Raising the Bar 2026: Three Days of Workforce Connection & Collaboration in Baltimore
The GrantReady team recently spent an unforgettable week in Baltimore attending the Maryland Workforce Association's Raising the Bar 2026 Conference.
Over three days, team members Sebastian Arguez, Jessica Gray, Graciela Malave Gonzalez, and Kate Weis joined workforce, education, and training professionals from across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore new opportunities to support the workforce development community.
Kicking Off the Week at Camden Yards
The excitement began before the conference officially got underway. Following the pre-conference, our team kicked things off by hosting a Welcome Reception at Camden Yards, where attendees gathered to enjoy an evening of networking, great conversation, and baseball.
As the Baltimore Orioles took on the Toronto Blue Jays, conference attendees connected with peers, shared insights, and built new relationships in a relaxed setting outside the conference environment. The Orioles added to the excitement with a memorable victory powered by three home runs, making for a perfect start to the week.
We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces and meet new colleagues from across the region. Events like these remind us that some of the most valuable conference conversations happen outside of meeting rooms.
Meaningful Conversations and Practical Solutions
Once the conference began, our focus shifted to learning and collaboration. Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to engage with workforce development leaders, educators, and training professionals who are dedicated to creating opportunities for job seekers and supporting local businesses to strengthen their communities.
One significant highlight of the conference was our GrantReady demo led by Graciela Malave Gonzalez and Kate Weis. The demo showcased how workforce organizations can reduce their time spent navigating complex grant requirements and administrative tasks, and focus more energy on delivering impactful programs and serving the people who rely on them.
The conversations we had throughout the conference reinforced a common theme: workforce organizations are continually seeking ways to maximize their impact while managing limited resources. It was inspiring to hear about the cutting-edge work happening across the region and to explore how innovative technology solutions can help support those efforts.
A Conference Close to Home
As a Maryland-based company, participating in and sponsoring Raising the Bar 2026 was especially meaningful to our team. The passion, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by attendees was truly energizing.
We left Baltimore with new ideas, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Most importantly, we were reminded of the incredible work being done every day to support workers, youth, employers, and communities throughout Maryland and beyond.
A heartfelt thank you to the Maryland Workforce Association for hosting this outstanding conference and creating a space for meaningful collaboration. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the coming months and are excited to see everyone again next year.
