Pioneering the Future: Innovative Data Technology Solutions – Data and Technology continue to drive informed business decisions. This track will focus on the latest data tools at your disposal to drive better visibility, on-time performance, and customer satisfaction. We’ll explore the latest technology trends and discuss how to effectively implement them into your shipping or mailing operation.
Leadership Strategies for Professional Enrichment – There is direct correlation between great leadership and high performing organizations but to become an extraordinary leader, you need to practice. This track focuses on your personal development including how to take the lead and get others to follow you, the importance of diversity on your team, understanding the framework for leadership and much more. You’ll walk away with new skills to advance your career.
Growing the Mail Through Innovation – If you want to learn about the latest incentives and promotions from the Postal Service, then this track is for you. Mail is still a vital component of any omnichannel campaign, and this track will show you how to utilize mail creatively and effectively to maximize your marketing spend. We’ll look toward the future and explore how mail will evolve and change to suit customers habits.
Operations Efficiency From Mailing Preparation to Delivery – Preparation is the key to success. Before a customer receives a showstopping mailpiece or a perfectly prepared package, there is a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes to create THE mail/package moment. This track will focus on best practices for mail/package preparation and entry standards. We’ll cover the programs and applications available to you to ensure your mailpiece or package makes it to its final destination in the most cost-effective way.
Designing Shipping Solutions for a Competitive Edge – This track specializes in shipping business solutions to drive long-term growth. A focus will be on USPS Ground Advantage, a game changer ground product for fast and reliable delivery. You will hear the latest trends in the industry and learn why the market is still experiencing rapid growth with ever-changing customer needs.
Supplier Connections: Supply Chain and Transportation Strategies for Success – This new NPF track designed specifically for current and potential suppliers, provides companies the most current information on commodity specific business practices and contracting opportunities for working with the USPS. Suppliers can select from a series of specialized workshops and interactive sessions with Supply Management, Transportation Strategy, and Fleet Management and Facilities leadership. Suppliers will hear about comprehensive changes and new strategies needed to improve their company’s competitive position and meet USPS supply chain needs.
Attend a minimum seven (7) of the 38 workshops below to qualify for an NPF 2024 Direct Mail Marketing Course Official USPS Certification.
1) Achieving ROI Through Strategic Investments in Direct Mail
2) Advocate for Yourself and Your Team to Cultivate Success in the Fast Lane
3) Analytics Amplified: Unleashing Business Insights Through Data
4) Automated Tracking of a Piece of Mail
5) Boot Camp for Mail Center Managers - Part 1
6) Boot Camp for Mail Center Managers - Part 2
7) Creating Business Efficiencies and Customer Engagement with Informed Visibility Mail Tracking and Reporting
8) Developing Innovative Leaders
9) Digital Direct Mail: Where Art, Science and Execution Connect!
10) Do Something! To Break Down 5 Mailing Operation Growth Barriers
11) Driving Operational and Cost Efficiency for Technology
12) Elevate Print Marketing with Omnichannel Strategy: Technology
13) Enterprise Payment System (EPS) and Enterprise Post Office Boxes Online (EPOBOL) and the Future of Payment Technologies
14) Expanding USPS Connect Reach of Final Mile Delivery for Customers and Consumers
15) Grow and Add Value to Your Employer
16) Grow Through Expanding Your Team
17) Imagine & Innovate: Shaping the Next Chapter of Marketing Mail
18) Keys to Maximize Your Effectiveness
19) Learn about affordable, upfront and transparent pricing options with USPS, which will reduce your surcharges and accessorial fees.
