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NRWA: National Résumé Writers Association

THE ONLY NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ WRITERS

Annual Conference

2025 NRWA Annual Conference

Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes stronger and more resilient, we career services professionals face challenges that push us to adapt and grow. 

Please join us at this year’s conference, aptly titled “Phoenix Rising,” where our in-depth workshops, featured presentations, in-person networking, and programming are sure to inspire attendees to emerge with renewed strength and sharpened expertise.

Don’t miss out on the magic at this year’s exclusive, in-person event.

A Few Highlights

  • Pre-Conference Workshop. Behind the Recruiter’s Desk: Insider Insights to Help Resume Writers Deliver More Value to their Clients,  by Corporate Recruiting Strategist John Gates
  • Keynote Kickoff. The Future of Work – Top Trends for 2025 by Career Connector Jessica Pierce
  • 14 Presentations across 3 Days. Topics span the gamut from resume and LinkedIn writing best practices to tactics for business building, process improvement, and revenue growth. 
  • First-Time Attendees. Please join us for Day One breakfast at the President’s Table on Tuesday.
  • Career Stories Unplugged. A chance to share and hear “you can’t make this stuff up” stories from career pros who’ve lived the doubts, facepalms, and breakthroughs. Tuesday night. No filters. Just truth. 
  • Catch Ups. As always, we’ve built plenty of time in the schedule for networking,  connecting, and reconnecting. 

Visit Chandler


Visit Chandler | Chandler, AZ, part of the Metropolitan Phoenix area, is uniquely positioned to provide visitors easy access to various activities and fulfilling experiences. The city sees over 300 days of sunshine annually, setting the stage for invigorating outdoor recreation such as hiking, world-class golfinghorseback riding, and hot air ballooning over the majestic Sonoran desert. There are so many things to do in Chandler!

Registration is OPEN

Pre-Conference Workshop

  • $200 NRWA Member/Non-Member

Early Bird Registration (Now June 15, 2025)

  • $650 NRWA Member
  • $775 Non-Member

Regular Registration (June 16 – August 15, 2025)

  • $750 NRWA Member
  • $875 Non-Member

Late Registration (August 16 September 15, 2025)

  • $850 NRWA Member
  • $975 Non-Member

Lodging and Travel

Click here to book your room

Crowne Plaza Resort, Phoenix - Chandler Golf Resort
Rate | $179.00 per night plus taxes & fees; room block closes September 12, 2025.
Check in: 12:00 p.m.
Check out: 3:00 p.m.
Parking for registered guests only.
Complimentary daily self-parking.


Featured Speakers


Click here to learn more about John Gates.

Click here to learn more about Jessica Pierce.

Click here to learn more about Nicholle Overkamp.

Conference Itinerary

Click here to print conference itinerary.

Please note: All times are Mountain Daylight Time

Monday, October 13, 2025 – WELCOME

  • Pre-Conference Workshop
    Behind the Recruiter’s Desk: Insider Insights to Help Resume Writers Deliver More Value to Their Clients –
    John Gates

    1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Registration Check-In
    12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Welcome Party Sponsored by 
    Awaken & Arrive
    6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – DAY ONE

  • Registration / Breakfast Sponsored by 
    7:00 a.m. c 8:25 a.m.
  • Official Conference Opening
    President’s Welcome & Opening Keynote: The Future of Work – Top Trends for 2025 – Jessica Pierce
    8:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
  • Spotlight Session: Hosted by Our Sponsor, Purple Circle 
    What's Next? A Simple Roadmap to Growing Your Business Every Day
    10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
  • Break / Visit with Vendors
    10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
  • Concurrent Session: The Art of Storytelling in Resumes
    Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, NCOPE, CPRW, PhD
    11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Network Like a Pro! Build Connections, Referrals & Your Business
    Laura Bashore, Certified Career Coach, Certified AI Specialist
    11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
  • Lunch Provided
    12:25 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Unlocking New Revenue Streams with Digital Products
    Stephanie Cartwright, CPRW
    1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Turn Up the Heat—Career Management Services
    Ellen Steverson, NCRW, NCOPE, CCMC & Tom Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CEIP
    1:40 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • Break / Visit with Vendors
    2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
  • General Session: “Ask the Experts” Live!
    3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Dinner on Your Own
  • Evening Activity: Storytellers
    No stage. No slides. No polish. Just real talk from career pros.
    7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – DAY TWO

