Conferences and Workshops
(Click here for the 2019-2020 Professional Development Series PDF)
 

As of 9/16, this workshop has reached capacity. If you would like to be added to the wait list please select the wait list button and complete the requested information and you will be placed on the wait list. ISACS will contact you if a spot becomes available. If you have any questions, please call the ISACS office at 312-750-1190. Thank you for your interest in this workshop.

In this era of extreme competition for sustainable enrollment, much is expected of independent schools.

Among them: Proven outcomes and tangible return on investment. Engagement and connectivity. Pride of association. A program that will instill and reinforce in students the timeless attitudes, skills, and personal values that will lead to success and purpose in the world they will inherit.

This workshop will present approaches and facilitate discussion on:

• discovering and communicating school identity and value
• finding, enrolling, and keeping those families who share your core values
• getting internal alignment by defining everyone’s role in building bridges across the school and into your communities.

Together, we will explore, discuss, and share insights on:

• creating leads and inquiries. How to use big data and predictive modeling to locate and engage full-tuition paying families who share your values, and to build a word-of-mouth campaign to convert them to inquiries and visits.
• discovering, refining, and communicating your school’s authentic brand and identity.
• creating a value proposition unique to your school that can help overcome concerns about cost.
• maximizing the role of teachers and trustees in raising image, students, and community partnerships.
• getting every major constituent group in your school community to advance your mission.

Who should attend and why: School success depends on alignment among all leaders, employees, and those you serve. Although the focus of the workshop is enrollment management and revenue, strong enrollment and retention depend on interconnections and support across the school and the wider community. To get long-term value from the workshop, we encourage schools to bring a team that may include enrollment managers, communicators and marketers, fund raisers, influential alumni, board members, divisional directors, influential teachers, business officers, and heads of school.

Come ready to share your point of view and best practices.

Presenter
Mike Connor is the President of Connor Associates Strategic Services, LLC (CA) and co-author of NAIS’ book, Marketing Independent Schools in the 21st Century. He has presented keynotes and workshops nearly every year over the past two decades at national and international conferences. Connor Associates has worked with nearly 450 independent and private schools, domestic and international, in the areas of predictive psychodemographic enrollment modeling and forecasting, internal image audits and enrollment management assessments, confidential external perceptual (image) audits, brand and website development and messaging, and institutional strategic planning. With an M.A. in Political Behaviour from the University of Essex, England, Connor has spent 30 years in nearly every position at independent K-12 schools.
For more information, visit his website at www.connor-associates.com

Workshop Location
The workshop will take place at the ISACS classroom at 55 West Wacker Drive, Suite 702, Chicago, IL. 

Directions, Parking & Public Transportation 
The location is located in the heart of Chicago, with easy access to public transportation.

Click here for directions to the ISACS classroom including driving, parking and public transportation directions. Parking is available at several area garages. To secure discounted parking prior to your arrival in Chicago, visit www.parkwhiz.com. If possible, we suggest taking public transportation. 

​GO Airport Express (Share-a-Ride) Shuttle Service
ISACS has negotiated a special rate with GO Airport Express for ISACS members – 15% off standard rates. Reservations MUST be made in advance and online to receive the discounted rate.  The standard rate per person to/from O’Hare is approximately $28 one-way; $49 round-trip. The standard rate per person to/from Midway is approximately $24 one-way; $40 round-trip. To receive the 15% discount off the standard rates, please click here for the Go Airport Express website to make a reservation in advance. A credit card is required and charged at the time of reservation. Airport walk-ups are not be eligible for the discounted rate, standard rates apply. Parties of two or more reserving at the same time receive a discount. Please visit their website for more information. 

Hotel Accommodations
ISACS has secured discounted hotel accommodations at Club Quarters at Wacker and Michigan with a rate of $182/night plus tax. The Club Quarters is located two blocks from the ISACS classroom. In order to take advantage of the rate, you must book by September 15, 2015.

To make a reservation, please contact Club Quarters Member Services at 203-905-2100 (Mon.-Fri. 7am-11pm; Sat. 9am-5pm and Sun. 10am-6pm EST) and use the following group code "ISA115" to receive the discounted rate. After the cut-off date, reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Credit cards are required to book all room reservations. To book online please click on the following link - https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Chain=14601&hotel=58315&template=CQmain&shell=CQmain&hotellist=WEB&group=ISA115

For directions to the Club Quarters, which also includes walking directions to the ISACS classroom, click here.

If you are looking for another option or the room block is full, please take a moment to check out the other hotels that the ISACS Professional Development team has partnered with in the Chicago area. The hotels are within walking distance of the ISACS classroom and as a member of ISACS you have access to the discounted rates all year long for your professional and personal travel. Click here to find out how to make a reservation at any of the hotels and select the option that meets your travel needs. We recommend booking your hotel room early. 

If you have any issues booking a room at the Club Quarters or any other property, please contact the ISACS office at 312-750-1190.

Registration Fee

• $200 member fee
• $250 non member fee
• First registrant pays full fee, each additional registrant receives a $20 discount
• Workshop includes coffee/tea,light breakfast, lunch and refreshments
• Register early as we anticipate this workshop will reach capacity

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing to ISACS by emailing programinfo@isacs.org 10 business days prior to the event to receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received within 10 days of the event will not receive a refund. Registration may be transferred to another member from the same school. ISACS reserves the right to cancel the workshop for insufficient enrollment. In this case, participants will be notified and given a full refund. 

Questions? Please call 312-750-1190.