Connecting for Success Conference
June 23-26, 2025
MAVA Announces Theme and Keynote Speaker for the 2025 Connecting for Success Conference
The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) is excited to unveil the theme and keynote speaker for the 2025 Connecting for Success (CFS) Conference. This year’s event will focus on the theme:
“Building Bridges: Connecting Education and Industry”
“Strengthening the workforce, one connection at a time”
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To bring this vision to life, MAVA is proud to welcome Captain Barrington Irving, an esteemed entrepreneur, STEM+ explorer, and workforce development ambassador, as the keynote speaker.
"We hope Captain Irving will inspire attendees to think outside the box and bring innovative energy to their work with students," said Gabriella White, Connecting for Success Conference Chair for MAVA. "His story is a testament to the power of self-belief and the crucial role educators play in helping students overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges."
About Captain Barrington Irving
Captain Irving is a pioneering aviator and educator committed to empowering the next generation through real-world STEM experiences. His extensive career includes global expeditions, workforce development initiatives, and transformative educational programs.
In 2023, he founded the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) to provide high school and adult students with hands-on technical training, micro-credentialing, and job placement, particularly in aviation fields. In just 15 months, BITTS generated over $1 million in employment salaries and hosted 12 industry-leading maintenance competitions across the country. Captain Irving has also collaborated with top industry players, including Bombardier Aircraft, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Aviation.
Beyond BITTS, Captain Irving has been a leader in STEM+ education for over a decade. His Flying Classroom program, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, has impacted more than 3 million students by integrating hands-on, real-world problem-solving into classrooms nationwide. Additionally, his nonprofit organization, Experience Aviation, has been providing STEM-based career guidance to middle and high school students since 2005.
A true trailblazer, Captain Irving has traveled to over 70 countries, completed more than 80 STEM+ expeditions, and led groundbreaking engineering challenges—including constructing a car faster than a Ferrari and building a plane he personally test-piloted. In 2007, he made history as the youngest person and first Black pilot to fly solo around the world, earning two Guinness World Records at just 23 years old.
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<![endif]>About the 2025 Connecting for Success Conference
The 2025 Connecting for Success Conference will offer a valuable opportunity for educators, industry leaders, and professionals to collaborate on bridging the gap between education and industry. With Captain Irving’s inspiring keynote, attendees can expect thought-provoking discussions on innovation, workforce development, and global connectivity.
The 2025 conference will be held on June 23-26 at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, in Marlborough, MA. The preconference will be June 23-24 with the main conference on June 25-26.
For more information and registration details, visit: https://mava.us/connecting-for-success-conference
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About the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)
MAVA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advocating for high-quality vocational, technical, and agricultural education in Massachusetts. With more than 71 member schools and over 54,000 students enrolled in state-approved programs, MAVA is committed to strengthening the future workforce through education-industry partnerships.