Welcome to HOPE 2027
28th International Families & Fathers Conference
April 11–15, 2027 | Los Angeles, California
Hilton LAX Hotel • 5711 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90045
HOPE 2027 is more than a conference theme. It is a call to gather with purpose, lead with courage, strengthen families, support children, elevate fathers, invest in wellness, and create new pathways forward for communities across the nation and beyond.
We are honored to welcome you to a powerful in-person experience designed for leaders, practitioners, parents, advocates, educators, community coalitions, child support professionals, child welfare teams, mental health providers, fatherhood practitioners, wellness champions, and all those committed to strengthening children, families, and communities. This is a place for learning, renewal, collaboration, visibility, and belonging.
At a time when many organizations, agencies, and family-serving systems are being asked to do more with less, HOPE 2027 is being intentionally designed to offer something deeply needed: practical insight, restorative energy, meaningful connection, health and mental wellness support, and strategies that can be carried back into real-world practice. We believe conferences should do more than inform. They should help people return stronger.
Throughout the week, attendees will experience a carefully designed blend of HOPE Talks, educational workshops, credential and deep-dive learning opportunities, wellness activations, networking experiences, resource engagement, and community-centered gatherings. Whether you are joining us for professional development, fresh ideas, coalition building, family strengthening practices, or personal renewal, this conference is being built to meet the moment.
What makes HOPE 2027 different?
It is not built around one kind of attendee or one kind of session.
It is built around a full experience—where inspiration, practice, wellness, authorship, coalition building, and resource discovery all have a meaningful place.
From fatherhood and men’s issues to child development, family strengthening, maternal and family mental health, community models of success, and system-level collaboration, HOPE 2027 will create room for voices, ideas, and strategies that move people and move the needle.
We are also carrying forward what attendees deeply valued: opportunities for wellness, restoration, and connection. HOPE 2027 will feature an expanded Oasis Wellness experience, including dedicated wellness programming, mental health and restoration-centered offerings, and spaces designed to help participants pause, breathe, refocus, and reconnect. We know that healthy communities are strengthened by healthy people.
In addition to dynamic sessions and general conference programming, HOPE 2027 will include intentional opportunities for networking, vendor engagement, Meet the Authors experiences, leadership connection, off-site gathering, and community-based celebration. We want every participant—whether new to our conference or returning again—to feel that there are multiple ways to belong, contribute, and benefit.
Flexible participation pathways are also being designed so attendees can choose the conference experience that best fits their goals, schedules, and budgets. As we continue shaping HOPE 2027, our aim is to make this gathering both elevated and accessible—without losing the depth, warmth, and excellence that have long defined the International Families & Fathers Conference.
This is more than a conference.
It is a shared investment in hope, health, leadership, families, fathers, children, and the communities that depend on all of us to keep building forward.
HOPE 2027 Conference Schedule — At a Glance
Built for stronger engagement, deeper connection, meaningful wellness, and practical learning, HOPE 2027 is designed as a full conference experience that brings together HOPE Talks, concurrent educational sessions, Oasis Wellness, networking, community-building, and resource engagement.
Every day is structured to help attendees gather, learn, recharge, connect, and remain involved throughout the full rhythm of the conference.
