States for the future: a data driven policy network

Federal Policy Updates with Bipartisan Policy Center - Virtual Community Discussion
2025-04-30 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Hear about the latest in Federal policy updates from the Bipartisan Policy Center at our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion on Wednesday, April 30 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT. Rachel B. Snyderman, BPC’s Managing Director of Economic Policy, will discuss how changes in funding and fiscal policy at the Federal level could impact state services, programming, and budgets. Our conversation will cover focus areas for many organizations in our network, including education and health.
Click here to register and join us on April 30.

States for the Future Annual Convening - November 4-6, 2025
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-06 | Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown, 920 Division St, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Join us for the annual States for the Future Convening in Nashville, Tennessee on November 4-6, 2025.
RSVP here (deadline extended to October 10)
Connect (and re-connect) with your counterparts in other states
The States for the Future convening will be an opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with like-minded organizations that are leading policy conversations in their state with data and research. Building on the success of our two annual convenings in 2023 and 2024, our agenda will provide ample opportunities to learn how organizations similar to your own overcome challenges, engage their community, and inspire data-driven policy that positively impacts their state.
Agenda highlights include:

Navigating policy topics as non-partisan organizations
Building good data products
Engaging in the policymaking process
Storytelling and communicating with data
Getting smarter on key policy topics like education, housing, childcare, infrastructure, water and more

More detailed session information, including a full program agenda, will be provided in the coming months.
Who should attend?
This event provides a rare opportunity to connect with and learn alongside fellow experts and practitioners from across the country who share your commitment to data and research in advancing long term solutions to the many challenges states face.
To create opportunities for organizational and state ecosystem planning, we encourage you to share this invitation with a cross-section of colleagues from within and outside of your organization, such as:

Senior leadership in communications, policy, data, and programming at your organization
Key stakeholders from philanthropy, research community, and the business community in your state

Event logistics
As was in the case in prior years, there is no registration fee for this conference and SFF will cover all meals on site. This year, participants will be responsible for their own lodging and travel to the meeting. By completing the registration form, a hotel room will be reserved for you at the Canopy; there is no need to contact the hotel separately. SFF has secured a group rate of $299 (plus taxes and fees) per night for hotel rooms. Participants will pay for lodging when they arrive at the hotel.
Hotel rooms are available to meeting attendees on the nights of Tuesday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 5. Sessions will begin the morning of November 5 and end midday on November 6. We encourage out-of-town guests to arrive on Tuesday, November 4 in order to take full advantage of our sessions together.
We will host a dinner the evening of November 4 for anyone whose travel itinerary enables them to join (more details forthcoming).
Limited travel and/or lodging assistance is available for those for whom these costs would otherwise prohibit attendance. Please email info@statesforthefuture.org for more information.
About our location
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Canopy by Hilton Nashville Downtown (920 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203) is in the heart of the city and offers close proximity to many of the area’s attractions.
RSVP information
To secure a room as a part of our hotel room block, participants must RSVP by extended deadline of October 10. Complete the registration form below to reserve your space at the convening and lodging accommodations.
RSVP here (deadline extended to October 10)

Taking America's Pulse, One State at a Time: Insights from the State of the Nation Project and Potential Partnerships
2025-11-19 11:00 - 12:00
Join States for the Future on Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT for our next Virtual Community Discussion exploring the State of the Nation Project, an innovative initiative analyzing key data and trends shaping America’s future from The Murphy Institute at Tulane University. Our presenter, Dr. Douglas Harris, will describe how this project was developed and how this research provides actionable insights for policymakers and civic leaders working to build stronger, more resilient states. Dr. Harris will also preview a series of upcoming state-focused data profiles, and discuss the potential for state partnerships.
CLICK HERE to register!

AI and State Data: Understanding the Risks and Rewards with the Data Integration Support Center
2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:00
Are you exploring how your state government can use AI in productive, responsible ways? Or is your state already advancing major AI initiatives and grappling with questions around accountability, governance, and best practices? Join States for the Future for our next Virtual Community Discussion featuring experts from the Data Integration Support Center (DISC) on Wednesday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT. Together, we’ll dig into how states can leverage AI and data innovation effectively, responsibly, and in service of the public good. Register below and come ready to discuss how data-driven tools can accelerate progress in your state—and the critical role state-based advocates can play in shaping this fast-evolving landscape.

