The 2026 AESA Summer Leadership Conference is heading to the Golden State! This year, we’re partnering with the San Bernardino County Office of Education and the Riverside County Office of Education to bring you a powerful leadership experience in the heart of Southern California.
Set against the backdrop of historic charm and West Coast sunshine, this conference will provide engaging sessions, inspiring speakers, and unmatched networking opportunities—all designed for leaders of Educational Service Agencies (ESAs).
We are pleased to invite proposals for breakout sessions that will shape the learning, dialogue, and shared leadership experience of this year’s conference.
The AESA Summer Leadership Conference brings together ESA leaders from across the country to engage in meaningful, practical conversations focused on leading complex systems, supporting districts, and advancing regional impact. We are seeking breakout sessions that are strategic, relevant, and grounded in real-world practice—sessions that move beyond theory and offer actionable insights participants can apply immediately.
Conference Strands
Leading Coherent Systems
(Culture-Alignment-Communication-Leadership Practice)
This strand focuses on how educational leaders design, align, and sustain coherent systems—within their organizations and across districts and communities. Strong proposals will offer practical tools, frameworks, and real-world examples of change management, systems alignment, and leadership practices that create clarity, and build capacity.
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July 15 Proposals may emphasize internal ESA coherence, including leadership alignment, cross-division collaboration, and organizational clarity. |
July 16 Proposals should extend outward to district and community systems, highlighting strategies for leading across boundaries, aligning services to district priorities, and communicating value and impact. |
Submit Your Proposal
Share your expertise and help shape a meaningful Summer Leadership Conference for ESA leaders nationwide. Strong proposals align to a conference strand, address current challenges and emerging opportunities, emphasize leadership practice and implementation, and actively engage participants with practical, transferable strategies.
Submission Deadline: March 12, 2026
Contact Ann Fiene, Chief of Staff, for questions concerning the proposal process or conference strands.
Hotel
Overnight accommodations will be available at the historic Mission Inn Hotel, just minutes from the conference venue. With its stunning architecture and rich history, the Mission Inn offers a memorable and comfortable stay for attendees.
More details, including registration, speaker announcements, and schedule highlights, will be available in Spring 2026. Be sure to subscribe to AESA publications for the latest updates.