20) Mailpiece Design/Mailing Requirements - A Hands on Approach
21) Making the Mail Room the Hero of the Organization
22) Managing the Postal Lifecycle of Transactional Print and Mail Operations Preparing a Long-Term Strategy for Governance
23) Mastering Mail: Strategies for Productivity, Compliance and Delivery Optimization
24) Mentoring for Staff Development and Professional Growth
25) Presorting vs Commingling - Is There a Difference
26) Save Money by Mailing Smarter
27) Seamless Acceptance and Informed Visibility Work Together
28) Strategies for Cost Optimization in Mail Production and Postal Operations
29) Streamlining Success: The Impact of Centralizing Mailing Data
30) Success with USPS IMbA - Intelligent Mail Barcodes Fuel Efficiency
31) Technology Solutions for Shippers and Shipping Software Providers
32) The Address Quality Advantage
33) The Relevancy of Printed Mail in 2024, in an AI Environment
34) The Renaissance of Print in the Print-to-Consumer Era: Mastering Digital Synergy for Marketing Triumph
35) Unlocking Satisfaction: The USPS Resolution and Support Guide
36) USPS Shipping Solutions
37) What is Your Mailer Scorecard Telling You?
38) Win the Shipping Race with USPS Ship
- USPS Promotions–Unlocking the Power of Mail
- Business Service Network (BSN) and Mailing & Shipping Solutions Center (MSSC)–Navigation and Best Practices
- Informed Visibility–How to Best Use Mail Tracking Data
- Informed Delivery–More Than an Image
- How to Achieve Your Best Address Quality
- USPS APIs–Integrating with the Postal Service
- Industry Succession Planning and Mentorship
- Everything to Know About USPS Ship
- MTAC/PCC/AIM–Your Connection to the USPS
- Transportation and Mail Transport Equipment–Best Practices
- All About Periodicals and Nonprofit Mail
- The Business Customer Gateway–Tips & Tricks
- Let’s Talk Packages–From Packing to Delivery
- PostalPro–Your Guide Through the Postal Mailing &Shipping Portal
PREMIER INDUSTRY EDUCATION
NPF Education that Moves You Forward
At NPF, education is more than a program—it’s a powerful platform for progress. Each year, top USPS leadership and industry experts come together to share actionable insights, emerging trends, and proven strategies to help you optimize your mailing and shipping operations. With 120+ workshops and sessions organized across specialized learning tracks, NPF delivers real-world solutions designed to inspire innovation, spark collaboration, and drive measurable results.
Before the 2026 Program Guide is available, explore the full 2025 Program Guide below to get a feel for NPF education and how it can elevate your expertise and career.
NPF Workshop Focus
Featured Sessions and Workshops
Exclusive USPS Executive Sessions
At NPF, attendees gain unparalleled access to the top leadership of the USPS, making this event the premier destination for those shaping the future of mailing and shipping. Nowhere else will you find this level of direct engagement with USPS executives, offering first-hand insights, strategic updates, and industry-changing innovations that will define the road ahead.
Whether you’re looking for policy updates, operational strategies, or direct dialogue with USPS leadership, NPF is the place where the industry and the USPS align to move forward together. Take advantage of this exclusive access and be part of the conversations that will shape the future of mailing and shipping.
Tracks/Workshops
NPF’s educational tracks offer a robust learning tailored to the needs of today’s mailing and shipping professionals. Each track delivers innovative strategies, expert-led sessions, and insights to help you tackle real-world challenges. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, optimize shipping, harness the power of data, or elevate your leadership skills, NPF’s tracks provide the tools to help you grow. In addition to five core tracks, NPF 26 also features a bonus experience—NPF Vignettes offering fresh perspectives and unexpected moments of insight alongside our traditional curriculum. Below are the featured tracks. Our team is currently scheduling workshops that will bring each track to life. In the meantime, explore last year’s workshop lineup to get a sense of the educational depth and takeaways you can expect.
The Unexpected Track—NPF Vignettes
Short-form sessions. Fresh perspectives. A space to pause, reflect, and be inspired.
New for 2026, NPF Vignettes offer a series of short, thoughtfully curated sessions designed to spark new ideas, introduce fresh perspectives, and create space for reflection and conversation. Set in a relaxed environment—with a gourmet coffee experience to match—this is where attendees can pause, engage, and discover something unexpected. Here is a preview of our thoughtfully curated sessions offered throughout the week.
