UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership is July 11-13 in Seattle. Are you ready for what’s shaping up to be the most exciting education leadership event of the year? We’ve got three days jam-packed with inspiring keynotes, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and plenty of fun surprises.   

Here’s a snapshot of a few must-attend events at this year’s UNITED conference. 

Day 1: July 11 – Get Inspired 

Opening General Session with Keynote Speaker Daymond John: 8:30-10 a.m. | 4th Floor, Room 4E | Arch Center 

Start your conference experience with none other than Daymond John, entrepreneur extraordinaire and star of Shark Tank. His opening keynote address will leave you fired up and ready to lead like never before.  

Daymond John Book Signing and Photo Op: 10:15-11 a.m. | 4th Floor, Exhibit Hall | Arch Center 

Stick around to snag his autograph and capture the moment. His books will be available for purchase at the conference bookstore. 

The Development of Play: How the Playground Supports the Development of Play Skills: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | 3rd Floor, Room 303 | Arch Center 

Explore the connection between play and whole-school wellness with Ariel Mansholt and Jill Moore from Landscape Structures Inc. With the diagnoses of Sensory Processing, Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and others on the rise, it is important to design spaces to support their acquisition of skills.  

Ticketed Luncheon with Adam Welcome: Everything Is Contagious (Pre-Registration Required): 12:15-1:45 p.m. | 6th Floor, Ballroom B | Arch Center 

Fuel up and make new friends during the Networking Lunch in Exhibit Hall from. Bring your appetite and your business cards! Recently named one of the top 100 influencers in education, Adam will share his secrets for cultivating a contagiously positive school culture. 

Through the Leadership Lens: Seeing What Matters, Leading What’s Next: 2-3 p.m. | 6th Floor, Room 6A | Arch Center 

Join NAESP Senior Fellow Andy Jacks to explore leadership strategies for the modern school leader. This session will provide an opportunity to break-out in the areas of each center in the NAESP Centers for Advancing Leadership and collaborate with others to reframe your next steps and focus forward as a school leader. 

Parents as Partners: How School Leaders Can Effectively Engage Families to Support IDEA Implementation: 2-3 p.m. | 6th Floor, Room 611/612 | Arch Center 

The Lead IDEA Center will provide principals with practical strategies for fostering partnerships that align with the goals and provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

NAESP Latino+ Network Meetup: 3:30-4:30 p.m. | 3rd floor, Room 304 |Arch Center 

This meetup up is hosted by 2023-2024 NAESP President Liza Caraballo-Suarez. Attend this meetup to connect with likeminded leaders, learn strategies to increase achievement for Latino students, grow Latino representation in educational leadership, and amplify the collective voice of Latinos to advocate for the needs of educators and students. 

Day 2: July 12 – Keep the Momentum Going 

General Session with Keynote Speaker Gholdy Muhammad: 8:30-10 a.m. | 4th Floor, Room 4E | Arch Center  

Get ready to be inspired by Gholdy Muhammad, who’ll offer a culturally and historically responsive approach to cultivating genius and joy in education It’s an essential approach to accelerating the growth of all students and uniquely youth of color, who have been traditionally underserved in learning standards, policies, and school practices.  

Gholdy Muhammad Book Signing and Photo Op: 10:15-11 a.m. | 4th Floor, Exhibit Hall | Arch Center  

Immediately following her keynote address, head to the exhibit hall for a book signing and the opportunity to get your picture taken with Muhammad.  

Ticket Luncheon with Gholdy Muhammad: UNITED Women in Leadership (Pre-Registration Required): 12:15-1:45 p.m. | 6th Floor, Ballroom B | Arch Center 

This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity for women school leaders to connect, learn, and elevate their impact. 

Change Strategies: Bridging Research and Practice for School Success: 2-3 p.m. | 2nd Floor, Grand Ballroom B | Sheraton 

This session, presented by Steve Tozer from the University of Illinois, will help school leaders explore strategies to improve school outcomes by applying research and theory to practice, drawing from Developing Expert Principals: Professional Learning that Matters by Linda Darling-Hammond and Tozer.  

NAESP Principals of Color Network Meetup: 3:30-4:30 p.m. | 2nd Floor, Grand Ballroom B | Sheraton  
Sharon Porter and Xavier Reed will lead the third in-person Principals of Color Network Meetup. Black and Brown school leaders are invited to this engaging and uplifting session to learn and grow around shared experiences. 

Day 3: July 13 – Close the Conference with Purpose  

Empowering Principals: Affinity Grouping and Mentorship in Diverse Communities: 8-9 a.m. | 3rd Floor, Room 3 A/B, Arch Center 

Led by Teresa Lopez Alonzo, principals will learn how to establish, facilitate, and sustain affinity groups that honor and empower students and educators alike. Attendees will discuss how mentorship programs that pair experienced educators with new or transitioning faculty build a robust, supportive learning community. 

Closing General Session with Keynote Speaker John C. Maxwell: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | 4th Floor, Room 4E | Arch Center 

Close out UNITED with John C. Maxwell, world-renowned leadership expert, who takes the stage for the final keynote address on applying the 21 laws of leadership in education.  

Still Haven’t Registered?  

What are you waiting for? There’s still time to secure your spot at UNITED! Head over to theunitedconference.org/register to join us in Seattle, July 11-13.   

This is more than just a conference; it’s a celebration of school leadership, a chance to grow, connect, and shine. See you in Seattle!