The best events for publicly elected boards to attend this year
Conferences and events give your leadership and board members opportunities to share resources and network, as well as learn about best practices, industry trends and innovations. They also offer opportunities to connect with peers and identify potential partners.
This year brings a variety of interesting and useful events for public education and state and local government organizations. We've put together this handy list of key events we think board members and leaders should have on their radar this year.
Why members of public boards should attend events
Board members of public boards benefit personally and professionally by attending professional learning events. Here are just some of the benefits of attending at least one event this year:
- Conferences and special events provide good networking opportunities. Board members can meet with their own colleagues, other leaders and thought leaders. The knowledge board members gain at events will help them be better leaders and better people.
- Collaborative efforts often amplify impact. Large or small events are also good places to find new vendors and potential partners.
- Workshops, seminars, and panel discussions offer board members a wealth of information to take back to the board, including best practices, innovations, and tips for overcoming challenges.
- At events, board members can learn about emerging trends and potential opportunities within the sector. This new knowledge will keep them ahead of the curve when it comes to regulatory changes and societal shifts.
- Certain events may focus on policy and advocacy, which may help board members better navigate regulatory challenges. Attendees may also be able to share their perspectives and get feedback from their peers.
- Conferences can often highlight how best to encourage community engagement. Board members can gather new ideas on how to engage with their communities and address their unique needs.
- Celebration of achievements: Events in the sector often celebrate the achievements and positive impact of organizations. Attending such events allows board members to witness success stories and walk away feeling motivated and inspired.
Month-by-month calendar of professional development events for 2024
January
17-19 January 2024: The Wisconsin Association of School Boards State Education Convention is the place to be for district leaders. The event will be held at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. Board members will be able to attend workshops and breakout sessions, as well as listen to informative keynote speakers. The convention also features an exhibit hall. The event is open to educational leaders and school board members. Board member attendees will get a special treat.
February
15-17 February 2024: The 2024 AASA National Conference on Education is taking place in San Diego, California. This year’s conference highlights the crucial role that public school superintendents play in creating a supportive, inclusive, and empowering educational environment that meets the diverse needs of all students.
We’re excited to join the many school district leaders across the country and introduce solutions that’ll support their efforts in achieving better student outcomes.
22-25 February 2024: 2024 COSSBA Annual Conference will be taking place in Dallas this year at the Hilton Anatole. School district leaders and board members can discover the latest trends and best practices in finance, governance, school safety, mental health, stakeholder engagement, student achievement, AI and more.
We’re excited to join our partners as proud sponsors and session speakers, we will be hosting these two interactive sessions:
- The Board’s Role in Budget Development: Join us for a fun dive into school budgets 101.
- Developing Effective Questioning Techniques for Board Members: Learn to ask questions in a way that demonstrates commitment to the mission yet adds understanding.
March
10-12 March 2024: The Louisiana School Board Association 86th Annual Convention is for elected school board members and other public education stakeholders in the state of Louisiana. The convention, which will be held in Baton Rouge, will feature breakout sessions and special interest clinics. Those who want to attend may register by contacting their school board secretary.
10-12 March 2024: The 2024 Small School District Association State Conference is being held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, California. It is open to all educators and board members. This year’s theme is Positivity in Practice: Leading with Optimism in Education. Attendees can expect engaging speakers, innovative workshops, and lots of opportunities for networking.
20-22 March 2024: The Washington Municipal Clerks’ Association Annual Conference connects municipal clerks in various local governments within the state of Washington through 3 days of professional education, networking and impact recognition.
April
5-9 April 2024: The American Association of Community Colleges is hosting its annual event for community college leaders and board members in Louisville, Kentucky. The theme is Racing Toward a Better Future. Attendees can expect high-energy speakers who will address issues such as disruptive technology and deep-dive problem-solving. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking.
6-8 April 2024: The National School Board Association 2024 Annual Conference and Exposition is the nation’s biggest school board conference. It will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Sunday Keynote speaker is Dr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics. The conference features workshops and an exhibition hall. Diligent Community will also be presenting two workshops at this event.
May
3-5 May 2024: The Community College League of California 2024 Annual Trustees Conference will be held in La Jolla, California. This event is open to community college trustees and is designed to strengthen their skills and knowledge to help them become better leaders. Look for more information about registration on the organization’s website.
19-22 May 2024: IIMC Annual Conference is being held in Calgary in Alberta, Canada. This conference is open to municipal clerks in Canada and the United States. Attendees may attend three full days of sessions and two optional sessions. The event also features a themed dinner and exhibit hall.
