WORK OF FRED ROGERS
A CROSS-CONTEXT CONFERENCE ON FRED’S LEGACY IN ACTION TODAY
July 8th - 9th 2026 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania
We are officially sold out! Registration is now closed for this conference.
Honoring a Legacy, Inspiring Today’s Helpers
Registration Information
Wednesday, July 8th: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday, July 9th: 8:00am - 4:30 pm
We are officially sold out!
Registration is now closed for this conference.
The cost is $350 for a two-day ticket to the Work of Fred Rogers Conference. This includes:
Access to all keynote and conference presentations
Coffee service and lunch both days
Invitation to Neighborhood Social
Time to explore the Fred Rogers Exhibit
2026 Agendas
Explore the full Day One and Day Two Agendas below and meet the presenters who will be leading this year’s sessions. Our lineup includes educators, therapists, coaches, directors, and specialists from a wide range of fields, all sharing insights on topics impacting children and the adults who support them.
Please print or download the Day One and Day Two agendas in advance, as printed copies will not be provided at the conference.
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
We are thrilled to showcase an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers at our Work of Fred Rogers Conference this year.
Michelle Figlar
Executive Director of the Birmingham Foundation and Fred Rogers Institute McGinley Fellow
Michelle Figlar began her career as an early childhood teacher and now serves as executive director of the Birmingham Foundation in Pittsburgh. She has held senior leadership roles shaping statewide early childhood policy and practice, including vice president of learning at The Heinz Endowments, deputy secretary of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and executive director of the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children. Michelle serves on several boards—including the Milton Hershey School and Trust, Allies for Children, and Fred Rogers Productions, where she is board chair—and is a postdoctoral fellow at the Fred Rogers Institute with degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Kent State University, and Vanderbilt University.
Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and the library’s number one fan (according to himself, admittedly). He was raised in his local library as a home-school kid, and got his first library card at the age of five. He got his first library job as a library shelver at the library he grew up in and worked his way up to become Supervising Librarian of that very same library.
He is the author of I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, published by Random House Children’s Books and illustrated by Lorraine Nam. He is proud to be Resident Librarian for PBS and PBS Kids. He still cannot fathom that he is the host of the revival of Reading Rainbow.
Mychal Threets
Librarian and Host of Reading Rainbow
Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you for considering sponsorship of the Work of Fred Conference! The conference welcomes over 200 individuals from across the country to Fred Rogers’ hometown of Latrobe, PA to learn and share about the application of Fred’s legacy to work with children and families today. Your support of the conference will be acknowledged in conference materials and across our social media networks, reaching nearly 200,000 followers.
Please contact us at info@fredrogersinstitute.org to secure your sponsorship.
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Cost: $10,000
Recognition: “Presented by [Sponsor Name]” in all conference materials.
Prime Branding: Logo prominently displayed on digital schedule and Fred Rogers Institute and conference website.
Social Media Mention: Dedicated pre-event and post-event thank-you mentions across all FRI social platforms.
Digital Promotion: Recognition in pre-event email blasts and in the post-event wrap-up email to attendees.
Post-Event Report: Sponsor metrics provided, highlighting engagement and visibility achieved.
Complimentary Registrations: 5 passes.
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Cost: $5,000
Recognition: Acknowledgment with branding on buffet tables and verbal recognition during the lunch break.
Event Materials: Logo included in the conference program, signage, and conference website.
Social Media Mention: Featured thank-you post on FRI social media
Complimentary Registrations: 2 passes.
Two opportunities available.
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Cost: $3,000
Recognition: Acknowledgment with branding on buffet tables and verbal recognition during the social.
Event Materials: Logo included in the conference program, signage, and conference website.
Social Media Mention: Featured thank-you post on FRI social media.
Complimentary Registrations: 2 passes.
One opportunity available.
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Cost: $1,500
Recognition: Acknowledgment with branding on buffet tables and verbal recognition during the morning welcome session.
Event Materials: Logo included in the conference program, signage, and conference website.
Social Media Mention: Featured thank-you post on FRI social media.
Complimentary Registrations: 1 pass.
Two opportunities available.
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Cost: $500 minimum
Recognition: Acknowledgment with branding in conference materials and verbal acknowledgment during a general session
Event Materials: Logo included in the conference program, signage, and conference website.
Social Media Mention: Featured thank-you post on FRI social media.
Continuing Education Credits
Act 48 credit will be available to Pennsylvania educators who present at or attend the Work of Fred Rogers Conference. All attendees will receive Certificates of Attendance that can often be applied to CEU credit in other states.
Travel Details
The Work of Fred Rogers conference will be hosted at the Fred Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College.
How do I get there?
The closest airport to the conference venue is Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Additionally, attendees may opt to travel by train, bus, or car, with easy access to campus.
How can I get around?
We highly recommend a rental car, as there is limited access to public transportation or ride-sharing services. Please note that the FRI is not responsible for coordinating your transportation.
Road Closures
Beginning July 10, 2026, the I-376 Parkway East will be closed for construction. To avoid potential delays and detours, we strongly recommend returning to Pittsburgh on July 9.
Book A Local Hotel
Hampton Inn Latrobe (1.7 miles away from event): Please call at 724-539-0400 and mention the Work of Fred conference. Attendees may also reserve a room by clicking the button below! Rooms are $187.59 per night (taxes included). Reservations received after June 21, 2026 will be provided on a space available basis.
Springhill Suites Pittsburgh Latrobe (1.7 miles away from event): Please call at 724-537-7800 and mention the Work of Fred conference. Attendees may also reserve a room by clicking the button below! Rooms are $161.00 per night (taxes not included). Reservations received after June 7, 2026 will be provided on a space available basis.
Latrobe, PA
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is famously the birthplace of the banana split, invented in 1904 by pharmacist David Strickler at a local pharmacy. The town is also the home of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers summer training camp, the birthplace of Fred Rogers, and the hometown of legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.
“It was one of the best conferences I have been to. It was very impactful and enjoyable.”
— 2025 Work of Fred Rogers Attendee
Refund Policy
Please note that the refund window has closed.
Refunds for event tickets can be requested up until 30 days before the scheduled event date. No refunds will be issued within 30 days of the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this policy. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Still Have Questions?
Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can to answer any questions you many have.
Thank You!
Thank you to all of our current sponsors who are making this event possible!
Please contact us at info@fredrogersinstitute.org to secure your sponsorship.
