- Program Outcomes
- Program Agenda and Learning Platform Access
- Virtual Sessions and Calendar Holds
- Assessments
- Executive Coaching
- Learning Week: In-person Experience
- Travel and Hotel
- Questions?
Please read this entire page and follow the instructions within it.
Welcome to NextUp Leadership Edge for Directors and Senior Directors! Over the next three months, you’ll join a cohort of leaders committed to expanding their impact and strengthening their leadership capabilities.
This experience is designed to help you elevate your leadership impact, expand your perspective, strengthen strategic thinking, and enhance your ability to influence and drive meaningful outcomes across your organization.
Through immersive learning, peer dialogue, and insights from thought leaders and industry experts, you’ll explore new approaches to leading change, influencing across functions, and strengthening your leadership presence in complex environments.
Engage with a dynamic community of peers and leave with insights, confidence, and connections to accelerate your leadership trajectory.
Program Outcomes
Participants will:
- Craft a personalized leadership roadmap that aligns enterprise aspirations with professional goals and next-level readiness.
- Expand from functional expertise to enterprise thinking, strengthening strategic, organization-wide perspective.
- Strengthen core leadership capabilities including communication, adaptability, strategic thinking, and coaching.
- Lead diverse, high-performing teams at scale by leveraging emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership practices.
- Enhance executive presence and influence, positioning themselves for impact with senior stakeholders.
- Learn alongside executives and industry experts, gaining insight into how leaders navigate uncertainty, transformation, and growth.
What to Expect
Leadership Edge includes both virtual and in-person learning experiences, and participation in both components is required.
This year, the three-day in-person session will take place alongside the Rising Stars program during NextUp Learning Week. While Leadership Edge participants will follow their own dedicated development track, both programs will come together for select networking experiences, providing opportunities to broaden perspectives and foster meaningful connections with leaders across roles, functions, and organizations.
See the program agenda below for an overview of the experience.
| Assessments and NovoEd | Date |
| Program Access (NovoEd) (Email will come from noreply-leadership_edge_2026@novoed.com) | Friday, April 24 |
| EQ 2.0 Leadership Assessment Link & Instructions (Email will come from noreply@mhs.com) | Tuesday, May 5 – Sunday, May 17 |
| Hogan Assessment Links & Instructions (Email will come from support@hoganassessments.com) | Tuesday, May 5 – Sunday, May 17 |
| EQ Assessment Results to participants | Tuesday, May 19 |
| Hogan Results sent from your coach | 24-48 hours ahead of coaching session 1 of 3 |
| Full Program Agenda | Date | Time |
| Program Orientation | Tuesday, May 5 | 11:00 – 12:00 PM ET |
| EQ Assessment Debrief | Thursday, May 21 | 11:00 – 12:30 PM ET |
| 1:1 Coaching – Session 1/3 | June 1-12 | Schedule with your Coach |
| Learning Week: Leadership Edge In-Person Experience | Tuesday, June 16 – Thursday, June 18 | |
| 1:1 Coaching – Session 2/3 | June 22-30 | Schedule with your Coach |
| Building Your #BadAss Brand Part 2 & Program Close | Tuesday, June 30 | 11:00 – 12:30 PM ET |
| 1:1 Coaching Session 3/3 | July 13-17 | Schedule with your Coach |
Program Access and Learning Platform: NovoEd
You will receive a “Welcome to NextUp Leadership Edge for Directors & Sr. Directors!” email from NovoEd, our learning platform, sent from: noreply-leadership_edge_2026@novoed.com on April 24, 2026.
NovoEd is your central hub for the program journey. Within the platform, you’ll access program content, key resources, discussion boards, and direct links to virtual sessions, all in one convenient space. The platform also provides opportunities to engage with peers and build meaningful connections throughout the program.
Virtual Sessions and Calendar Holds
We understand that calendars tend to fill up quickly, and planning is vital. Please take a moment to click on the link provided below to download the .ics file for all virtual program events and add them to your calendar. See program agenda above for virtual program dates and times.
You can download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Alternatively, each virtual session can be accessed with the following meeting information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://newonline-org.zoom.us/j/85143660581
Meeting ID: 851 4366 0581
One tap mobile
+12063379723,,85143660581# US (Seattle)
8884754499,,85143660581# US Toll-free
Sessions
Program Orientation (60 minutes)
Welcome to the program! In this session, you’ll get an overview of the learning journey, understand key expectations, and see how to make the most of each session.
EQ Assessment Debrief (90 minutes)
Explore your EQ assessment results and discover how these insights can boost your leadership effectiveness and workplace interactions.