Mail Tales
Sunday, May 3: 2-2:30 PM, 3-3:30 PM
Monday, May 4: 1-1:30 PM, 1-1:30 PM
Tuesday, May 5: 2-2:30 PM, 2-2:30 PM
Wednesday, May 6: 9-9:30 AM, 11:30 AM-12 PM
Unearth the grit, ingenuity, and fierce determination of America’s earliest mail carriers. From canyon-crossing mules and Arctic snowshoes to camels pacing desert sands, this session dives into the dramatic, real-life history of mail delivery long before ZIP codes or automation. You’ll also discover the story of Stagecoach Mary—the first Black woman contracted to carry mail for the U.S. Postal Service—whose tenacity on the trail became legend. It’s a journey through time, terrain, and the relentless human spirit that made communication possible, no matter the obstacle.
How a Stamp Becomes a Stamp
Monday, May 4: 2-2:30 PM
From first sketch to first day of issue, get an insider’s look at how every U.S. stamp is dreamed up, designed, and brought to life. This session pulls back the curtain on the creative and technical process that transforms an idea into an official USPS postage stamp. Explore the design and creative process and the collaboration that brings each issue to life.
Legacy in Print
Monday, May 4: 3-3:30 PM
Two respected professionals take the spotlight not only as industry leaders, but as creators who’ve transformed their perspectives into published works. Each centered on real-world opportunities facing today’s mailing and shipping professional. This engaging session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought their ideas to life, sharing personal reflections, professional purpose, and lessons learned along the way. Guided by a seasoned publisher, the conversation celebrates the value of elevating one’s voice and the lasting impact of passing on hard-earned insights. Attendees are invited to reflect on their own passions and how they might leave a mark on the industry they serve.
Through a Collector's Eyes
Tuesday, May 5: 10:30-11:00 AM
Stamps are more than postage. They are storytellers, time capsules, and windows into history. In this vignette, two lifelong stamp collectors invite attendees to see the mail through their shared perspective. Discover how decades of collecting shape the way design, meaning, and detail are noticed in everyday mail. Through personal insight and illustrative examples, this vignette shows how curiosity turns ordinary envelopes into objects of connection and discovery. Whether you actively collect or simply appreciate the mail you handle each day, this session offers a fresh way to look at what passes through your hands.
Bridging the Gap: Using Natural Language for Data Exploration
Tuesday, May 5: 1-1:30 PM
The greatest barrier to progress isn't a lack of data—it’s the technical wall between that data and the people who need it. Traditional analysis has long been a 'translation' problem, where insights are trapped behind complex structures.We are now entering an era of semantic interaction, where the machine doesn't just store information; it understands your world. By tailoring intelligence to the specific vernacular of an agency, we transform data from a static repository into a conversational partner—one that maps localized logic to global trends in real-time.
The History of AI
May 5: 11:30-12:00 PM
Tracing the history of AI is less about a single "breakthrough" and more about the gradual evolution of how we teach machines to find patterns in data. It’s a journey from basic geometry to models that can "imagine" art and text. This is not a discussion on how to use these tools, but rather on how these tools came to be and how their functionality has evolved and differentiated.
Postcards Without Borders
Tuesday, May 5: 3-3:30 PM
Postcards connect people in simple, powerful ways. This vignette explores the global exchange of postcards through Postcrossing and the renewed role of personal mail in a digital world. Learn how postcard mailing builds unexpected connections across cultures, generations, and geographies. From selecting the right card and message to understanding international mail flow, this vignette highlights the human stories behind every mailbox delivery. Attendees will leave with fresh inspiration and practical ideas for keeping handwritten communication alive.
Hidden Surprises & Stories Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, May 6: 10-10:30 AM
Every stamp has a story — and some have secrets. This session uncovers unexpected design details, little known historical moments, and quirky behind the scenes anecdotes that make the world of stamps endlessly fascinating. You’ll also be part of special reveals available only to attendees.
EARN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
ONSITE AT NPF!
The NPF Certification Program offers attendees a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their professional skill set and demonstrate a commitment to continued learning. In collaboration with USPS, NPF offers a portfolio of specialized certification paths designed to support career growth across leadership, operations, and marketing disciplines.
