ACCOLADES

2025 BOOST CONFERENCE ACCOLADES

BOOST is by far the most educational and impactful conference that I attend each year. It’s not just focused on out-of-school time, it focuses on connection, the whole child, and community!

Attending the BOOST Conference was a truly transformative experience. From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by passionate, like-minded professionals all committed to making a difference in the lives of youth. The workshops were not only informative but also deeply inspiring, and the energy throughout the event was contagious. BOOST reminded me why I do this work and reignited my commitment to out-of-school time programs. I walked away with new tools, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you, BOOST, for creating a space where educators and leaders can grow, connect, and thrive.

This is the go-to conference for our industry. You gotta go. All the major providers, CA DOE, County Offices of Ed, and Statewide Intermediaries, are there!

BOOST is one conference you cannot miss.  Whether you are an administrator, program director, staff member, new to BOOST, or a long-term BOOSTer, you will always gain new ideas, find new products, and find others with the same challenges.  It is the place to be if you manage programs.  BOOST is the best of the best when it comes to conferences.

I love how organized the conference always is. 

BOOST 2025 = MAGIC- My heart is SO full! I’m beyond grateful for the people, the energy, the creativity, and the incredible connections I made in Palm Springs this week. 💛 Huge love to the @boostcollaborative team for creating this space where joy and purpose collide. Thank you. 🙏

Attending the BOOST Conference was an incredibly inspiring and energizing experience. The sessions were not only informative and relevant, but also deeply motivating. I left feeling more connected to the out-of-school time community and equipped with fresh ideas, strategies, and resources to elevate our programs. BOOST truly reaffirmed my passion for youth development and the vital work we do every day.

BOOST is a basic necessity for all staff levels!

After BOOST, I am always rejuvenated and re-inspired to be the best OST Professional for my kids, my team, and my program! Proud BOOSTER! Thank you, everyone!

Great venue and good vibes. Came curious, left inspired- BOOST Conference lived up to its name in every way.

The @boostcollaborative conference was the perfect way to end April and the best way to start May. Tia Quinn is an exemplary leader and community builder, and this is what authenticity, welcoming, and support looks, feels, and sounds like. I will forever be thankful for the community that took me in and gave me life when I was at my lowest (and when many forgot about me when I was no longer useful- okay that’s it that’s all ima say! I’m not mad! lol) Presenting this year on the great things Utah is doing with school improvement and family engagement was 🎇 life giving!

BOOST is a fun, informative conference in a beautiful location. Would highly recommend.

BOOST is an afterschool program in action!

You really provide a great experience for attendees, ensuring to meet all needs/considerations with detailed planning and opportunities for networking. Really great exhibitors too!

BOOSTed & Blessed. Y’all didn’t just attend—you showed up for yourselves and for each other. In both sessions, we didn’t just talk—we built. We didn’t just learn—we healed. A real, raw, and authentic community was formed. People weren’t just present, they were seen. They weren’t just heard—they were held. Between the deep dialogue, the unexpected side conversations, and the intentional connections, I walked away full. Like soul-full. This wasn’t just networking, this was net-worthing—people adding value to each other’s lives in real-time.

The bees knees of conferences - Top tier conference, worth every penny! 

This was my first time attending the BOOST conference, and I can definitely say I WILL be coming back. Not only did I get to network with others, but I created a closer bond with my colleagues. We call each other BOOSTIES now! Thank you, BOOST 2025, for an amazing experience.

The BOOST conference is a one-stop shop for professional development, engaging ideas, vendor exploration, and opportunities to learn from like-minded people. It is a great week.

The BOOST conference was a great way to connect with others like myself in our field and left me empowered to go back and do more hard work for the kids in our program!

My goal has always been to create a space where people can show up whole and honest, and this year, that dream breathed life into the desert.
Huge shoutout to Tia Quinn and the entire BOOST Leadership Team for orchestrating something truly magical. There’s nothing like BOOST. Period.
As I pack up and head home, I’m taking every laugh, every tear, every truth shared, and every name remembered with me.
This isn’t goodbye—it’s a charged-up “see you soon.”

The BOOST conference was educational and inspiring.

Attending the BOOST Conference was a transformative experience. The workshops were rich with innovative strategies, the energy was inspiring, and the networking opportunities allowed me to connect with passionate professionals from across the country. I left feeling empowered, recharged, and ready to bring fresh ideas back to my program.

BOOST was phenomenal!

