Overview Schedule

7 May 2026 | ISMAC Pre-conference: The Brand Strategy Audit


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 2026Thursday
8:30Registration
9:00Sessions 1 & 2
12:30Lunch
13:30Sessions 3 & 4
16:00End

8 May 2026 | ISMAC Day 1

8 May 2026Friday
7:30Registration
8:00Conference Opening & Welcome Address
8:15Opening Keynote (with Lead To Succeed Summit)
9:25Opening Panel:

Branding & Market Positioning in International Schools

Moderator: Dr. Howard Stribbell
Panelists: Ruth Benny (TopSchools Admissions), Sami Yosef (ISC Research), Ewan McIntosh (NoTosh)

10:05ISC Research: International Schools Market Update 2026

By Sami Yosef – Head of Global Research, ISC Research

10:40Coffee Break
11:00Building your Parent Personas Understanding – Carl Esposito
11:45Building Change: Turning a Campus Redevelopment into a Community Building Strategy – Yvonne Trisynthia
12:15Lunch
13:15Panel:

Mainland China Market – Culture, Support & Expectations

14:00Coffee Break
14:20Beyond Beautiful Words: Closing the Gap Between Promise, Perception, and Experience – Deborah Janz
15:00Using Video for Storytelling – Alex Manton
15:35Coffee Break
16:05Meet Your New AI Admissions Assistant(s) – James Sayer
17:05Social Event

Topics and timings above for reference only. Subject to change.

9 May | ISMAC Day 2

9 May 2026Saturday
7:45Interest Group Breakfasts
8:30Registration/Coffee
9:00Opening Panel Discussion:

Authentic Storytelling – Partnering with Students, Teachers and Parents

Yvonne Trisynthia (NIST), Carl Esposito (Korea International School), Anneleen Erlingen (Harrow International School)

9:30Transition Time
9:45Ewan McIntosh: Finding Your Voice – Why Branding Matters
11:00Coffee Break
11:20Panel:

Alumni as Brand Ambassadors (TBD)

11:50Transition Time
12:00
How to Transform Your Parent Communications Using Simple AI Tactics – Bo Hardegree
12:30Lunch
13:30What Families Remember – Henry Wong
14:45Coffee Break
15:15Panel Discussion:

Head of School as Chief Brand Ambassador – Effective Partnerships Between Marketing and Academics Teams

15:45ISMAC Wrap Up
16:00Transition Time
16:15Closing Session (with Lead To Succeed Summit)

Topics and timings above for reference only. Subject to change.