School Planning Conference 2026

Welcome to the School Planning Conference 2026!

Date: Tue Jun 23, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: The Westshore Grand, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tampa

Our multi-track program is designed to provide hands-on skills and strategic insights.

Day 1 (June 23): Foundations — getting your environment configured and your first spatial layers built
• Introduction to SchoolSite & GIS Interface
• Geocoding & Data Hygiene
• Creating & Editing Attendance Boundaries
• Visualizing Demographic Data on Maps

Day 2 (June 24): Analysis — running spatial queries, geocoding student data, and building boundary proposals
• SchoolSite Locator & Web Apps
• Building Redistricting Scenarios
• Reporting Tools in SchoolSite
• Integrating 3rd Party Data Layers

Day 3 (June 25): Presentation — turning your analysis into board-ready deliverables and communicating findings
• SchoolSite Locator & Web Apps
• Advanced Spatial Analysis
• Data Visualization for Presentations
• GIS Lab: “Bring Your Own District”

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.
• Advanced Batch Geocoding & Automation
• Customizing Public Portals
• GISOpen Lab & Technical Troubleshooting

Day 1 (June 23): Keynote and foundations — cohort-survival methodology and student yield factor analysis

• Demographics 101: The Science of Student Data
• The Cohort-Survival Method Explained
• Tracking Housing Development & Student Yields
• Birth Rate Trends & Kindergarten Capture

Day 2 (June 24): Analysis — running spatial queries, geocoding student data, and building boundary proposals
• Staffing Allocations & Short-Term Forecasts
• Analyzing Migration & Mobility Patterns
• Private & Charter School Impact Analysis
• 10-Year Long-Range Planning

Day 3 (June 25): Delivery — structuring a demographic study and integrating projections with GIS
• Staffing Allocations & Short-Term Forecasts
• Accuracy Assessment & Model Tuning
• Presenting Data to the Board
• Future of Enrollment — AI & Predictive Analytics

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.
• Analyzing the Economic Impact on Enrollment
• Integrating GIS with Forecasting Models
• Forecast Peer Review Workshop

Day 1 (June 23): Indoor GIS foundations and critical incident mapping for school safety planning
• Defining Capacity — Functional vs. Design
• Utilization Analysis & Efficiency Metrics
• The Lifecycle of a School Closure
• Policy Frameworks for Redistricting

Day 2 (June 24): Capacity utilization and school consolidation — building the spatial case for hard decisions
• Strategies for School Consolidation
• Scenario Planning — “What-If” Analysis
• Redistricting — Balancing Politics and Data
• Transportation & Capacity

Day 3 (June 25): Presentation — turning your analysis into board-ready deliverables and communicating findings
• Community Engagement Strategies
• Equity in Facility Planning
• Implementation — The First Year
• Master Planning Wrap-Up

Day 4 (June 26): Half-day.

• Protecting Your Most Important Assets
• Open-Panel on School Safety

• Thursday Night Social: Join us on June 25 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM for a dedicated networking social to connect with peers.
• World-Class Shopping: The hotel is a 2-minute walk from Westshore Plaza and 3 minutes by car to International Plaza.
• Local Brews: Visit the celebrated Cigar City Brewing, located just 1.5 miles (about 3 minutes) away.
• Outdoor Breaks: Take a quick trip to Cypress Point Park for scenic bayside trails and fresh air.

Between workshops and networking, take advantage of the sophisticated amenities at our host site:

• Rooftop Pool: Visit the 9th floor for a refreshing dip or panoramic views of the Tampa skyline.
• Signature Dining: Enjoy world-class steak at Shula’s Steak House (on-site) or grab an Italian espresso at the illy Caffe.
• The No Name Lounge: This chic space features five plasma-screen TVs and is the perfect spot for catching up on sports or post-conference networking.
• Wellness: Stay on track with your routine at the 24-hour state-of-the-art health club.

Event Venue

The Westshore Grand, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tampa, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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