Conferences and Events

February 6, 2026

UT Martin Ballroom

Formerly known as the Working Women's Conference, WestStar Elevate: A Summit for Growth and Leadership is a reimagined one-day summit dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and equipping professionals across West Tennessee to thrive in their careers and communities. Through engaging keynote speakers, breakout sessions, hands-on activities, and valuable networking opportunities, participants gain practical insights into leadership, career development, and personal growth. This annual event provides an opportunity to combine expert insight with practical application, intentionally equipping participants with tools they can immediately use to strengthen their teams, elevate their leadership, and foster more connected, productive workplaces and communities. Whether you're a seasoned leader, a changemaker in your community, or early in your professional career, WestStar Elevate offers the encouragement, knowledge, and resources to help you reach your fullest potential.

April 8, 2026

Formerly known as the WestStar African American Leadership Conference, the Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference of Excellence honors the legacy of a visionary leader while continuing to advance its founding mission. This conference serves as a vital platform for emerging and established leaders to connect, learn, and collaborate on solutions to strengthen West Tennessee communities. The conference is named in honor of Evelyn C. Robertson Jr., a 1997 WestStar graduate who founded this important gathering and served as a dedicated board member since its inception. Mr. Robertson's distinguished career included leadership roles in healthcare as CEO of McNairy Regional Hospital, service with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and appointments by three Tennessee governors to various state commissions. Join us as we build on Mr. Robertson's vision of excellence in leadership, collective community building, and collaborative problem-solving. Through engaging sessions and networking opportunities, participants will gain valuable insights and forge partnerships that create new opportunities for all citizens of our region.

September 29, 2026

FutureStar Youth Summit is a one-day fall program designed for 8th-grade students from public and private middle schools across West Tennessee.

Held on the UT Martin campus, this impactful experience is designed to plant a seed of possibility—helping students understand the personal value of education and sparking a desire to pursue college and future career opportunities. While FutureStar is an opportunity all 8th grade students, it initially focused on reaching students who may need extra support to reach their full potential—those who may have never visited a college campus, additional encouragement, or benefit from hearing, "You can do this." Throughout the day, students explore college departments, interact with professionals and mentors, and gain insight into what higher education can offer. The experience encourages them to dream bigger and begin thinking about their future path early on. Thanks to the generous support of WestStar alumni from each student’s home county, this program is offered completely free of charge, based on the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to be inspired, to dream big, and to see that college is within reach.

July 30-31, 2026

The RisingStar Youth Summit is a two-day youth program designed for high school juniors from public and private schools across West Tennessee. The summit equips students with the leadership skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate college, careers, and adulthood. The program offers student leaders from across the region an opportunity to develop essential leadership and communication skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of community involvement. Held in the summer, participants stay overnight in dorms at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where they experience college life firsthand, connect with peers from across West Tennessee, and engage in interactive sessions led by professionals and mentors. Throughout the summit, students explore college and career pathways, build life skills, and take part in meaningful activities designed to prepare them for future success. The cost of the program is $120 per student, which includes housing, meals, UT Martin swag, and all materials.