Join Us in the Golden State!
July 14-16, 2026 | Riverside, CA
Today’s ESA leaders are navigating increasingly complex systems. Systems in Sync focuses on how leaders create coherence across leadership, instruction, well-being, operations, and community partnerships—breaking down silos and strengthening connections to maximize impact.
This year, AESA is proud to partner with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the Riverside County Office of Education to host the conference in a region known for innovation, collaboration, and historic charm. Set against the backdrop of West Coast sunshine, the conference will bring together ESA leaders to explore how aligned systems drive stronger outcomes for students, staff, and communities.
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.
Keynote Speaker
Marlon Styles
Marlon Styles is an award-winning educator, author, and inspirational speaker known for advancing innovation, equity, and student opportunity. A former Superintendent of the Year and one of District Administration's Top 100 Education Influencers, Styles is the author of Make Your Move and inspires educators to become empowered "Unifiers" who create learning experiences that help all students thrive.
Learning Tour
Garner Holt Education Through Imagination
Overnight Accommodations
Located in the heart of historic downtown Riverside, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa offers a memorable place to stay during the 2026 Summer Leadership Conference. This iconic National Historic Landmark features beautiful Spanish Mission–style architecture, peaceful courtyards, and richly detailed spaces that reflect more than a century of history. After a day of conference sessions, guests can relax at the hotel’s spa, enjoy excellent dining, or explore the surrounding downtown area. The Mission Inn combines historic charm with modern comfort, creating a distinctive Southern California experience for your conference stay.
The AESA room block details will be emailed upon your registration for the 2026 Summer Leadership Conference.
Reserve Your Room Before the Hotel Block Closes on June 21, 2026.
Pre-Conference Experience
In today’s educational landscape, ESAs are under increasing pressure to do more with less—while still delivering high-quality services to member districts. Yet two of the most powerful tools for sustainable growth—pricing and experimentation—remain among the most underused.
Participants will leave with practical, actionable skills to:
- Strengthen pricing strategies and maximize value
- Make more informed, data-driven decisions
- Test ideas through meaningful, low-risk experiments
- Build a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
July 14, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm, lunch provided.
Riverside COE
Pricing
$800 per person or $650 each for teams of 3+ (50% of the BSF 1.0 Workshop price). Lunch is included in the registration fee.
Additional Conference Details
Click on a topic below to explore more details. We'll be sure to include more information closer to the conference dates!