One of IDEA's goals is Professional Development - to support and provide professional development opportunities in educational technology through collaborative communities. IDEA strives to provide a broad spectrum of needs and interests through conferences, events, organizational collaborations, professional resources, and strategic initiatives that serve to enhance our member’s professional practice. Check out some of the professional development offerings that your IDEA membership brings.

IDEA sponsors an annual ed tech conference, now known as IDEAcon (formerly the ICE Conference). Every year, well over 5,000 educators convene at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center to learn and share ideas with each other regarding the effective use of technology in education. During the 4 day conference, 200+ vendors exhibit their wares and services, keynote speakers inspire attendees, and hundreds of educators present sessions on how they use technology to engage students and foster academic achievement.

This annual event is held at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Hundreds of students come from schools throughout the state to present the most comprehensive and diverse student demonstration of classroom technology in the Midwest. TECH 20XX demonstrations allow lawmakers, business leaders, teachers, and administrators from Illinois schools to see firsthand how technology is used in classrooms throughout the state.