| Day | Time | Session / Activity | Location | Experience / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sunday
Apr 11
|
10:00 AM |
FFCA Team
FFCA Team Gathering
|
Second Floor | A dedicated arrival-day gathering for FFCA team coordination, preparation, and conference alignment. |
| 1:00 PM |
Wellness
Oasis Wellness Opens
|
Newport A | Arrival-day access for wellness, restoration, scheduled support offerings, and a calmer beginning to the conference journey. | |
| 4:30–7:30 PM |
Networking
Topgolf Get-Togethers
|
Topgolf El Segundo | A relaxed pre-conference gathering designed to help attendees connect early, build community, and begin the week with energy and belonging. | |
|
Monday
Apr 12
|
8:30 AM |
Opening Day
Coming Together
|
International Ballroom | A shared opening moment to welcome participants, set the tone, and launch the HOPE 2027 conference experience. |
| 9:00–10:00 AM |
HOPE Talks
Opening HOPE Talk Series
|
International Ballroom | A featured morning of inspiring talks designed to spark momentum, belonging, and practical insight from the very beginning. | |
| 10:15 AM–4:30 PM |
Deep Dive
Credential Trainings & Opening Intensive Learning Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | Specialized deep-dive learning experiences for participants seeking focused and advanced training. | |
| Throughout the Day |
Wellness
Oasis Wellness Open
|
Newport A | Wellness access continues with restorative offerings, mental health wellness support, and opportunities for personal renewal. | |
| 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Open to All
Grand Opening Reception Networking Event
|
Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall | Open to all conference attendees. This shared networking experience is designed to welcome participants into HOPE 2027 while allowing shared resource tables to join vendors and authors for connection, visibility, and community engagement. | |
|
Tuesday
Apr 13
|
8:30 AM |
Daily Opening
Coming Together
|
International Ballroom | Morning welcome, daily framing, and collective energy-building before the featured HOPE Talks begin. |
| 9:00–10:15 AM |
HOPE Talks
Featured Morning HOPE Talks
|
International Ballroom | Leadership-selected HOPE Talks designed to move hearts, elevate practice, and widen vision for families and communities. | |
| 10:15–10:30 AM |
Break
Networking & Resource Break
|
Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall | Coffee, connection, movement, and intentional traffic-building with vendors, sponsors, and resource partners. | |
| 10:30 AM–12:00 PM |
HOPE Talks
Featured Morning HOPE Talks Continue
|
International Ballroom | A continued series of concise and meaningful presentations before the midday general session experience. | |
| 12:00–1:00 PM |
Lunch General Session
Best Practice Share Session & Grab-and-Go Lunch
|
International Ballroom + Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall Flow | Short, high-value model-of-success spotlight shares followed by grab-and-go lunch and intentional networking movement into the vendor and resource area. | |
| Throughout the Day |
Wellness
Oasis Wellness Open
|
Newport A | Massage scheduling, restorative moments, mental health wellness offerings, and quiet renewal spaces available throughout the day. | |
| 1:15–2:15 PM |
Workshop Block 1
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | Focused learning sessions designed to stay concise, practical, and easier to absorb. | |
| 2:30–3:30 PM |
Workshop Block 2
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | A second afternoon learning block designed to maintain momentum without overloading participants. | |
| 3:45–4:45 PM |
Workshop Block 3
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | Late-afternoon sessions built to conclude with energy, clarity, and strong practical takeaway value. | |
| 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
Community
Men2Men Cafe and Women2Women Cafe
|
Community Gathering Spaces | Two intentional evening spaces designed for deeper conversation, reflection, healing, leadership, connection, and shared learning. | |
|
Wednesday
Apr 14
|
8:30 AM |
Daily Opening
Coming Together
|
International Ballroom | Daily connection, welcome, and orientation into the next HOPE 2027 learning experience. |
| 9:00–10:15 AM |
HOPE Talks
Featured Morning HOPE Talks
|
International Ballroom | A new day of featured talks centered on leadership, healing, innovation, and family-strengthening practice. | |
| 10:15–10:30 AM |
Break
Networking & Vendor Engagement Break
|
Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall | An intentional midpoint break designed to keep traffic flowing through the vendor and community engagement space. | |
| 10:30 AM–12:00 PM |
HOPE Talks
Featured Morning HOPE Talks Continue
|
