IASB BoardCon (Convention)

Wednesday, Nov. 19–Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
Iowa Events Center, Des Moines

The IASB Annual Convention & Trade Show is now IASB^® BoardCon—a fresh, modern name with the same great networking, education, and insights. See you at BoardCon!

Key Dates

Aug. 6: BoardCon Online Registration & Hotel Blocks Opens
Sept. 17: SCHED Launches
Nov. 4: School Board Elections
Nov. 7–13: Register Newly Elected Board Members
Nov. 13: Deadline to Register Delegates
Nov. 13: BoardCon Online Registration Closes
Nov. 14: Last Day to Cancel Registration with Full Refund
Nov. 19: Delegate Assembly, PreCon Workshops & Member-Vendor Social
Nov. 20: BoardCon & Trade Show
Nov. 21: Board Presidents' Workshop

Keynote Speakers

Learn more about the esteemed keynote speaker featured at this year's BoardCon.

Thomas C. Murray

Educator, Author & Director of Innovation at Future Ready Schools—Leading with Purpose

What sets high-performing school boards apart? In award-winning education leader Thomas C. Murray’s inspiring keynote, explore how boards can lead with a mindset for bold, student-centered leadership. Through stories, humor, and actionable takeaways, attendees will reflect on their leadership and leave empowered to drive positive change in their districts.

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Anne Marie Anderson

Award-Winning Speaker, Author & Broadcaster—The Moment of Impact

What kind of impact does school board leadership really have? In this powerful and personal keynote, award-winning speaker and storyteller Anne Marie Anderson helps board members reconnect with their purpose. Through real-life stories, humor, and heartfelt insight, attendees will be reminded of their quiet but lasting influence—and leave inspired to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

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Featured Workshop

BoardCon offers a variety of PreCon and PostCon workshops designed to give school leaders in-depth learning opportunities with state and national experts. Learn more about this year's featured workshops!

The Art & Science of Constructive Disagreement

Heather Sulejman, Co-Founder of Disagreeing Better & Director at Harvard's Disagreement Project

PreCon—Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)

Effective board leadership requires navigating disagreement with purpose and clarity. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn practical, research-based strategies to engage with differing views, strengthen board/superintendent team dynamics, and foster trust and collaboration.

Led by Heather Sulejman, co-founder of Disagreeing Better and Director at Harvard’s Constructive Disagreement Project, this session is personalized to help you build a governance culture where diverse perspectives lead to better decisions.

PreCon

Ready, Set, Govern! New Board Member Onboarding Workshop 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
The Art & Science of Constructive Disagreement 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
School Finance 101, 201 & 301 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m. (repeat offerings)
Basics for Board Secretaries 11 a.m.–Noon
Board Secretary Workshop 1–3:30 p.m.

PostCon

Board Presidents’ Workshop 8 a.m.–Noon

Call for Presentations & Student Talent

Call for Presentations

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS HAS CLOSED! BoardCon is set for November 19–21, 2025, and we’re planning a stellar lineup of general sessions, workshops, and education sessions presented by Iowa districts.

Applicants will be notified late summer whether their presentation proposal was selected for inclusion at this year's BoardCon.

Call for Student Talent

CALL FOR STUDENT TALENT HAS CLOSED! The student talent group selected will be notified in late summer.

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY & ANNUAL MEETING

IASB bylaws give each member board a delegate who casts the board's votes on issues before the Delegate Assembly. School board members provide input on IASB’s legislative platform and your priorities help influence legislators and the governor. By participating in this debate process, school, AEA and community college boards contribute to IASB’s legislative program and ultimately the unified legislative interests of all Iowa school boards. Learn more.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The next Delegate Assembly & Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.

Trade Show

Network and learn from over 150 vendors in the exhibit hall! These vendors offer important services and products to help your school succeed. We're excited to welcome many new and returning vendors!

Exhibitors

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! For the most updated information on the trade show and exhibitor resources, or to book your booth, visit our Exhibitor Portal.

Exhibitor Portal