27 Can’t-Miss Education Conferences for 2019

Our team spends a lot of time traveling to conferences around the country to learn with and 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 attend.

Here is the latest list of 26 can’t-miss education conferences for your 2019 planning:

1. 2019 iNACOL Symposium 

October 28, 2019 – October 31, 2019; Palm Springs, California

iNACOL’s annual conference is the leading event for K-12 competency-based, blended and online learning. With over 200 sessions, it brings together over 3,500 experts, EdLeaders and educators to explore next-gen learning for K-12 students. Here are 10 reasons to attend.

2. SXSW EDU

March 4–7, 2019; Austin, TX

The ninth annual, internationally recognized SXSW EDU will include four days of sessions, workshops, learning experiences, mentorship, film screenings, policy discussions and so much more all aimed at impacting the future of teaching and learning. The event hosts over 16,000 attendees, 1,200 speakers, 500 sessions and 200 expos and continues to stand out as a true thought leadership summit. Check out our podcast from SXSW EDU 2018.

3. ASU+GSV Summit

April 8-10, 2019; San Diego, CA

This annual conference is the “only conference during the year where you’ll have access to the smartest and most influential Learning & Talent Tech minds from around the world.” The three-day event hosts over 1000 of the best and brightest in business, entrepreneurship, higher ed and education innovation. Here is our recap of the 2018 summit.

4. BETT

January 23-26, 2019; London

With almost 35,000 attendees from 130 countries, representing 850 leading companies and 103 edtech start-ups, and thousands of exhibitors demonstrating the latest in EdTech, BETT is the world’s largest EdTech conference. Taking place in London, BETT believes in creating a better future by transforming education. This conference is premium, inclusive and game-changing. At every level of education, the themes for BETT 2019 are based on the real needs of the education community, from the tech nervous newbie to the cool geeky early adopter. BETT themes at the heart of education.

5. NewSchools Summit

May 8-9, 2019; Oakland, CA

Next year’s event will be the 20th year for this annual, invitation-only gathering hosted by New Schools Venture Fund which brings together more than 1,300 entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders, funders and policymakers to share ideas on reimagining schools to prepare all students, from every background, for the future. We’re eager to see what next year has to bring.

6. National Charter Schools Conference

June 30-July 3, 2019; Las Vegas, NV

NCSC is the best learning and networking event for school educators, leaders and advocates. At the 2018 event, attendees had an opportunity to connect with over 4,700 others in over 100 breakout sessions, 17 meet-ups, eight charter talks and five networking lounges. Participants walk away with an incredible learning experience and opportunity to share ideas and strategies for growing and improving charter schools. Registration opens on November 8th!

7. ASCD

March 16-18, 2019; Chicago, IL

Next year’s theme for the 74th annual professional learning experience is “Empower19.” Ron Clark, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Ashton Kutcher will be amongst the session speakers. 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 and delivering a revolution in education.

8. ISTE

June 23-26, 2019; Philadelphia, PA

As the “epicenter of edtech,” ISTE Is where educators and school leaders go to learn about new tools and strategies. With over 550 companies, 1,000 sessions and 16,000 educators attending, this event boasts endless learning opportunities perfect for industry reps, teachers, tech coordinators/directors, administrators, library media specialists and policymakers.

9.  Digital Learning Annual Conference

April 1-3, 2019; Austin, TX

This is the inaugural year for the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) and its sure to be one worth attending. The three-day conference will not only explore online learning, digital learning, and the use of technology in education, but will be focused on the exploration of where attendees are relative to their educational goals, and how digital learning can be used to reach the next level.

10. CoSN

April 1-4, 2019; Portland, OR

CoSN is the conference to attend if you’re a district tech director or leader. The 2019 event will be themed around envisioning 2030: leadership for learning, exploring how we can provide the class of 2030 with the skills they will need for success. Sessions will cover three focus areas of ubiquity and access, vision and leadership and pioneering innovation. There are plenty of opportunities to network, share ideas and maximize professional development at breakout sessions, workshops and pre- and post-conference events.

11. SETDA Leadership Summit & Education Forum

November 3-6, 2019; Arlington, VA

With the 2018 event wrapped up, SETDA looks ahead to its 18th year. As one of the most important convenings for state EdTech officials, SETDA 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. Take a look back at the event archives.

12. BbWorld

July 23-25, 2019; Austin, TX

2000+ 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 Austin event will host over 150 valuable sessions, 50 technology partners and access to Blackboard resources, offering participants a chance to walk away with tools to foster success at their institutions.

13. PBL World

June 18-20, 2019; Napa Valley, CA

Pre-conference June 17

In its eighth year, PBL World is the premier project-based learning conference, bringing together dedicated teachers, instructional coaches and school and district leaders who want to connect and learn more about PBL. Rather than a conference with short sessions by various presenters, this event is an institute where participants go through a continuous multi-day experience. The conference, hosted by Buck Institute for Education’s (BIE), stands by the belief that PBL transforms students and PBL World transforms educators.

