SchoolCEO Conference All-in-One Approval Kit
Getting budget approval for professional development isn't always easy. That's why we built this All-In-One Approval Kit — to help you make an ironclad argument for your seat at the 2026 SchoolCEO Conference: All In: AI, Brand and Communications, happening September 28–29 in Dallas, Texas.
We're going bigger and bolder than ever this year (it's Texas, after all). From connecting the trip to your district's goals to proving it's worth every penny, here's everything you need to convince the powers that be to send you. Yeehaw!
On Day 2, our 2026 keynote lineup takes the stage:
Rebecca Bultsma
A featured Forbes expert on AI ethics, Bultsma helps school leaders make sense of what's actually happening with AI, from deepfakes to algorithmic bias to the governance questions nobody has answers to yet. Before becoming a full-time speaker and researcher, Rebecca spent seven years as a school division communications director, so she knows what it's like to be the person everyone turns to when the hard questions hit. At SchoolCEO, Rebecca will tell you which tough conversations you need to have about AI in your district. Then, in a special hands-on workshop, she’ll show you how to have them.
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Jessica Chen
A globally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and communication strategist, Chen helps leaders and organizations navigate change with clarity, confidence and credibility. Having reached over 2 million learners worldwide, she is one of today's most trusted voices on communication, connection, and leadership. She is the bestselling author of the book Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons; an instructor at Columbia University; and the host of the iHeartMedia podcast Leading by Example: Executives Making an Impact.
Emma Stratton
As the founder of B2B positioning firm Punchy and best-selling author of Make It Punchy, Stratton has trained marketing teams and developed messaging strategies for some of the world’s leading tech companies, from Salesforce to Uber. At SchoolCEO Conference, she'll apply her industry-leading secrets to school communications to help you ensure your most important messages land.
Step 2: Highlight the Return on Investment
Everything's bigger in Texas — including the payoff. This is what your $650 general registration buys you:
Two full days of all-new programming, built specifically for K-12 leaders & comms folks
Three keynote speakers — private-sector experts applying their work directly to school communications and leadership
Eight breakout sessions grounded in original research, real client results, and hands-on workshops — each offered twice so you can build a schedule around your priorities
Continued access to presentations after the conference ends and take-home materials
Real connections with communications and district leaders from across the country facing the same challenges you are
Dedicated time away from your district to learn, ideate and solve problems
All meals and entertainment
That's a fraction of the cost of comparable multi-day professional conferences — and every single session is built for K-12 communications and district leadership, not generic marketing advice repackaged for schools. District groups of 5+ even receive one ticket for free. Go big, or stay home! We’ve also secured a discounted room block in the same 4-star luxury hotel where our conference is taking place, the historic Fairmont Dallas. With our exclusive rate, rooms start at just $219 per night.
What you’ll save:
Comparable National K-12 Leadership or Communications Conference Registration: Approximately $1,000+ (Our Cost: $650)
Out-of-Pocket Meal Costs for 2 days in Dallas: Approximately $250+ (Our Cost: $0)
Transportation to/from hotel and conference venue 2x per day: Approximately $40-80 (Our Cost: $0)
Starting Rate of Non-Discounted Fairmont Hotel Room: $305 per night (Our Cost: $219)
What’s it worth?
Consider the time you will save once you have learned to master tools that previously intimidated you, and learn branding and communication skills that will propel your district forward. For instance, according to a 2025 SAP survey, employees using AI across industries reported saving nearly five hours a week, on average. With a 40-hr work week, that adds up to 250 hours per year!
$6,000 per year time saved with AI (at median hourly wage of $24 in U.S.)
$10,000 per new student when you fix enrollment
$1,000,000+ voter support
All told, attending SchoolCEO saves you approximately $1,290 compared to similar events! But what you stand to gain is—as Texans like to say—a whole lot of sugar for a dime.
Step 3: Make the Ask
Use these templates to request approval. Customize the content to fit your role, your department's priorities, and your district's goals — and clearly outline what you plan to learn and how you'll bring that value back to your schools.
Subject: Requesting Approval to Attend SchoolCEO Conference 2026 in Dallas
Hi [Your Boss],
I'd like to request approval to attend the 2026 SchoolCEO Conference, All In: AI, Brand and Communications, taking place September 28–29 in Dallas, Texas. This year's theme lines up directly with [District Name]'s goals around [insert specific goal — e.g., modernizing family communications, reducing chronic absenteeism, strengthening our district brand, meeting the new ADA Title II deadline].
Over two days, I'll have access to:
Keynotes from AI expert Rebecca Bultsma, leadership communication strategist Jessica Chen, and messaging expert Emma Stratton
Breakout sessions on [list 2–3 sessions most relevant to your role]
Networking opportunities with communications and district leaders from across the country tackling the same challenges we are
Demonstrations of the latest technological advancements in communication tools
Registration is $650 per person, which covers all sessions, meals, and materials. [Add travel/hotel cost estimate if helpful — remember that group rates and a discounted hotel block at the Fairmont Dallas are available and that there are two major airports supporting the Dallas area]
When I'm back, I'll [share a recap with the team, apply a specific strategy, bring back a plan for X].
Thank you for considering this investment in our team's growth.
[Your Name]
