Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
- 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- 7:15 AM – 5:30 PM
- 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
CSBA 2026 Annual Education Conference & Trade Show: Board decisions in focus in San Diego
A school board’s work can range from reviewing financial disclosures to planning for enrollment changes. The CSBA 2026 Annual Education Conference & Trade Show brings those responsibilities into focus at the San Diego Convention Center December 3–5, with separately registered training and site visits on December 2.
Wednesday choices follow the work of a board
Orientation for New Trustees is designed for newly elected or appointed members preparing for their first year. CSBA faculty and staff cover trustees’ roles, relationships with superintendents and participation in board meetings. Superintendents are encouraged to attend with their board members, but must register as participants.
For a narrower legal topic, the California School Board Ethics Training Course is offered in separate morning and afternoon sessions. Licensed California attorneys lead the course, which addresses conflicts of interest, gift rules and Form 700 reporting. Participants who complete it receive a certificate.
The Student Board Member One-Day Program takes a different approach: current student board members work in small groups on governance, budgets, community engagement and advocacy. A student consent and permission form is required for the program and for the full conference.
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Two ways to examine career-connected learning
Wednesday’s district site visit takes participants to Cajon Valley Union School District to see learning environments and hear from district leaders about the planning and implementation of career-connected education. The county-office visit instead explores the San Diego County Office of Education Innovation Center, a learning environment designed for students in grades 3–12.
The visits run at the same time, so attendees interested in both approaches must choose between them. Each fee includes transportation to and from the site, lunch and light refreshments.
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Enrollment, funding and the trade show
The main conference combines general sessions and concurrent breakouts with a trade-show floor for school products and services. The floor is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, rather than Saturday, which matters when dividing time between exhibitors and sessions.
Among the separately ticketed meals, Thursday’s Trending Topics Luncheon examines declining enrollment and its effect on Local Control Funding Formula revenue. The listed speaker is Megan Reilly, chief administrative officer of the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team. Friday’s Small School Districts Luncheon turns to special education, including regional partnerships and support for multilingual students with disabilities.
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Conference schedule
Wednesday activities have individual registration requirements. Meal-function times vary; CSBA lists conflicting start times for the Golden Bell event, so confirm its timing before attending.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026 · Pre-conference activities
- Site Visit for Districts: Innovation & Implementation
- Site Visit for COE: Innovation & Implementation
- Student Board Member One-Day Program
- Executive Assistant One-Day Program
- Legal Symposium for Experienced Board Members
- Orientation for New Trustees
- Advanced Governance Skills for Transformational Leadership
- Board Presidents Workshop
- California School Board Ethics Training Course (A.M.)
- California School Board Ethics Training Course (P.M.)
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026 · Conference
- Registration
- First General Session
- Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Meal Functions — check individual event times
- Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- CSBA Golden Bell Awards Reception and Ceremony
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026 · Trade Show Floor
- Trade Show Floor
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 · Conference
- Registration
- Meal Functions
Registration and practical details
Check district or county membership
CSBA says the conference is available to its member districts and county offices of education. Their membership dues must have been paid in full by September 15, 2026, for attendees to participate.
The listed member registration rates are $799 through August 11, $899 August 12–November 9 and $999 from November 10 through onsite registration. Student board members can purchase a conference-only registration for $300.
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Confirm the individual program
Fees and eligibility vary. Each site visit is $200 through November 9 and $240 afterward; the ethics course is $150. CSBA’s general FAQ says there is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities, while the site-visit descriptions say onsite registration is possible if space remains. Confirm the site-visit policy with CSBA before relying on onsite registration.
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Tickets and locations
Ticketed meal functions are open only to paid conference registrants, and tickets are not sold at the door. The Trending Topics and Small School Districts luncheons are each $102. Meal functions generally take place at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina unless otherwise noted; check your particular event.
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Accessibility and dietary needs
CSBA reports wheelchair access to the convention center’s entrances, restrooms and seating areas. Request reserved accessible seating in advance; for additional accommodations, contact [email protected] at least 72 hours before the event.
Getting to the conference
Convention center and trolley
The San Diego Convention Center is at 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. The venue says two MTS Trolley stops are in front of the building; use transit planning or the map links to calculate a route from your starting point.
CSBA does not provide transportation to or from the convention center. If driving, check the venue’s construction updates for work on Harbor Drive and nearby roads.
CSBA 2026 ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW - San Diego Convention Center ↗ · Getting Here & Around - San Diego Convention Center ↗ · CSBA AEC CSBA Annual Education Conference and Trade Show ↗
Allow for a different meal venue
General sessions, breakouts and the trade-show floor are at the convention center. Meal functions generally take place at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina unless otherwise noted, so check the destination for your ticket.
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Before you make a plan
Can I attend the conference online?
No. CSBA says the 2026 conference is in person and will not be offered virtually.
Can a student board member attend without a parent?
A parent or legal guardian is recommended but not required; CSBA says any minor attending the conference must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Student board members must submit the consent and permission form.
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Can I buy a meal ticket at the door?
No. Ticketed meal functions are limited to paid conference registrants, and tickets are not sold at the door.
Can I register for the main conference onsite?
Yes. CSBA says main-conference registration is available at the onsite registration counter, at the late rate.
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Location & Google Maps
San Diego Convention Center
111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.