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Workshop

Age Friendly Workplaces: Harnessing the Power of a Multigenerational Workforce

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Sept. 18, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Building connections, enhancing productivity, and increasing retention through effective workplace strategies. 

Today’s workforce is more age-diverse than ever. Organizations that proactively support employees across the lifespan gain a competitive advantage in recruitment, retention, engagement, and long-term sustainability.

This full-day interactive workshop equips leaders and professionals with practical, evidence-informed strategies to build age-friendly workplace practices that strengthen workplace culture and employee performance.

Why It Matters

An age-friendly workplace is a strategic investment in organizational resilience, productivity and employee wellbeing.

What You’ll Gain

Through expert presentations, applied activities and peer discussion, participants will develop practical strategies tailored to their own organizational context, including how to:

  • Apply the core principles of an age-friendly workforce

  • Navigate generational dynamics and workforce trends

  • Understand key legal and risk considerations

  • Strengthen HR practices to support multigenerational teams

  • Improve communication and collaboration across age groups

  • Evaluate organizational practices using meaningful performance metrics 

The Outcome

 

You will leave with actionable tools, increased confidence in leading multigenerational teams, and a clear roadmap for building a more supportive, productive and sustainable workplace.

 

Join us to strengthen your organization for today’s workforce — and tomorrow’s. 

 

Registration

The fee structure for this course is:

  • Regular registration: $220

  • Small (250 or less employees) Nonprofit registration: $135

  • Student registration: $55

 

Registration will close Sept. 11, 2026 11:59 p.m. CT

Use code CoA_EarlyBird26 to save $25 until July 31, 2026 11:59 p.m. CT

 

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Questions

Please reach out to Dianna Bartel at dibartel@ksu.edu with any questions.

Agenda


Friday, Sept. 18

8:00-8:30 a.m.

Registration and Coffee

Check-in, materials distribution, informal networking. 
8:30-9:15 a.m.

Session 1: What is Age Friendly for an Interdisciplinary Workforce?

Foundational concepts, frameworks, examples across sectors, and discussion on how age-friendly principles support team effectiveness and service quality.
Speakers: Laci Cornelison M.S. & Dr. Migette Kaup Ph.D. K-State Center on Aging

9:20-10:10 a.m.

Session 1 Workshop: Generational Differences

Exploration of generational cohort characteristics, communication preferences, work values, and implications for team dynamics and age-inclusive practice using workshop style interaction.
Speaker: Meaghan Bircher M.S. Ed. SLC Consulting

10:10-10:20 a.m.

Break

10:20-11:05 a.m.

Session 2: Demographics and Metrics of the Current Workforce

Presentation of workforce age distribution data, predictive trends, and analysis of how age-friendly practices affect recruitment, retention, productivity, and organizational outcomes.
Speaker: (Tentative) Frank Lenk - MARC

 

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Session 3: The Age-Friendly Workplace Experience: Policies, Culture & Outcomes

An inside look at how organizations are creating age-friendly workplaces through 
thoughtful policies, culture, and employee engagement strategies. Hear directly from 
employers about what they implemented, why they chose it, and how those changes are impacting recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.
Speaker: TBD

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Buffet lunch with informal discussion tables organized by field (healthcare, social services, HR, administration).
1:15-2:30 p.m.

Session 4: Building Trust in an Age-Friendly Workplace

Learn practical ways to build trust across generations by improving communication, 
strengthening understanding, and creating a workplace culture where every employee 
feels valued and respected.
Speakers: Dani Turpin Director of Patient Experience Optum, Dr. Dennis Jensen Network Medical Director, Optum

2:30-2:40 p.m.

Break

2:40-3:25 p.m.

Panel Discussion and Q&A

Panel of experts (presenters from prior sessions) respond to participant questions and discusses real-world application challenges.
3:25-3:30 p.m.

Wrap-up/Dismiss

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Learning Objectives

1. Apply age-friendly workforce principles across contemporary workforce settings.
Participants will be able to define age-friendly workforce principles and apply them to current working environments by recognizing generational differences, inclusive practices, and organizational factors that support engagement, collaboration, and productivity across the lifespan.

2. Evaluate legal, demographic, and organizational factors affecting an age-diverse workforce.
Participants will examine age-related legal considerations, workforce demographics, and key metrics to assess organizational risk, equity, and sustainability, and to understand how age-friendly practices influence recruitment, retention, and workforce performance.

3. Develop actionable strategies to strengthen age-friendly organizational practice.
Participants will become acquainted with practical, evidence-informed strategies that integrate legal compliance, demographic data, and generational dynamics to improve age-friendliness within their own organizations and professional roles.

Who is it intended for?

This workshop is ideal for professionals in:

  • Human resources

  • Healthcare and social services

  • Organizational leadership and administration

  • Workforce development and trainers

  • Frontline Managers/Supervisors

Format

This is a one-day, in-person workshop held at K-State Olathe, which is located at 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061.