ABOUT

[Going to Work] is a private conference where we discuss the most important problems about work in America, across sectors and difference.

At the inaugural [Going to Work] 2023, we had CEOs, investors, labor leaders, journalists, philanthropists, policymakers, technologists, even clergy, and Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland. In 2024, we’ll bring together an even more diverse and representative group.

The format is almost entirely small-group conversations (what some people call an “unconference”), to create an environment where we can have the most important, sometimes-difficult conversations, both with allies and across differences. We want to learn as deeply as possible and figure out better answers, move things forward, deepen some relationships and build new ones.

In 2023, we selected Baltimore as the home for this event, because it reflects both the real issues we need to solve as well as our national opportunity. We met at the former headquarters of the B&O Railroad, where workers once faced armed conflict with a company-hired militia, to talk about how to make work better in our country. We intend to only host this conference for a few years, more than a one-off, as a focused project to meet this moment in America.

People who attended [Going to Work] 2023 told us how it made them feel:

  • "This was the most left-leaning conference I have ever attended."
  • "This was the most right-leaning conference I have ever attended."
  • "Every session could be its own entire conference."
  • "Usually at conferences I just want to skip the programming and stand in the hallway talking to interesting people. At this conference, the programming WAS the hallway."
  • "It was all of the upside of a conference, without all of the downsides."
  • "I just had the most fascinating conversation I have had in years."
  • "I’m most surprised and changed by the conversations I had with people I disagree with."
  • "I feel grateful to meet new folks who are now in my network forever."
  • "I have at least 10 meaningful, important follow-ups out of this."
  • "I never want it to end."

And with the tragedies that the world continues to bring, we appreciated the chance to make difficult progress, together.

Welcome Committee for [Going to Work] 2024:

  • Chris Hyams, Indeed
  • James Cham, Bloomberg Beta
  • Karin Klein, Bloomberg Beta
  • Larry Williams, UnionBase
  • Liba Rubenstein, The Aspen Institute
  • Marshall Kosloff, The Realignment Podcast
  • Michael Tubbs, Tubbs Ventures
  • Natalie Foster, Economic Security Project
  • Peter Rojas, Meta
  • Roy Bahat, Bloomberg Beta

Charter supports [Going to Work] with research on trends and analysis about the future of work.

Programming for meals provided by Gatheround.