This national event that brings together education leaders from across the country, offering a unique opportunity to learn about best governance practices, gain insights into child development, and explore cutting-edge programs and technology to enrich student learning. 

Early Registration & Housing Are Open!*

*State Association Members, CUBE Members, District Members, individual members, alumni members, and exhibitors only. Registration for the general public opens on Sept. 9. If you are registering yourself only, select Individual Registration. If registering more than one person in your group, select Group Registration.

You should have received your new portal login credentials by email. If you did not receive them, or if you have questions about your membership status or roster updates, please contact memberservices@nsba.org.

Individual Registration

Group Registration

Group Registration Guide

Schedule-at-a-Glance (As of Aug. 24, 2026)

All dates and times are subject to change.

Friday, April 2

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Experiential Learning Site Visits
(Ticketed Event)
9 – 10:15 a.m. Rural Education Breakfast
(Ticketed Event)
9 – 10:15 a.m. District Council Breakfast
(Ticketed Event)
9 a.m. – Noon Preconference Workshops
(Ticketed Event)
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall
12:45 – 2 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
2:30 – 4 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m.) Opening General Session
4 – 6 p.m. Welcome Reception
(Exhibit Hall)

Saturday, April 3

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
9 – 10:15 a.m. Magna Awards Breakfast
(Ticketed Event)
9 – 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall
Noon – 12:30 p.m. Fireside Chats
(Exhibit Hall)
Noon – 2 p.m. Council of Urban Boards of Education Luncheon
(Ticketed Event)
12:45 – 2 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
1:30 – 2 p.m. Fireside Chats
(Exhibit Hall)
2:30 – 4 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m.) General Session
7:30 – 10:30 p.m. CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)
(Ticketed Event)

Sunday, April 4

7:30 a.m. – Noon Registration
9 – 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Closing General Session

Registration Fees

Registration Registration Deadline State Association Staff/Officers; CUBE & District Members Individual Members & COSA Members Alumni Members Districts in Member State Associations Unaffiliated School Board Members & General Public Corporate Guest (Includes General Session & Exhibit Hall)
Advanced Early Bird Dec. 4, 2026 $715 $845 $870 $935 $1,020 $1,500 $200
Early Bird Jan. 8, 2027 $825 $945 $990 $1,045 $1,160 $1,500 $200
Standard April 1, 2027 $935 $1,045 $1,170 $1,160 $1,375 $1,500 $200
Onsite April 2-4, 2027 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $200

State Association Staff/Officers; CUBE & District Members; COSA Members: Complimentary

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $100

*In-person conference attendees only.

State Association Staff/Officers; CUBE & District Members, COSA Members: $250

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $250

Online access includes three live-streamed keynote sessions and on-demand access to select keynote recordings.

State Association Staff/Officers; CUBE & District Members; COSA Districts: $475

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $575

Call for Student Performers

Showcase your school district’s exceptional student talent on our national stage! NSBA is looking for elite student groups from around the country to perform during the General Sessions. We welcome all performing arts disciplines, including:

  • Dance – All styles 

  • Music – Soloists, ensembles, bands, and instrumental groups 

  • Spoken Word – Poetry, storytelling, and original performances 

  • Acting – Theater scenes and dramatic presentations 

  • Singing – Choirs, soloists, a cappella groups, and vocal ensembles 

The submission deadline is Friday, Oct. 30. Submit your nomination here.

Preconference Workshops

These are ticketed events and must be purchased in advance. To reserve your seat, please add a workshop to your conference registration. 

CUBE/DISTRICT MEMBER: $200 | REGULAR: $225

Friday, April 2 | 9 a.m. – Noon

In today's complex and high-stakes educational environment, effective governance matters more than ever. School board members are expected to lead through competing priorities, community expectations, difficult decisions, changing policies, and moments of conflict, all while keeping student success at the center of their work. 

This session is an interactive preconference experience designed to strengthen the essential knowledge and skills board members need to govern effectively. Using NSBA's Key Work of School Boards as a foundation, participants will explore the core responsibilities of effective school boards and examine how strong governance practices translate into stronger board teams and stronger school districts. The session will move beyond the basics of board service to examine what effective governance looks like in practice, particularly when boards are facing challenging decisions, competing perspectives, or community pressure. 

