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 practical walkthrough of the FTC registration application: what is new, how to use it, and common pitfalls coaches run into. Includes a live demo so attendees can see the system in action before their next event cycle.
Part of a three-session series demystifying the judging process, this installment focuses on FRC. A look behind the curtain at how judges evaluate teams, what is consistent across regions, and what mentors can do to authentically prepare students for interviews, documentation, and awards.
Strategies and lessons learned for moving students from FLL into FTC. Covers the timing, the skills gap to plan for, communication with parents and feeder schools, and the structural decisions that make the pipeline work consistently.
Practical guidance on running an FTC summer program for students new to the program — recruiting, structuring the weeks, what to teach, and how to set up rookies for a strong fall season. Aimed at coaches considering a summer offering or looking to improve an existing one.
