2026 Annual Conference Exhibitors/Sponsors
Chattanooga Convention Center
1 Carter StreetChattanooga, TN 37402
United States
POSITION YOUR BRAND AT THE CENTER OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
The SAIS Annual Conference brings together the Southeast’s most influential independent school leaders — the decision-makers shaping strategy, budgets, and institutional direction. As the region’s premier gathering, it offers unparalleled access to the professionals driving meaningful change across their schools. Position your organization as a trusted partner in advancing the future of independent education.
Audience: heads of school, assistant heads, division heads, academic deans, deans of students, business officers, tech directors, advancement directors, enrollment directors, and communications/marketing directors
Anticipated # of attendees: 300-325
OPTIONS:
- Friend (Sun-Mon): $2,150
- Bronze (Sun-Tues): $3,500
- Please note that this level does not include an exhibit booth.
- Silver (Sun-Tues): $6,500
- Gold (Sun-Tues): $8,500
- Platinum (Sun-Tues): $10,500
*Friend, Silver, Gold, and Platinum sponsorships include 6’x30″ exhibit table w/ 2 chairs.
Read more about the enhancement options here.
- Each conference attendee will receive a tote bag at registration pre-stuffed with conference materials and sponsored items.
- Your item can be no larger than 8.5″x11″ and no more than 1/4″ thick. This could be a brochure, notepad, pen, koozie, etc.
- Bag stuffers must be received no later than 9/18/2026.
- Please note there are only 5 bag stuffers available; first come, first serve. If you have questions, please contact anna@sais.org.
BOOTH & PERSONNEL DETAILS
Each exhibitor and sponsor (aside from bronze level) will have a 6′ x 30″ rectangular table and 2 chairs.
Due to space restrictions, larger tables will not be available.
- Signs over 6′ wide and rugs that protrude into the aisle are prohibited.
- Booths not dismantled by the end of the allotted tear-down time period will be broken down and put into storage at a $250 storage and handling fee. Return shipping will incur an additional fee.
- All food served in the exhibit hall must be procured from the hotel.
- SAIS reserves the right to refuse any application for exhibit space and to restrict exhibit activities during the meeting that in the sole judgement of SAIS are not appropriate to the meeting’s purpose.
Conference registration is included as follows:
- Two (2) personnel per 6’x30″ exhibit table
- Three (3) personnel per bronze sponsor
- Four (4) personnel per silver or gold sponsor
- We will contact you in September to ask for the names of your on-site personnel.
- All personnel must be employees or representatives who receive commission, brokerage, or salary from the exhibiting entity.
- All personnel must be over the age of 21.
- No suitcasing.
- No pets or animals allowed in the exhibit or meeting space.
ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS
- Notebooks (used year-round at SAIS in-person events)
- Tote Bags (used year-round at SAIS in-person events)
- Water Bottles (used year-round at SAIS in-person events)
- Hotel Key Card
- Signage
- AV
- *
Monday AM Keynote Tessa Forshaw- reserved by ISM
- *Monday PM Keynote – Rebecca Winthrop
- *Tuesday AM Keynote – Muriel Wilkins
- *Monday Lunch
- Sunday Reception
- Monday Reception
- ~Monday Brand & Communications Learning Journey (3 sessions)
- ~Monday Community & Connection Learning Journey (3 sessions)
- ~Monday Leadership & Governance Learning Journey (3 sessions)
- ~Monday Teaching & Learning Learning Journey (3 sessions)
- Coffee
- Conference Survival Kit station
- Provide your own item and get a $1,000 discount (item must be approved by SAIS staff)
*Sponsors that select these items will have a 60-second video, table drop, and logo on welcome screens at sponsored event.
~Sponsors that select these items may introduce the speaker(s) at one session.
- ~Sunday Exchange Session (4 available)
- Monday Breakfast
- Monday AM Break
- Monday PM Break
- Karaoke – Monday night
- Tuesday Breakfast
- Tuesday AM Break
- ~Tuesday Teaching & Learning Session
- ~Tuesday Brand & Communications Session
- ~Tuesday Leadership & Governance Session
- ~Tuesday Community & Connection Session
- Mobile Site
- Charging Stations
- Provide your own item and get a $500 discount (item must be approved by SAIS staff)
~Sponsors that select these items may introduce the speaker(s) at one session.
Additional details about select options:
- Keynotes & Lunch: We will provide sponsor signage and your logo on the welcome screens. You will be responsible for providing table drops and a 60-second video.
- Receptions, Karaoke, Breakfasts, & Breaks: We will provide sponsor signage in the reception/karaoke/breakfast/break space.
- Session: Your logo will appear on the welcome screens for each session in the track for the day. You will be acknowledged as the sponsor in the program and conference app. You may introduce the speaker at ONE session.
- Hotel Key Card: Your logo will appear on one side of the key card and the SAIS logo on the other.
- Coffee: Your logo will appear on the coffee cup sleeves.
- ePublication: This includes an ad at the bottom of 5 issues of an ePublication. Select spring or fall.
- Signage: Your logo will appear on the bottom of every sign at the conference.
- AV: Your logo will appear on the cover slide for every conference session.
- Mobile Site: Your logo will appear in a banner on the mobile site.
- Charging Stations: Your logo will appear on signage for the charging stations as well as on the battery packs.
- Conference Survival Kit Station: Your logo will appear on signage for the station as well as on some of the giveaways (Advil, hand wipes, etc.) at the station.
- Promo Items: Your logo and the SAIS logo will appear on your selected item.
Event Policies & Acknowledgments
- For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship, contact anna@sais.org.