Through discussion, practical examples, reflection, and governance scenarios, participants will have opportunities to apply these concepts to situations boards encounter every day. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their individual responsibilities as board members, the board's collective responsibilities, and practical strategies they can take back to their own governance teams. Whether you are newly elected, preparing for your first year of board service, or an experienced board member looking to reconnect with the fundamentals of effective governance, this session provides a comprehensive foundation for the work ahead.

Friday, April 2 | 9 a.m. – Noon

Effective governance begins with a strong superintendent-board partnership. When board members and the superintendent are aligned through trust, shared purpose, clear roles, and effective communication, board meetings become more productive, decisions become more strategic, and the district is better positioned to serve students and the community.

In this interactive session, participants will explore what distinguishes high-performing governance teams from those that struggle to work effectively together. Through real-world scenarios, guided discussion, and self-reflection, participants will examine the characteristics of a strong superintendent-board partnership and consider how communication, trust, role clarity, and shared accountability shape the work of the governance team. 

Participants of this session will apply governance best practices to common challenges, identify behaviors and dynamics that can undermine board effectiveness, and develop practical strategies for navigating disagreement, strengthening relationships, and maintaining focus on the board's most important responsibilities. Attendees will also have an opportunity to assess their own governance team and identify specific actions they can take to improve collaboration and effectiveness. 

Strong governance teams do not happen by accident. They are built intentionally. Participants will leave this session with practical tools and a clearer understanding of how board members and superintendents can work together to build trust, lead through challenges, and create the conditions for their districts and students to succeed.

Preconference Meal Events

These are ticketed events and must be purchased in advance. To reserve your seat, please add to your conference registration. The cost is $110.

Friday, April 2 | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Stay tuned for more information.

Friday, April 2 | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Stay tuned for more information.

Meal Events

These are ticketed events and must be purchased in advance. To reserve your seat, please add to your conference registration. The cost is $110.

Saturday, April 3 | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Stay tuned for more information.

Saturday, April 3 | Noon – 2 p.m.

Stay tuned for more information.

Conference Information

The submission window for the NSBA 2027 Annual Conference is now closed. If you have submitted a session, we are hoping to notify all presenters of their status in early to mid-September.

Explore sponsorship and exhibit opportunities designed to connect you with school district decision-makers.

Download the Prospectus

Cancellations & Refunds for Registration will be accepted through Thursday, February 18, 2027 with a full refund less a $175 processing fee.

Registration Cancellations received on or after Friday, February 19, 2027 will not be refunded.

No-shows will not receive a refund. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to NSBA: memberservices@nsba.org. Refunds will be processed within one week of request. NSBA is not responsible for airfare, hotel, or other costs incurred by participants in the event of program or registration cancellation.

If you need to make any changes to your hotel reservation, please contact the NSBA Registration & Hotel Support Center or by phone at (800) 616-8210 (U.S. & Canada) or (415) 979-2264 (International). The hotel reservation cancellation deadline is Monday, March 15, 2027. Cancellations on or after Tuesday, March 16, 2027 will forfeit the deposit or will be charged an amount equal to one night’s room and tax.

You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing. All reservations should be made prior to March 19, 2027. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Click here to view hotel map.

Event Location
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
Washington, DC 20001

Event Hall: Hall D/E

Airports
Washington, DC is served by three major airports:

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – approximately 5 miles from the Convention Center.
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – approximately 30 miles from the Convention Center.
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – approximately 35 miles from the Convention Center.

Ground Transportation

  • Taxi & Rideshare
    Taxi and rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, are available from all three airports and throughout Washington, DC.
  • Metro
    The Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street–Convention Center Station is the closest Metro station and is served by the Green and Yellow Lines. Gallery Place–Chinatown is also nearby. For Metro information, visit WMATA.
  • Train
    Amtrak service is available at Washington Union Station, with Metro, taxi, and rideshare connections to the Convention Center. For schedules and tickets, visit Amtrak.

Parking
There is no public parking at the Convention Center. More than 3,000 parking spaces are available in nearby garages and lots within approximately three blocks. Parking rates vary by facility.