Every young professional in Springfield eventually asks the same questions: How does this community actually work? Who do I need to know? And where do I fit in all of it? Leadership Springfield’s Access Class exists to answer them in just two focused days.

The Access Class is Springfield’s inside scoop. Over two days, participants go behind the scenes of the community, connecting with the leaders, industries, and initiatives shaping our city’s future. Guided by the blue ribbons and red flags of the Community Focus Report, you’ll explore economic development, education, healthcare, public safety, local government, arts and culture, and nonprofit impact through candid conversations, engaging sessions, and exclusive tours. You won’t just learn about Springfield; you’ll gain access to people, places, and information most professionals never encounter, and walk away with the contact info to keep those conversations going.

But the real value of Access isn’t the agenda. It’s what happens because of it.
Participants leave with relationships they can actually use. This includes classmates across every sector and career stage, community leaders, potential collaborators, and Leadership Springfield’s nearly 4,000-member alumni network. They leave understanding not just what Springfield is, but where it’s headed and where they fit in that vision. And they leave energized, with a genuine sense of belonging and a clear picture of the role they can play in the community’s future.

Whether you’re just starting your career or already leading a team, knowing the community, connecting to it, belonging to it, and contributing to it is the fastest path from working in Springfield to being invested in it.

A note for employers: sending a team member through the Access Class program is more than professional development. It’s an investment in engagement and retention that also expands your organization’s visibility. Your employee returns more informed, more connected, and more invested in the community where your business operates, and the community gets to know your organization through your people. All in two days, locally, without the cost or time away of out-of-town programs.

Take it from past Access Class participants:
“The Access Class provided a great new network of positive, forward-thinking associates that are dedicated to making this community a better place to live and work.”

“I walked away with a better understanding of how my city works. I also left contemplating what my role can be in the future regarding the development of my city and its citizens.”

“I’m inspired to not only ‘know’ things about Springfield or what my community needs, but to actually do something about it.”

Your community is waiting to meet you. Register for an upcoming Access Class:

October 13-14, 2026
March 10-11, 2027