Points of Light Conference 2025: What to Know
If the Points of Light Conference is on your must-attend list for 2025, keep reading this post for more information on pricing, recommended sessions, how to get there, and more.
Jamy-Lee Holt
If the Points of Light Conference is on your must-attend list for 2025, keep reading this post for more information on pricing, recommended sessions, how to get there, and more.
The Points of Light Conference will unite social impact leaders from June 3-6, 2025, in New Orleans. With nearly 1,500 attendees expected to attend and more than 70 engaging workshops planned, gear up for insights from industry experts on how to drive positive change in your community.
In this article, we unpack what you need to know about this 2025 conference, from what topics to expect to where to stay. Let’s get started!
The Points of Light Conference is a global gathering of social impact leaders from 50 U.S. states and nations. The conference will take place from June 3-6, 2025, at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Expect a jam-packed agenda comprising more than 70 in-person workshops that will spotlight actionable takeaways to amplify your volunteer and community impact strategy. And, network with industry leaders across the sector, ranging from nonprofits and NGOs to government and corporate social impact professionals.
Registered attendees will also have on-demand access to post-conference recordings of all main-stage sessions and civic talks for continued learning.
The event will be hosted by Points of Light, a charitable organization with a global network committed to providing the necessary tools, insights, and connections that mobilize the growth of the social sector.
Their approach includes digital platforms, accelerator programs, and consultancy services to fuel volunteerism, providing research and industry insights, and organizing nonprofit and corporate networking events and conferences.
2025 tickets to the conference are priced according to sector categories and vary depending on when you purchase.
Tickets purchased from April 1 to May 31 start at $650, with a limited number of 40 volunteer tickets available at $525 each. Late registration tickets purchased from June 1-3 are priced from $675.
If you purchase tickets for five or more people within your organization, you’ll receive a 10% discount on the registration rate.
View the full ticket price list and learn more here.
The New Orleans Marriott – where the conference takes place – is located at 55 Canal Street, New Orleans.
If you’re wondering where to stay, how to travel, and which excursions to enjoy, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your itinerary and prepare for this year’s event.
Flying into “The Big Easy?” The closest airport to the New Orleans Marriott is Louis Armstrong International Airport. Another airport nearby is the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.
Points of Light has partnered with Delta Air Lines to offer registered attendees discounted airfare. Book your flights here.
New Orleans Marriott has limited parking available for special events. Valet parking is available at $52 per day. If you’re staying at the hotel, parking is limited to one vehicle per room.
The official hotel for the Points of Light Conference is the four-star New Orleans Marriott. A room block has been reserved with special rates for conference attendees. The hotel is located in the upbeat French Quarter, placing you right at the heart of the city’s most vibrant attractions.
Rates are priced exclusively at $199 per night, and the cut-off date for room blocks is May 12. Book your stay here.
Other hotels nearby include:
New Orleans is renowned for its ability to provide equal parts entertainment and education. With so much on offer, we’ve narrowed down the list to some must-visit attractions you can’t afford to miss.
An immersive experience that highlights the global fight for freedom and democracy awaits at the National World War II Museum. This world-class, bucket-list attraction tells the compelling tale of American war veterans who fought in the war that changed the world. Expect stunning galleries, exhibits, and interactive experiences as you trek to this must-visit museum.
Take in the city from a bird’s-eye view at Vue Orleans’ 360-degree observation deck. Located at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, follow the interactive maps and video on floors 33 and 34 before being met with a dramatic display of the cityscape.
As one of the largest urban parks in the United States, New Orleans City Park is a real treat, with plenty to see and explore. Soak up the natural beauty of the almost 800-year-old live oaks in between exploring top attractions. These include the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
Conveniently located just outside the French Quarter where the conference takes place, Louis Armstrong Park is another local attraction you can’t afford to miss. In between its seasonal events and festivals, Louis Armstrong Park comes highly recommended for Congo Square and the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
The 2025 Points of Light Conference also offers a 20% discount on special tours, cruises, and museum visits. Learn more here.
For more activities to enjoy in New Orleans, check out this link.
This year’s conference is brimming with programming that’s sure to enhance and elevate your volunteering and civic engagement strategies.
The 2025 agenda provides ample learning opportunities to shape your initiatives, no matter where you are on your volunteer or community impact journey. Prepare to explore pressing topics ranging from AI for social good to key trends shaping volunteer programs.
By attending these workshops, main-stage sessions, and civic talks, you’ll have plenty of actionable insights to shape your strategy in the midst of an ever-changing social landscape.
And, as a bonus, your attendance can be applied toward professional development requirements for initial CVA Certification or CVA Renewal – the only internationally recognized credential in the field of Volunteer Administration.
While sessions and exhibitors still need to be confirmed ahead of the event, here are the learning pathways to look forward to at the 2025 conference.
Dive deep into the changing motivations and expectations of present-day volunteers who want to become more active in the change they seek.
Explore strategies to elevate volunteer participation, create equitable and accessible opportunities, and position service as a way to mobilize democracy and unite communities.
Discover real-world strategies designed to elevate the needs and objectives of communities.
See what NGOs, large corporations, educational institutions, and other organizations are doing to align volunteer efforts with the needs of local communities.
Tap into the ideas and perspectives of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the new generation that’s leading the charge and reshaping the concept of volunteerism.
Be privy to key insights that will strengthen your volunteer strategy.
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to reimagine volunteering and civic engagement.
These workshops are designed to reveal innovative strategies that will boost your impact, ensure operational efficiency, and power your decision-making through data.
Visiting New Orleans is incomplete without a bit of cultural celebration! Immerse yourself in the city’s entertainment and service experiences that highlight its rich diversity and legacy of volunteerism.
View the full agenda for the 2025 conference here.
Enjoy a sneak peek into trending topics to expect at the conference by engaging in live virtual events. These events address thought-provoking topics in line with the learning pathways of the conference and set the stage for the in-person event.
Check out the live virtual learning series here.
Thinking of exhibiting at this year’s conference? Exhibitors will have optimal brand visibility at Civic Park. This central networking hub is where organizations will converge to spotlight how they’re driving positive change and corporate social impact.
While the official list of exhibitors hasn’t been released yet, there are plenty of benefits to exhibiting at this year’s event! These include:
And more. Explore more exciting exhibitor opportunities here.
The 2025 Points of Light Conference will explore trending real-world insights and strategies to revolutionize volunteering and civic engagement. It’s also a platform to showcase your social impact and positive change, with more than 1,500 industry professionals from across the sector expected to attend.
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