Featured Events & Keynotes
Learn from our edtech community’s brightest minds and enjoy special opportunities to unwind and connect
A Pair of Unforgettable Keynotes
Innovative learning starts with big-picture thinking.
Each year, we welcome visionary national speakers that bring emerging technology trends into focus.
Our keynotes share experiences and insights that speak to today’s educational challenges and opportunities, offering the inspiration educators need to turn aspirational thinking into classroom impact.
Amanda Bickerstaff
Educator, Researcher, and Visionary
Amanda Bickerstaff’s voice is among the most valued in the national conversation around AI in education. Her visionary approach to supporting ethical, equitable AI adoption has made her a maven among those seeking to meet AI’s current challenges and opportunities.
A former high school biology teacher and edtech executive, Amanda brings over 20 years of education sector experience to every stage and workshop she leads. As the co-founder and CEO of AI in Education, she continues to shape responsible AI policy development and empower educators with robust AI literacy trainings.
Here in Illinois, Amanda was also a crowd favorite at Hi AI!, where she emphasized the necessity of building GenAI literacy, experimenting with the technology, and adopting AI with an innovation mindset.
To Be Announced
Wednesday, November 11
Stay tuned more details about Amanda’s keynote
Ken Shelton
Author, Advocate, and Educator
Ken Shelton is a distinguished, multi-award-winning professional and education leader who has traversed the globe sharing his unique brand of inspiration mixed with innovative thinking. His endeavors aim to build a more equitable, inclusive future for education through thoughtful policy-making and technology adoption – especially as emergent technology like AI grow in prominence.
A former teacher in Los Angeles Unified School District, Ken’s expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion draws deeply on his 20+ years of classroom experience. Most recently, he’s sought to center oversight, transparency, and collaboration in conversations about AI in education, including in his best-selling book, “The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered the Chat“.
To Be Announced
Thursday, November 12
Stay tuned for more details about Ken’s keynote.
Breakaway Summit Experiences
Take part in focused conversations and discover resources relevant to your interests and job role during these exclusive breakaway events. Each summit is hosted by experts who are ready to help you elevate your professional practice, starting here.
Tech Leader Summit
Join fellow technology directors, coordinators, and technology decision-makers for a breakaway event centered on empowering technology departments in all Illinois school districts.
Bring your questions and success stories for a timely, relevant conversation about how to enhance cybersecurity and technology utilization in K-12 environments – all led by a panel of current technology leaders from across the state.
Panelists
- To be announced
Panel Topics: To be announced
Date & Time: To be announced
Location: DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom (Main Stage)
Women in Technology Breakfast
How can we all help support and elevate women in K-12 technology positions?
Join fellow educators for an inspirational gathering where you’ll learn from current edtech trailblazers, including their successes, challenges, and strategies for developing pathways to professional success.
Attendees will also share their experiences, connect with other women in technology, and discover insights into leading while staying true to their identity.
Complimentary breakfast will be served.
Date & Time: To be announced
Location: DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom (Main Stage)
Presented by
Special Events & Programs
IETC is about more than learning from edtech experts and taking part in hands-on workshops. You can also connect with friends, discover new perspectives, and enjoy incredible events like these.
Trivia Night
Better study up! Bring your brains and a group of 6-8 friends for a head-to-head general knowledge competition. Across five rounds, teams with work together to answer trivia-style questions about everything from movies and music to history, culture, and technology.
Don’t have a team? Simply show up and we’ll assign you to a group of (soon-to-be) best friends.
Date & Time: To be announced
IETC Social
Start the evening off right by joining us for free drinks, appetizers, and games.
This is the perfect chance to connect with friends new and old as we gather and prepare to learn together.
Date & Time: To be announced