14. Deeper Learning Conference

March 27-29, 2019; San Diego, CA

DL2019 is the 7th annual gathering of educators and leaders focused on creating more opportunities for students to learn deeply. Attend this conference to experience deeper learning hands-on through interactive workshops, maker spaces and deep dives. Here’s a recap from our time at the DL2018.

15. New Tech Network Conference

July 15-19, 2019; Orlando, FL

NTAC gives principals, teachers, and staff the opportunity to sharpen skills, share best practices and network with like-minded professionals from around the country.

16. Big Bang

July 22-25, 2018, Detroit, MI

Hosted by Big Picture Learning, this conference is for school leaders and educators looking to discover strategies and best practices for advancing student-centered learning, student voice, learning from the community, equity and activism. Big Bang has grown to over 600 attendees from around the world and perhaps our favorite part is that most of the panels are led or include students from the big picture network. This is one you will not want to miss in 2019!

17. ExcelinEd National Summit on Education Reform

Date TBD

ExcelinEd is currently wrapping up their 10th annual conference and we’re excited to see the plan for 2019. The best and brightest policymakers, education leaders and advocates from around the nation will meet for the premier gathering of education reformers to share information on evolving laws, new trends, successful policies and the latest innovations transforming education in the 21st century. Last year’s event was attended by over 1,000 education leaders from 47 states. Here’s a video archive from this year’s summit.

18. FETC

January 27-30, 2019; Orlando, FL

FETC is the largest national independent EdTech conference discussing tech trends, strategies and best practices for student and school success. 2019 marks the 39th annual event focusing on the Future of Education Technology and gathering a group of dynamic and creative education professionals from around the world for an intensive and highly collaborative event exploring new technologies, best practices and pressing issues.

19. TCEA

February 4-8, 2019; San Antonio, TX

Spanning five days with over 8,000 attendees, 1,000 sessions and workshops, and 450 exhibiting companies, TCEA is the largest state convention and exposition in the US. This year’s 39th annual event will feature nationally-recognized experts with topics catering to every educator.

20. CUE Conference

March 14-16, 2019; Palm Springs, CA

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 a go-to event for educational innovation for almost 40 years and provides a best-value, three-day experience for over 6,000 educators.

21. Personalized Learning Summit

May 14-16, 2019; Atlanta, GA

In its 5th annual summit, Education Elements is bringing together 750 innovative district leaders. Participants can expect engaging and dynamic sessions, professional development and networking opportunities, and even tours of some of the most innovative companies in the Bay Area. Here’s a look back at the 2018 summit.

22. Blended and Personalized Learning Conference

April 4-6, 2019; Providence, RI

Educators, leaders and innovators can enjoy this three-day conference because it gives them an opportunity to discuss blended and personalized learning as it exists today in their schools and classrooms. At the 2019 conference, the Highlander Institute and The Learning Accelerator will be showcasing the best classroom, school and district implementers from across the country.

23. Distance Teaching & Learning Conference

August 6-8, 2019; Madison, WI

This conference attracts a broad range of professionals in distance education and online learning. In over 30 years, the conference has grown to over 800 participants and 130 sessions. Attendees can expect to connect with online learning leaders from across the nation and around the world and discover innovative ways to teach and support online learners, as well as best strategies, practices and solutions. We are staying tuned for more information on next year’s event.

24. Annual Conference for Middle Level Education

November 7-9, 2019; Nashville, TN

A valuable and comprehensive PD conference for educators and administrators working with middle school students. AMLE features over 300 sessions in 30 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.

25. OEB 2019

December 2019; Berlin

OEB is a global, cross-sector conference on tech-supported learning and training held in Berlin. The 2018 conference, OEB focused on “incorporating learning technologies,” and giving insights on opportunities and challenges that are changing the world of learning. Attendees can expect to learn from over 2,300 participants from over 100 countries in over 100 hands-on workshops, plenaries, interactive breakout sessions, debates, labs and demos.

26. LearnLaunch Across Boundaries

January 31 – February 1, 2019; Boston, MA

In its 7th year, the Across Boundaries conference hosted by the LearnLaunch Institute brings together the edtech community – educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, investors, education companies and tech innovators – to drive innovation, transform learning and increase achievement using digital technologies. The conference has grown to over 1,200 participants from 33 states and an agenda full of engaging keynotes and informative breakout sessions.

27. OLC Innovate

April 3-5, 2019; Denver, CO

Hosted by the Online Learning Consortium and Merlot, OLC Innovate’s theme for 2019 is “moving mountains in digital, blended and online learning.” Attendees will challenge their teaching and learning paradigms, reimagine learner experience and ideate on how disruptions in education today, can shape the innovative classroom of tomorrow.

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 strategic advising, podcasting, media coverage and social media amplification. To learn more, email [email protected] and place “conference media” in the subject line.

Stay in-the-know with innovations in learning by signing up for the weekly Smart Update.. This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures, please see our Partner page.