The 2025 Annual IC3 Conference and Expo in Mumbai was far more than a gathering of educators. It was a vivid demonstration of what a global, volunteer-driven community can achieve when united by a singular purpose: to make career and college counseling an integral part of every student’s education.
As IC3 approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, this year’s conference carried the weight of a decade of service. Since the first Annual Conference in 2016 with just 285 participants, IC3 has grown into a worldwide network of over 6,000 educators, universities, and organizations impacting millions of students. None of this was achieved by a central office but by a team of mission-driven volunteers. Counselors, school leaders, and university representatives have given their time and talent to build a movement that belongs to everyone.
The Mumbai gathering underscored how counseling is no longer a fringe service but a culture embraced across continents.
Key Stats from the 2025 Annual IC3 Conference and Expo
Behind each number stands a volunteer, a student, and a story of collaboration; proof that the call for holistic guidance now resonates worldwide.
This 2025 Annual IC3 Conference & Expo marked a decisive step toward IC3’s tenth year. Ten years of relentless volunteerism, thousands of high schools and universities, and unwavering partner support have turned a bold idea into a global movement. The Mumbai gathering celebrated this legacy while laying a foundation for the decade to come: deeper engagement, broader inclusion, and a renewed commitment to ensure that every student, everywhere, has access to compassionate guidance.
The IC3 Expo thrived as a marketplace of ideas and partnerships. With more than 160 exhibitors from over 20 countries, it created connections that will translate into opportunities for students and institutions alike.
Before the main event, Mount Litera School International and Ascend International School hosted intensive workshops for over 70 educators, offering practical strategies and peer-to-peer learning; an embodiment of IC3’s belief that knowledge grows when shared freely.
Thirty-five breakout sessions across three learning tracks showcased the global community’s expertise, addressing:
These conversations moved beyond theory to actionable frameworks, equipping schools and universities to weave counseling into their daily practice.
The Presidential Forum offered transformative dialogue on leadership and the future of work, with panels exploring:
Keynotes and featured speakers, including Shri Gauranga Das, Boman Irani, Devdutt Pattanaik, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Dr. Barry Craig, Ronnie Screwvala, Vanita Uppal OBE, Tarun Anand, Ben Schmidt, Pratham Mittal, and many others, infused the gathering with insight and inspiration.
Two landmark studies anchored the conference’s thought leadership:
These reports, created through the dedication of volunteer researchers and educators, provide a global roadmap for policy and practice.
Educators remain the lifeblood of IC3. The Inner Child Workshop, led by Dr. Preeti Kohli and Ganesh Kohli, co-founders of The Aha Movement, guided participants to reflect on formative experiences and cultivate self-awareness and resilience.
The graduation of 359 professionals from IC3 Institute programs expanded the pipeline of trained counseling leaders worldwide. The Annual IC3 Awards honored institutions and individuals whose volunteerism and innovation continue to advance the mission of counseling for all.
The Mumbai conference did not simply close a chapter, it opened a new one. With gratitude for ten years of volunteer-driven growth, the IC3 community is already shaping the future in three powerful ways:
The IC3 Regional Conference – South Asia is a locally hosted gatherings that bring the IC3 ethos directly into regional hubs. By empowering universities and boarding schools to host and lead, these conferences deepen engagement where it matters most; close to students and counselors on the ground.
Learn more about the IC3 Regional Conference.
IC3 On Demand redefines how educational events are created. Instead of planning a conference and measuring outcomes afterward, we begin by identifying shared goals and values with a mission-aligned school, institution, or organization. Then we design an experience specifically curated to achieve those goals with high impact. It is a flexible, purpose-built model that invites collaboration and ensures measurable results.
Discover how IC3 On Demand works.
Every counselor, educator, and partner is invited to help shape this next decade. Whether by volunteering time, hosting a regional event, or collaborating on an on-demand experience, each person can directly influence how students everywhere access guidance and opportunity.
The 2025 Annual IC3 Conference and Expo was more than a celebration of success; it was a collective affirmation of belief and purpose. Each statistic tells a story of time freely given, expertise generously shared, and hearts aligned in service of students.
As IC3 prepares for its 10th Annual Conference and Expo in 2026, gratitude takes center stage. Ten years of volunteer energy and partner support have turned a simple idea into a global movement. The next decade promises even deeper engagement and broader global inclusion, powered as always by the volunteers who make counseling a culture, not a service.
Together, we have come this far. Together, we will go even further.