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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 to gain valuable knowledge in leadership, advocacy, learning technology, urban school issues, and school law.

General Registration and Housing Are Now Open.

Group Registration   Individual Registration

This registration process is not open to representatives from business and industry; companies wishing to attend the Annual Conference should contact Eric Hargis at ehargis@nsba.org or Damien Delgado at ddelgado@nsba.org for registration information.

If you'd like to register by phone or need assistance registering online, please call (800) 616-8210 (U.S. & Canada) or +1(415) 979-2264 (International).

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.

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 wishing to attend the NSBA 2020 Annual Conference must register for COSA School Law Seminar first and select NSBA 2020 Annual Conference to receive a discounted NSBA 2020 registration. COSA School Law Seminar registration opens October 23, 2019.

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
    NatCon/CUBE: $275 | Regular: $325 

    #2: Leading for Equity Framework - A Practical Guide for School Boards Looking to Begin or Accelerate Their Equity Journey 
    NatCon/CUBE: $275 | Regular: $325


  • Morning Workshops | 9 a.m. – Noon

    #3: Understanding the Key Works of School Boards
    NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235

    #4: Are you Asking the Right Questions When Analyzing Data to Improve Student Outcomes
     NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

    #5: Becoming More Engaged & Inclusive Educational Leaders: Strategies for Supporting Our LGBTQ & Historically Underrepresented Students
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205 

    #6: Turning High-Poverty Schools into High-Performing Schools - The Board's Role and Actions 
    NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235

    #7: You've Been Hacked! A Step-by-Step Guide on What to Do When You've Suffered a Breach
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205 

    #8: Fostering Grit - Encouraging Your Students to Succeed 
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

    #9: Governing Your District for Student Success: School Board Actions that Make a Difference for Students 
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

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

    #10: Be an Undercover Mentor - Empowering this Generation
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
     
    #11: From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse - Hot Topics in School Law Today 
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

    #12: The Work of Highly Effective School Boards & the Challenges of Poverty 
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

    #13: Building a High-Impact Board-Superintendent Partnership - 5 Critical Questions You Need to Answer 
    NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235

    #14: The Problem with People - Dealing with Malcontents 
    NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

    #15: School Leaders Guide to Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
    NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235 

    #16: Ready-Set-GOvern! Beginning Your Board Adventure
    NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235

Meal Events

Dine with your school board colleagues and NSBA council boards while hearing from distinguished speakers at these popular events.

  • Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Keynote Luncheon
    Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Keynote Luncheon
    Tony Plana, actor, co-founder and executive artistic director, East LA Classic Theatre (ECT)
    Saturday, April 4 | Noon

    Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

  • National Hispanic Council of School Board Members Keynote Luncheon

    National Hispanic Council of School Board Members Keynote Luncheon
    Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author
    Saturday, April 4 | Noon

    Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90


  • National American Indian/Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN) Keynote Breakfast

    National American Indian/Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN) Keynote Breakfast
    Dr. Stephen Sroka, speaker, trainer, author, teacher and educational consultant
    Sunday, April 5 | 8 a.m.

    Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

  • National Black Council of School Board Members (N Lunch & Learn BC) Keynote Luncheon

    National Black Council of School Board Members (NBC) Keynote Luncheon
    Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., chair of the Center for African American Studies and the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University
    Sunday, April 5 | Noon

    Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90


  • Lunch & Learn

    Lunch & Learn is a unique opportunity to network with your peers and discuss a wide range of timely topical areas such as school safety and equity in education. These informal sessions enable you to take part in important district-level conversations moderated by an experienced facilitator. Each table has a different topic, and you can choose to spend the entire time at one table topic or move about based on your interest level. A box lunch is provided, so skip the long lunch lines at the conference center and be part of what is sure to be a rewarding educational networking session.

    Fee: $55

  • CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)
    CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)
    Saturday, April 4 | 6 p.m.

    CUBE Districts: Free | Regular/NatCon/State Association Staff: $90

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.

  • Destination and Travel
    Add some adventure into your NSBA 2020 Annual Conference experience. We've got you covered with resources to help you plan your trip to Chicago. Click here.