One of the best ways to network and learn about the latest trends in education is to attend an educational conference. Here’s a look at some of the top 2021 education events.
This conference directory features dozens of must-attend education events taking place in 2021 and covering a wide range of fields, including higher education, education administration, education management, and education tech.
To better navigate this list, let’s quickly review the different event types you’ll come across.
- Conferences – Conferences are large events that bring together education professionals in the field. Activities at these events include speakers, workshops, and networking sessions.
- Summits – Summits are often meetings with high-level professionals to discuss the newest findings in a field. However, some summits function just like conferences.
- Symposium – Symposiums are events where experts in the field give presentations to an audience.
The pandemic forced many events to shift their strategies and apply coronavirus best practices for events. Education conferences in 2021 will take a new approach with these major shifts in mind. Most of the gatherings featured in this directory will now take place in the form of virtual events.
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JANUARY EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| 2021 Joint Mathematics Meetings | Online | 1/6/21 | This meeting is a must-attend for anyone interested in learning about innovative mathematical research, advancing mathematical achievement, providing the communication and tools to progress in the field, encouraging mathematical research, and connecting with the mathematical community. |
| MLA Annual Convention | Online | 1/7/21 | MLA 2021 online will allow new modes of participation and encourage even more members to get involved. The convention reflects the best intellectual energies of many MLA members. |
| 32nd Ann Ferren Conference | Online | 1/8/21 | The conference will include 29 sessions; a morning plenary at which Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact, Caty Borum Chattoo will host a session titled “The Creative Power of “Yes, And” in a World of “No, But”: Comedy for Empowering Community and Social Justice”; and a luncheon plenary titled “Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Tenure, Promotion, and Reappointment” led by Interim Deputy Provost, Monica Jackson. The conference concludes with a virtual end-of-conference social. |
| Bett | Online | 1/20/21 | Bett is the first industry show of the year in the education technology landscape, bringing together 850 leading companies, 103 exciting new ed-tech startups, and over 34,700 attendees (131 countries represented) from the global education community. |
| Comprehensive Literacy and Reading Recovery Conference | Online | 1/20/21 | The conference is designed to provide superb professional development and networking opportunities for K-8 classroom teachers, intervention (Reading Recovery, Special Education, ESL) teachers, instructional coaches, program specialists, and administrators. |
| Shaping the Future of Higher Education: An Invitation to Lead | Online | 1/20/21 | The 2021 annual meeting will bring together campus leaders at all levels and from institutions of all types to explore the most pressing questions now facing higher education, to share effective educational practices and explore new financial models, and to work out together what undergraduate education will look like in a post-pandemic future. |
| Special Education Leaders Network by West40 | Online | 1/21/21 | West40 is pleased to offer this networking opportunity for those who support social-emotional learning in our area. The network will explore the world of social-emotional learning in education. Members will discuss best practices, share ideas, and identify professional learning needs for themselves and their school staff. |
| Southern Conference on Children | Online | 1/23/21 | The Southern Conference on Children continues to serve childcare providers, directors, teachers, and families by providing relevant, high-quality training on important issues. |
| Future of Education Technology Conference | Online | 1/26/21 | FETC 2021 will be a fully interactive — FREE — virtual multi-day conference experience using state-of-the-art technology — not just a series of canned webinars. You’ll hear from blockbuster keynoters, learn from top experts and innovators in education technologies, experience AI-based networking to build your PLN, and explore the cutting-edge FETC Virtual Expo where solution providers will demonstrate all the latest apps, hardware, software, and tech tools to help your school or district emerge stronger in this new era. |
| 2021 Leadership Summit on Educator Mental Health and Wellness |
Online | 1/27/21 | Many teachers feel stressed and overwhelmed, especially as schools have made the big transition to virtual school or hybrid models. School and district leaders are tasked with supporting students through a difficult time. |
| Heads Conference | Online | 1/28/21 | This conference is an annual exploration of school leadership, organized by the independent schools association of the central states (ISACS). |
