Description

Get ready for 2026 with Next in Direct!

This year’s 2026 Next in Direct Workshop is designed to give attendees practical strategies to strengthen board engagement and communication. Through a dynamic keynote, interactive discussions, and two focused sessions, participants will walk away with actionable ideas rooted in real-world experiences.

• Keynote Highlight: The workshop will open with an inspiring keynote address that sets the stage for the afternoon. Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on leadership, storytelling, and board engagement, leaving them energized and ready to dive into interactive sessions.
• Session 1 will explore how to manage and communicate upwards, plus diagnostics to understand what resonates with your board.
• Session 2 will focus on using data to tell a compelling story – identifying the right metrics, demonstrating ROI, and creating value propositions that win board support.

Each session includes a roundtable activity, offering participants the chance to collaborate, share experiences, and learn from peers, with a table leader guiding the discussion.

A special highlight of this year’s program will be the passing of the DMAW gavel from Karin Kirchoff, President, K2D Strategies to Joanne Wilson, Vice President, Advancement Operations, Humane World for Animals recognizing their leadership and continued dedication to advancing the direct marketing community.

Throughout the workshop, attendees will enjoy charcuterie boards and drinks!

Why You Should Attend
If you're ready to elevate how you engage and communicate with your board, the 2026 Next in Direct Workshop is designed for you. This workshop goes beyond theory, giving you the tools and confidence to influence decision-makers, tell stories that inspire, and use data in ways that truly resonate. You'll be energized by a keynote that redefines leadership and storytelling, challenged by interactive sessions that take the real issues you face with your board, and empowered through roundtable conversations that connect you with peers who share you challenges and perspectives. Add in networking over charcuterie boards and drinks, and the meaningful moment of DMAW's gavel passing, and you have more than just a workshop – you have a chance to sharpen your skills, expand your network, and step into your next level of leadership.

Who Should Attend?
The 2026 Next in Direct Workshop is designed for nonprofit and association professionals who engage with their boards and want to strengthen how they communicate and drive alignment. Fundraising leaders, marketing and communications professionals, and data or strategy staff will gain practical tools for presenting stories and metrics that resonate. Executive leaders and emerging professionals preparing for board-facing roles, as well as consultants and partners who advise nonprofits, will also benefit from the program’s actionable takeaways, peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on strategies.

Register Now!

Interested in partnering with DMAW on Next in Direct?
Click here to learn more and let us know!

Registration Rates
Corporate Member - $85
Nonprofit Member - $0
Corporate Nonmember - $95
Nonprofit Nonmember - $45
YDMAW Member - $45

CONSENT TO USE IMAGES AND RECORDINGS

Media Release: By registering, you grant the Direct Marketing Association of Washington permission to photograph, video/audio record, and use your image and likeness in DMAW publications, promotions, and other media. You understand that DMAW has exclusive rights to these visual and audio recordings.

Photographs, videos, and recordings may be taken at the event for use on the DMAW website, print collateral, press, future marketing materials, and social media. By attending this event, you consent to DMAW photographing, taking video, and using your image and likeness.

If you prefer not to have your information shared, please opt out by submitting a written request to programs@dmaw.org.