  • Breakfast Sponsored by 
    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
  • General Session: AI Isn’t Replacing Career Pros—It’s Empowering Them
    Tom Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CEIP
    8:35 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.
  • Break / Visit with Vendors
    9:40 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Reimagine Your Client Intake Process
    Amy Adler, NCOPE, CMRW, MBA / Marni Vyn, MBA, CPRW, NCOPE
    10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Empowering Students – Navigating the Job Placement Journey with Confidence
    Danielle Powleson, NCOPE, CPRW, WOSB
    10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.
  • Concurrent Session: The Career Thread – Helping Clients Explain Complicated Career Stories
    Gina Riley, MS, YouMap® Certified
    11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Job Searching in the Modern Age
    Donna Shannon, NCOPE, Master Career Director (MCD)
    11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Lunch Provided
    12:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Invisible Barriers, Visible Strengths: Inclusive Career Services
    Nancy Grant, MS, NCOPE, CCTC
    1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Preparing for 2025 Recruiting Trends
    Vincent Vitale, NCRW, NCOPE
    1:35 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
  • Break / Visit with Vendors 
    2:35 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: Federal vs. Private Sector Résumés
    Lori Norris, CPRW, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach
    3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
  • Concurrent Session: LinkedIn for Business Growth – More Referrals, More Visibility, More Opportunities
    Mary Fain Brandt, Certified AI Consultant
    3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.
  • General Session: Beyond the Résumé – The Hidden Factors That Land Jobs
    LaShanda Brown, MBA, SHRM Board Member
    4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
  • Evening Reception: Next Horizon
    ROAR Awards Announced
    6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 16, 2025 – DAY THREE

  • Breakfast Provided Sponsored by 
    7:30 a.m. – 8:25 a.m.
  • General Session
    Conference Chair, Sara Timm, NCRW, NCOPE, NCCSC, will make closing remarks.
    2025 President Cathy Lanzalaco, NCRW, NCOPE will present on the state of the NRWA and announce the Vivian Belen Award recipient.
    Immediate Past President, Brenda Mariah, NCRW, NCOPE, will recognize our Industry Hero Award winner.
    Incoming President, Nancy Grant, will introduce our new Board of Directors.
    8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Closing Keynote
    Nicholle Overkamp
    From Stuck to Unstoppable: The No-BS + AI-Boosted Blueprint to Thrive in Business This Year.
     Nancy Grant will announce location of next conference. 

    10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

*Conference itinerary is subject to change. 

 



Committee Members

Conference Chair - Sara Timm, NCRW, NCOPE, NCCSC, MYFRCW, DISC Administrator | DFW Resume


Barbara Schultz, NCRW, NCOPE | The Career Stager


Dawn Rasmussen | Pathfinder Writing and Career Services LLC


Amy L. Adler, NCOPE, MA, MBA, CMRW, CARW, CEIC | Five Strengths Career Transition Experts


Elizabeth Gross | Job Search Divas


Paula Christensen, CPRW, CEIC, NCOPE, CGRA, CCMC, CJSS | Strategic Career Coaches


Ruth Sternberg, CPRW, CEIC, NCOPE 


Danielle Powelson, CPRW | Ally Elite Agency


Shoni Bell, CPRW, NCOPE | Summit Resume Service


Alison King, NCOPE | King Career Services


Laura Bashore | Anew Resume and Career Services


Vincent Vitale


Virginia Franco, NCRW, NCOPE, CPRW, MRW, CEIP | Virginia Franco Resumes


Nancy Grant, NCOPE | Regional Career & Employment Services


Grant Cooper, CARW, NCOPE | Strategic Resumes & Business Plans


Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, CPRW, PhD, MBA | Feather Communications


Tanya King FloydNCRW, NCOPE | Alliance Résumé and Writing Service

Thank you to our Sponsor!


Purple Circle

Purple Circle is a community of coaches who want to grow their businesses, make an impact on the world, and be happier business owners. We are out to transform 1 billion lives by building coaching businesses that make a difference in the world. We do this by ensuring your business scales and impacts the world in the best way possible. Our community includes coaches who just made their first million to coaches who have made over $100 million.

Visit their website for more information: https://joinpurplecircle.com/ 

    October 13-16, 2025

    2025 NRWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    LOCATION

    Crowne Plaza Resort Phoenix - Chandler Golf Resort

    One N San Marcos Pl, Chandler, AZ 85225

    United States of America

    PRICING

    Member-

    Early Bird $650

    Regular $750

    Late $850

    Non-Member-

    Early Bird $775

    Regular $875

    Late $975

    The National Résumé Writers' Association
    250 S. Northwest Highway
    Suite 315
    Park Ridge, IL 60068

    Click here to join our mailing list!

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