Click Here to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jppl2Mr5QHaSUjrBEfxfiw

A Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Modernizing the Federal Statistical System: Insights from State and Local Leaders
2026-03-11 11:00 - 12:30
The U.S. federal statistical system plays a central role in shaping evidence-based policy development, critical public and private sector decisions, and the efficient functioning of government and society. The challenges that the system faces are not new, but increased attention in Washington on efficiency may further test statistical units across the government. The Bipartisan Policy Center recently launched Data for the Future, an initiative to modernize and support the federal statistical system to ensure it serves the interests of the American public.
States for the Future is co-hosting this 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion with the Bipartisan Policy Center on Wednesday, March 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT. Here we will explore how the federal statistical system supports subnational governance, identify emerging challenges, and generate recommendations to improve its coordination, sustainability, and value for state and local decisionmakers.
Click Here to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/x0zaQjfFT_mBAM_TmRy6wQ

Data-Driven Approaches to Public Safety
2026-04-23 14:00 - 15:00
Our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion will be jointly presented with the Governmental Research Association’s Researcher Council, scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT.
Join us as we feature the Birmingham-Jefferson County Justice Governance Partnership (BJC-JGP), a program of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA). The BJC-JGP is a cross-sector initiative working to improve justice outcomes in Jefferson County by fostering collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and residents. Terrika Shaw, Director of Community Justice Research at PARCA ,will share how the partnership is using cross-sector collaboration and neighborhood-level data to inform policy, align resources, and advance more equitable outcomes in Birmingham and Jefferson County.
CLICK HERE to add this event to your calendar.

A Nation at Work: Building a Stronger, Future-Ready Workforce
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:00
What does the future of work look like for American workers, and what role can states play in shaping it? We hope you will join our next States for the Future Virtual Community Discussion on May 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT, featuring the Bipartisan Policy Center’s latest work on strengthening America’s workforce. Experts from BPC will spotlight insights from the Commission on the American Workforce and the newly released report, A Nation at Work, exploring practical, bipartisan solutions to today’s labor challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts and peers on what it will take to build a more resilient, future-ready workforce.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Data Centers & State Policy: Governance Strategies and Policy Insights | June 18 Virtual Community Discussion
2026-06-18 13:00 - 14:00
Join Us!
As data centers rapidly expand across the country, states are grappling with big questions about energy demand, water use, economic opportunity, and land use, and the policies needed to manage it all. Join Texas 2036 and States for the Future on June 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT for Data Centers & State Policy: Governance Strategies and Policy Insights, a virtual discussion featuring Sen. Thomas Pressly (Louisiana Senate), Lesley Jantarasami (Smart Electric Power Alliance), Kathryn Kline Tyndall (Bipartisan Policy Center), and Jeremy Mazur (Texas 2036). Don’t miss this timely conversation on how states are turning challenge into opportunity!
REGISTER HERE

Governmental Research Association and States for the Future Joint Annual Conference | July 19-22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-22
States for the Future is excited to co-host the 2026 Annual Conference with the Governmental Research Association (GRA), taking place July 19–22, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. This collaboration brings together two networks representing states with nearly 80% of the US population for a unique opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen our impact in states.
Our nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026 invites reflection and action. It is an opportunity to examine the pressing issues facing our country and to consider the role organizations like the members of GRA and SFF play in shaping a stronger, more effective future for the states we serve.
Full details will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, we welcome your ideas on topics and experiences that would be helpful to your work. And if you have a session proposal or work you would like to showcase, we’d love to hear about that too. Let us know at info@statesforthefuture.org.
We encourage you, your colleagues, and your state partners to join us in Chicago for what promises to be a dynamic and impactful convening. Those in the SFF network qualify for the GRA Member Rate so be sure to register using the link below and secure your lodging early. A hotel reservation link within the conference room block is available on the registration page.
We look forward to convening, collaborating, and charting the future together.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
