Building a World Where Young People Thrive

Vanguard partnered with the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work, Innovations Institute to produce the 2025 Training Institutes at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC — a biennial gathering of nearly 2,000 leaders and experts working to transform public systems for children, youth and families.

Our team produced all aspects of the event’s three general sessions, from keynote speaker research and outreach to on-site production and stage management. We secured an impressive lineup of thought leaders, including former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital CEO Kim R. Ford, NAMI Associate Medical Director Dr. Christine Crawford, and Sesame Workshop Senior Vice President Dr. Jeanette Betancourt — who delighted attendees with a surprise appearance by Cookie Monster.

Vanguard also handled VIP coordination, program scripting and real-time problem-solving to ensure a seamless experience. Working closely with Innovations Institute leadership, we delivered dynamic sessions that informed, inspired and energized attendees.