Attendees may select the certification that best aligns with their professional goals and earn official recognition by completing the required workshops during the Forum. Certification opportunities include Mail Design Professional (MDP), Direct Mail Marketing, Mail Center Manager, and the newly introduced Empowered Leadership certification.
Announce, Share and Display your Certification!
To recognize achievement, NPF and USPS issue official certification to attendees who meet the minimum requirements for each course. Through a partnership with Credly, a leading digital credentialing platform, certified attendees receive a verified digital badge that can be shared across professional networks, including LinkedIn. In addition, attendees who successfully complete the Mail Center Manager Certification will continue to receive a personalized 8.5” x 11” PDF Certificate of Accomplishment, suitable for framing in an office or workplace setting.
Choose from Four Certification Courses
EMPOWERED LEADERSHIP
As the mailing and shipping industry continues to evolve, effective leadership has become a critical differentiator. The Empowered Leadership Certification is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their ability to lead people, navigate change, and build resilient, high-performing teams. This certification explores the human dynamics behind successful organizations, including communication, emotional intelligence, mentorship, executive presence, and leading through complexity. Participants will gain practical tools and insights they can apply immediately to elevate their leadership impact at any level. By completing this certification, attendees demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and organizational excellence. To earn certification, attendees must complete a minimum of five (5) Empowered Leadership qualifying workshops offered during NPF 2026.
MAIL CENTER MANAGER
Mail center management today demands more than operational oversight, it requires precision, adaptability, and a deep understanding of evolving postal, data, and logistics systems. The Mail Center Manager Course is designed to equip professionals with the skills needed to manage complex mail and parcel operations with confidence, accuracy, and efficiency. Through a focused series of workshops, attendees will gain practical knowledge in data integrity, workflow automation, USPS tools and compliance, cost optimization and emerging technologies shaping modern mail centers. This certification recognizes a comprehensive understanding of end-to-end mail operations and best practices that support reliable delivery, reduced risk, and operational excellence. To earn certification, attendees must complete a minimum of five (5) qualifying workshops designated as part of the Mail Center Manager Certification workshops.
DIRECT MAIL MARKETING
As marketing ecosystems become more data driven and interconnected, direct mail continues to evolve as a measurable, high performing channel within modern omnichannel strategies. The Direct Mail Marketing workshops examines how today’s marketers are reimagining mail through smarter targeting, advanced analytics, creative personalization, AI-powered optimization, and seamless integration with digital touchpoints. This certification recognizes an attendee’s understanding of the full direct mail lifecycle, from audience segmentation, creative strategy, and personalization to production collaboration, promotion optimization, attribution, and performance measurement. Participants will gain insight into how data, technology, and creative design work together to elevate mail from a traditional tactic to a dynamic driver of engagement and conversion across channels. To earn certification, attendees must complete a minimum of seven (7) qualifying workshops designated as part of the Direct Mail Marketing Certification workshops.
MAIL DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (MDP) COURSE
The Mail Design Professional (MDP) Course is an intensive, three-day program held May 4–6 that provides in-depth training on USPS design standards for letter and flat mail. This course focuses on designing mailpieces that perform efficiently in high-speed automation environments while minimizing processing issues, delays, and unnecessary costs. Participants will learn how design choices impact mail compatibility, automation processing, and postage optimization across a wide range of mail formats. Upon completion of the course, participants may earn MDP certification by successfully passing the certification exam with a minimum score of 80 percent. The MDP certification is valid for two years, and—upon participant approval certified individuals and their organizations will be listed on the official MDP website. Graduates may also request a digital badge to share across professional platforms, including email signatures and LinkedIn. In addition to NPF registration, a $49 processing fee applies.
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Peer-to-Peer Session
The Peer-to-Peer Session is an open forum where Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from both the USPS and industry are paired together to answer attendee questions, provide feedback, and help with postal products and services. The session is comprised of “roundtables” led by SMEs who will cover a specific postal product, program, or service. Attendees will have an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss best practices with their contemporaries in the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit as many roundtables as they can during the session. Attendees simply select the roundtable of their choosing.