| UMLA 2021: Survive – Strive – Thrive | Online | 1/30/21 | The conference is one of the best sources of professional learning to be found in the state for Middle-Level Educators. |
| Common Ground 2021 | Online | 1/30/21 | Together, 18 non-profit educational organizations are focused on creating an unforgettable learning experience rich in innovative ideas, best practices, and sharing what works. |
| Everyone Reading Conference | Online | 1/23/21 & 2/6/21 | Learn new strategies from noted experts in the field of dyslexia and related learning disabilities, and experience the latest in teaching resources, technologies, schools, and programs. |
FEBRUARY EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| National Reading Recovery & K-6 Literacy Conference | Online | 1/30/21 | LitCon: National K-8 Literacy & Reading Recovery Conference is the largest and best K-8 literacy conference in North America. This year’s lineup features Cornelius Minor, Gerry Brooks, Pernille Ripp, Mary Fried, Anthony Muhammad, Sharroky Hollie, & many more. |
| TCEA Convention & Exposition | Online | 2/1/21 | Since 1980, TCEA has worked to connect educators with the latest pedagogical ideas, teaching techniques, and tech tools — and with each other. Their annual Convention & Exposition showcases the most influential thinkers and leaders in education, along with the biggest names in the ed-tech business, all sharing a wealth of knowledge with our attendees. |
| Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy | Online | 2/3/21 | The conference showcases the best pedagogical practice and research in higher education today. Sessions address disciplinary and interdisciplinary instructional strategies, outcomes, and research. Each year we welcome over 500 faculty and instructors in Higher Education dedicated to teaching excellence. |
| C W Austin Learning Disabilities Conference | Online | 2/6/21 | This conference honors Christopher Austin who was a successful college student with dyslexia. He was a talented musician, writer, and visual artist tragically killed by a drunk driver at age 20. We celebrate his gifts and hope to give parents and professionals the tools they need to lift up the LD students in their lives through this conference. |
| National Convening on Personalized Learning | Online | 2/8/21 | The Institute’s annual convening is an opportunity for educators to come together to discuss emerging best practices, lessons learned, and introduce new topics or aspects of personalized learning. |
| National ESEA Conference | Online | 2/8/21 | With the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, tomorrow is today, the future is now. Never before has the need for technology, innovation, and creativity been greater than it is in the current hour. This year, they gather the nation’s top leaders in education to explore the theme “Educating for Tomorrow”. |
| WISE Conference | Online | 2/10/21 | WISE is the pioneering conference for faculty leaders, program coordinators, and administrators to develop the knowledge and skills needed to help students advance their intercultural skills and awareness during their abroad experiences. |
| National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change | Online | 2/11/21 | The National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change serves as a professional diversity platform. Each year, clinicians, educators, higher education professionals, change agents, and students gather for two days of critical interactions and community around topics of oppression, identity, society, and social action. |
| AIEA Annual Conference | Online | 2/15/21 | The AIEA Annual Conference is the only conference specifically for those leading international education at higher education institutions. |
| European Learning & Teaching Forum | Online | 2/18/21 | The European Learning & Teaching Forum is an EUA event that provides an opportunity for participants to meet and discuss developments in learning and teaching at European universities. The Forum builds on EUA’s work with its member universities on this topic. Alongside the bottom-up approach, the Forum makes use of EUA’s extensive policy work in European higher education. |
| Crisis Leadership in High Education | Online | 2/22/21 | Drawing on the combined expertise of the Harvard Kennedy School in crisis management and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in higher education, this program prepares college administrators to respond to crises effectively, develop protocols and practices that minimize the potential for future occurrences, and inspire confidence in the long-term safety, security, and success of their institutions. |
| NCSEA Policy Forum | Online | 2/23/21 | NCSEA’s Policy Forum is dedicated to the policies and issues influencing the child support program at the national, state, and local levels. |
| LEAD Winter | Online | 2/26/21 | LEAD Winter will bring together and inspire NHS, NJHS, and NatStuCo member students and advisers from all over the world to make a difference in their schools and communities. |
MARCH EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Innovations Conference | Online | 3/1/21 | The Innovations Conference, now in its 23rd year, is the foremost convening for professionals dedicated to improving and enhancing teaching and learning, leadership and management, and the community college experience. |
