For both newcomers and seasoned conferencegoers alike, it can often be overwhelming to attend a conference. Most people look to websites and promotional materials to get a sense of what they can expect upon arrival—and that’s exactly what this post will tell you about the SafeStart Forum. 

First, it’s taking place in Franklin, TN, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and the attached Cool Springs Conference Center. Participants of the conference who are staying at the host hotel are just steps away from the conference every day, making the commute less hectic than most. If you’re still waiting to register and you want to stay in the host hotel, don’t wait too long—our group pricing ends on Monday, September 28. On-site self-parking is available at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs for a daily fee of $12.00. All guests and visitors share the main parking lot surrounding the hotel and conference center. 

Official conference days are Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21, but there are still some spaces left in the half-day workshops on Monday, October 19, if you want to come a day early. The entire conference is interactive, but these small-group workshops with limited registration are designed for purposeful learning and meaningful conversations. As an add-on for only $199, the workshop allows you the opportunity to engage more directly, ensure you get answers to any questions you have, and connect with other Forum participants before the conference officially begins. 

Check out: Why the Pre-Conference Workshop Might Be the Most Valuable Part of the Forum 

Now, what to wear—if you’re wondering what to pack, don’t worry, it isn’t a fashion show; the dress code for the Forum is business casual. The weather in Franklin is perfect for business casual in the fall—expect cooler mornings with warmer afternoons. We recommend dressing in layers. And wear comfortable shoes; the days are jam-packed and you don’t want to be slowed down by tired, achy feet. 

Both mornings start with breakfast at 6:30 am to fuel yourself for the day ahead. On the first day, you can check in at the registration desk (important: you need to register before you arrive at the event), where you’ll receive your name badge with contact information sharing capabilities (for those who opted in)—some people may still bring business cards, but it’s not necessary here. You’ll also receive a notebook, a pen, and a SafeStart Forum information booklet. There is also a SafeStart Forum app, which promises to have the most up-to-date information, so it’s a good idea to have that downloaded on your phone before you arrive.  

Plan ahead: You can check in at the registration desk on Monday, October 19 from 4 pm to 7 pm to save yourself time (and waiting in line) Tuesday morning.  

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you likely know that we already gave you a full breakdown of what to expect for speaker sessions with More Than a Conference: Why You Need to Attend the SafeStart Forum and some insight into our panel sessions with The Power of Panel Sessions: What to Look for at Safety Conferences. We also outlined the incredible keynote speaker we have booked to open the Forum: Announcing the 2026 SafeStart Forum Keynote Speaker (and you’ll note we’ve linked them here for you in case you missed them or want to read them again). 

To give you a very quick overview of what types of sessions you can expect at the Forum, after the opening keynote on Tuesday, there are two blocks of concurrent sessions, each with five interactive sessions to choose from—there is a fireside chat session in each concurrent session block. We’ll break for lunch (you won’t go hungry), and then there are the panel sessions, followed by another block of concurrent sessions. There’s a quick break and we jump right into Larry Wilson’s birthday party networking event. Wednesday’s agenda is similar: after breakfast, we jump right into three blocks of concurrent sessions; we’ll break for lunch; then we have Larry Wilson’s comments, facilitated takeaways, and conference evaluations, and we end the day with a block of four concurrent sessions. 

Be sure to check out the area before you arrive—Franklin is a charming, historic town with a beautiful downtown just outside Nashville, with a quintessential Southern feel.  

If you haven’t already registered, please do! We’d love to see you at the Forum for fall in Franklin! And if you want to travel with a group, discounts are available when you register four or more people.