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NSBA 2020 Annual Conference & Exposition

April 4-6, 2020 | Chicago, IL

Join more than 7,000 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from across the country and around the globe and gain valuable knowledge in leadership, advocacy, learning technology, urban school issues, and school law.

Early Registration and Housing Opens October 23*

The NSBA 2020 Annual Conference & Exposition is the one national event that brings together education leaders to learn about best governance practices, gain insight into child development and learn about new programs and technology that can help enrich student learning. NSBA 2020 is one of the few—if not the only—places where school board members from around the country can receive the training necessary to address the instructional needs of students and to improve the efficiency of district operations.

*NatCon, CUBE and Member State Associations Only. General Registration Opens October 30, 2019.

Interested in exhibiting at the 2020 Annual Conference? Please visit our Exhibits page.

Conference Registration Fees

  NatCon/CUBE/Member
State Associations 		 Regular  Onsite 
  By 1/10/20   After 1/10/20 By 1/10/20 After 1/10/20   
Conference Fee  $765  $795  $935  $985  $1,100 
Spouse/Family Member Fee (18 years of age and over)  $100  $100  $100  $100  $100 

*New this Year: COSA School Law Seminar Attendees must use the COSA registration form to receive a discounted NSBA 2020 registration rate.

The NSBA 2020 Annual Conference call for proposals is closed. Submissions for the NSBA 2021 Annual Conference will open in April 2020.

Schedule At-A-Glance

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Attendee Registration  
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Workshops  
1 – 4 p.m.  NSBA Community Service Project  

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.   Attendee Registration  
8:30 – 10 a.m.  General Session  
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.  Concurrent Sessions  
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.  NSBA Community Service Project  
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Exhibit Hall 
  Exclusive hours: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. & 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. 
Noon – 12:30 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions  
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions 
Noon – 2 p.m.  Luncheons 
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.  Concurrent Sessions 
3 – 3:30 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions 
3:45 – 5 p.m.  Concurrent Sessions 

7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Attendee Registration 
8 – 9:30 a.m.  Keynote Meal Event 
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.   Concurrent Sessions  
10 – 11:30 a.m.  General Session  
11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Exhibit Hall  
  Exclusive hours: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. & 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. 
Noon – 12:30 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions 
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions 
Noon – 2:00 p.m.  Keynote Meal Events  
1:30 –2:45 p.m.  Concurrent Sessions 
3 – 3:30 p.m.  Study Hall Sessions 
3:45 – 5 p.m.  Concurrent Sessions  
5:15 – 5:45 p.m.  Ukulele Session Sponsored by NAMM  

7:30 a.m. – Noon  Attendee Registration 
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.  Concurrent Sessions  
10 – 11:15 a.m.  Concurrent Sessions  
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.  General Session 

Pre-Conference Workshops

Arrive early and attend a pre-conference workshop on Friday, April 3. All pre-conference workshops are ticketed events. They are open to all conference registrants, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

  • Full Day Workshops | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    #1: The Student Support Card
    #2: Leading for Equity Framework - A Practical Guide for School Boards Looking to Begin or Accelerate Their Equity Journey


  • Morning Workshops | 9 a.m. – Noon

    #3: Understanding the Key Works of School Boards
    #4: Are you Asking the Right Questions When Analyzing Data to Improve Student Outcomes
    #5: Becoming More Engaged & Inclusive Educational Leaders: Strategies for Supporting Our LGBTQ & Historically Underrepresented Students
    #6: Turning High-Poverty Schools into High-Performing Schools - The Board's Role and Actions
    #7: You've Been Hacked! A Step-by-Step Guide on What to Do When You've Suffered a Breach
    #8: Fostering Grit - Encouraging Your Students to Succeed
    #9: Governing Your District for Student Success: School Board Actions that Make a Difference for Students

  • Afternoon Workshops | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

    #10: Be an Undercover Mentor - Empowering this Generation
    #11: From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse - Hot Topics in School Law Today
    #12: The Work of Highly Effective School Boards & the Challenges of Poverty
    #13: Building a High-Impact Board-Superintendent Partnership - 5 Critical Questions You Need to Answer
    #14: The Problem with People - Dealing with Malcontents
    #15: School Leaders Guide to Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
    #16: Ready-Set-GOvern! Beginning Your Board Adventure

Programming Highlights

  • Equity

    As part of NSBA’s dedication to ensuring that all students receive the resources and support they need to succeed, we are offering sessions throughout the conference focusing on a range of equity issues. Our goal is to provide you with crucial background information and specific strategies and plans to advance your work towards providing an equitable education to every child.

    View Sessions

     

  • New Board Member Training
    READY-SET-GOVERN!

    Essential training to help new board members hone their leadership skills and give others a chance to refresh their knowledge while networking with colleagues from across the country.

    View Sessions

  • School Board/Superintendent Relations
    NSBA 2020 is packed with peer-selected educational sessions on the most pressing topics and issues faced by superintendents and administrators. Hear from expert speakers and participate in educational sessions designed to inform and inspire.

    View Sessions

  • School Business Officials
    Whether you’re new or seasoned in managing district operations, the following sessions were designed to deepen your knowledge and skills essential to optimizing business operations for your school district.

    View Sessions

  • School Safety
    Supporting and promoting the physical and emotional safety of students is critical for student success. Learn best practices that promote safe and supportive learning environments for every child.

    View Sessions

Community Service Project

Take a few minutes out of your conference schedule to volunteer at NSBA’s Annual Conference. Community service opportunities include repackaging food for weekend food programs, providing backpacks filled with school supplies and providing a special note of encouragement to a student. Join education leaders in serving students in need from local Illinois communities.

The Community Service project will be at the McCormick Place West Building

  • Friday, April 3, 1 – 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 5, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Your help makes a difference! This event is complimentary to all attendees while supplies last.

Conference Information

  • NSBA 2020 Chicago Hotels

    You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing. All reservations should be made prior to February 28, 2020. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

    View the Chicago Hotel Map.