| The Forum’s Annual Conference | Online | 3/1/21 | Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Forum’s founding, reflect on what has been learned over the past two decades, and how recent events charge people to change in the twenty years to come. Join the event for dynamic dialogue on the evolution of work and the revolution needed to thrive in the uncertain times ahead. This call for proposals is a call to action and a call to innovate, collaborate, and share. Now is the time to think big, present bold ideas, and offer innovative solutions. |
| National Youth-At-Risk Conference | Online | 3/8/21 | The National Youth-At-Risk Conference is designed to provide quality, relevant training for all people interested in the well-being of youth. |
| Diversity, Equity, and Student Success | Online | 3/24/21 | This event will examine what it means to work toward a campus environment where inclusivity thrives through constant reflection, analysis, and accountability. |
| Utah Early Childhood Conference | Online | 3/26/21 | This annual conference engages and inspires participants through excellent training presented by local and national early childhood experts, networking opportunities, and experiences with early childhood exhibitors. |
APRIL EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference | Online | 4/5/2001 | The annual conference will focus on how institutions of higher learning can work with students to create roadmaps for student success. |
| NCEA 2021 | Online | 4/6/21 | Join the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and be ignited for transformation, united in community, and inspired by faith as you connect with and learn from a nationwide group of Catholic school educators. |
| International Conference Annual Meeting | Online | 4/6/21 | The 2021 virtual ICAM has more than 40 hours of engaging sessions, peer networking, regional and topical meetings, and social discussions. Your conference registration also provides access to the Exchange, where you can interact with your peers. |
| NSBA 2021 Annual Conference | Online | 4/8/21 | NSBA 2021 brings together education leaders to learn about best governance practices, gain insight into child development, and learn about new programs and technology that can help enrich student learning. |
| CIES 2021 | Online | 4/25/21 | vCIES 2021 will provide a full conference program that responds to the conference theme, Social Responsibility within Changing Contexts, and expands knowledge production and educational practice within the field of comparative and international education. |
| NPEA National Conference | Online | 4/27/21 | NPEA’s annual conference will focus on the importance of coming together as a field to best support underserved students on their paths towards college and career success. |
| On Course National Conference | Online | 4/29/21 | Exchange and celebrate best practices in student success from immediately usable instructional and counseling strategies to campus-wide programs that increase retention and student academic success. Learn great new strategies from educators who are changing the lives of their students and transforming their colleges into learner-centered institutions. |
| South East Coastal Conference on Language & Literatures | TBD | TBD | SECCLL is oriented toward the participation of scholars from both public and private institutions of higher education. It is a collegiate, informational, and respectful environment marked by a rigorous d productive exchange among academics. |
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MAY EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Native American Conference on Special Education | Online | May 2021 | The conference is designed to provide resources to families of children with disabilities, developmental delays, and special healthcare needs. |
| ELI Annual Meeting | Online | 5/18/21 | The ELI Annual Meeting is the premier gathering of higher education teaching and learning professionals. This is the one event that explores solutions to our learning community’s key issues, engages innovative technology and service providers, and unites expertise across our institutions. |
JUNE EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| The Annual Model Schools Conference | Nashville & Online | June 2021 | Model Schools Conference 2021, a newly designed hybrid professional learning experience for all K-12 leaders and teachers. Together, attendees will unite around their common cause of rigor and equitable student learning, and ignite the passion for giving all students the education they deserve in your care. |
| EDxEDNYC | Online | 6/3/21 | EDxED is an annual education conference for educators by educators from Hudson High School of Learning Technologies in New York City. |
| NCORE | Online | 6/7/21 | Since its inception, NCORE has evolved into a vital national resource for higher education institutions, providing an annual multicultural forum that attracts all people of color in higher education institutions across the United States. |
