2026 GAEL Summer Conference - In-Person
Live. Learn. Lead.
Jekyll Island Convention Center | Jekyll Island, Georgia | July 12-15, 2026
In-Person Registration: $715.00 (includes complimentary GAEL & Affiliate/Associate membership)
The GAEL Office is Closed April 6-10, 2026 for spring break! We will be back in the office to assist with registration questions on April 13, 2026.
Keynote Speakers:
Marlon Styles & Dr. John Delony
All conference registrations include a complimentary GAEL Membership and one Affiliate/Associate Membership for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Attendee registration also includes the Sunday Evening Reception and Low Country Boil. Breakfast and lunch will be served on Monday and Tuesday. Also included is the Dueling Pianos Reception on Sunday night and the GAEL Family Fun Night at Summer Waves on Monday. (NOTE: Be sure to indicate if you will be attending the Low Country Boil on Sunday! There is no charge for attendees. Additional guest tickets may be purchased during registration.)
Registration for the 2026 GAEL Summer Conference will open soon, and we are excited to welcome school leaders from across Georgia for several days of professional learning, networking, and celebration of educational leadership. This year’s conference will feature inspiring keynote speakers Dr. John Delony and Marlon Styles, important updates from state education leaders including GaPSC, TRS, and GHSA, and timely insights from leaders shaping education policy in Georgia. Attendees will also hear legislative updates from Margaret Ciccarelli with PAGE, Phil Hartley’s popular “Back to School Checklist,” and updates from the Governor’s Office of Education Workforce Strategy, which is leading the state’s literacy work.
Throughout the conference, participants will have opportunities to attend engaging breakout sessions focused on leadership, professional growth, and the evolving challenges facing schools today. Sessions are organized around the conference theme Live. Learn. Lead., helping administrators strengthen their leadership skills, stay informed on key issues impacting education, and connect with peers from across the state. The conference will also feature a large GAEL Expo Hall with more than 100 companies and organizations, offering resources, tools, and services that support schools and educational leadership across Georgia.
In addition to professional learning, the GAEL Summer Conference offers several signature networking events including the Annual GAEL Golf Tournament, Low Country Boil Celebration, Dueling Pianos Concert & Reception, and Family Fun Night at the Water Park. For those looking to extend their learning, GAEL will also host a Professional Learning Day featuring in-depth sessions such as literacy updates from the Georgia Department of Education, legal updates with Cory Kirby, Hearing Officer Training, and additional specialized professional learning opportunities.
Conference Flyer
Lodging Recommendations
Draft Agenda (coming soon)
Call for Proposals (Now Open!)
*There will be NO ONSITE REGISTRATIONS*
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What if the conference sells out? Join the In-Person Waitlist!
Register for the livestream access to the conference in order to have an opportunity to join the waitlist and obtain you complimentary annual membership in GAEL and your preferred GAEL Affiliate/Associate Organization. You can join the waitlist by registering for the livestream option here (link coming soon). When you register for the livestream you will have an option to add yourself to the in-person waitlist.
Please email iyoung@gael.org with registration problems or questions.
Register for livestream here: Click Here
Register to sponsor or exhibit here: Click Here
Cancellation Policy for 2026 GAEL Summer Conference is as follows and acknowledgement is required during registration: Due to commitments to our facilities, partners and affiliates, there is $150 cancellation fee. The cancellation fee will be waived for those who retain their 2026-2027 GAEL and Affiliate Memberships. The last day to cancel is May 29, 2026. After that, the full fee will be charged. No-shows at the event will be charged the full fee. Cancellations MUST be in writing. In the event the conference is unable to be held face-to-face safely due to COVID-19, severe weather, or other large-scale emergencies or acts of nature, we will not cancel the conference and the GAEL contingency plan will go into effect. Instead, general session topics will be held virtually at dates to be announced (if real time live stream is no longer an option).To cancel a registration, please email Ginny Smith, gsmith@gael.org.
Please note, payment must be received by July 1, 2026.