25 Can’t-Miss Education Conferences in 2017

We’ve updated this post for 2019! Check out 26 Can’t-Miss Education Conferences for 2019.

Our team spends a lot of time traveling to conferences around the country to learn from experts, facilitate sessions and cover various conference happenings. Throughout our travels, we continue to curate and update a list of our favorites that we think everyone should check out.
Here is the latest list of 25 can’t-miss education conferences in 2017 from our team:
1. iNACOL Blended & Online Learning Symposium 
“iNACOL” is the leading edge of blended and online learning, drawing an international audience of educators, policymakers, innovators and everyone in between. This year’s symposium brought together 3,500 experts, EdLeaders and educators to explore next-gen learning for K-12 students in over 200 sessions. Topic tracks included K-12 online learning, K-12 blended learning, competency-based pathways, policy, research, quality assurance and more. Check out our Storify capturing the 2016 theme of Innovation for Equity.
October 15-18, 2017; Charlotte, NC
2. SXSWEdu 
Embarking on its seventh year, SXSWedu hosts approximately 14,000 attendees, 1,000 speakers, 400 sessions and 200 expos. Striking a balance in focus between K-12 education, HigherEd, policy and tech innovation, SXSWEdu is able to showcase what’s next in education and remain a true thought leadership summit. Check out our recaps of the 2016 conference. 
March 6-9, 2017; Austin, TX
3. ASU+GSV Summit
Over 300 of the best and brightest in business, entrepreneurship, higher education and education innovation converge for three days in the “high tech mecca” of Salt Lake City, Utah, to transform the way you think about innovations in learning. Check out what it meant for educators and 20 high impact EdTech enterprises, which we saw in our time at ASU+GSV in 2015.
May 8-10, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT
4. BETT
With over 30,000 attendees from all around the world and thousands of exhibitors demonstrating the latest in EdTech, BETT is the world’s largest EdTech conference. Taking place in London, BETT hosts “the savviest speakers and companies in the education industry and the most enthusiastic educators.” Here are opening day highlights from BETT 2016. The 2017 event takes place January 25-28.
January 25-28, 2017; Excel London
5. NewSchools Summit
Started in 1999, and hosted by New Schools Venture Fund, this invitation-only gathering brings together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders, funders and policymakers who are focused on reimagining schools to prepare all students, from every background, for the future. We’re eager to see what next year has to bring.
May 16-17, 2017; Burlingame, CA
6. National Charter Schools Conference
NCSC gives attendees an opportunity to connect with over 4,500 other charter school leaders and educators from across the country.  In 130 breakout sessions and unique networking events, participants can share ideas and strategies for growing and improving charter schools. See the 2016 highlights to learn more. See also Getting Smart staff members’ reflections on the conference from an international perspective here.
June 11-14, 2017; Washington, D.C.
7. ASCD
Next year’s theme for the 72nd annual professional learning experience is “Empower Your Learning.” This conference is “for every educator,” aiming to gather the best minds in educational leadership including teachers, principals, superintendents, instructional coaches, university professors and central office staffers. Look for innovations in pedagogy, campus and district leadership, and more.
March 25-27, 2017; Anaheim, CA
8. ISTE
Dubbed as the “premier forum in which to learn, exchange ideas and survey the field of EdTech,” ISTE Is where educators and school leaders go to learn about new tools and strategies. With over 500 companies, 1,000 sessions and 16,000 educators attending, this event is perfect for industry reps, teachers, tech coordinators/directors, administrators, library media specialists and policy makers. Check out how we were inspired by ISTE 2016 here.
June 25-28, 2016; San Antonio, TX
9. CoSN
CoSN is the place to be if you’re a district tech director or leader. The 2017 event will be celebrating the 25th anniversary with the theme: Invent the Future, aiming to provide technology leaders with the resources to successfully effect change. Sessions cover specifics around common challenges, emerging trends and best practices for what’s next in EdTech. There are also plenty of opportunities to network, share ideas and maximize professional development at breakout sessions, workshops and pre- and post-conference events.
April 3-6, 2017; Chicago, IL
10. SETDA Leadership Summit & Education Forum
With the 2016 event wrapped up, SETDA looks ahead to its 16th year. One of the most important convenings for state EdTech officials of the year brings together leaders from over 40 state departments of education to join leaders in EdTech, assessment, instructional materials and professional development to collaborate and engage in in-depth dialogue.
11. BbWorld
Thought leaders, educators and other great minds from around the world join to “exchange ideas, share best practices and address today’s toughest educational challenges.” Next year’s New Orleans event will host 2,000 attendees and over 150 informative sessions.
July 25-27, 2017; New Orleans, LA
12. PBL World
PBL World is the premier conference for project-based learning, bringing together dedicated teachers, instructional coaches and school leaders. The conference features Buck Institute for Education’s (BIE) Gold Standard PBL 101 Workshop, Leadership Academy, Coaching Academy and PBL 201 sessions. Check out the PBL World 2016 Highlights, an article highlighting the focus on equity from 2016’s conference, and a podcast on students and leaders from this year’s PBL World.
June 20-22, 2017; Napa Valley, CA
13. Deeper Learning Conference
This gathering of innovative and inspiring educators is focused on creating greater opportunities for students to learn deeply. Attend the 5th annual conference to experience deeper learning hands-on through interactive workshops, makerspace and deep dives. You can see more of our blog coverage from last year’s amazing Deeper Learning conference here and a series of videos from the conference with a focus on equity and deeper learning.