International Ballroom | Additional HOPE Talks continue the rhythm of concise inspiration and real-world relevance. | |
| 12:00–1:00 PM |
Lunch General Session
Meet the Authors Panel & Grab-and-Go Lunch
|
International Ballroom + Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall Flow | A featured author panel experience that creates space for books, stories, insights, and engagement while keeping lunch active and relational. | |
| Throughout the Day |
Wellness
Oasis Wellness Open
|
Newport A | Wellness continues through scheduled massage opportunities, quiet restoration, and wellness-centered support experiences. | |
| 1:15–2:15 PM |
Workshop Block 1
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | High-value concurrent sessions designed for practical learning and balanced pacing. | |
| 2:30–3:30 PM |
Workshop Block 2
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | A second educational block that keeps the day moving with clarity and variety. | |
| 3:45–4:45 PM |
Workshop Block 3
Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | Final afternoon sessions that allow participants to close the day with strong, useful takeaways. | |
| 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM |
Evening Gathering
Evening Dinner Experience
|
Conference Ballroom | A shared evening gathering designed for connection, celebration, community, and meaningful time together. | |
|
Thursday
Apr 15
|
8:30 AM |
Daily Opening
Coming Together
|
International Ballroom | The final-day opening designed to bring participants together with focus, gratitude, and forward momentum. |
| 9:00–10:15 AM |
HOPE Talks
Closing Day HOPE Talks
|
International Ballroom | A final sequence of featured talks that inspire action, reflection, courage, and next-step leadership. | |
| 10:15–10:30 AM |
Break
Resource & Vendor Engagement Break
|
Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall | A structured opportunity to engage sponsors, exhibitors, and partner resources before midday programming. | |
| 10:30 AM–12:00 PM |
HOPE Talks
Closing Day HOPE Talks Continue
|
International Ballroom | Featured HOPE Talks continue before the closing wellness-centered lunch activation. | |
| 12:00–1:00 PM |
Oasis Wellness General Session
Tai Chi, Mindfulness & Grab-and-Go Lunch
|
International Ballroom | A featured wellness-centered midday experience designed to help attendees breathe, move, reset, and gather lunch with intention. | |
| Throughout the Day |
Wellness
Oasis Wellness Open
|
Newport A | The Wellness Oasis remains active with massage appointments, mental health wellness sessions, and restorative offerings through the closing day. | |
| 1:15–2:15 PM |
Workshop Block 1
Closing Day Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | Closing-day learning block designed to remain practical, manageable, and high in takeaway value. | |
| 2:30–3:30 PM |
Workshop Block 2
Closing Day Concurrent Educational Sessions
|
Second Floor Training Rooms | A final educational block with clear, contained timing and stronger end-of-day participation potential. | |
| Evening |
Closing Experience
Hollywood Bus Tour Networking Event
|
Off-Site Experience | A memorable closing networking experience that extends the conference spirit beyond the ballroom and into the city. |
Oasis Wellness at HOPE 2027
The Oasis Wellness experience is woven throughout the full conference journey from Sunday through Thursday and will be located in Newport A.
This year’s wellness vision includes restoration-centered programming, massage opportunities, mental health wellness sessions, mindfulness, and spaces intentionally designed to help participants breathe, reset, and return stronger to their work and purpose.
Thursday’s featured Oasis Wellness General Session in the International Ballroom will include Tai Chi, mindfulness, and grab-and-go lunch as part of the midday conference rhythm.
Why HOPE 2027 Matters Now
Across the nation, agencies, programs, schools, family-serving systems, and community organizations are being asked to do more with less. Funding pressures, staff fatigue, mental health strain, social disconnection, and increasing demands on families have changed the landscape. HOPE 2027 is being designed in response to that reality—not by shrinking the vision, but by making the conference more relevant, more restorative, more practical, and more human.
This is a conference for those who want more than information alone. It is for those seeking strategies, visibility, renewal, partnership, and a sense of shared purpose. It is being built to welcome both long-standing professionals and new voices who are ready to contribute, collaborate, and grow.
Built for This Moment
HOPE 2027 is designed to meet today’s realities with practical learning, emotionally intelligent leadership, and community-centered solutions that people can take back to their agencies, programs, families, and neighborhoods.
