School Planning Conference 2026

Connect, Strategize, Lead. Join education leaders from across the US to redefine the standard for modern school district planning.
About this Event

Welcome to the School Planning Conference 2026!

Date: Tue Jun 23, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: The Westshore Grand, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tampa

📅 Conference Agenda Highlights

Our multi-track program is designed to provide hands-on skills and strategic insights.

Day 1 (June 23): Foundations — getting your environment configured and your first spatial layers built
• Introduction to SchoolSite & GIS Interface
• Geocoding & Data Hygiene
• Creating & Editing Attendance Boundaries
• Visualizing Demographic Data on Maps

Day 2 (June 24): Analysis — running spatial queries, geocoding student data, and building boundary proposals
• SchoolSite Locator & Web Apps
• Building Redistricting Scenarios
• Reporting Tools in SchoolSite
• Integrating 3rd Party Data Layers

Day 3 (June 25): Presentation — turning your analysis into board-ready deliverables and communicating findings
• SchoolSite Locator & Web Apps
• Advanced Spatial Analysis
• Data Visualization for Presentations
• GIS Lab: “Bring Your Own District”

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.
• Advanced Batch Geocoding & Automation
• Customizing Public Portals
• GISOpen Lab & Technical Troubleshooting

Day 1 (June 23): Keynote and foundations — cohort-survival methodology and student yield factor analysis

• Demographics 101: The Science of Student Data
• The Cohort-Survival Method Explained
• Tracking Housing Development & Student Yields
• Birth Rate Trends & Kindergarten Capture

Day 2 (June 24): Analysis — running spatial queries, geocoding student data, and building boundary proposals
• Staffing Allocations & Short-Term Forecasts
• Analyzing Migration & Mobility Patterns
• Private & Charter School Impact Analysis
• 10-Year Long-Range Planning

Day 3 (June 25): Delivery — structuring a demographic study and integrating projections with GIS
• Staffing Allocations & Short-Term Forecasts
• Accuracy Assessment & Model Tuning
• Presenting Data to the Board
• Future of Enrollment — AI & Predictive Analytics

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.
• Analyzing the Economic Impact on Enrollment
• Integrating GIS with Forecasting Models
• Forecast Peer Review Workshop

Day 1 (June 23): Indoor GIS foundations and critical incident mapping for school safety planning
• Defining Capacity — Functional vs. Design
• Utilization Analysis & Efficiency Metrics
• The Lifecycle of a School Closure
• Policy Frameworks for Redistricting

Day 2 (June 24): Capacity utilization and school consolidation — building the spatial case for hard decisions
• Strategies for School Consolidation
• Scenario Planning — “What-If” Analysis
• Redistricting — Balancing Politics and Data
• Transportation & Capacity

Day 3 (June 25): Presentation — turning your analysis into board-ready deliverables and communicating findings
• Community Engagement Strategies
• Equity in Facility Planning
• Implementation — The First Year
• Master Planning Wrap-Up

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.

• Protecting Your Most Important Assets
• Open-Panel on School Safety

🌴 Evening & Local Exploration

• Thursday Night Social: Join us on June 25 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM for a dedicated networking social to connect with peers.
• World-Class Shopping: The hotel is a 2-minute walk from Westshore Plaza and 3 minutes by car to International Plaza.
• Local Brews: Visit the celebrated Cigar City Brewing, located just 1.5 miles (about 3 minutes) away.
• Outdoor Breaks: Take a quick trip to Cypress Point Park for scenic bayside trails and fresh air.

🏨 At the Hotel: Relaxation & Refinement

Between workshops and networking, take advantage of the sophisticated amenities at our host site:

• Rooftop Pool: Visit the 9th floor for a refreshing dip or panoramic views of the Tampa skyline.
• Signature Dining: Enjoy world-class steak at Shula’s Steak House (on-site) or grab an Italian espresso at the illy Caffe.
• The No Name Lounge: This chic space features five plasma-screen TVs and is the perfect spot for catching up on sports or post-conference networking.
• Wellness: Stay on track with your routine at the 24-hour state-of-the-art health club.