23-25
2 0 2 6
Tuesday
3:00-3:30 PM
3:30-4:30 PM
5:30-7:00 PM
The Opening Act: Welcome to Friendship University
Location: Meadow D, Third Floor
Join us before Friendship University begins for engaging activities and time to connect with co-workers
The Road to the Grand Ole Future
Location: Meadow D, Third Floor
Start Friendship University learning about our collective goals and the impact we are creating together
S P E A K E R S
CaryOmbres SeniorVicePresident,GlobalMissionImpact&Engagement
EmilyHunt
VicePresident,Programs
Buddy Bash on Broadway & Mission Moment
Location: Willow Pond, Third Floor
Start your Friendship University experience off with a fun and interactive mock Best Buddies Match Party! Grab a bite and a drink, enjoy music, and buddy up with colleagues.
S P E A K E R S
Brock Bordeau & Caleb Hollis Best Buddies Citizens, Nashville
Wednesday
3:30-4:00 PM
Snack Break
Location: Meadow Prefunction, Third Floor
Wednesday
4:00-5:00 PM
Three Sizes, One Sound: A Best Buddies Roundup
In this breakout, staff attendees will be grouped with others from states that are similar in size to discuss programs in your state, challenges, successes, and resources
Locations:
Meadow D, Third Floor FL, CA, MARI, TX, PA, NY
Willow Pond A, Third Floor VADC, TN, OH, NM, ME, MD, IN, IL, CT
Willow Pond B, Third Floor WI, WA, SC, NC, NV, NJ, NH, MO, MI, MN, IA, GA, CO, AZ, Expansion
F A C I L I T A T O R S
Blake Campbell Senior Director, Leadership
Amy Lenenfeld Deputy Director, e-Buddies
Heidi Kalinowski Senior Director, Transitions
Thursday
T h e m e : D E N I M o n D E N I M
9:00-9:15 AM
9:15-10:15 AM
10:15-11:30 AM
Breakfast on Your Own at Embassy Suites
Location: Harmony, Fourth Floor
Mission Moment
Location: Meadow D, Third Floor
S P E A K E R
Elise Cofer & Kara Jackson Best Buddies Citizens, Nashville
Leaders in the Stream
Location: Meadow D, Third Floor
S P E A K E R
Blake Campbell Senior Director, Leadership
Morgan VanDeBoe Director, Leadership
From Soundcheck to Showtime: Leadership Conference Prep
Location: Meadow D, Third Floor
S P E A K E R S
Natalie Seibert Senior Director, Friendship
Haley Brockway Director, Friendship
Kady Allen
Senior Program Manager, CT
Nichole Caicedo Senior Program Manager, FL
Avery Gilleland Senior Program Manager, TN
Lydia Goff
Lead Program Manager, MI
Olivia Steckman Senior Program Manager, PA
Nash VanBibber Program Manager, IA
Caroline Van Zant Program Manager, CA
Amber Yates Director, Programs, MD
Rosie Arbittier Director, Best Buddies Travel
Friendship Team
Blak Sen L
Nichole Caicedo Senior Program Manager, FL
Amber Yates Director, Programs, MD
Morgan VanDeBoe Director, Leadership
Caroline Van Zant Program Manager, CA
Liz Wolford Senior Director, Program Excellence & Impact
Heidi Kalinowski Senior Director, Transition Programs
Cary Ombres Senior VP, Global Mission Impact & Engagement
Emily Hunt Vice President, Programs
Natalie Seibert Senior Director, Friendship
Haley Brockway Director, Friendship
Amy Lenenfeld Deputy Director, e-Buddies
Olivia Steckman Senior Program Manager, PA
Coffee & Cocktails
Coffee
Elegy Coffee
(12 min walk from hotel)
Elixr Coffee
(7 min walk from hotel)
Surefire Coffee
(5 minute walk from hotel)
Parlor Doughnuts
(10 minute walk from hotel)
Upscale Cocktail Bars
LA Jackson
Rooftop vibes, ice cocktails (cheaper than places near Broadway)
The Patterson House
Nice Cocktail Bar
Harriet's Rooftop
Stylish rooftop cocktails
Pushing Daisies
Speakeasy Vibes
Pullman Standard
Best Espresso Martini
Honky Tonk Bars
Category 10
Off Broadway slightly, but has a great view of the Cumberland and east bank - has good food too!
ACME Feed & Seed
A classic! Leans country but also has a fun roof bar(also has great food and surprisingly sushi! would be a good dinner option too)
Ole Red
Blake Shelton’s bar
Whiskey Row
Dierks Bentley’s bar Roof is not country, more club/younger crowd
Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar
Rippy's
Tootsies Orchid Lounge
Famous for serving as the unofficial backstage "green room" for the nearby Ryman Auditorium Since 1960, it has functioned as a legendary career-launching pad and second home for country music icons like Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, and Kris Kristofferson
Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk & Steakhouse
Restaurants & Experiences
Assembly Food Hall
Multiple Nashville classic options
The Stillery
Casual Nashville favorite with hot chicken, pizza, burgers, and live music.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
One of the best nearby BBQ spots and an easy walk from the hotel.
Sixty Vines
Wine and great food!
Barcelona Wine Bar
Great shareable tapas and wine for groups Has more of a stylish, conversational dinner vibe
Adele’s
American/slightly southern food, shareable plates, and seasonal menus
Luogo
Italian with fresh pasta
Superica
Fun tex-mex and good for groups!
Two Hands
Australian cafe vibes, healthy options, n/a cocktails
Cafe Roze
Smaller, local, upscale cafe feel, a little bit more adventurous of a menu, N/A beer and wine limited options
Puckett's Restaurant
Southern comfort food with live music and a very “classic Nashville” feel Great for breakfast or casual dinner
1 Kitchen
Right next door inside 1 Hotel Nashville. Great for a polished but relaxed dinner with a clean, farm-to-table feel and a really beautiful atmosphere
Harriet's Rooftop
Stylish rooftop sushi and cocktails at 1 Hotel with amazing skyline views
Urban Cowboy Public House
inside and outside seating, combo of a pizza food truck (Roberta's Pizza), bar, and wine bar
Frankies 925 Spuntino
Italian - homemade pasta, great salads, shareable sides/apps
Dicey’s Tavern
Casual, great pizza and outdoor patio
Redheaded Stranger
Casual- tacos, crunch wraps, & queso
Burger Up
The Listening Room
Local singer/songwriter performances, food and drink available, tickets are usually pretty cheap and is a fun Nashville experience!
S E E Y O U I N N A S H V I L L E
