Join this historic Filipino American Event – NaFFAA’s 16th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) on August 14-15, 2026, at Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center in Aurora, CO. Co-hosted by NaFFAA Rocky Mountain Region, this landmark event will bring together Filipino American leaders from across the nation for two days of inspiration, empowerment, and community building. Hear from visionary speakers, participate in dynamic activities, and connect with fellow trailblazers dedicated to making a difference.
Let’s celebrate our heritage, honor our history, and shape the future – together!
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Presenting Sponsor and Community Partners
If your organization or business is interested in being a sponsor or partner, please email joshua.ang.price@naffaa.org
National Empowerment Conference Agenda
“Harnessing The Power of Community: Starting With Us”
Join this historic Filipino American Event – NaFFAA’s 16th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) on August 14-15, 2026, at Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center in Aurora, CO. Co-hosted by NaFFAA Rocky Mountain Region, this landmark event will bring together Filipino American leaders from across the nation for two days of inspiration, empowerment, and community building. Hear from visionary speakers, participate in dynamic activities, and connect with fellow trailblazers dedicated to making a difference.
What Awaits You at the 2026 NEC in Colorado:
- Visionary Insights: Hear from trailblazing speakers who are redefining Filipino influence in government, tech, healthcare, and grassroots advocacy.
- Strategic Empowerment: Participate in dynamic, high-stakes workshops designed to move you from inspiration to measurable action.
- The Power of Connection: Forge lifelong partnerships with fellow leaders and youth change-makers dedicated to the “Bayanihan” spirit.
Let’s celebrate our heritage, honor our history, and shape the future – together!
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Before the first gavel falls and the formal sessions begin, we gather for a day dedicated to the most essential element of our movement: each other. The Pre-Conference Day is a space designed for the “Global Pinoy” to land, exhale, and reconnect. Whether you are a veteran leader who has met a thousand times or a first-time attendee stepping into the circle for the first time, this day is your opportunity to build the relational “social capital” that makes our collective work possible. It is a day of Kumustahan (meaningful catching up), strategic networking, and official preparation.
Friday, August 14, 2026
Day 1 of the National Empowerment Conference (NEC) is primarily a deep dive into the collective spirit. The “I” to explore the transformative power of “We” will be featured throughout the day, as we examine how local and global networks serve as the primary engines for social progress, economic resilience, and emotional support. Expect every session in our program to be more than just a lecture; they are blueprints for impact. Each speaker and workshop will showcase real-world success, feature lived examples of communities that have solved systemic problems through grassroots organizing, and deconstruct the “How” and help bridge the gap between theory to practice, giving you the tools to mobilize your own circles.
Topics Covered: On each day NaFFAA covers topics within its four pillars of advocacy, leadership development, civic engagement and advancing Filipino culture. On the first day of the NEC we will cover topics such as the community’s interest in information about the impact of midterm elections, the power of coalitions and show examples of how other communities have found success.
8:40 AM – 9:00 AM Opening Keynote
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Concurrent Sessions
12:05 PM – 12:25 PM General Session
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Networking Lunch
1:35 PM – 3:30 PM Concurrent Sessions
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Merienda and Networking Break
3:50 PM – 4:10 PM General Session
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Concurrent Sessions
5:20 PM – 5:40 PM General Session
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM End of Day Reception
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Day 2 is an examination of the art and science of the individual working in tandem with established groups. We are moving away from the idea of the “lone hero” and toward the “strategic partner.” Real, lasting social change doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens at the intersection of individual passion and organizational scale. As community leaders, we will learn how to position ourselves to be the “connective tissue” between different groups and our community. Drawing on the cultural depth of Pakikisama (the ability to get along with others) and Malasakit (selfless concern), we will look at how the individual Filipino can bridge cultural and interpersonal divides, infuse values into systems and mobilize external resources.
On each day NaFFAA covers topics within its four pillars of advocacy, leadership development, civic engagement and advancing Filipino culture. On the second day of the NEC we will cover topics such as the individual’s potential impact in our community, developing our young leaders and sessions to enrich our leaders’ competencies in leading organizations.
8:35 AM – 8:55 AM General Session
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Concurrent Sessions
12:05 PM – 12:25 PM General Session
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Networking Lunch
1:35 PM – 3:30 PM Concurrent Sessions
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Merienda and Networking Break
3:50 PM – 4:10 PM General Session
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM Concurrent Sessions + Trustees Voting
5:20 PM – 5:40 PM General Session
Awards Gala, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – To conclude our journey from individual action to collective power, attendees are invited to an evening of reflection, elegance, and profound gratitude. The Bayanihan Gala serves as the definitive bookend to our conference—a night where the strategies we’ve discussed and the connections we’ve made transition into a celebration of real-world excellence.
Agenda is subject to change. Last updated February 14, 2026.
