Rising Stars 2026

About the event

General Attendee and Observer Registration – NOW OPEN!

Program dates

Virtual: April 29 – July 16, 2026

In-person Learning Intensive (attendance required): June 16 – 18, 2026 

Registration Fee

Regular Rate: $3,695 per person 

Last Chance Rate: $4,095 per person 

Observer Rate*: $1,595 per person 

NextUp Rising Stars trains tomorrow's leaders by increasing self-awareness, building leadership skills, and expanding business networks. Based on the NextUp Career Accelerator Model TM, each participant registration includes: a customized 360 assessment; a three-day, in-person learning event; group coaching sessions before, during and after the event and two coaching sessions with an executive coach. 

 Ideal for high-potential individual contributors and early/midlevel leaders, this program uses straightforward feedback and practical learning to expand participants’ leadership capacity, give them the tools to succeed in mid-career positions, and promote career advancement. 

Ideal for high-potential individual contributors and early/midlevel leaders, this program uses straightforward feedback and practical learning to expand participants’ leadership capacity, give them the tools to succeed in mid-career positions, and promote career advancement. 

*Observers will meet before the conference with the NextUp Learning and Development team, including Karen Jones, VP of Learning and Partner Solutions, to discuss how the program is built, and are invited to attend our in-person segment at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, June 16th – 18th. You will observe NextUp coaching, discussion, assessment, group learning, and networking and learn why these are core components of the NextUp leadership learning model. At the event, you will also have access to special networking opportunities with other HR and L&D leaders.  

Observers should be L&D or HR professionals interested in learning more about how NextUp curates our learning experiences. Only by experiencing Rising Stars for yourself can you witness how cross-industry learning cohorts like ours offer a completely unique learning experience for up-and-coming leaders! 

Register Now! – Use passcode: 26Observer 

Hotel:

Hotel room blocks fill quickly, and limited rooms are available until May 25th! Be sure to reserve your room as soon as possible to avoid any issues securing accommodations. If the dates you need are not available to book, please book the days that the website shows are available so that you can get the reduced room rate, then call the hotel at (1) 817-778-1000 to adjust your reservation (subject to availability). If you are attending in person but do not require a sleeping room, please contact us learning@nextupisnow.org.

You must use the link below to reserve your room at the reduced Rising Stars rate. 

Hotel Location 

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center 

1501 Gaylord Trail Grapevine, TX 76051, US 

 https://book.passkey.com/go/NextUp2026 

Rising Stars Purchase, Refund, and Transfer Policies*  

Individual purchase Refund and Cancelation:

Refunds are determined by how far in advance you cancel your registration. To cancel, log in to your NextUp Online account, go to My Event Registrations, select your event, and click Cancel.

• 60+ Days Before Event: 100% refund, less a $250 administrative fee
• 30–59 Days Before Event: 50% refund, less a $250 administrative fee*
• Fewer Than 29 Days: No refunds

*In lieu of a refund and/or administrative fee, a transfer is available for a $50 fee. If the program cost is less than the administrative fee, no refund will be given. 

Partner Purchase Codes: 

Your organization will receive an invoice for the codes based on when the request for the code was made. 

Ex. You requested 50 codes on 1/6/25. You will get an invoice for 25 codes at the Regular Rate. You request 10 codes on 5/2/25. You will be billed for 10 codes at the Last Chance Rate. Billing rates and dates are listed below.  

Billing rates and dates are as follows: 

1/6/25 – 4/30/25 Regular Rate $3695  

5/1/25 – 5/7/25 Last Chance Rate $4095  

All invoice inquiries should be sent to invoice@nextupisnow.org  

Transfers

You may transfer your registration to another member of your organization up to three days before the event, provided your learning platform account has not been activated. Transfers require NextUp approval.Request a transferhere.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory 

NextUp takes the safety of our community very seriously. This is especially the case during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Learn more about the adjustments we have made or considerations around our planned in-person events.