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.
Learn from Peers
130+ Breakout Sessions
Discover practical solutions and innovative strategies presented by ESA professionals from across the country. Learn from colleagues who are addressing challenges, driving innovation, and delivering results in their communities.
Expand Your Perspective
AESA Global
Connect with international education leaders attending the conference and explore opportunities to expand your ESA's global reach, partnerships, and impact.
Explore New Solutions
Expo Hall
Meet with 80+ industry partners showcasing the latest products, services, and technologies designed to support educational organizations. Discover innovative solutions, explore emerging trends, and connect with organizations that can help advance your agency's goals.
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.
See You 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.
Extend Your Experience
Post-Conference Workshop December 4-5
Keep the momentum going after the conference with an optional post-conference workshop designed specifically for ESA leaders.
The Business Strategy Framework Workshop 1.0 provides a practical, collaborative approach to evaluating new opportunities, strengthening existing services, and making strategic decisions with confidence. Participants will leave with a proven framework they can immediately apply to guide conversations, align leadership teams, and create greater value for the districts and communities they serve.
