What is CentralSquare’s ENGAGE Conference: Top 5 Things to Look Forward To

March is a smart time to reset and build momentum. It’s early enough to implement changes and still hit end-of-year goals. It’s also the close of Q1, which means you can measure what’s working, identify what’s not, and make adjustments.

This year, that timing matters even more, because CentralSquare ENGAGE is March 15–18 in Washington, DC. What is ENGAGE? It’s our most anticipated user event of the year, where ideas become action, challenges find solutions, and connections turn into partnerships.

It’s also the start of spring. The National Cherry Blossom Festival begins March 20, just two days after the conference. Here are five things to look forward to at ENGAGE—plus how to celebrate the season after the event.

Made to Inspire Public Sector Professionals

Above all, ENGAGE is a celebration of our customers and the pivotal work they’re doing across the public sector. Public service can be draining. In tough seasons, it can feel like progress is slow and scrutiny is high.

ENGAGE creates space to step back and reset. It’s a time and place for you to reflect, learn, and reconnect with the “why” behind the work. That’s why so many attendees leave feeling renewed, energized, and ready to bring momentum back to their agencies.

Year after year, the keynote has inspired customers. This year’s will be delivered by Travis Mills, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who lives by the motto, “Never give up. Never quit.” He’s also the founder of the Travis Mills Foundation, which supports post-9/11 injured veterans and their families through all-inclusive, barrier-free programs designed to help them heal together.

It’s a hero-grade story, delivered by someone who has lived it. Expect to leave feeling motivated about your own mission.

BIG IDEAS Sessions

An important part of ENGAGE 2026 is the BIG IDEAS sessions. They’re designed to challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, and spark conversation at your agency. These sessions are built for real operations, with key takeaways and practical next steps.

This year’s BIG IDEAS sessions include:

• Making Local Government Work Smarter, Not Harder, with Workflow Automation
• Unlocking the Power of AI in the Public Sector
• Avoid Single Points of Failure to Combat Retention Challenges

From the big picture to detailed product training, there’s a session for everyone. Whether you’re a public administrator focused on service delivery or a first responder focused on response, ENGAGE brings us together around the same goal: a brighter future for the public sector.

Hands-On Product Training

Hands-on training builds confidence. When people can practice real workflows, they learn faster, retain more, and apply skills with less hesitation back on the job. Multiple studies support this, showing that active learning leads to better performance and productivity than passive instruction.

ENGAGE reinforces that research every year. As a customer, you don’t just want to hear what’s new. You want opportunities to explore the system and test capabilities.

That’s why this year’s event includes free training sessions, designed to increase expertise and maximize your use of CentralSquare solutions. You’ll learn directly from our experts, practice in a supportive environment, and leave with skills you can use immediately to serve the community.

Shamrock & Roll Customer Event

ENGAGE is built around customer appreciation. It’s a chance to celebrate the people who keep agencies running, solve problems, and deliver excellent service (despite the limited time and resources). This year, the celebration is even better because our customer appreciation event lands on St. Patrick’s Day.

Come ready to enjoy live music, dance, and spend a night “off the clock” with your peers in the public sector. Shamrock & Roll is another opportunity to connect and unwind. It’s where conversations continue and customers get the recognition they deserve. Together, we’ll celebrate the impact you’re making across the public sector.

Want more details on timing and location? Download the agenda to learn more about the CentralSquare conference and plan your week.

Cherry Blossom Season in DC

As an added bonus, ENGAGE wraps up right before the National Cherry Blossom Festival begins in Washington, DC. The 2026 festival runs March 20–April 12, so if you’re already in town for ENGAGE, it’s the perfect time to experience one of DC’s most iconic traditions.

The festival draws more than 1.5 million visitors and residents each year from around the world. It’s a reminder that spring isn’t just a season. It’s a reset. A chance to pause, enjoy something beautiful, and carry that feeling of hope back into your work.

Whether you’re local to the DC area or traveling in, we encourage you to make time for it. With ENGAGE and cherry blossom season back-to-back, you’ll leave feeling energized and empowered to serve your community with purpose.

Want to join us? ENGAGE is a public safety conference and a public administration conference rolled into one unforgettable event. Learn more and register for ENGAGE 2026 today.