Registration 

Who holds the veto power? Who are the AI Gatekeepers? Who are the champions?

Group Activity: Market Intelligence Lab: The Modern Buyer Persona

An interactive, hands-on mapping session. We aren't just asking "who do we serve?"—we are getting to better understand the Buying Committee. Who holds the veto power? Who are the AI Gatekeepers? Who are the champions? Executives will collaborate with school district administrators to map the disconnect between what we sell and what districts are actually asking for right now.

CEO Keynote Panel: Strategies for Leading Through Market Uncertainty

Seasoned executives discuss leading through uncertainty—managing burn rates, the pressure to integrate AI features without breaking the budget, and navigating political polarization, and more.

The EdExec Exchange: Critical Issue Roundtable Discussions

Facilitated roundtable rotations on crucial topics affecting the education market. Topics will include:  

• AI Policy: Navigating the new wave of district bans and approvals.
• GTM Strategy: Moving upmarket from pilot to district-wide license.
• Finding & Keeping Talent: Retaining top sales and product professionals.
• Economic Defense: Pricing strategies for shrinking budgets.
• Designing for Accessibility: Preparing for the Title II Mandate
• Navigating Funding Changes & Challenges
• Finding & Keeping Talent: Retaining & Cultivating top sales and product professionals
• Tips for Developing Strategic Partnerships
• Negotiating State & Federal Policy Changes
• Creating Outcomes-Based Contracts
• Overcoming the "Techlash" Movement against EdTech

The Educator Litmus Test: "Did We Get It Right?"

Educators in the room take the mic to react to the afternoon's discussions—providing an instant reality check on executive assumptions.

Opening Reception & Dinner 

Breakfast On Your Own

Panel: State of the Education Market: What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond

This panel of experts dissects the 2026 education market landscape. We'll explore the transition to a skills-based economy, the rise of career-connected learning, the impact of AI, funding, and policy changes, and how companies can successfully navigate the $800B+ education market.

Table Discussions: Cracking the Code: The Complex District Sales Cycle

 As the education market faces a shift toward "evidence-based" procurement and tighter budgets, each role in an EdTech company needs to look at the sales cycle through a different lens.

Table Discussions: The Compliance Moat: Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Governance

Privacy laws are the new barrier to entry. This session covers AI governance, algorithm transparency, and becoming a trusted district partner. For companies selling to schools, data privacy is no longer a checkbox—it is a requirement to stay competitive -- and all company functional leaders play a role. 

Networking Lunch & Panel Discussion: The AI Paradigm Shift: Hype vs. Market Reality

A candid debate on the tangible impact of AI on the education market. Are districts actually shifting budgets toward Generative AI tools, or are they blocking them? We separate the VC buzz from the classroom reality to understand where the revenue opportunities truly lie.

Leadership

The Efficacy ROI Thesis: Prioritizing research as a core business expense

Marketing

Evidence Storytelling: Translating academic data into high-impact narratives

Product

Proof Points in UI: Designing automated reporting for usage-to-growth correlation

Sales

Outcome-Based Closing: Moving past "features" to satisfy skeptical buyers.

Partnerships

Third-Party Validations: Gaining "Preferred Provider" status in state bids

Sales

Warm-Inbound Ecosystems: Aligning sales with community-led content

Marketing

GEO & AI-First Discovery: Optimizing for AI search assistants (beyond SEO)

Partnerships

The Ambassador Model: Using micro-influencers for authentic peer evidence

Product

Product-Led Growth 2.0: Creating "viral loops" for teacher-to-admin sharing

Leadership

Growth through Trust: Reputation as a core financial asset

Marketing

Board-Ready Reports: Turning metrics into proof for enterprise renewals

Partnerships

Ecosystem Integration: Using LMS/SIS depth to prevent budget-cut churn

Product

Low-Friction Scalability: UX that drives expansion without heavy training

Leadership

Net Revenue Retention (NRR): Surviving the 30% tech-stack cut

Sales

Implementation Payback: Shortening the time from purchase to activation

Final Reflections: The District Leader’s View

District leaders share their final reflections of the EdExec Summit's conversations and share what they most want from their vendor partners.