Brand Presentation & Program Close (90 minutes)
Present your branded one-pager, receive facilitator feedback, and reflect on your progress as you wrap up the program with next steps for continued growth.
Note: All virtual sessions are live Zoom calls and will be recorded. Be sure to download the .ics file above to add these sessions to your calendar.
Assessments
You’ll receive both a Hogan and an EQ 360 assessment to guide you through your next key steps.
EQ 2.0 Leadership Assessment
On Tuesday, May 5, you’ll receive an email from noreply@mhs.com with a link to take the EQ 360 assessment. The results will be sent to your assigned coach. The results will be sent to you on May 19 by 5:00 PM ET.
Hogan Assessment
On Tuesday, May 5, you’ll receive an email from support@hoganassessments.com with a link to take the Hogan assessment. The results will be sent to your assigned coach and shared with you 24-48 hours before your first executive coaching session.
Executive Coaching
You will receive three one-on-one 50-minute executive coaching sessions to fast-track your development. Your coach will receive the results from both of your assessments to ensure your conversations are targeted and useful. Please work directly with your coach to schedule your one-on-one sessions within the given time frames. There will be more information to come on your coach assignment.
- Coaching Session 1/3: June 1 – June 12
- Coaching Session 2/3: June 22 – June 30
- Coaching Session 3/3: July 13 – July 17
NextUp Learning Week: In-Person Experience
Over three days, you’ll engage in sessions dedicated to strategic leadership, risk-ready approaches, and visionary and effective leadership. This immersive experience includes insights from executive leaders, reflective exercises, and networking opportunities.
- In-person program dates: June 16-18
- Program Registration Desk Opens: 12:00 PM CT, June 16
- Program Open: 12:00 PM CT, June 16
- Program Close: 12:00 PM CT, June 18
Hotel Room Reservation Advisory
Due to high demand, the hotel room block has limited availability. We strongly recommend booking your accommodations as soon as you register to secure the discounted room rate.
If your preferred dates are unavailable online, please book the available nights to lock in the reduced rate and then contact the hotel at (817) 778-1000 to adjust your reservation, subject to availability.
If you plan to attend in person but do not need overnight accommodations, please email learning@nextupisnow.org.
Hotel rooms within the discounted block are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be reserved until May 25, 2026.
Hotel Blocks and Location
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051, US
Know Before You Go
Dress Code
Daily Dress Code
The suggested dress code for our in-person event is business casual with comfortable shoes. You are encouraged to dress comfortably for the dinner and networking reception.
Given Dallas/Grapevine, TX average temperatures in June, ranging from 74 degrees to 93 degrees, we recommend dressing appropriately to accommodate potential changes in weather or temperature. Be prepared for air-conditioned rooms, and various program activities.
Hotel & Spa Activities: Bring a suit and flip flops or workout clothes and sneakers if you’d like to take advantage of the pool, gym, and spa.
June 16 Reception Dress Code: Help Us Decorate the Room!
Your outfit is part of the décor tonight. Choose the style that best reflects your networking personality:
- Introverts: Solid colors (any color!) You enjoy meaningful one-on-one conversations and thoughtful connections.
- Ambiverts: Geometric patterns (stripes, checks, polka dots, etc.) You easily shift between group conversations and smaller, deeper chats – sometimes based on your mood.
- Extroverts: Bold prints (floral, animal, abstract, and anything that makes a statement!) You thrive on lively conversations and meeting lots of new people.
- Not sure? Wear Denim, networking styles are flexible, and there’s no personality police at the door.
Each table will feature a mix of colors, patterns, and personalities, because the best networking spaces are full of variety. Let’s turn the room into a vibrant mosaic of connection!
P.S. Your style choice will play a role later… details revealed in the room.
Travel Details
Recommended Arrival and Departure Information:
We suggest arriving on June 16 no later than 12 PM, as the in-person program begins at 2:00 PM. The in-person program concludes on June 18 at 12 PM, and we recommend staying until the end of the conference for the full program experience.
The airport nearest the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport [DFW].
The resort estimates travel times at 10 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. For more information on distances and location, see the hotel website.
Check-In Time
The check-in time at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is 4:00 PM. Although the hotel will strive to have rooms ready upon arrival, this cannot be guaranteed. If your room is not ready, the Gaylord Bell Stand will gladly hold your luggage.
Meals
Meals during the in-person experience include:
- June 16: Snacks and Dinner
- June 17: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- June 18: Breakfast and Snacks
Note: Participants are responsible for all other meals.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at learning@nextupisnow.org.
We look forward to meeting you on May 5th!
