This pre-conference workshop brings together Heads, Deputy Heads, Communications, Marketing and Admissions teams to tackle a crucial challenge: how to develop a shared language that captures what your school offers families — not just in theory, but in practice.
| 7 May 2026 | Thursday |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Registration |
| 9:00 | Sessions 1 & 2 |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Sessions 3 & 4 |
| 16:00 | End |
| 8 May 2026 | Friday |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | Registration |
| 8:00 | Conference Opening & Welcome Address |
| 8:15 | Opening Keynote (with Lead To Succeed Summit) |
| 9:25 | Opening Panel:
Branding & Market Positioning in International Schools Moderator: Dr. Howard Stribbell |
| 10:05 | ISC Research: International Schools Market Update 2026
By Sami Yosef – Head of Global Research, ISC Research |
| 10:40 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 | Building your Parent Personas Understanding – Carl Esposito |
| 11:45 | Identifying Blind Spots in Your School’s Marketing and Admissions – Ruth Benny |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 13:15 | Panel:
Mainland China Market – Culture, Support & Expectations Moderator: Dr. Howard Stribbell |
| 14:00 | Coffee Break |
| 14:20 | Beyond Beautiful Words: Closing the Gap Between Promise, Perception, and Experience – Deborah Janz |
| 15:00 | Using Video for Storytelling – Alex Manton |
| 15:35 | Coffee Break |
| 15:55 | Jargon Runs Both Ways: Bridging the Language Gap Between Marketing, Leadership, and Your Community – Matt Wehner |
| 17:05 | Social Event |
Topics and timings above for reference only. Subject to change.
| 9 May 2026 | Saturday |
|---|---|
| 7:45 | Interest Group Breakfasts |
| 8:30 | Registration/Coffee |
| 9:00 | Opening Panel Discussion:
Authentic Storytelling – Partnering with Students, Teachers and Parents Moderator: Dr. Howard Stribbell |
| 9:30 | Transition Time |
| 9:45 | Ewan McIntosh: Finding Your Voice – Why Branding Matters |
| 11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:20 | AI Agents for Marketing and Admissions – Warren Apel |
| 11:50 | Transition Time |
| 12:00 | How to Transform Your Parent Communications Using Simple AI Tactics – Bo Hardegree |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | What Families Remember – Henry Wong |
| 14:45 | Coffee Break |
| 15:15 | Panel Discussion:
Head of School as Chief Brand Ambassador – Effective Partnerships Between Marketing and Academics Teams Moderator: Dr. Howard Stribbell |
| 15:45 | ISMAC Wrap Up |
| 16:00 | Transition Time |
| 16:15 | Closing Session (with Lead To Succeed Summit) |
Topics and timings above for reference only. Subject to change.