Amazing conference that has helped to inspire me, along with key steps to consider moving forward. All of the sessions I attended offered something so different and yet were so thought-provoking. Can not wait to attend again!

BOOST is an amazing opportunity for professional development, gaining valuable information, and getting to experience positive connections and building community in a large scale.

Great opportunity to build new relationships and solidify old relationships!

I’d like to share my experience at the BOOST Conference that captures the heart of it all. BOOST lit a fire in my spirit—reminding me that real power lives in community, connection, and showing up fully. Sitting beside purpose-driven people, sharing our stories and hearts, I felt seen, inspired, and called to lead with bold transparency and love—unapologetically human. 

This conference is a must for anyone in the expanded learning field. You WILL walk away with new contacts, new ideas, new information, and a deeper connection with the folks you already know in this work.

Fantastic conference. It is always organized, with great vendors, informative sessions, and so much fun. It's like a "choose your own adventure" conference.

This conference was a fun way to learn a lot of new things to share with the students and staff at our organization, as well as learn about the many product options available.

The BOOST Conference in Palm Springs was an incredible experience! 🌴✨

As a general education teacher, I really thought it provided lots of great insights I can use in my classroom.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time attending the BOOST conference this year. Thank you for all you do for the OST field!

Great venue and good vibes.

BOOST is a dynamic refilling of the well so all of us in the field of youth development can go out and make the world better for children for another year. I always love to come and be a part of the BOOST family.

We had the opportunity to connect with passionate educators and professionals working in after school and expanded learning programs. Huge thanks to everyone we met — BOOST truly showcased the power of community and collaboration. We’re proud to be part of this movement.

An incredible gathering of incredible youth workers - the energy, excitement, and passion for youth is awe-inspiring!

This was a great conference.  The smiles, networking, and knowledge were wonderful.

Educational, well-rounded, and inspiring conference. Always walk away feeling empowered to continue the work we do and be innovative.

Thank you for such a beautiful job providing the perfect balance of work, team building, and play!

The BOOST Conference is unlike any other—it's a vibrant, energizing space where innovation, equity, and community come together. I left feeling more connected, inspired, and equipped with actionable tools to better serve youth in my programs. Every session, every hallway conversation, reminded me why this work matters.

I love attending BOOST, meeting new people, and getting new ideas.

BOOST gives you a sense of comfort and community. When you are here, you are exactly where you belong!

BOOST is an opportunity to meet and network with like-minded and like-hearted individuals whose main goal in life is to provide quality programming and everlasting experiences to youth all across the nation, it fills my heart to know that there are a lot of us on this crusade to ensure that youth receive proper attention, care, and development.

Great conference! Seriously, the location, the emphasis on wellness, and the field trips were all great.

My first year at BOOST and my biggest takeaway is when at the conference, it felt like unity, welcoming, and networking. I very much enjoyed the main hall and workshops. The BOOST Conference was an incredible opportunity to network with other youth program leaders and gain practical strategies I can use back at my site.

The conference was informative, engaging, beneficial, and tailored towards helping and improving our youth.

My favorite conference!

It was a great network to expand my resources and learn from other people how they run programs. Also gave us time to work out improving ourselves.

An eye-opening experience, inspiring and thought-provoking! Looking forward to next year!

A fully packed week of insightful workshops and useful takeaways for anyone working with youth. A must-attend conference for youth-serving organizations!

I was very pleased with the kindness and professionalism of all of the BOOST staff, exhibitors, authors, speakers, fellow attendees, and educators.

BOOST was a transformative experience. It opened doors to conversations with colleagues I had never interacted with before, and I discovered shared interests and challenges that built new connections. Engaging with people from different agencies helped me gain a broader understanding of OST Programming. I encourage future attendees to approach BOOST with openness and curiosity—there’s so much to gain from being willing to learn, connect, and grow through new experiences.

BOOST Team rocks and makes people feel so welcomed!

My favorite conference to attend every year! I enjoy the various tracks for administrative/manager-level workshops! Other conferences struggle to offer workshops in alignment with my current position, so I enjoy coming to BOOST specifically for the workshops!

Shout out to everyone who makes this possible!

BOOST is always an incredible experience! The insights we gain and share with our staff and ultimately bring into our clubs are truly invaluable. Thank you, BOOST!

This was my first BOOST Conference. I am registering for the next one immediately!

We had an amazing time connecting with others who share the love and support of children! It was amazing to be with others who share the same passion for children.  To learn and collaborate.  Thank you for that opportunity!

