Keynote, first speakers set for Northern Colorado Workforce Symposium

Published on August 10, 2026

Attendees listen to a speaker during the Northern Colorado Workforce Symposium

The Weld County Workforce Center and Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development are partnering once again to bring together workforce leaders for the Northern Colorado Workforce Symposium on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Aims Community College Welcome Center in Greeley. The annual event provides employers, educators, industry leaders, and workforce professionals with practical tools and insights to address hiring, retention, and leadership challenges across the region.

This year’s keynote speaker, Edgar Papke, Founder and CEO of True Alignment, will encourage attendees to rethink how leadership and organizational culture work together. Papke is an author, management consultant, leadership coach, and award-winning speaker whose work helps organizations build aligned, high‑performing cultures.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to choose from a diverse lineup of breakout sessions, including:

  • “Beyond AI Literacy: How to Identify Real AI Capability” presented by Hope Hartman, Colorado SBDC serving Larimer County. Employers will learn how to identify genuine AI skills and separate meaningful capabilities from resume buzzwords.
  • “The Pocket: Why the Best Teams Sound Like a Great Band” presented by Stu Crair, Digital Workshop Center. An interactive session demonstrating how alignment and communication shape effective teams through a rhythmic, music‑based approach.
  • “The Coach Approach to Leadership (aka what Ted Lasso can teach you about keeping your best people)” presented by Nick Armstrong, WTF Coaching. A coaching‑centered leadership framework focused on curiosity, meaningful conversations, and effective strategies for retaining top talent.

With a dozen breakout sessions spanning workforce and leadership topics, the full‑day event offers insightful discussions, hands‑on learning, and actionable strategies employers can use right away. These interactive sessions create valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and connection with regional partners who are working to strengthen Northern Colorado’s talent pipeline.

Tickets are $55, and are on sale now through Sept. 8, or until they sell out. All tickets include refreshments and lunch. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit www.weld.gov/go/nocoworkforcesymposium.

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