To confirm your participation, please return the speaker agreement by the due date indicated.By completing the agreement, you agree to present the session noted at the date and time indicated.Please do not make changes to the session title or content without prior approval from SAIS.Please have your headshot and brief bio (150-200 words) available when you complete the agreement.SAIS reserves the right to cancel or reschedule your session if the speaker agreement is not returned by the date indicated.Once your speaker agreement has been submitted, your name and bio will be added to the event speaker listing.
Please send your slides as a PDF or Google slide link to elizabeth@sais.org by January 26.If applicable, please provide a resource document as well. Attendees appreciate a checklist, sample plan, or other organizational tool that can be put into immediate use.Slides, resources, and handouts will be accessible to attendees online.SAIS does not print handouts, but you are welcome to bring your own.
SCREEN & PROJECTOR:SAIS will provide a screen, projector with HDMI connection, and USB wireless pointer.MICROPHONE:If SAIS deems necessary, a microphone suitable to the room and anticipated group size will be provided.COMPUTER & ACCESSORIES:Presenter is responsible for providing computer with an HDMI connection as well as any accessories (mouse, power cable, etc).PLUG & PLAY:Presenter should be comfortable plugging computer into projector without assistance. While SAIS staff will be on-site for backup, dedicated tech support may not be available at all times. Please alert SAIS staff in advance if you have any concerns.VIDEOS WITH SOUND:If your presentation includes videos with sound (or other audio clips), please make sure to indicate accordingly on the speaker agreement. Contact elizabeth@sais.org if you need to change or update this detail after submitting the agreement. Additionally, please be sure download the videos to your computer prior to the session. The hotel internet can likely handle a short clip, but to be safe please test your presentation with the wifi turned off before arriving at the conference.
ROOM SET:Room set (classroom, crescents, theatre) will be determined by SAIS staff based on room size, expected attendance, event logistics, and any other applicable guidelines or recommendations.REQUESTS:Please submit any special requests to elizabeth@sais.org at least seven business days prior to the event.PLANNING YOUR SESSION:Review this” top tips” guide to help prepare your presentation.View Top Tips for Presenters
The names you submitted as speakers are the ones approved by SAIS. Speakers may not be invited or disinvited without prior approval from SAIS. To add/remove speakers for your session, please email elizabeth@sais.org.
If your plans change and you are unable to participate as a speaker, please contact elizabeth@sais.org or text (336) 302-9111 as soon as possible.
Please secure your hotel reservation in the SAIS block using the reservation link HERE.Chattanooga Marriott DowntownGroup rate: $154Cut-off date: January 15Reservation link: CLICK HEREIf you receive an error message or if the block is full, please contact info@sais.org.NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Occasionally unauthorized third parties may attempt to coordinate your reservations. Please use only the above hotel links to secure your reservation directly with the hotel.
ADDRESS: 2 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga TN 37402 (connected to the convention center)PARKING: Both valet ($28/day) and self-parking ($25/day) are available.CHECK-IN: 4:00 PMCHECK-OUT: 11:00 AMPETS: No pets allowed. Service animals only.FITNESS CENTER: 24/7 access via room key.RESTAURANTS: Three restaurants are available inside the hotel and many others are within walking distance. See details here.AIRPORT: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) is 15 miles away. Ground transportation options include car rentals and ride share services. The hotel does not offer a shuttle.Downtown Chattanooga is a vibrant cultural center offering restaurants, entertainment, boutiques, galleries, and a top-rated aquarium along with easy access to famous attractions such as Rock City, Ruby Falls, and The Incline Railway. Hiking trails are also available nearby. More details here.
After submitting the speaker agreement, the next step is registering for the conference. Please follow these steps to complete your conference registration:1. Go to http://www.sais.org and log in.2. If you do not already have a record in the system, please create one via this link.3. Select the event from Events tab.4. Click on the Register button.5. Check the Breakout Speaker ticket type (you must be logged in to view this option).6. Scroll down and complete your registration details. 7. On the payment page, enter your promo code, if applicable. Promo codes MUST be applied during registration, are non-transferable, and cannot be issued as refunds.
All sessions and meals will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center, which is connected to the Marriott. Here’s a floorplan of the meeting space.View Schedule (Password: SAISDI26)
Attendees will have the opportunity to choose breakout sessions from learning journeys and can follow a single path throughout or explore a mix, depending on interests and goals.-Practical Tools & Strategic Implementation-Inclusion Innovation & Transformation-Practitioner Well-Being & Support Networks
View RosterPlease note you must be logged in to view.
Conference menus will be inclusive of a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian choices as well as selections suitable for those avoiding nuts, shellfish, seafood, pork, or red meat. To help you plan, the full menus will be posted here a few weeks prior to the event. We hope you’ll find choices that meet your dietary needs.Please don’t hesitate to contact lori@sais.org if you have any questions or require further assistance.
School Spirit Day is the last day of the conference! Show your school pride by wearing your school’s colors, logo shirts, or any spirited apparel. Otherwise, business casual is always in style at SAIS.Also be sure to bring a jacket or sweater in case you find the meeting room chilly. We skew cooler than warmer for meeting room temps.
We’re so glad you’re joining us, and we hope you’ll help us spread the word about this event! A personalized graphic will be created for you to share on social media and will be available in the below folder in a few days.Access Graphic
To access your certificate, go to sais.org and login under My Account. From the Member Compass, select Continuing Education to view or print.
Details coming soon. Interested in exhibiting or know of a company who might benefit from connecting with this audience? More details here or contact Anna Taylor at anna@sais.org. In the meantime, check out our 2025 supporters. We’re grateful for their contributions that help us provide meaningful professional development opportunities for a variety of independent school leaders.
Participation in SAIS events signifies an attendee’s acknowledgment of infectious and other diseases and voluntary assumption of the risk of exposure or infection by attending the event. Attendees agree to comply with all guidelines and procedures, including distancing and/or masking, that may be implemented by SAIS, in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities.
Participants expressly acknowledge the intellectual property of the presenters of this conference and these other terms that are conditions of attendance. This acknowledgment includes the understanding that creating any form of recording, including but not limited to video or audio is a violation of the intellectual property of the speakers as well as a violation of the terms of participation in this event. Participants expressly agree not to independently record, or knowingly let anyone else record, any of the conference sessions in which they participate. Participants will also not share their unique link to the conference platform or the content therein with anyone else. The unique link to the conference platform will be used solely by the participant.
Registration, attendance at, or participation in SAIS meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to SAIS’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions, and audio of such events and activities.
Other event policies may also be in effect at the time of the event.
Please contact learn@sais.org with any questions.
