2026 National
Change Lab

Atlanta, GA

November 11–13

Now, more than ever, we need one another to tackle the isolation and disillusionment in our nation. Every community across the country faces unique challenges and demands solutions tailored to local needs. In the face of national division and local disconnection, Change Collective Members shine brightly as they combat political polarization, bridge divides, and address the pressing issues in their communities. Together, we will continue our work to reinvent civic life for a new generation.

We are inviting ALL Change Collective Members from Chicago, Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and San Antonio to join us in Atlanta, GA to learn, strategize, and fellowship!

At the 2026 National Change Lab in Atlanta, we will honor and uplift the remarkable work happening in communities nationwide. With the Change Collective’s diverse and dynamic growing membership community, it is imperative that we continue to expand our reach, support, and impact in order to build a vibrant, inclusive, and participatory democracy. We’ll dive deeper into expanding who is at the table along with advancing public leadership with a focus on building civic culture, civic power, and civic participation for the next generation of leaders who are ready to serve and take action.

Our program will include an evening kickoff reception on Wednesday, November 11, along with two full days of programming on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. 

We look forward to having YOU join us in Atlanta for a few incredible days of learning, community-building and fun!

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Watch the 2025 National Change Lab Recap Video from Baltimore!

Program Agenda

Wednesday, November 11: 6:30pm–8:30pm ET

Opening Reception

A reception to celebrate the kickoff of the 2026 National Change Lab. The evening will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and community building across the Change Collective’s five cities. 

Breakfast

Opening Remarks

Civic Action Plan Lightning Talk from Change Collective Members

Change Collective Taskmaster: Teams

Civic Round 1: Breakout Workshops

From Uncertainty to Action: How Change-Makers Anticipate, Adapt, and Shape Emergent Solutions 

Civic Coach: Alec Chapa 

Workshop Description: Uncertainty makes planning and collective action difficult — obscuring pathways, making resources feel unreliable, throwing partnerships into question — but it’s not total chaos, and neither is it without hidden opportunities. Successful changemakers don’t just react to shifting conditions, they anticipate possible shifts, discern amongst them, and prepare for reasonable risks, while staying agile to adapt in real-time to what cannot be predicted. In this session, we’ll explore how strategic thinking and collaborative negotiation can lead a project to success even when the future is unclear, and how emergent solutions are the fruits available to those who engage collaboratively with others during uncertainty. 

Collaboration and Influence (2026 Fellows Only)

Lunch & Keynote Conversation

Civic Round 2: Breakout Workshops

The Third Space: Case Studies of Connection and Collaboration Redefining What’s Possible
Pluralism in Practice: Storytelling Potluck 
The Influence Process 

Civic Action Plan Lightning Talk from Change Collective Members

Keynote Conversation

Evening Reception & Dinner

A special dinner that will include a communal meal, drinks, and remarks.

Breakfast

Keynote Conversation

Civic Action Plan Lightning Talk from Change Collective Members

Change Collective Taskmaster: Problem-solving

Civic Round 3: Breakout Workshops

Change Collective Members will listen, learn, and engage with leaders across multiple cities on issues facing their communities along with shared best practices and potential solutions.   

Lunch & Keynote Conversation

Driving Action & Impact: Your Next Steps

Change Collective Members will present in groups to stakeholders on issues facing their communities.    

Choose Your Own Adventure: Atlanta

Option 1: Guided tour at a Baltimore art museum
Option 2: Baltimore naval history tour
Option 3: Historic guided tour of Baltimore

Closing Reception

Agenda subject to change. 
Exact locations and details will be available closer to the event. 

FAQ

What days should I travel into Atlanta and when should I leave?

Programming starts Wednesday (11/11) at 6:30pm ET and concludes on Friday (11/13) at 4:30pm ET. Please plan to arrive in Atlanta by Wednesday morning or afternoon, and leave Atlanta Friday evening or Saturday morning. If you have any specific questions or requests about your travel dates, please email our travel manager at [email protected]. 

Your hotel will include the night of Wednesday (11/11), the night of Thursday (11/12), and the night of Friday (11/13). Attendees will be expected to check out Saturday morning (11/14) at the latest unless extending for personal travel. Please note, you will be responsible for finding your own hotel accommodations for any additional nights outside of these hotel room block dates.

This year, we’re instituting a $250 registration fee for Members (2026 Graduated Fellows are exempt). The Change Collective is proud to invest in our Members through the fellowship, membership, and other programs. The value per attendee to join National Change Lab each year is approximately $3,100, which includes flights, hotels, meals, and ground transportation. We are committed to making your participation as a Member in our National Change Lab as affordable and equitable as possible. Paying this fee secures your commitment to attend and it allows us to maintain the high standard of programming that makes this event so special for our Members!

After you complete the registration form, you will receive a confirmation email from us with your registration confirmation and instructions on how to book your own travel within 24–48 hours of registering. If you have not received this email after 24–48 hours of registration, please reach out to us at [email protected].

We will try our best! On the registration form, we ask this very question to communicate to our venues and caterers. Please let us know ahead of time through the form so we can make sure all proper accommodations are met for you.

Smart casual! We will be both indoors and outdoors for our programming, so please make sure to bring a light jacket or sweater when we’re inside, and comfortable walking shoes for when we are outside. We will also have a photographer at different portions of programming (you know us, we love photos!).

The average daily temperature in Atlanta generally ranges from a high of 64°F to a low of 41°F in November, with moderate humidity and rain. Please make sure to dress accordingly!

Right here on our registration website! We will continue to update this page as we approach the event. You should also check your email regularly, as we will communicate key details to attendees through there.

Change Collective will cover all meals and necessary ground travel expenses for the duration of our program in Atlanta, including round-trip transport to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Provided meals include the Wednesday opening reception, Thursday’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Friday’s breakfast and lunch. Please note that any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., Ubers, personal food, or alcohol) incurred outside of the official event programming are not eligible for reimbursement; this exclusion includes travel to and from your home airport.

We will run charter buses to and from ATL airport to your assigned hotel at regular intervals on arrival day (Wednesday, 11/11) and departure day (Saturday, 11/14). You will be assigned a charter bus per your flight’s arrival time. Look out for an email from us on your bus assignment at a later date! For transportation to our various event venues and cohort activities during the day, we will provide charter buses for the entire group to travel together. Some activities will also be within walking distance from the event venue and hotel (10–15 minute walk).

Yes! We know that your changemaking journey doesn’t stop when you move cities. When filling out the registration form, please indicate what city you will be traveling in from so we can plan accordingly for you. Please note, this only applies to travel within the continental US. 

We absolutely encourage any personal travel for those who want to explore Atlanta! We will happily cover your flight to and from Atlanta so long as the pricing for the day you choose to travel is within our price range. Please note, you will be responsible for finding your own hotel accommodations for any additional nights outside of our hotel room block. 

Unfortunately, once they have been confirmed, all travel bookings are FINAL and cannot be changed. If you have already booked your travel and find that you cannot make it anymore, please reach out to [email protected] ASAP to let us know. If you have NOT booked your travel with us yet and you feel like your travel plans may change due to personal circumstances, please reach out to us and we can work with you on booking a flexible option!

Please contact us at [email protected] immediately with your request and why you cannot make the event anymore. We will reach back out to you with next steps. Your registration fee is refundable until Monday, August 31st at 11:59pm ET. Please note: canceling your registration and travel booking is irreversible and you will not be allowed to register again.

Photo Release

By entering any event or program of Civic Nation, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.

Your entry and presence at the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with Civic Nation and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news, and advertising.

By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video, or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

You understand that all photography, filming, and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent.