New Session formats for CRRA 2026
‘WORLD CAFE’ SESSION
World Café is a conversation format where an over-arching topic is addressed at smaller, dedicated “topic tables”. Attendees will need to pre-register for the World Cafés. By design, the number of attendees needs to be limited to ensure all can actively participate. Registrants may be solicited for light, pre-event work related to discussion items as the event draws closer.
How it works: registrants sit in small groups (8-12 max) at “topic tables” for a timed discussion round (typically 20-30 minutes). One person stays as the "table host" while others rotate to new tables. The host briefly shares key insights from the previous conversation with the new arrivals. This process repeats for 2-3 rounds, each exploring the same or related questions. Ideas cross-pollinate as people carry insights between tables. At the end, the whole group comes together to share discoveries and patterns. For more information about World Cafe click here.
FACILITATED ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
This format is intended to take a current industry challenge and work with those in the room to explore solutions in a more casual setting than the World Café, but still with the outcome intended to be action items that will help move the needle forward toward positive change/movement. Attendees do not need to pre-register for these roundtables but are encouraged to arrive early to the room to ensure a “seat at the table”. Attendees may be solicited for their own recommendations for discussion points related to the topic as the event draws closer. Topics will vary, but all are relevant and timely for our audience; and each will address challenges within the industry at the time of the conference.
How it works: participants will sit either “at the table” in a conference-table style set up or in room perimeter seating. Facilitators will open with queries or pre-submitted discussion prompts to start the conversation. Open discussion will continue for the identified roundtable topic; all attendees should participate to ensure varied voices on the topic. The last 5-10 minutes will be dedicated to listing key takeaways, next action(s), etc.
