| Hello everyone!
I’d be surprised if you haven’t already heard the news: ICF-CT is hosting our first ever conference. We’ve mentioned it in our newsletter, posted it all over social media, and talked about it at every event we’ve held during the past few months. The truth is—we’re excited! Your board of directors loves to do everything we can to make a difference for coaches and coaching in Connecticut, and for this event we’re going over the top.
The conference starts on Thursday evening, April 30th, at 5:00 p.m. with an evening reception, interactive improv workshop with Amy Warshawsky, MCC, and networking opportunity. Our location is the Wyndham Hotel in Southbury, so why not book a room? It’s a great way to ease into the conference and avoid the morning rush.
Friday morning, we start bright and early with registration at 8:30 a.m. (That hotel room will be sounding really good right about now.) At 9:00 we’ll give our official welcome, followed by our keynote speaker—Ranieka Weston, PCC. Be sure to watch her conference video linked here – this powerhouse woman has enthusiasm, wisdom, and will have you energized and primed for the day.
Our morning sessions build on our 2025-2026 program year theme of “Supporting Ourselves, Supporting Each Other, Supporting Those You Work With.” You have the opportunity to choose from three different sessions:
- Cultivating Sustainable Presence in Coaching Practice with Celeste Robledo, MCC
- Coach Circle Blueprint—Build a Peer Support System that Reduces Isolation with Marisol Foumakoye, PCC
- The Adaptive Coach—Thriving with Human Attributes in an Artificial and Automated World with Sebastian Little, PCC, ACTC
I don’t know how you're going to choose just one of these sessions to attend. Following the morning session, we’ll have an informal networking lunch to connect with other coaches and recharge for the afternoon’s offerings.
While the morning sessions focus on creating a solid supportive foundation, the afternoon sessions were selected to strengthen both coaches and coaching to get us ready for the future. Once again, there will be three sessions to choose from:
- Strengthening a Coaching Business that Supports the Life You Want—Who YOU are IS the Strategy with Cindy Donaldson
- Strengthening Your Coaching Ecosystem—Integrating AI, Partnerships, and Presence with Alexandra Phillips, PCC
- Strengthening Coaching for the Future—“It’s Not Easy Being Green”: The Tao of Kermit and the Art of Heart-centered Coaching & Leadership with Chris Curtain, ACC.
Once again, you have to choose just one—no easy task.
As if this wasn’t enough, there’s more! Our closing keynote will feature a panel of ICF-CT's past presidents, reflecting on where we’ve been during the past 25 years, and guiding us as we consider what’s ahead for our chapter. And, yes—I did say 25 years. Right after our panel conversation, we’ll start the celebration with an intentional networking opportunity that will set the stage for our upcoming program year. (More to come!) Oh, and by attending our conference you will be receiving 9.25 CEU’s (4.75 Core Competency and 4.5 Resource Development).
Dynamic keynote, fantastic presenters, and 9.25 CCEUs—that sounds like an event you don’t want to miss! Behind the scenes—this conference wouldn’t be as amazing as it’s shaping up to be without our sponsors: Thank you to Selling Coaching, Shift Positive 360, and Simply Get Clients for their support. Of course, I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of our conference co-chairs and our marketing team for throwing this party. Our entire board will be there to provide support and connect with members, so please join us for the landmark event. If you haven’t registered already—it’s not too late: Register Here. If you’ve registered—watch for the session selection form that will be sent out this week.
As always, feel free to reach out to me directly at president@icf-ct.org to find out more, talk coaching, or simply connect. I hope to see you—either virtually or in-person at an upcoming event (especially at the conference). Until then,
Keep sparkling!
Marta Koonz, PhD, PCC
ICF-CT Chapter President
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