Preparations set for AEC in San Diego
Plan ahead to get most value from Dec. 1-3 Annual Conference
Published: November 1, 2011
As plans are being finalized for CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show, which runs Dec. 1-3 at the San Diego Convention Center, it’s a good time for conference-goers to sketch out their own itineraries for the three-day event.
With budgets as tight as they are—and public scrutiny of school spending acute—squeezing the conference experience for all it’s worth has never been more important. That’s why every scheduled session has been designed to provide timely, practical information, with specific suggestions that can be used immediately in members’ own school districts or county offices of education.
Problem-solving General Sessions
Each day’s General Session speakers were chosen to help school leaders find answers to some of their most pressing challenges. Each session will be webcast live as a benefit of CSBA membership for those who cannot attend in person; those webcasts will be archived on the CSBA website through the end of December.
“It’s a great way for someone to get more benefit from their conference experience,” said Annual Education Conference Coordinator Deanna Fernandes. “It’s especially good for those back home. We understand there are members who are unable to be at conference this year, so seeing the General Sessions live can help them stay connected to the conference and to the issues being discussed. And they still get training we know all governance team members need.”
Jamie Vollmer, who keynotes Thursday’s sessions, will recap his journey from businessman to becoming one of the country’s leading advocates for school reform.
On Friday, Salman Khan will enthrall listeners with the story of Khan Academy and how its online lessons have reinvented the way some classrooms approach learning.
The invaluable State of the State forum on Saturday morning will help governance teams negotiate the new year. The expert panel includes CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy; Assistant Executive Director for Governmental Relations Rick Pratt; Ron Bennett, president and CEO of School Services of California Inc.; and Kevin Gordon, president of School Innovations and Advocacy Inc. They’ll analyze legislation, regulations and ballot initiatives that will impact public education in 2012.
Tweeters can submit questions ahead of the State of the State session using CSBA’s Twitter hashtag: #csbaaec. Help with crafting questions within Twitter’s 140-character limit will be available at the CSBA Pavilion’s Social Media Lounge on the trade show floor.
Rest and connect in the Pavilion
With all that’s planned to keep attendees busy, the CSBA Pavilion is being expanded and enhanced this year to offer even more ways to connect with CSBA staff and leadership, and as a place to network with other board members. The Pavilion and Social Media Lounge will be perfect places to get answers to questions about CSBA services and publications, learn how to use Facebook and Twitter, and get to know CSBA leadership and other key subject-matter experts. Just look for the special CSBA Pavilion signs in the center of the trade show floor.
On Friday morning, exhibitors from the most asked-about industries—legal services, bond campaign strategies and money-saving environmental technologies—have been invited to share knowledge that can help K-12 decision-makers become more intelligent stewards of public education dollars. The Exhibitor Showcase will be located in a training space adjacent to the CSBA Pavilion.
Networking opportunities
Mealtime functions offer more than a tasty repast—they’re unique occasions to meet with like-minded school leaders, hear informed updates on key issues and form new connections. From the Small School Districts Luncheon on AEC’s opening day through the Golden Bell Awards Luncheon that concludes the conference, participants will find food for thought as well as sustenance to keep conferees going during California’s premier education event. Details on all the luncheons—and breakfasts—are available by clicking on “Ticketed Meal Functions” on the left-hand menu found on the conference planning Easy Link below.
EasyLinks:
• Complete your conference planning
• Follow CSBA AEC on Twitter