advice here! I know that Seattle is going to have REALLY good independent bookstores AND coffee and, while the Poconos are quite far from the West Coast, I know there will be lots I can learn and put into practice here in Pennsylvania.

Ryanne Jennings is the President/CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation and a returning attendee for the Building Together 2026 conference.