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You’re invited to attend in Norfolk, VA!
The annual National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our collaborative efforts in enhancing training and organizational development within human services, leveraging our national membership network. This event is jointly hosted by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and its affinity group, the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA).
This year’s education conference will be hosted at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. Stay tuned for a finalized agenda. We can’t wait to see you there!
Registration is Opening Soon!
Why Attend
The NSDTA Education Conference brings together workforce development experts to connect, learn, and exchange best practices. It is designed to support trainers, facilitators, and researchers in the human services sector, empowering them to shape the future of human services programs through collaboration, integration, and modernization. The conference also guides effective methods for monitoring organizational development.
Justification for Travel Request
The letter outlines the necessity of the proposed travel to attend the 2025 National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Education Conference, emphasizing how it will contribute to your team’s goals and foster valuable connections. It also details the expected benefits, ensuring alignment with your agency’s overall strategy and return on investment.
Agenda
The 2025 Agenda-At-A-Glance, providing an overview of this year’s sessions and speakers, is now available for download.
(Latest update, Version 2)
Speakers & Session Highlights
Stay tuned to see which fantastic speakers will be featured at this year’s 2025 NSDTA Education Conference. Please keep visiting this page for updates!
Monday, October 6th
Opening General Session | Leading with Civility: The Secret Power of Phenomenal Leaders
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Will Moreland
President, Moreland Training and Associates
Phenomenal leaders don’t lead with pressure, they lead with purpose, integrity, and intentional respect. In this powerful session, Dr. Will Moreland reveals how civility isn’t just a character trait, it’s the secret power behind lasting influence, high-performing teams, and a thriving workplace culture. Discover why civility is the new competitive advantage and how embracing it can elevate your leadership from effective to exceptional.
Tuesday, October 7th
General Session | Don’t Burn Your Cake
Keynote Speaker: Rashad Hayes, LMSW
PhD Student, CEO of Shad & Associates LLC
In this inspiring and transformational keynote, Don’t Burn Your Cake®, audiences will be challenged and empowered to take control of their personal and professional lives with intentionality, resilience, and purpose. Drawing from the CAKE Method: Continue to Learn, Always Love Yourself, Know Your Worth, and Enjoy Your Life, this session serves up a powerful recipe for self-discovery and success. Rashad will instill a culture of resilience that empowers individuals and organizations to thrive by preventing burnout, acknowledging adversity, and cultivating sustainable practices for personal and professional success.
Hotel & Travel
The host hotel for the NSDTA Education Conference is the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. The venue is in a culturally vibrant region of Norfolk and features inspiring views of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, and the Elizabeth River.
The hotel also boasts an eclectic restaurant, well-appointed rooms, and 17 impressive event sites. Attractions such as Norfolk Naval Base, Town Point Park, and Old Dominion University are nearby. Outside the hotel, Norfolk is a hub for intriguing sightseeing and entertainment, featuring attractions such as Nauticus and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
NOTE: APHSA experiences sold-out hotel block reservations for our events. We encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible!
Hotel Block & Room Rates
APHSA negotiated a block of rooms for our attendees. Booking inside the association block ensures that APHSA meets its contractual obligations.
Please use the secure links below to book your hotel rooms before Saturday, September 6, 2025, to secure the negotiated rates.
Run of House Rates:
$175 per room, per night, applicable 15% state and local taxes.
Additional Information
Use of Debit Cards
When an individual uses a bank debit card to pay for their hotel room, the hotel may secure all funds for the entire reservation at check-in, plus a small daily fee for incidentals.
Cancellation Policy
You are responsible for canceling your hotel reservation. It must occur 72 hours before arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax penalty charge.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions about the house and meeting arrangements, please contact:
Maurine Jones, Senior Meetings Manager.
ALERT: Beware of Housing Pirates
- Beware of housing pirates trying to represent that they have rooms available. APHSA does not have contracts with outside firms to book housing for any of our events. Always book directly from the event site to ensure you are securing a room within the APHSA-negotiated hotel.
Travel & Transportation Information
The closest airport is Norfolk International Airport (ORF), located 10 miles from our host hotel.
NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.
