2026 Institute for Heads

The Edwin Hotel 

102 Walnut St | Chattanooga, TN 37403

>>MAKE YOUR RESERVATION IN THE SAIS BLOCK HERE<<

• Group Rate: $269
• Reservation Deadline: June 6, 2026
• Rooms will fill up fast - don't delay!
• NOTE when booking room: Be sure to enter your stay dates on the first page before clicking the “Check Availability” button. Otherwise, it defaults to pre/post dates that may not be available.
• If you get a message that says “The group rate is not available for your dates. Choose one of the options below:” please do not reserve outside the block. Notify lori@sais.org so we can add more rooms on the night(s) you need.

The Edwin Hotel -- Soul Stirring Luxury Meets Southern Hospitality 

A hub for art lovers and urban explorers, The Edwin Hotel Chattanooga reimagines what it means to anchor a community, feed its soul, and spark its imagination. Discover modern guest rooms with a uniquely artistic point of view at this vibrant boutique luxury hotel with a private art collection featuring the works of more than 75 local artists and a waterfront location nestled between the Hunter Museum of American Art, the historic Walnut Street Bridge, and the Bluff View Art District -- three quintessential Chattanooga landmarks. View hotel photo gallery here. Autograph Collection by Marriott

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PLEASE NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor or third party booking agent for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Please be aware that occasionally unauthorized third parties not affiliated with SAIS may attempt to coordinate your reservations by phone or email. Please use only the official link from SAIS above to make your arrangements directly with the hotel and not through a third party.

Institute for Heads | Past Participant Comments

• An opportunity to step away from the demands of headship and reflect, refocus, and openly share challenges and needs in a supportive space. There is time to laugh and regain a sense of balance for a new year. This shared week with expert facilitators and fellow heads and spouses restores the reason that you love this calling to headship. – Rachel Deems, President, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR)
  
  
• Ten years ago, my wife and I first attended this incredibly unique opportunity to bond with other heads and their spouses and it quickly became my most important professional and personal development commitment of each year. Rob and Michael are priceless in leading all participants in important, timely, challenging, and affirming conversations. The time with other heads and spouses is rare and meaningful, and the location always has a way of completing that total sense of rejuvenation and renewal. I recommend this opportunity to every head I know. -Jack Hall, Former Head of The Walker School (Atlanta, GA)
  
  
• A unique combination of learning and therapy in an intimate environment, which is unlike any other program I have ever attended.
  
  
• Rob and Michael are two of the very few consultants who truly understand the complexities as well as the joys and challenges of being a school head.
  
  
• Meaningful time with a small group of people who do the job you do … the generosity, empathy, and wisdom are hard to match.
  
  
• The topics are always relevant, but it is the degree of intimacy and trust that develops rather quickly among the participants that makes this particular program of importance and relevance to me (and my spouse).
  
  
• It would be next to impossible to adequately describe this program in a brochure due to the dynamic nature of the overall experience.
  
  
• An open dialogue that focuses on the personal as well as the professional and is as energizing for the spouse as for the head of school. Michael and Rob work to ensure many voices are included in the discussions.
  
  
• This is a unique opportunity for you and your spouse to be engaged together in professional learning. Rob and Michael are dynamite and the chance to learn from and connect with other heads/spouses are the two reasons why we make this a priority for our professional development.