BOOST makes you feel like you’re not alone, and being around like-minded people gives you that "BOOST" to come back and be better, do better, FEEL BETTER about the work you do.

The BOOST team is TOPDRAWER!!  The customer service is the best, and the things learned in this space are out of this world.  It is more of a gathering than just a conference.

I feel honored that I got to join the conference and look forward to it next year.

I’m incredibly grateful to Tia Quinn and the entire BOOST Collaborative team for cultivating intentional spaces for growth, reflection, and radical connection.

BOOST is an incredible venue for networking & learn about different ways to expand the after school & camp learning experience. There's lots to do, can't wait for next year!

I enjoyed this conference thoroughly. It exceeded my expectations!

I've attended the BOOST Conference for many years, and each time I always learn something new! I'm left feeling energized and motivated to take these new ideas back to my family literacy program!

This was my first opportunity to attend the BOOST Conference. Overall, the conference exceeded my expectations. Simply, the positive energy throughout the entire conference...workshops, exhibitors, Keynote speakers, fireside chat, and attendees...was enlightening and inspiring. Looking forward to BOOST Conference 2026!

I cannot stop talking about my attendance at the BOOST Conference.  This was my first year attending, and it was purpose reaffirming for me!  I learned so much, made many new connections with others, bonded with my team, and truly enjoyed myself.  The week I got back, I implemented what I learned into my team meetings and plan to reach out to different motivational speakers and organizations for PD opportunities in my program.  If you work for any before or after school program, and/or camp, attending the BOOST conference is an absolute must!  I plan to go every year!

I LOVE BOOST! BOOST re-energizes me each year, and I come back not only with new information to inform strategies and programs, but a deeper connection to the work!

I have been telling OST folks to attend for a long time! It's the best conference!

Such an amazing time and new experience for me, I was so excited to share with my team back home, and I want them all to attend next year!

BOOST fills your cup up! You will feel empowered and refreshed and proud to work in OST with a desire to continue the work at the best of your ability!

Every time I attend BOOST, I come back to my program rejuvenated and re-inspired to be the best OST Professional I can be for the children and families I serve, as well as my team and my program as a whole.

I loved seeing my staff step out of their comfort zone as we were around "our people".  They were able to see the big picture: OST as a meaningful career, not just a job.

I learned so many new ideas, new approaches, new projects, and new ways of working effectively with young children. I will continue to use the resources from the BOOST CAFE to share with my after school staff. The information I received from the exhibitors, authors, speakers, and fellow attendees is such a valuable tool for the future of our after school program!

I was super happy with all the information I received from this conference. The presenters were all fabulous with high energy and knowledge.  I met some wonderful people, and I am excited to start implementing what I learned into our programs.

BOOST is an amazing opportunity for professional development, gaining valuable information, and getting to experience positive connections and building community on a large scale.

An essential conference for connecting with other Out of School Time leaders and practitioners.

BOOST exceeded expectations!!!

Grateful to Tia, her staff, and the countless volunteers who put this amazing conference together and run it! It's thrilling to see how much it has grown over the years.

WOW- BOOST is THE place to be for ALL educators!

The BOOST Conference is always a fun, engaging, and energizing learning experience! Not to be missed if you are in the Out of School Time field.

I always leave this conference with my cup full. I love coming to this conference and hearing from different groups and ideas. This conference is laid out in a way that is easy to follow and keeps you engaged. Tia and the whole team really put their whole heart into making this the best conference around!

Thanks, always a great time and fantastic resources.

I love the wide range of activities throughout the day.  There is always something going on to attend and network with others.

Exceeded Expectations!!!

The diversity of presenters and topics is AWESOME!

I was able to room host and pick some really great workshops this year. This really boosted my takeaway from the event and gave me more tools to excite and encourage my staff to grow and have more fun with the students.

The 2025 BOOST event was very well planned out with a combination of informative events and great teambuilding activities, exactly what our students need.

You all do such a great job putting this event together. BOOST is like Disney Land for educators!

Great motivating conference. Our team left pumped!

BOOST is so empowering to learn about what makes our programs special and what we can do to better our programs and the children in them.

BOOST provided me with an invaluable space to connect with peers and changemakers in the field. As a Site Coordinator, I often feel isolated and disconnected from peer support. Having a space away from the daily stresses of site operations allowed me to create supportive connections founded on a spirit of collaboration. These connections allowed me to return to my site feeling less alone and with a rejuvenated sense of belonging. I feel capable to continue doing the work, not just for the students and families I serve, but also to create sustainable change for the next generation of Site Coordinators.