INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL
A national, one-day convening for school leaders working in marketing, communications, branding and enrollment.
OCTOBER 6, 2026
DALLAS, TEXAS
ONE DAY, IN PERSON
14 SESSIONS • 2 TRACKS
AT A GLANCE
DATE Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
HOURS 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
LOCATION Dallas, Texas
RATE $599 per person
HOTEL BLOCK Book now
GROUP RATE Available thru 9/21
Evening networking dinner available as an add-on for $75.
WHY THIS SUMMIT
There are few spaces built for the people telling a school's story.
School teams are being asked to do more than ever, yet K-12 marketing, communications, and operations leaders rarely get a room of their own – a place to step back, learn from peers, and sharpen their approach.
The Summit was created to fill that gap. Enrollment is always part of the conversation, but the day is built around excellence across brand, strategy, messaging, leadership, and execution.
1
Focused day, no travel week
2
Concurrent tracks to choose from
8+
Speakers confirmed, more to come
Conference Topics
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AI for Marketing
Practical tooling, guardrails, and where it actually saves a small team time.
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Branding & Identity In K-12
Building a modern K-12 brand that holds up across campuses and channels.
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Marketing for Enrollment
Competing for families with a lean budget and a clear funnel.
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Communications
Crisis response, family newsletters, and equity in everyday messaging.
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Leadership Development
Growing into a seat where communications is a leadership function.
Schedule
OCTOBER 06, 2026
8:00 AM
Breakfast and Registration
9:00 AM
Kickoff
TIME
9:15 AM
KEYNOTE
The Future of Public Education: Why Communications & Marketing Are Now Essential Leadership Functions
TRACK 1
OPTION 1
Building a Modern K-12 brand
TRACK 2
10:10 AM
OPTION 2
Crisis Communication
11:00 AM
OPTION 1
Website UX That Serves Families
OPTION 2
Funder & Donor Marketing
12:00 PM
Lunch
12:45 PM
KEYNOTE
AI in Marketing & Communications
1:45 PM
OPTION 1
Advertising with a Lean Budget
OPTION 2
Equity in Family Communications
2:40 PM
OPTION 1
Storytelling for Schools
OPTION 2
Social Media & Reputation Management
3:30 PM
OPTION 1
Enrollment & Marketing in a Competitive Landscape
OPTION 2
Community Engagement
4:20 PM
Leadership Panel
5:00 PM
Dismissal
5:15 PM OPTIONAL HAPPY HOUR
6:30 PM OPTIONAL NETWORKING DINNER $75
Confirmed Speakers
Tom Clark
Founder & Principal, Hold Fast Leadership Partners
Angela Troccoli
Head of Marketing, Revecore
Sheleah Reed
Transformation Officer, Prairie View A&M University
Natalie Laukitis
Head of Executive
Thought Leadership and Enterprise-wide Messaging, Teach For America
Dolores Concepcion
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, KIPP NYC
Sharise Johnson
Founder & CEO, SMJ Communications
Elise Hill
Chief Operating Officer, Excellent Schools Washington
Jess Shearer
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer,YAI
Jasmine Worles
Director, City of Memphis Innovation Team
Vanessa Barry
Founder & Principal, Mariposa Consulting Group
HOST CITY
DALLAS,
TEXAS
Dallas is one of the easiest cities in the country to get to – two airports, nonstops from nearly every major market, and a downtown you can cross on foot. It is also a city with real range: a dense arts district, walkable historic neighborhoods, and a food scene that goes far past barbecue.
Early October is one of the best times to visit. Come in a day early or stay through the weekend - there is plenty to make the trip worth it.
EARLY OCTOBER WEATHER
82° / 63° F
Warm, dry, mostly sunny. Pack a light layer for cool evenings and air-conditioned rooms.
GETTING AROUND
DART Rail
Light rail links DFW Airport, downtown and Uptown. Rideshare is quick and plentiful; you will not need a car.
DFW INTERNATIONAL
~30 min
To downtown. A major hub with nonstops from most US cities and direct international service.
DALLAS LOVE FIELD
~15 Min
Smaller, closer, and often the faster arrival if a nonstop works for you.
The skyline and Reunion Tower from the Trinity levee
The Dallas Arts District – museums, halls, and Klyde Warren Park
Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts after hours
Neighborhoods worth your evening
Deep Ellum
Dallas's live-music quarter: murals, small venues, breweries, and late kitchens. A ten-minute ride from downtown.
Bishop Arts District
Oak Cliff's walkable stretch of independent shops, patios, and some of the best cooking in the city.
Uptown & Knox
Tree-lined, easy, and full of restaurants — the safe bet for a group dinner near the hotels.
If you have a spare afternoon
Dallas Arts District
The largest contiguous urban arts district in the country. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Museum are free; the Nasher Sculpture Center is worth the ticket.
Dealey Plaza & The Sixth Floor Museum
The most-visited site in Dallas, and a sober hour of American history a few blocks from downtown hotels.
Klyde Warren Park & Perot Museum
A deck park built over the freeway, with food trucks, lawn
games, and the Perot's science halls next door.
Where to eat
Tex-Mex, properly
Dallas is where the genre was codified. Queso, enchiladas, and a frozen margarita are a legitimate research agenda.
Barbecue & brisket
Central Texas-style smoke has taken firm hold in the city. Go at lunch; the best places sell out.
Beyond the clichés
Vietnamese in Richardson, Oaxacan in Oak Cliff, and a serious new-American bench in Uptown and Deep Ellum.
HOTEL BLOCK
Book your room
Registration
One rate, everything included: all sessions, breakfast, lunch, and the optional happy hour. Seats are limited to keep the room conversational.
Not ready to book?
Share your email and we'll check back in with you.
STANDARD RATE
$599
Per person. Full day of sessions, breakfast, lunch, and materials.
ADD-ON
$75
Optional networking dinner, 6:30 PM. Seats are capped.
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Cancellation/Refund Policy
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to admin@mariposacg.com. Refunds will be processed to the original method of payment within 7–10 business days.
Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 100% refund.
Cancellations received 7 to 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be provided for cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the start of the event.
No refunds will be issued after the event has begun.
All refunds will be issued to the original method of payment.
Registrations may not be shared but may be transferred at no cost up to 14 days prior to the start of the event with written notification to Mariposa Consulting Group.
If the event is postponed or canceled by Mariposa Consulting Group due to unforeseen circumstances, registrants will be offered the option of a full refund or transfer of registration to the rescheduled event.
Interested in sponsorship?
A few partner slots remain for 2026.
hello@mariposacg.com