IDEAcon
You should expect more than a traditional conference—it’s where educators come together to connect with each other, grow professionally and personally, share and learn together, and inspire colleagues to greatness.
Two energizing days, you’ll learn alongside innovative educators and engaging speakers, explore timely ideas and practical strategies, and design an experience that reflects your role, interests, and professional goals.
From powerful learning sessions and hands-on experiences to Exhibit Hall discoveries and informal conversations, every part of IDEAcon creates opportunities to build meaningful relationships and bring new possibilities back to your learning community.
Come for the ideas. Stay for the Community.
Many of IDEA’s year-round
professional learning opportunities begin or culminate at IDEAcon, making the conference a powerful place to launch new learning, deepen ongoing work, and celebrate professional growth.
Days until IDEAcon 2027!
Registration
Registration | Coming Soon
Live
Includes 2 days in-person and access to the on-demand library (virtual)
Lite
Includes 1 day in-person and access to the on-demand library (virtual)
IDEAcon+
This virtual only option includes access to our on-demand library that was curated specifically for IDEAcon.
Scholarships
If you have community businesses or even family or friends who would like to provide a personal scholarship for you to attend IDEAcon, fill out this application, and use this template to help with your request.
The business or individual providing your funding will need to submit the funding information via this form.
Call for Proposals
Why Present at IDEAcon?
IDEAcon would not be what it is without our presenters. We recognize that it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare a presentation, and we are proud of all of our presenters that share their work at our conference.
IDEA remains committed to providing a conference registration to the lead presenter for each IDEAcon session. All co-presenters must pay for their own registration.
Notice: IDEAcon 2027 is at a new venue:
Tinley Park Convention Center
Thank you for considering to present at IDEAcon.
Presenter Proposal and Selection Process
Once the Call for Proposals closes, each submission gets blindly reviewed at least three times by a group consisting of IDEA Conference Committee, IDEA Governing Board and Executive Board members, along with IDEAcon volunteers.
On "Selection Saturday", our Conference Committee builds the IDEAcon schedule aiming to create a balanced, engaging, and innovative event. Invitations to accepted presenters are expected to be sent in early October.
Proposal Deadline Sept. 1 at 11:59 PM.
For a copy of all the questions in this proposal form, please reference this guide:
PDF Version |
Google Copy
Propsoal Submission Deadline
September 1, at 11:59 PM.
For a copy of all the questions in this proposal form, please reference this guide:
August - September
- Submissions go through a blind review process
- Selection Saturday
- Receive your acceptance or regret email mid-September
- If accepted - complete confirmation form by September 27.
October - January
- Prepare your presentation
- Complete tasks in the Speaker Resource Center
- Register to attend IDEAcon
- If contributing a virtual session, submit recording by 5:00 PM on December 18.
IDEAcon - January 19, 20 2027
- Remember, IDEAcon 2027 is at a new venue: Tinley Park Convention Center
- Finalize your presentation
- Join us at IDEAcon (in-person or virtually)
Schedule
Schedule | Coming Soon
IDEAcon would not be what it is without our presenters. We recognize that it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare a presentation, and we are proud of all of our presenters that share their work at our conference.
IDEA remains committed to providing a conference registration to the lead presenter for each IDEAcon session. All co-presenters must pay for their own registration.
Days until IDEAcon 2027!
Exhibit at IDEAcon
More Than an Exhibit Hall
Exhibitors are important partners in creating a successful, well-rounded conference. We design the exhibitor experience to help you build meaningful relationships, share valuable solutions, and contribute to the learning happening throughout IDEAcon.
At IDEAcon, exhibitors can do more than showcase products and services. They contribute ideas, experiences, and resources that support educators and enrich the conference community.
Opportunities include:
- Presenting exhibitor sessions in the exhibit hall
- Connecting with attendees during dedicated exhibit-hall hours
- Participating in the Monday evening social
- Engaging attendees through hands-on and experiential programming in the exhibit hall
- Selecting a preferred booth location subject to availability that complements your organization’s goals, audience, or connection to an IDEAcon experience such as the IDEA Exchange.
- Adding visibility through optional
sponsorship opportunities
Interested in exhibiting at IDEAcon?
Join our email list for the latest updates on booth availability, sponsorship packages, and key deadlines.