Designed to Attract New Participants
Through HOPE Talks, Best Practice Share Sessions, Meet the Authors opportunities, wellness-centered experiences, and stronger networking design, the conference creates more ways for new attendees to find value, belonging, and visibility.
More Than a Traditional Conference
This is not simply a sequence of workshops. It is an intentional experience that blends inspiration, models of success, wellness, community gathering, coalition-building, and practical action.
Stronger People, Stronger Systems
When professionals, parents, advocates, and leaders feel restored, informed, and connected, they return home better equipped to strengthen children, families, fathers, communities, and the systems that serve them.
The HOPE 2027 Experience
HOPE 2027 is being shaped around four major experience pillars so attendees can do more than sit in sessions. The goal is to create a conference that moves people, restores people, connects people, and equips people for the work ahead.
HOPE Talks
HOPE Talks are concise, high-impact presentations designed to inspire, challenge, and move people toward action. They bring energy to the day and create a distinct conference identity that feels modern, meaningful, and memorable.
Deep Learning & Educational Workshops
The conference remains deeply rooted in substance. Educational sessions will continue to highlight fatherhood, men’s issues, child development, maternal and family mental health, child support, child welfare, leadership, coalition work, and models of success.
Community, Authors, Vendors & Connection
HOPE 2027 creates room for relationship-building through the Pacific Ballroom Expo Hall, Best Practice Share Sessions, Meet the Authors opportunities, Coalition Café gatherings, vendor engagement, and meaningful networking throughout the week.
Oasis Wellness & Renewal
Wellness is not an afterthought. The Oasis Wellness experience in Newport A supports the whole person with restorative programming, mindfulness, massage, mental health wellness support, and intentional opportunities to pause and reset.
Who Should Attend HOPE 2027
HOPE 2027 is intentionally designed for a broad and diverse community of professionals, leaders, parents, advocates, educators, and partners who care deeply about children, families, fathers, wellness, and stronger communities.
Fatherhood & Men’s Engagement Professionals
Programs, practitioners, advocates, coaches, and leaders committed to strengthening fathers, men, and healthy family relationships.
Child Welfare, Child Support & Family Systems Professionals
Those working across systems to improve service coordination, engagement, equity, and long-term family outcomes.
Mental Health, Wellness & Healing-Centered Practitioners
Professionals and organizations focused on emotional health, restoration, trauma-informed work, and strengthening the well-being of families and communities.
Educators, Child Development & Early Childhood Leaders
Those committed to helping children thrive through stronger developmental practice, family partnership, and community support.
Community Coalitions, Nonprofits & Public Leaders
Coalition builders, organizers, executive leaders, and agencies looking to build stronger cross-sector partnerships and sustainable models of success.
Emerging Leaders, Authors & New Voices
Those ready to bring fresh insight, lived experience, bold ideas, and a purpose-driven presence into a welcoming national platform.
Flexible Ways to Participate
HOPE 2027 is being designed with flexibility in mind so individuals, teams, and organizations can choose the conference experience that best fits their goals, schedules, and budgets.
Conference Access Options
Flexible registration pathways will help participants choose between core conference access and expanded experience levels that may include lunch sessions, special gatherings, and signature opportunities.
Learning + Networking + Wellness
Attendees will be able to build an experience that includes HOPE Talks, educational workshops, Best Practice sessions, Meet the Authors programming, Expo Hall engagement, and Oasis Wellness.
Value for Individuals and Teams
Whether attending as an individual, a small team, a government agency, a nonprofit organization, or a coalition partner, HOPE 2027 is being structured to make participation more practical and more worthwhile.
Join Us for HOPE 2027
HOPE 2027 is being created as a place where people can gather with intention, reconnect with purpose, discover new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and return home with practical value for the work ahead.
Whether you come for fatherhood and men’s engagement, health and mental wellness, child development, child support, child welfare, family strengthening, educational leadership, coalition work, or community models of success, this conference is being designed to help you feel both equipped and restored.
We invite you to come not only to attend, but to belong, to learn, to share, and to build what comes next.