SchoolCEO Conference

Beyond choice: Creating meaningful connections

September 24th - September 25th, 2025
Little Rock, Arkansas
Statehouse Convention Center
 

Register for SchoolCEO Conference!

The role of the school leader is rapidly changing. To compete for your community's attention, students, and teachers, you need to take a second look at how you're marketing your schools. SchoolCEO Conference is dedicated to helping you do just that. You'll learn how to shape the narrative of your district through strategic framing principles, storytelling, and marketing best practices.

“Hands down the best conference
I’ve ever been to.”

Dr. Amy Padgett Superintendent, Bakersfield R-IV

Past attendees

SchoolCEO Conference is designed for:

Superintendents

As the visionary leader of your district, SchoolCEO Conference will not only equip you with practical ways to grow your community but also challenge the way you think about marketing and workplace culture.

I learned more in one day of the SchoolCEO Conference than any conference I've attended.
Nancy Anderson
Superintendent, Cutter Morning Star Public Schools

Communications & Public Relations Directors

As a communications leader, SchoolCEO Conference will inspire you to think differently about how you reach both internal and external audiences. You’ll learn out-of-the-box ways to get people to talk about your schools.

If you're not at this conference, you're not doing it right. This is exactly what educators need right now.
Daniel Wright
Digital Communications Director, Marshall Public Schools

Human Resources & Recruiting Directors

As someone that sets the tone for culture in your schools, SchoolCEO Conference will challenge what you know about recruitment and culture. You’ll learn how to motivate your team and recruit the best people to your district.

SchoolCEO Conference is a great opportunity for school and school district leaders to think differently about their culture and brand, and listening to speakers and being surrounded by others that will push and challenge your thinking.
Matt Warnock
Director of Recruiting & Retention, Terrell ISD

Family Engagement & Retention Directors

Families are at the heart of what makes your district special. But how do you engage them to take part in the great things that are happening in your schools? That’s a question we’ll dive into at SchoolCEO Conference.

We just feel empowered and excited to go back and implement what we learned.
Chrisy Crough
Public Relations Director, Hays USD 489

Past speakers

All of our speakers are experts in their fields from storytelling to strategic framing to branding and marketing.

Michael Bonner

Michael Bonner is a renowned leader, innovator, and performance booster, who is a trailblazer in leadership development and organizational culture. He is a dynamic keynote speaker as seen on The Ellen Show, NBC Nightly News, and Time for Kids and a recent recipient of Atlanta's 40 under 40 awards. He is the CEO of Bonnerville, a business that promotes the value of self-care and a highly respected team member at the famed Ron Clark Academy.

Karen Eber

Karen Eber is a global leadership consultant and keynote speaker. Her book, The Perfect Story, teaches you how to turn a merely good story into a great one. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps companies build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time.

Neal Foard

Neal Foard is an award-winning marketing and creative professional with leadership experience in advertising, experiential marketing, and brand development. Today, he is a popular storyteller on YouTube and Instagram. He has consulted on creative messaging for Fortune 500 companies and universities and has been a featured speaker at TEDx conferences.



Schedule

Day 1 - Pre-Conference

Wednesday, September 24th, 2024

Registration
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Conference check-in

Pre-Conference Sessions at Apptegy HQ
11:30am to 5:00pm
     Ideas & Resources at 9:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am
     Tools & Tips at 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30pm

Lunch at Apptegy
11:30am to 12:30pm

Welcome Dinner and Drinks
6:00pm—9:00pm

Day 2 - Conference

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

08:00 AM
Breakfast at the Statehouse Convention Center
08:30 AM
Opening Session
11:45 AM
Lunch
04:50 PM
Closing Session
06:00 PM
Dinner & live band karaoke

Register now

“We attend lots of conferences, we have never felt more welcome.”

Jamie Skjeveland, Superintendent, Crosby-Ironton School District, Minnesota

This conference is different from others you've attended. Why?

Limited to 500 attendees
Zero vendors
All keynote speakers

About SchoolCEO

SchoolCEO is a research and perspectives magazine for superintendents and other K12 leaders. Published quarterly in print and online, SchoolCEO is the only magazine focused on marketing in K-12 public education. This publication equips educators with the unique and actionable ideas they need to brand and market their schools in a highly competitive environment. With more than 20,000 readers, SchoolCEO is leading the conversation on communications, recruitment, and branding in public education. For past issues and more information visit schoolceo.com .

Little Rock

Why Little Rock?

Little Rock is where we're from and we'd love to bring you one step closer to our culture and our people!

Plus, you'll get first hand views of the beautiful Arkansas River and enjoy some delicious Southern comfort food in the bustling downtown River Market.

Hotel information

Little Rock Marriott

3 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201

Register now!

The best one-day conference school leaders can attend*

*Technically, it’s a day and a half.