December 2–4, 2026 | Hilton Orlando
Join us for the 41st Annual Conference & Expo, the premier gathering for education leaders nationwide. This year’s theme, ESAs in Action: Leading, Innovating, and Elevating Education, celebrates how ESAs turn vision into action to create real impact for students, schools, and communities.
Conference Strands
This strand explores how ESAs turn vision into results through transformative leadership, impact measurement, capacity building, and talent development.
Centered on forward-thinking practices, this strand explores how AI, educational technology, and data analytics are transforming ESAs. It emphasizes collaboration, collective impact, and strategies for scaling innovative pilot projects into sustainable, system-wide solutions.
This strand examines how ESAs can build long-term sustainability through strategic funding models, strong cross-sector partnerships, service expansion, and operational resilience. The focus is on strengthening financial health and adaptability to ensure future growth and impact.
Designed to improve student outcomes, this strand highlights strategies to close opportunity gaps, expand access, increase engagement, and deliver innovative services, particularly for rural and underserved districts, while preparing learners and educators for the future workforce.
This strand addresses effective board leadership and governance practices that support long-term sustainability. Topics include clarifying board roles and responsibilities, strategic planning processes, legal updates, and current issues facing ESA boards
Focused on strengthening organizational infrastructure, this strand explores data governance, executive support best practices, process improvement, and emerging technologies such as automation and AI. It highlights the evolving role of administrative professionals as strategic partners driving organizational effectiveness.General Session Keynotes
Sandy Zimmerman
A a motivational speaker, former P.E. teacher, and nine-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, Sandy uses powerful storytelling and personal experience to inspire audiences to build resilience, embrace challenges, and lead with a relationship-first mindset.
Cornelius Minor
Cornelius Minor is an educator, author, and co-leader of The Minor Collective who partners with students, families, educators, and school leaders to strengthen classroom communities and advance student-centered, equitable learning experiences.
Erik Therwanger
Founder of Think GREAT and former U.S. Army Special Operations Green Beret, Erik Therwanger helps leaders and organizations unlock their potential through resilience, purpose-driven leadership, and high-performance mindset strategies.
Join Us in Florida!
Step into the future of education leadership at AESA’s premier national gathering! Connect with visionary ESA leaders, ignite innovation, and shape the next chapter of public education.
Please Note: In order to register at the AESA member rate, you must have an account in the AESA Member Portal. You can request an account by completing AESA's Membership Portal Account Form.
Registration Details
Registration fees include full access to all sessions and the Expo, plus meals and events including the Wednesday Welcome Reception, Thursday breakfast, lunch, and Member Reception, and Friday's Networking Breakfast.
Register soon . . . early bird registration discount expires September 1!
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AESA Members: $990 standard rate
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Non-Members: $1,320 standard rate
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made in writing before November 1 will be refunded in full, less a $100 per person processing fee. Cancellations received on or after November 1 through November 15 will be refunded at 50%. NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED AFTER November 15. Cancellations may be emailed to afiene@aesa.us.