[Webinar] The board's role in ensuring academic equity
22 May 2024 12PM CST | 1PM EST
Board members are charged with ensuring equitable outcomes for students in their districts. Part of this charge is to regularly examine the system to identify inequities, updating policies, and appropriately distributing resources.
As AJ Crabill often cites, "Student outcomes won't change until adult behaviors change."
These may be difficult conversations to have at the outset, but ensuring that resources, intermediate measures, and outcomes, focusing on student outcomes make those conversations worth the effort. Boards are uniquely positioned to impact student resources and outcomes.
Join us as we discuss some of the pitfalls and victories boards have experienced in tackling the challenge of equitable outcomes for all students.
June
9-12 June 2024: The AMCTO Conference will be held in Blue Mountains in Ontario, Canada. This event is open to municipal managers, clerks and treasurers. This year’s theme is Moving Mountains, Changing Landscapes. Attendees will learn about best practices, adaptability, doing more with less, and regulatory changes.
[Webinar] Transforming public board productivity
20 June 2024 12PM CDT / 1PM EST
Join us for our next webinar where real customers will be sharing their success stories on how Diligent Community has revolutionized their organizational productivity from agenda creation to enhanced transparency and increased community engagement. Hear valuable insights and learn how you can achieve similar results for your organization.
July
21-23 July 2024: The SSDA Superintendents & High School Leaders’ Summit takes place in Newport Beach, CA. Dedicated to outstanding educational leadership, this annual summit provides professional learning tailored for small school district leaders committed to reaching new heights.
August
28-30 August, 2024: Taking place in Middleton, WI, the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association Annual Education Conference is a value packed conference filled with education and recognition, ideal for anyone in administration of local government e.g. City, Town or Village Clerk, Deputy Clerk or any official having similar duties.
September
8-11 September 2024: Elevate 2024, formerly Modern Governance Summit, is the year’s premier GRC event. This year, we’re offering 60+ sessions that will give you the knowledge, tools and relationships you need to improve outcomes in your organisation — and move your own career forward. Join peers from nonprofit, healthcare, education, government and other sectors this September to learn how new technology and highly refined GRC best practices can help you better achieve your mission. Wondering if Elevate is for you? Here is a sneak peek at the public sector sessions and workshops taking place at Elevate 2024 this year.
23-24 September 2024: The ISBA/IAPSS Fall Conference running in Indianapolis is Indiana’s premier training opportunity for school board members, superintendents, and administrators. Hear from inspirational school advocates, learn about products and services, and share best practices to "pursue excellent outcomes for all children".It’s a great opportunity to collaborate and network with school officials from across the state.
October
6-8 October 2024: The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) host a joint, multiday conference for school leaders from across the commonwealth. This year's PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference will be held in Poconos, PA with the purpose of equipping you for the challenges of your education leadership role by bringing learning opportunities, products and service offerings, along with networking, together for a maximized attendee experience.
7-9 October 2024: Whether exploring pressing challenges like AI, mental gealth and chronic absenteeism; diving deep into key Blueprint for Maryland’s Future topics; or making the most of valuable peer networking opportunities, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education Annual Conference taking place in Annapolis, MD, will provide the timely information and helpful resources busy school board members most need.
17-19 October 2024: The Missouri School Board Association Annual Conference will be held in Kansas City, MO. It offers programs for public school leaders, board members, superintendents, and supportive administrative roles responsible for meeting the educational needs of all public-school children.
20-22 October 2024: NYSSBA’s 2024 Annual Convention & Education Expo takes place in New York City; programming is specifically tailored to the roles and responsibilities of school board members. This year, they're bringing together an extraordinary group of experts who have earned local, statewide and national recognition for their successful work in a wide range of areas from artificial intelligence in the classroom to good governance best practices, and much more.
21-24 October 2024: Throughout NJSBA Workshop 2024, being held in Atlantic City, NJ, you’ll embark on a journey to uncover the multifaceted levels of student success, delving into topics such as pursuing academic excellence, promoting mental health, leveraging technology, negotiating contracts and more. With the training and best practices you’ll get, you’ll be empowered with actionable insights and tools to effectively support and champion the diverse needs of students.
24-27 October 2024: An annual statewide conference like MASB Annual Leadership Conference in Lansing, MI, offers access to training that can benefit both you as an individual board member and your district. Research indicates that boards with high expectations, united teamwork with the superintendent, good understanding of data, and a focus on team development and knowledge building often govern districts with high student achievement.