Arrive by Car
Self-parking: $25 per day
Valet parking: $35 per day
Arrive by Taxi or Rideshare Services
Estimated rates:
$23-34 Uber; $22-28 Lyft
Arrive by Mass Transportation
Explore Norfolk Resources
Be sure to explore the charming local attractions and hidden gems of Norfolk during the conference for a delightful blend of work and leisure.
NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.
Show Your Badge Discounts
Visit Norfolk offers local discounts to conference attendees who present their badge, along with this flyer, either digitally or in printed form.
View PDF of Discounts
Norfolk Dining
With a vibrant mix of owner-operated restaurants, breweries, and food trucks, reflecting the city’s diverse culinary scene. An interactive map is available, allowing you to filter by location and cuisine.
View Interactive Map
Downtown Norfolk Council
There are many unique things to do and experience in Downtown Norfolk! Gathered into one convenient place, check out what’s all happening in Downtown Norfolk while in town for the conference.
Learn More About the Downtown Area
Resources Page
Discover vacation deals and guidance on attractions and restaurants in Norfolk, VA. Download the city guide for maps and inspiration, or contact their visitor center for any questions.
Learn More About Norfolk
VisitNorfolk Blog
This blog is written and curated by VisitNorfolk staff, connecting visitors to our city through a local’s perspective on all the hidden gems, main attractions, and the best places to enjoy food.
Read Norfolk’s Blog
Destination Experience
VisitNorfolk has a dedicated Destination Experiences team available to support your team with planning and execution. Have a manager assist you and serve as your city liaison. Discover how their team can help you create a memorable experience!
Learn More
Registration Now Open
To register, you must sign in using the email associated with your APHSA profile. If you do not have a profile, you must create one. Contact our Member Services team if you have questions about your registration profile.
If you have other questions about registration, please direct those requests to our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis.
Please make a note:
- Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization is responsible for paying the registration fees. Any unpaid registration fees must be paid before arrival at the conference unless a valid purchase order is on file to guarantee payment. If your agency is paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.
2025 Registration Fees
Below are this year’s registration fees, payment information, and cancellation policies. Register before Friday, September 5, for the early bird savings!
2025 Registration Fees | Before September 5 | After September 5 |
---|---|---|
Government Member: Full Conference | $875.00 | $975.00 |
Government Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $975.00 | $1,075.00 |
Government Non-Member: Full Conference | $1,100.00 | $1,200.00 |
Government Non-Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $1,200.00 | $1,300.00 |
Private Sector Member: Full Conference | $930.00 | $1,030.00 |
Private Sector Non-Member: Full Conference | $1,155.00 | $1,255.00 |
One Day: Sunday | $610.00 | $710.00 |
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $710.00 | $810.00 |
One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $810.00 | $910.00 |
Students: Full Conference | $200.00 | $250.00 |
Guests (receptions and meals only) | $395.00 | $395.00 |
2025 Sponsor Registration Fees | Before July 31 | After July 31 |
---|---|---|
Sponsor Personnel Registrations | $895.00 | $995.00 |
Additional Information
During registration, you must provide a cell phone number and email address. The event team will use your phone number to send event updates via push notifications. This number will not be shared with any other parties.
Group Discount: 4+ Participants
Bring your team of four or more and receive a $25 discount per registration!
To obtain the registration discount code and detailed information, please use NSDTA25 as the discount code. Note: Discounts do not apply to additional sponsor personnel passes, as the price of additional sponsor passes has already been reduced.
Payment Information
All registration fees must be paid at the time of registration with a credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) or an accompanying Purchase Order number on file with APHSA before the start of the conference. If you are paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.
Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization will be responsible for paying the registration fees.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be received in writing by Friday, September 5, 2025. No refunds will be available after this date. We will not accept cancellation requests by telephone. A $150 cancellation fee for pre-paid registrations and those invoiced on a purchase order will be assessed. All refunds are processed after the conference. Registration fees for attendees who do not show will not be waived or refunded. Please note that your agency is responsible for paying any fees, even if you don’t attend the conference. You are responsible for canceling your registration and any hotel reservation in accordance with the cancellation policy.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Email our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis. Please allow 24 hours for a response during business days, Monday–Friday. Emails received on Saturday or Sunday will be responded to by the end of the day the following business day.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
APHSA conferences are underwritten in part by Strategic Industry Partners.
2025 All-Conference Sponsors
2025 NSDTA Sponsors
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