Join leading educators, community leaders, technologists, and policymakers at Transfr XR Futures Forum 2025—a two-day event at Civic Hall, NYC—where the nation’s most urgent workforce challenges are tackled head-on and hands-on.
Keynotes from best-selling author Chris Gardner and consumer engagement futurist Matt Britton will spark bold thinking, while Innovation Lounges, Power Pod huddles, and hands-on workshops turn big ideas into executable strategies. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap, an energized network, and the momentum to advance a skills-first economy.
XR Futures Forum 2025 is your call to action. After two days of immersive exploration—testing transformative technologies, learning from proven models, and forging powerful ecosystem connections—you’ll be invited to make one focused pledge through Permission to Dream 2.0. This “small” but intentional step is your commitment to bring possibility to life in your community over the next 12 months. Together, we’ll track those pledges, celebrate breakthroughs, and drive forward a future where every person can see, experience, and step into the jobs of tomorrow.
Monday, October 6, 2025
12:00 PM
Registration opens – Level 2, Civic Hall
Light Lunch | Innovation Lounge open – Level 3
1:00 PM
XR Futures Forum 2025 Welcome
1:10 PM
Permission to Act: Vision to Velocity
Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr
1:45 PM
Speed of Culture: Mobilizing Gen Z for the Skills-First Economy
Matt Britton, Futurist, Author Generation AI, Founder and CEO of Suzy
Learn how real-time cultural insights and immersive tech can turn Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s passions into skills-first pathways that fuel tomorrow’s workforce.
2:30 PM
Grassroots to Government: XR Innovations Driving Community Impact
Nick Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Scott Stump, CEO, National FFA
Chelle Travis, Executive Director, SkillsUSA
Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr
Pioneering voices spanning classrooms, industry, and government reveal how immersive XR innovations are scaling local breakthroughs into national policies that unlock equitable, skills-first opportunities for every learner.
3:00 PM
Afternoon Break
3:30 PM
Immersive Intelligence: Tech-Driven Innovation for the Future of Learning
Hear directly from XR and AI pioneers as they unveil the breakthrough technologies shaping tomorrow’s learning experience in workforce education.
3:50 PM
From Simulation to Skilled Work
Luke Wilson, CEO of ManageXR
Immersive technology is transforming how we learn and how we work. With VR, people can train in realistic simulations, gaining hands-on experience before ever entering the real world. On the job, AR and AI tools continue to support them by providing real-time guidance and improving performance. In this session, Luke will share a vision for how immersive tools are transforming the full arc of workforce development – from first-time learners to seasoned professionals.
4:15 PM
Reimagining Workforce Development: How Local Leaders Drive Scalable Innovation
Jacqueline Allen, Assistant Director, Alabama Industrial Development Training
Jerri Bowles, Customer Success Manager, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Callie Davis, Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager, Wyoming Workforce Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Hillary Lyle Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works
Johnnie-Lynn Crosby, Government Relations Manager, Transfr. Inc
Discover how workforce champions are transforming training systems—expanding access to underserved communities, unlocking sustainable funding, and influencing statewide workforce policy. Their strategies offer a clear path toward equity, economic mobility, and scalable impact.
5:00 PM
Transfr Trailblazer Awards
Chris Gardner, CEO of HappYness and Transfr’s Chief Evangelist
Discover how mission-driven leaders are propelling learners from classroom to career at the Transfr Trailblazer Awards—an uplifting showcase honoring the immersive, multimodal programs that deliver real-world impact and transform communities.
6:00-7:00 PM
Transfr Trailblazer Awards Reception – Networking and Connections Hour
Join us on Level 3 immediately after the ceremony for the Transfr Trailblazer Awards
Networking Reception—a relaxed hour to mingle with honorees and peers, spark fresh
collaborations, and turn the day’s inspiration into tomorrow’s impact.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
8:00 AM
Breakfast (optional)- Level 3
Innovation Lounge open
8:45 AM
Morning Momentum: Launching Day 2
Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr
8:55 AM
United for Impact: Forging Coalitions that Empower Justice‑Impacted Futures
Robert David Sr. MS, Violence Prevention Manager, City of Danville
Kimberly Pudlowski, Director, Pre-Employment Transition Services, University of Missouri
Freddie Timmons, Lived Experience Expert and Second Chance Champion
Kate Kimmer, Director of Special Populations Initiatives, Transfr, Inc.
Learn how forging powerful partnerships across government, industry, advocacy, and community can spark sustainable statewide reentry initiatives that break barriers and empower justice‑impacted youth and adults to build brighter, purpose‑driven futures.
9:40 AM
The New Blueprint: Employer-Led Models for Industry-Aligned XR Training
Eric Black, CEO, MDI
Beau Pollock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trio Electric
Crystal Maguire, Executive Director, Choose Aerospace
Jackie Smalls, SVP Content Strategy & Programs, Transfr. Inc
Transfr partners with employers who are not just preparing for the future of work—they’re actively shaping it. In this session, hear directly from industry leaders about why they’ve chosen to collaborate with Transfr to build more responsive, skills-aligned training pathways. Together, we’ll explore how immersive learning is helping employers meet urgent talent needs, elevate career readiness, and create new onramps into high-demand careers.
10:40 AM
Morning Break
10:50 AM
Fireside Fusion: Connect, Reflect and Gain Trailblazer Insights
Join us for an intimate fireside conversation with our Transfr Trailblazer Award
winners—connect with peers, reflect on their success story, and walk away with actionable
insights to elevate your own program.
