October 13–14, 2026 | Spartanburg Marriott | Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Southeast's Premier Talent Conference
Find, build, and keep the talent your organization needs.
The Upstate Talent Forum brings CEOs, business leaders, educators, and workforce innovators together to discuss the talent issues shaping the Southeast — and explore the strategies, partnerships, and ideas that can move organizations forward.
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Why Attend?
Practical ideas you can put to work.
The Upstate Talent Forum brings leaders from business, education, government, and workforce development together to explore practical solutions for building the workforce the Southeast needs next.
Meet the decision-makers
Connect with CEOs, university leaders, major employers, workforce executives, and regional decision-makers tackling many of the same talent challenges as your organization.
Leave with what works
Explore practical approaches to recruitment, retention, skills development, K–12 and higher-education partnerships, workforce participation, and emerging talent challenges.
Recruit talent on site
Connect with employers and emerging talent through the Global Career Fair, held during the Forum on Wednesday, October 14.
Success Story
Proof this room works.
USC Upstate’s Industrial Engineering program traces back to conversations between employers and university leaders at the Upstate Talent Forum. What began as a discussion about a regional workforce need became an academic program designed to prepare graduates for the employers that need them. That’s what can happen when the right people are part of the same conversation.
Explore More
Resources from expert attendees.
CEO Insights
Executive perspectives on workforce strategy, leadership, and economic trends shaping the Southeast.
Industry Spotlight
Focused insights into key industries across the Southeast, highlighting workforce needs, trends, and opportunities.
Workforce Multiplier
Strategies and partnerships that strengthen talent pipelines and expand workforce impact across the region.
Who will be there?
Your peers. Your partners.
The people shaping what’s next.
The Upstate Talent Forum brings together senior leaders from organizations across the Southeast — including employers, higher-education institutions, economic-development organizations, chambers, government, and workforce partners.
Featured leaders are from organizations including BMW, Landrum, McMillan Pazdan Smith, Koch Foundation, GSP International Airport, SC Department of Education, and more.
You could be part of it, too.
Become a Sponsor
You’re not buying a logo. Sponsors sit at the center of the room where the region’s CEOs, chancellors, and workforce leaders spend two days — with a reserved table of 8 seats, recognition throughout the program, and your brand in front of the people who hire, train, and invest.
Presenting Sponsor
Featured Sponsors
Convening Partners
Patrons
Speakers
Hear from leaders shaping the future of talent.
Our speakers are nationally recognized experts and accomplished regional leaders working across workforce strategy, economic development, higher education, business, and talent pipelines. Here’s who will be speaking in 2026:
See a session you can’t miss?
Schedule
Forum at a glance
Tuesday, Oct. 13
8:00am | Registration & Networking Breakfast
8:30am | Welcome Remarks
9:00am | Opening Keynote & Sessions
12:00pm | Lunch & Featured Presentation
1:30pm | Afternoon Sessions
4:30pm | Closing Remarks and Reception
Wednesday, Oct. 14
8:00am | Registration & Networking Breakfast
8:30am | Welcome Remarks
9:00am | Keynote & Morning Sessions
12:00pm | Lunch & Featured Presentation
1:30pm | Closing Remarks