| Southeast Conference on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support | Savannah, GA | 6/7/21 | The Southeast Conference on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is a two and a half-day annual conference that provides training for schools and districts for developing school-wide behavioral intervention plans. |
| Collegiate Information and Visitor Services Association Annual Conference | St. Louis | 6/15/21 | This annual conference is packed with learning opportunities, including 10 blocks of educational concurrent sessions, 3 plenary sessions, and informal programming and events designed to help you develop new ideas, share experiences, discover best practices, and network with information and visitor services professionals. |
| Going Global 2021 | Online | 6/15/21 | Going Global is a conference for leaders in international education to debate the future of further and higher education. |
| Model Schools Conference | Nashville, TN, and Online | 6/15/21 | What’s next for teaching and learning? Each year, educators come to the Model Schools Conference to share innovative ideas and best practices for developing the classrooms of the future. This four-day event brings together like-minded educators—teachers, leaders, and education visionaries—who are focused on raising the bar on instruction, revolutionizing school leadership, engaging students in real-world learning opportunities, and looking at emerging innovations in teaching and learning. |
| National Charter Schools Conference | Online | 6/20/21 | The National Charter Schools Conference is the best learning and networking event for charter school educators, leaders, and advocates. |
| PBL World | Online | 6/21/21 | PBL World is the premier conference for Project-Based Learning. Each year, they bring together dedicated K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders who want to connect with each other and learn more about PBL. |
| Innovative Schools Summit Atlanta | Atlanta, GA & Online | 6/21/21 | The Innovative Schools Summit Atlanta will host 5 conferences in one location focused on empowering, improving, and helping students nationwide. |
| Canada International Conference on Education (CICE) | Online | 6/22/21 | The CICE is an international refereed conference dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in education. |
| At-Risk & Struggling Students Conference | Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas & San Antonio | 6/22/21 | This conference focuses on evidence-based programs and strategies that educators can use to prevent dropouts and to help students experience success in school. |
| Wired Differently Conference | Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas & San Antonio | 6/22/21 | Now in its eighth year, the Wired Differently: Trauma-Informed Schools Conference will offer a wide array of critical insights and best practices for reaching and teaching students with a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges – especially trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PTSD, and related issues. Principals, other administrators, general ed teachers, special needs teachers, resource teachers, and paraprofessionals attending the Wired Differently Conference will benefit from tools, recommendations, and strategies for working with this often high-potential portion of the student population. |
| ASCD Annual Conference | Online | 6/23/21 | Join speakers and sessions that will accelerate your summer learning plans and help get you prepared for the school year. |
| ISTE – International Society for Technology in Education | San Antonio & Online | 6/27/21 | Immerse yourself in powerful ideas and inspirational speakers, while connecting with innovative educators who share your passion for transformative learning. |
| Get Your Teach On: Dallas | Houston, TX | 6/27/21 | Join thousands of educators from around the world as they come together to be inspired, supported, and immersed in a community that is striving to create classrooms where students truly choose to want to learn each and every day. |
JULY EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Connected Learning Summit | Online | 7/1/21 | Join a gathering of innovators harnessing emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning. |
| Innovative Schools Summit Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV & Online | 7/5/21 | The Innovative School Summit Las Vegas will feature a great lineup of award-winning and nationally recognized speakers. This expert lineup of presenters draws upon their years of experience and research to provide proven strategies that work. |
| SCUP Conference | Philadelphia & Online | 7/11/21 | SCUP’s Annual Conference is where higher education leaders share their stories — stories of boundary spanning, cross-functional teams, and resource alignment. These stories motivate, connect, and ignite new ideas that help higher education prepare for whatever is next. |
| Games for Change | Online | 7/12/21 | This event inspires youth to explore civic issues and learn 21st-century and STEM skills through our Student Challenge and we train educators to run game design classes on impact games. |
| SUNY Learning with Innovative Technology Conference | Online | 7/23/21 | The conference is designed for educators of all types, including K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, and students interested in the use of technologies in education. |
