2024 National Conference: The Meeting of the Profession
NASW’s 2024 national conference drew about 1,500 people to Washington, D.C., with another 900 people joining the event virtually. The conference — “Social Work: Leading Social Change” — offered attendees the latest information on a variety of topics important to social workers, including suicide prevention, climate change, addiction, racism, domestic violence, and gender-affirming care.
A Juneteenth celebration helped to kick off the four-day event on June 19, with performances by jazz vocalist Hannah Carter and Cirque Zuma Zuma. Each day included keynote and plenary presentations as well as breakout sessions. An exhibit hall, poster presentations, a film festival, and several networking events gave conference goers additional opportunities to meet and talk with peers. NASW and Foundation national award recipients were recognized and celebrated throughout the conference.
As NASW President Yvonne Chase said, “The conference plenary speakers were inspiring and the workshops were informational, but the networking during breaks and in the exhibit hall was amazing. The human bond that unites us in the social work profession is obvious.”