Three current sessions and the Innovation Lounge during each time slot. All sessions will
be repeated—attend one from 10:50–11:20 AM and another from 11:25–11:55 AM.
12:00 PM
Lunch Break
1:05 PM
Transfr Product Roadmap Deep Dive and Program Workshops
Roll up your sleeves and get hands on with Transfr’s learning workshops and our XR
Futures Forum Innovation Lounge.
Two concurrent sessions and the Innovation Lounge during each time slot. All sessions will
be repeated—attend one from 1:05-1.35 PM and another from 1.40 -2.10PM
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Closing remarks to conclude XR Futures Forum 2025
Matt Britton is a futurist and bestselling author exploring the intersection of generational change and emerging technology. His books, YouthNation and the upcoming Generation AI, unpack how Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and AI are transforming culture and business. As CEO of Suzy, he empowers leading brands with real-time consumer insights to drive innovation and navigate constant disruption with confidence.
Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author and an award-winning film producer. Gardner’s autobiography, The Pursuit of HappYness became a New York Times #1 best seller. His new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication.
Customer Success Manager, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Government Engagement Manager Transfr, Inc.
Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager, Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Violence Prevention Manager City Manager's Office, City of Danville
Director of Special Populations Initiatives, Transfr, Inc.
Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works
Nick Moore, Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Director, Pre-Employment Transition Services, University of Missouri
Founder and CEO, Transfr, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer, National FFA Organization and Foundation
Lived Experience Expert and Second Chance Champion
Executive Director, SkillsUSA
Civic Hall is a vibrant community hub in the heart of Manhattan, designed for collaboration, innovation, and engagement—and it’s also home to Transfr’s New York office. Conveniently located at 124 E 14th St, it’s easily accessible via the 14th Street–Union Square station, served by the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, and R subway lines.
We’re pleased to offer discounted rates at three excellent hotels:
To book, use the discount code and link provided in your registration confirmation email. Rooms are limited, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.
New York City is easily accessible by air, train, bus, or car:
Air Travel: The city is served by three major airports—John F. Kennedy (JFK, 16.5 miles), LaGuardia (LGA, 9.6 miles), and Newark Liberty (EWR, 15.9 miles)—offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Train: Amtrak services Penn Station with connections from across the country. Regional trains, including Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), also provide convenient access.
Bus: Numerous bus companies operate services to and from New York City, offering affordable travel options from various locations.
Car: New York is accessible via major highways. Parking is not available at Civic Hall.
XR Futures Forum wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors—visionary partners helping to shape the future of immersive learning and workforce development. Their investments and innovations are powering real change in education, employment, and opportunity.
Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere.
To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.
ManageXR is a deployment platform for VR and AR devices – our mission is to ensure successful deployments by providing control over the entire fleet. Transfr relies on ManageXR to manage its VR devices by curating an ideal user experience with a custom home screen that’s intuitive for first-time users and eliminates access to unapproved content. To keep devices updated as content and software advances, Transfr remotely delivers app updates and automates device management workflows to maintain an updated experience. ManageXR serves as the foundational infrastructure powering Transfr’s deployment, enabling them to scale career education nationwide.
Start deploying XR at scale with ManageXR. Get started for free today.
Who should attend XR Futures Forum 2025?
The Forum is ideal for organizational leaders, directors, educators, and government officials who are utilizing Transfr to empower youth and adults on their journey to upward mobility.
Why should I attend XR Futures Forum 2025?
XR Futures Forum 2025 is where the future of workforce training takes shape. Join trailblazers using immersive technology to drive access, reentry, and innovation; build meaningful connections with changemakers ready to collaborate; get hands-on with cutting-edge XR and AI tools; and be inspired by the Transfr Trailblazer Awards. This isn’t just a conference—it’s a national movement for equity, opportunity, and the future of education and work.
Is there a template approval email that I can use to send my boss, to approve my attendance?
Yes, we’ve drafted a customizable email template to help you build your case for obtaining approval to attend.
How do I register for XR Futures?
To register for XR Futures, click this link.
Registration for all Transfr customers is complimentary. When registering, please use the customer code: XRFF25CUSTOMER to adjust your total at no cost to you.
Are there accommodations available?
Yes! Discounted rates have been secured for attendees at Moxy East Village, Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea, and Hilton Garden Inn Midtown/Park Avenue.
You’ll receive a discount code and booking link in your registration confirmation to use when booking your stay. Rooms are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Is there a cancellation policy?
If you’ve registered but can no longer attend, please notify us at events@transfrvr.com. This helps us manage attendance and ensure a great experience for all.
What is the dress code for XR Futures?
Business casual is recommended, but please dress in what makes you feel comfortable. October weather in New York is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 52°F (11°C) at night to 63°F (17°C) during the day, so we suggest bringing a jacket.
Does XR Futures offer accessibility features?
Yes. XR Futures Forum is designed to be fully accessible. We offer services such as hearing loops, wheelchair-friendly access and restrooms, and can accommodate dietary or other needs.
If you have specific requirements, please email us in advance at events@transfrvr.com.
Can I get a Certificate of Attendance?
Yes. You’ll receive a Certificate of Attendance following the event’s closing remarks. Certificates may be picked up at the registration desk and are a valuable addition to your professional development records.
How can I contact the event organizers?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Transfr’s events team: events@transfrvr.com
