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It’s all about you this year at Leadership Summit
Leaders will learn how to live their best lives while supporting students
September 16, 2024
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November may be best known for a certain holiday gathering of family and friends, but Leadership Summit is the best time for school leaders to come together with their other family — their ACSA family.
“It’s a family reunion,” said Leadership Summit Planning Committee Chair Patricia Brent-Sanco, describing this annual ACSA event.
ACSA’s premier conference of the year, Leadership Summit is where administrators from all job categories gather to improve their practice, network and celebrate the profession. The conference will be held Nov. 14-16 in San Diego at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.
This year’s conference planning committee selected “Together We Shine: Nurturing Health, Hearts & Minds” as the theme to represent unity while understanding that school administrators’ mental, physical, and emotional health needs are paramount, Brent-Sanco said.
“This conference is focused on us as educators,” she said. “It’s a time to focus on how to live your best life as a leader. It’s a time to re-energize, restore, and renew our commitment to supporting each other and all students across the state of California.”
Attendees will find dozens of relevant learning topics presented by leading practitioners in the field of education. Brent-Sanco said workshops will be geared toward answering several core questions, including:
  • How do we ensure the well-being of ourselves and our teams so we can best meet the needs of students, parents and the community?
  • What important steps must we engage in now to ensure our leadership matters and is having an impact?
  • How can we improve our mental, physical and emotional well-being and how that impacts the work we do?
In addition to learning, there will be plenty of opportunities to find fellowship with other school administrators who are facing similar challenges. Make connections and share insights during networking opportunities at luncheons, receptions and sessions throughout the conference.
“Each year I attend, I make meaningful connections with colleagues, I learn new techniques and strategies that I can immediately put to good use, and I gain insights on new trends, hot topics and how to further my growth as a leader,” Brent-Sanco said.
Leadership Summit also provides a crucial opportunity for leaders to step away from the day-to-day operations of their districts and sites. Summit attendees will enjoy time to focus on themselves and their well-being, so that they can be the best leaders for their schools and districts.
“Self-care is not selfish, so get ready to indulge in some quality time focused on you,” Brent-Sanco said.
Hotel accommodations The Leadership Summit room block is open and there are two host hotel options to book from. Hotel rooms are in high demand and the room blocks will sell out. Don’t delay — use the links online to reserve the following ACSA group rate accommodations:
Hilton San Diego Bayfront: Group rate $299. Rate is available until Friday, Oct. 18, or until the room block sells out.
Omni San Diego Hotel: Group rate $319. Rate is available until Monday, Oct. 14, or until the room block sells out.
Signature events Attendees have multiple special events they can experience while at Leadership Summit. Here’s a rundown of a few of these opportunities — remember to add-on ticketed events to your Summit registration.
Negotiations Collaborative: Arriving early on Wednesday? Want to learn about the conditions and laws that impact labor negotiations? Join ACSA and School Services of California for a special pre-conference event featuring experts who will delve into all elements of bargaining, including current trends, challenges and best practices in local district negotiations. Sessions take place from 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesday. (Free for attendees, be sure to RSVP when you register as space is limited; $75 for non-attendees, who can register at bit.ly/SummitNegotiations.)
ACSA Academy Alumni Reception: Have you taken one (or more) of ACSA’s Academies? Come to this reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday to mingle with your fellow Academies grads. Maybe you can strike up a conversation with someone in an academy you are thinking about taking. Be sure to RSVP when you register.
First-time Attendees Breakfast: Get fueled up for the day while meeting other new attendees at this breakfast Thursday morning.
Every Student Succeeding Awards Presentation: Celebrate your “why” during this presentation, which will honor one student winner from each ACSA region, as well as two adult education students, who have overcome adversity with help from the caring educators in their lives. The program from 11-12 p.m. Thursday will feature videos about each student’s emotional story — you might want to bring some tissues. ACSA members from each region are encouraged to come to this event and make these students feel special.
Women Leaders Luncheon: Hear from a distinguished speaker during this Thursday luncheon supporting female leaders. (Ticketed event — $100)
Affiliates Reception: ACSA celebrates its affiliate partners: CAAASA, CALSA, CAAPLE and our LGBTQIA+ and Women Leaders during these networking receptions. Check the schedule online for times and days.
Equity Luncheon: Hear from a distinguished speaker during this Friday luncheon supporting equity in education. (Ticketed event — $100)
Awards Dinner and President’s Gala: It’s like the Oscars, but for school administrators. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the best and the brightest in the field as 21 winners of Administrator of the Year awards and five special award winners are honored. Enjoy a seated dinner and dancing following the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday. (Ticketed event — $140 per person)
Every Student Succeeding Fun Run/Walk: Get some steps in for a good cause at this year’s fun run, which raises money to support the Every Student Succeeding awards program. (Ticketed event — $25)
Exhibit Hall: There are always plenty of fun, food and activities at the Leadership Summit Exhibit Hall. Stop by the Member Services lounge for fun activities and prizes. Grab a card and play Partner Bingo for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards. The Summit Bookstore is stocked with all your favorite ACSA-branded gear and some steals in the clearance section. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the booths of the partners and exhibitors who generously sponsor this event. Gain valuable resources and insights that can make a significant difference for students, and you may also walk away with some exciting swag and prizes. You won’t want to miss it!
FYI
Leadership Summit
What: ACSA’s premier professional development event for school leaders at all levels of administration. When: Nov. 14-16, 2024 Where: San Diego (Hilton Bayfront Hotel) Cost: $749 ACSA members through Sept. 30; $949 non-members through Sept. 30. Register: bit.ly/acsasummit24 Hotel info: Don’t delay – reserve the following ACSA group rate accommodations.