28-30 October 2024: The NSBA CUBE Annual Conference taking place this year in Las Vegas, NV, has convened school board members from across the nation for the past 56 years to network and share the continually evolving strategies they are using to address the unique educational challenges that exist in our nation's urban centers. Content is curated specifically to provide you with the tools and support you need to effect change as an empowered, impactful urban school board member.
November
6-8 November 2024: Whether you are a veteran board member, a superintendent, a board support professional, or a first-time attendee, the 80th Idaho School Board Association Annual Convention taking place in Boise, ID, has the tools you need to support 21st century education. You’ll come away with practical ideas, best practices, and a renewed commitment to help your board accomplish the critical work ahead.
10-11 November 2024: The OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show being held in Columbus, OH, is Ohio’s premier continuing education program — delivering practical solutions to help school district governance teams improve student learning and achievement. Whether you are a veteran board member, a superintendent, a board support professional or a first-time attendee, you’ll leave the conference with practical ideas and a renewed commitment to help your board accomplish the critical work ahead.
20-21 November 2024: The VSBA Annual Convention, taking place November 20-22, 2024 in Williamsburg, VA, is THE gathering place for a large and enthusiastic audience of school division leaders.This is an event you do not want to miss. In 2023, over 800 school board members, superintendents, and school division staff attended this conference in person and virtually!
21-23 November 2024: WSSDA Annual Conference 2024 is Washington’s premier event for school directors, student board representatives, and superintendents. This year’s conference takes place in Spokane, WA. As the largest gathering of education policymakers in the state, the conference creates a unique opportunity for school directors to spend a few days learning from peers and other educational experts, and for board-superintendent teams to strengthen their own connections.
22-24 November 2024: The IASB•IASA•IASBO Joint Annual Conference being held in Chicago, IL, is the must-attend training and networking event for Illinois school board members, superintendents, and business officials. The event offers a variety of opportunities for focused learning to support your professional and personal school leadership journey.
Dates tbc: The Oregon School Board Association Annual Convention is Oregon’s premier continuing education program — delivering practical solutions to help school boards and their superintendents improve student learning and achievement. This year’s Convention takes place in Portland, OR. Whether you are a veteran board member, a superintendent, a board support professional or a first-time attendee, you’ll leave the conference with practical ideas and a renewed commitment to help your board accomplish the critical work ahead. The convention features some of the “best practices” from school boards across the state.
Dates tbc: The MASC MASS Joint Conference is the largest annual gathering of education leaders in Massachusetts, featuring a program of nationally known guest speakers, panel sessions offering professional development opportunities and in-depth discussion of the critical education issues of today, a variety of vendors and exhibitors, demonstrations on instruction and management best practices, special lunch and dinner programs, and a chance to network with other school leaders!
21-23 November 2024: The CCLC Annual Convention taking place in Burlingame, CA this year is the premier professional development event for California's community college leaders. This event brings together CEOs, trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, and partners from across the state to share tools, models, and solutions to system issues, as well as celebrate accomplishments.
December
5-7 December 2024: Join CASB members for their 84th Annual Convention at Colorado Springs, CO, including an inclusive schedule in place that will give you time to learn, network, and engage with school board members and education experts from across the state and beyond.
5-7 December 2024: The New Mexico School Boards Association Annual Convention taking place in Albuquerque, NM this year begins Thursday afternoon, December 5 with Newly Elected Mandatory Training as well as Veteran Board Member Training and our Board of Directors Meeting. On Friday morning, December 6, attendees will listen to several informative keynote speakers; newly elected members will be sworn in, all will attend the Annual Recognition Awards Luncheon and participate in the Annual Delegate Assembly to adopt legislative priorities and elect state officers.
19-20 December 2024: Join us for ASBA’s 67th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ, the premier end-of-year gathering for school board members and district leaders across the state. Immerse yourself in inspiring sessions featuring national speakers, delve into statewide education initiatives, and connect with fellow educational leaders from Arizona.
Leverage technology for conference and event attendance
Look through the events listed above and decide which ones will benefit your organization, then set notifications for registration dates in your calendar so you can be sure your board doesn't miss out.
Once your board member has attended, encourage them to share what they learned at the next board or committee meeting and store key documents and notes they brought back in your document library.
Discover how Diligent Community can help your public board increase efficiency, improve workflows and ensure your board members make the most of opportunities such as conventions and conferences.
