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2026 Annual Conference Sponsors

Sunday, October 4, 2026 to Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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REACH 300+ INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DECISION-MAKERS

Connect with heads of school, division heads, enrollment leaders, advancement directors, and other decision-makers.

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

2025 SAIS Annual Conference Recap:

Meet 300-325 independent school leaders. Reserve Your Sponsorship.

  • Exhibit booths and premium sponsorships sell out quickly.
  • Early sponsors receive priority booth selection.

Opportunities: Choose the sponsorship level that best fits your visibility and engagement goals. Friend, Silver, Gold, and Platinum sponsorships include 6’x30″ exhibit table w/ 2 chairs.

  • 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

Showcase your solutions to 300+ school leaders. Explore enhancement opportunities available for Platinum, Gold, or Silver sponsors.

NEW THIS YEAR: Sponsor Spotlight Sessions

Sponsor Spotlight Sessions offer platinum-level sponsors a dedicated opportunity to highlight their expertise and solutions in a focused, high-visibility format. These 15–20 minute sessions take place in the lounge during breakfast and conference breaks, allowing sponsors to share insights about their offerings with engaged attendees without competing with main program content. Limited in number, Spotlight Sessions provide an exclusive platform to showcase your brand, demonstrate value, and spark meaningful conversations with conference participants.

  • 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 

  • The registration form includes self-selection of booth location.
  • the floor plan is subject to change at any time and SAIS reserves the right to modify the layout, including booth relocations, as necessary.
  • Exhibits are located in the center of the conference venue. 
  • All attendees pass through the exhibit space for meals and networking.

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 convention center.
  • 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 friend and bronze level
  • Three (3) personnel per silver level
  • Four (4) personnel per gold and platinum level
  • We will contact you in August 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

Enhancement options are designed to elevate your visibility beyond traditional sponsorship recognition and place your brand at the center of high-traffic, high-engagement moments throughout the conference. Whether tied to keynotes, meals, sessions, signage, or attendee touchpoints like hotel key cards and coffee sleeves, these enhancements ensure your logo is seen repeatedly in meaningful, memorable ways.

By aligning your brand with moments when attendees are most engaged, you increase both exposure and impact. Enhancements provide premium placement, intentional recognition, and strategic brand integration that reinforces your organization as a valued partner in the SAIS community.

  • 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) 
  • e-Publication
  • 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 (1 available)
  • ~Tuesday Brand & Communications Session (1 available)
  • ~Tuesday Leadership & Governance Session (1 available)
  • ~Tuesday Community & Connection Session (1 available)
  • 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. 
  • ePublication: We will include a banner ad (created by you) in four issues of our R&R ePublication sent to 13,000+ independent school leaders and educators. 
  • Coffee: Your logo will appear on the coffee cup sleeves. 
  • 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
Review Event FAQs at this link.
  • For questions about exhibiting or sponsorship, contact anna@sais.org.