| DLA 2021 | Jekyll Island, Georgia | 7/25/21 | The Distance Learning Administration Conference focuses on the administration and management of distance learning. The conference specifically addresses the needs of those who plan, manage, and support distance education activities. |
| World Congress on Education | Toronto, Canada & Online | 7/26/21 | The aim of the World Congress on Education is to provide an opportunity for academicians and professionals from various educational fields with cross-disciplinary interests to bridge the knowledge gap, promote research esteem and the evolution of pedagogy. The WCE-2021 invites research papers that encompass conceptual analysis, design implementation, and performance evaluation. |
AUGUST EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Distance Teaching & Learning Conference | Online | 8/2/21 | DT&L isn’t just a conference, it’s a community of educators with ideas and experiences to share. You’ll laugh, you’ll be moved, and you’ll come away with new ways to approach your work and put research into practice. |
| EDuTech | Melbourne, Australia | 8/17/21 | EduTECH is Australia’s largest annual education event, featuring thousands of participants across multiple conferences, masterclasses and networking functions, plus a massive interactive trade show. |
SEPTEMBER EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World 2021 | Savannah, GA | 9/13/21 | You are invited to engage in the fifth-annual meeting which explores one of the most important issues of our era – how to live and learn with technology in ways that add authentic value to our lives and to the world. As we embrace the conveniences of emerging technologies in the classroom and beyond, you will explore ways to employ them with a people-centered approach that includes balance, compassion, healthy living, mindfulness and relationships. |
OCTOBER EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| HighEdWeb 2020 | Buffalo, NY, and Online | 10/3/21 | A conference created by and for higher education professionals across all departments and divisions. Together we explore and find solutions for the unique issues facing digital teams at colleges and universities. In 2020, the Conference will be held completely online, offering multiple tracks of streamed presentations, live Q&A sessions, networking events. |
| The American Associated for Teaching and Curriculum Conference | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 10/7/21 | AATC is dedicated to developing dialogue around teaching, curriculum, and related issues. |
| Tertiary Education Management Conference | Brisbane, Australia | 10/10/21 | The only Conference in the tertiary sector which covers the full range of functions in institutions, and is designed to allow participants to build strong global networks. |
| AASHE Conference & Expo | Online | 10/12/21 | AASHE’s annual conference is the largest stage to share effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions which advance sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities. |
| EducationExperts | Dubai, UAE | 10/12/21 | Education Experts is a unique set of events bringing together the latest trends and knowledge in education across a global platform. Leaders across the Education Sector will come together to share their expertise and give the opportunity for fellow educators to take away vital ideas and information that will ultimately lead to school improvement and raising standards. |
| ITEC Conference | TBD | TBD | ITEC promotes the use of technology in education by demonstrating to its members, other educators and the public, developments in educational technology and how its appropriate use supports teaching and learning. |
NOVEMBER EDUCATION CONFERENCES
| Name | Location | Start Date | Description |
| NCTE Annual Convention | Baltimore, MD | 11/18/21 | Each November thousands of literacy educators from across the country make the journey to a Convention that inspires their practice and rejuvenates their profession. They leave with strong strategies and best practices for teaching literacy, language, and composition. They learn new ideas for delivering instruction that engages students and addresses the most pressing needs within the school and district. |
Wrapping Up: Finding the Right Ed Conference For You
After reading this comprehensive list of top education conferences, you’re ready to take your professional development to the next level in 2021!
Whether you work in higher education, education administration, education management, ed-tech, or some other educational field, these hybrid and virtual conferences will give you new insights and skills to bring back to your schools. Be sure to check back on the list often as we’ll be updating it throughout the year.
Interested in more comprehensive event directories? Check out our:
If you feel like we’re missing an event or you’d like your own event featured, click on the button below and apply to have your event featured on our list.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 19, 2019 and has since been updated for relevancy.
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