Home | - 2026 Open Forum: NxGen

Join NNPHI’s National Coordinating Center for Public Health Training in lively Nashville, Tennessee, August 24th – 26th, 2026 for our annual public health workforce development event: Open Forum: Next Generation.

This year’s conference theme – Grounded in Purpose, Growing Our impact – acknowledges that now is the time to tend to our public health workforce. The next generation of leaders in our field must be deeply rooted in our collective purpose to strengthen local and state health systems and equipped to grow the reach and effectiveness of public health practice in an ever-changing world. Open Forum offers an intentional space for new public health professionals, emerging leaders, and seasoned practitioners to come together for collaborative reflection, learning, and strategizing for a robust public health future.

Open Forum: Next Generation (Open Forum: NxGen), hosted by the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), is the premiere public health performance improvement conference fostering meaningful connections, facilitating knowledge exchange, and amplifying voices across the public health career journey. With a collaborative atmosphere, the conference offers creative and engaging opportunities for new public health workforce professionals, emerging leaders, and seasoned practitioners to learn, share, and innovate together to drive transformative impact through network-building, workforce development, and best practice modernization.

Find inspiration by connecting with passionate public health practitioners dedicated to driving meaningful change in our field. Whether you're just starting your public health career journey or have years of practical experience, Open Forum: NxGen is your annual opportunity to grow in the community. Our immersive event offers a welcoming environment and forward-thinking agenda, featuring:

Interactive workshops and engaging sessions from public health workforce members and leaders nationwide. Check out this year’s tracks:
- Advancing a Culture of Performance and Quality Improvement
- Growing and Uplifting the Public Health Workforce
- Modernizing Data Practice for Today’s Digital Landscape
- Navigating Public Health Challenges in a Changing World
- Strengthening Infrastructure for Public Health Success
Innovative activities including lightning talks, unconference sessions, roundtables, and more!
Impactful opportunities to network and create meaningful mentorship connections.
Inspiring ways to celebrate the champions in our field with an award ceremony, poster reception, and plenary sessions.

Join the Mentor-Mentee Collaboration Event, Monday, August 24th | During this Open Forum: NxGen hallmark activity, attendees will be thoughtfully matched to create a tailored mentor-mentee experience with the potential to build meaningful connections that last beyond the conference.
Celebrate the Cultivators in Our Field | Join us in celebrating the emerging and storied public health folks who are inspiring innovation for the future.
Show off Your Style! | We love to play with the idea of professionalism and encourage Open Forum attendees to show up authentically! Please pack your suitcase for:
- Suits & Sneakers Day, Tuesday, August 25th: bring your favorite and flyest sneakers to wear with your business casual and show this field what public health style looks like!
Inspired by Nashville's iconic Dolly Parton and her Reading Rainbow book sharing charity, we will be hosting a little free Public Health and Leadership Library at Open Forum! Bring a book or two that have been collecting dust on your shelf and take one home to continue your learning! We encourage you to bring books on any of the following topics related to Open Forum and this year's theme: Public Health, Leadership, Empowerment, Community Voice, Self Care, & more!

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