Welcome to GEARED UP 2026: Mentor Conference! Join us at James Madison University’s Festival Conference & Student Center in Harrisonburg, VA, for two days of learning, connection, and community.
You power 10,000+ students across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. This day is built for YOU. Whether you’re a rookie coach launching your first team or a 20-year veteran looking for fresh ideas, you’ll find sessions, workshops, and conversations designed to sharpen your skills and recharge your passion.
Proudly presented by Aramco Americas. See you in Harrisonburg.
A working deep dive on FRC season planning: attendees build their own season calendar, set milestones, and assign roles during the session. The most consistently requested FRC topic nationally — bring your laptop and leave with a concrete plan.
An offsite hands-on session at the JMU XLabs university maker space: tool use training, shop safety protocols, and practical experience with equipment most teams cannot access locally. Unique to this conference; capacity is limited by the host facility's safety requirements.
Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT Grand Ballroom A (400)1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
A deep dive on building a team that outlasts any individual mentor: succession planning, institutional knowledge transfer, mentor recruiting pipelines, and team identity that survives departures. For mentors thinking three to five years ahead.
An offsite hands-on session at the JMU XLabs university maker space (extended block): tool use training, shop safety protocols, and practical experience with equipment most teams cannot access locally. Capacity is limited by the host facility's safety requirements.
Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT Grand Ballroom A (400)1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
