Registration Open for Future of Work Summit
Aug 31, 2026, 2:40 PM
South Sound Business
Originally published on South Sound Business.
The Thurston County Chamber is hosting the 2026 Future of Work Summit at Lacey’s Saint Martin’s University in October.
The summit is designed for business owners, executives, human-resource professionals, educators, workforce-development organizations, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials, according to a press release.
This year’s event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 14. Tickets are $85.
This year’s theme is “Work, Redefined: Building a Workforce in a World That Keeps Changing.” Throughout the day, attendees will also hear from employers who have created their own workforce solutions through training pipelines, upskilling, and partnerships.
The summit will culminate with a keynote by Jasmine Donovan, president and CEO of Dick’s Drive-In. While Dick’s may be best known for burgers, it has also built a reputation for investing in wages, healthcare, childcare support, scholarships, and advancement opportunities, including a promotion-from-within model in which every store manager begins as a crew member. Among its workforce investments, a childcare program has achieved a 94% retention rate among participants, according to the press release announcing the event.
“The conversation has shifted,” said David Schaffert, president and CEO of the Thurston County Chamber, in the release. “Today’s employers aren’t just asking where they’ll find their next employee; they’re asking how work itself is changing and what that means for their organizations. This summit is designed to bring business, education, workforce, and community leaders together to explore practical solutions that help our region stay competitive.”
To register or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit here.