March 29-31, 2017; San Diego, CA
14. New Tech Network Conference
NTAC 2016 was themed Making It Personal—Connecting the School and the Student, with the guiding belief that through the creative use of technology, collaborative project designs and empowering student voice, students can achieve academic and social development success. NTAC explores the possibilities of personalized learning in a project-based world. Here’s a reflection we shared on the revolution of teacher professional development offered at the conference.
July 6-10, 2017; Saint Louis, MO
15. ExcelinEd National Summit on Education Reform
This year will be the 9th annual summit hosted by the Foundation for Excellence in Education. The best and brightest from around the nation will meet to share strategies with the goal of transforming lives through education, this year’s theme for the event. Sessions cover policies and practices so it’s a great opportunity for lawmakers, advocates and policymakers to learn more about reform. Here’s our recap of last year’s summit.
November 30-December 2, 2016, Washington, D.C.
16. FETC
The largest national independent EdTech conference discussing tech trends, strategies and best practices for student and school success. 2017 marks the 37th annual event focusing on the Future of Education Technology.
January 24-27, 2017; Orlando, FL
17. TCEA
With over 10,000 attendees, 900 presentations and workshops, and 450 exhibiting companies, TCEA is the largest state convention in the US. Sessions feature nationally-recognized experts with topics catering to every educator.
February 6-10, 2017; Austin, TX
18. CUE Conference
CUE is the largest and oldest EdTech conference in California and is targeted towards educators and EdLeaders looking to advance student achievement by using technology in the classroom. The conference has been held for over 35 years and provides a best-value experience.
March 15-18, 2017; Palm Springs, CA
19. Personalized Learning Summit
Education Elements has held this annual summit for 2 years, but is has been invite-only both years. 2017 will be the first year that it is open to the public, and it’s expected that there will be 500 innovative education leaders in attendance. The goal: learning from and with each other through workshops, keynotes, networking events and tech company tours.
May 10-12, 2017; San Francisco, CA
20. Blended and Personalized Learning Conference
Educators and leaders enjoy this two day conference because it gives them an opportunity to discuss blended learning as it exists today in their schools and classrooms; from day-to-day implementation to strategies and systems that support replication and scalability.
2018 Conference date TBD
21. Serious Play
This will be the 6th year for Serious Play, a leadership conference that embraces the idea that games can revolutionize learning. Speakers from around the world share tips on how to move game-based education forward and their experience creating or using games in the classroom as well as healthcare institutions, government, military and corporations. Attendees actively listen, share and participate in informal sessions revolving around the future of serious games.
July 26-28, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC
22. Distance Teaching & Learning Conference
Innovation. Information. Inspiration.  In distance education, keeping up means staying up to date with what’s next. Last year over 800 participants attended more than 130 sessions, and next year is looking to be even bigger and better. Attendees can expect to connect with online learning leaders from around the world and discover innovative ways to teach and support online learners, as well as best strategies, practices and solutions.
July 25-27, 2017; Madison, WI
23. Annual Conference for Middle Level Education
A valuable and comprehensive PD conference for educators and administrators working with middle school students. AMLE features over 300 sessions in 60 topic areas with hands-on and meet-and-greet opportunities. Because AMLE knows everybody learns differently, the conference caters to the needs of every educator with a multifaceted approach—various session types and styles, opportunities for one-on-one discussions with the leaders, explanations and explorations of technology, and networking—for a most valuable and comprehensive professional development event.
November 5-8, 2017
24. Learning Solutions Conference & Expo
Learn about technologies that are changing the world of training and development and enhancing learning experiences. This conference is for training and learning professionals focused on the design, development, management, and/or distribution of tech-based learning, performance support and blended solutions.
March 22-24, 2017; Orlando, FL
25. OEB 2016
OEB is a global, cross-sector conference on tech-supported learning and training. In 2016, OEB is focused on “Owning Learning,” embracing the new world of the empowered learner. Learn from over 2,300 participants from over 100 countries in various hands-on workshops, plenaries, interactive breakout sessions, debates, labs and demos.
November 30 – December 2, 2016; Berlin

Even More Amazing Conferences

Big Picture Learning’s annual Big Bang conference is also the International Conference on Student-Centered Learning. Last year, over 50 students from around the country joined over 450 educators to lead, teach and participate.
July 25 – July 28, 2017; St. Louis
Did we miss one of your favorites? Tweet us at @Getting_Smart so we can check it out!
Getting Smart offers a variety of interactive conference services including podcasting, media coverage and social media amplifications. For more, check out Getting Smart Services. To learn more, email [email protected] and place “conference media” in the title. We’d love to help you create high levels of engagement at your conference and extend the learning opportunities for attendees after the conference is over. Want to learn more? Contact [email protected].

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