In 2023, the Smithsonian Institution delivered “Creating Engaging Festivals,” an in-person training series across each region covering the full festival planning process. These were followed by topic-specific online sessions, held in a Q&A format with subject matter experts to deepen learning. In 2024-2025, the program expanded into “Troubleshooting Tuesday,” a webinar series in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events, addressing priority topics like accessibility, volunteer management, funding and impact.