Dear Maine School Board Members, Superintendents, and Educational Leaders,
I am pleased to invite you to save the date for the 53rd Annual Maine School Management Association (MSMA) Fall Conference, Maine's premier leadership development event for public education leaders.
Join colleagues from across the state on Thursday and Friday, October 29–30, 2026, at the Augusta Civic Center for two days of learning, networking, collaboration, and inspiration. This conference is designed specifically for members of the Maine School Boards Association (MSBA), Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA), and invited guests.
Each year, more than 800 educational leaders gather for what has become the largest statewide gathering of public education leaders in Maine. The conference features dynamic keynote presentations, more than 50 educational clinics, opportunities to connect with colleagues from throughout the state, and access to a wide range of educational products, services, technologies, publications, and resources through our vendor exhibition (Thursday only).
We are excited to announce this year's keynote speakers:
• A.J. Juliani, author of How to Lead in an Age of AI and Distractions, who will explore how educational leaders can navigate rapid technological change while maintaining focus on what matters most.
• Scott Levy, author of Why School Boards Matter, who will provide insight into the critical role school boards play in shaping the future of public education and strengthening local communities.
In addition, we encourage you to arrive early and take advantage of two special pre-conference workshops sponsored by the Maine School Boards Association on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 2:00–4:30 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center:
• Board Chair & Aspiring Board Chair Workshop – our popular annual leadership development session for current and future board leaders.
• Student Board Members Workshop – a first-of-its-kind opportunity in Maine, hosted in partnership with the National Student Board Members Association (NSBMA), designed to support and empower student representatives serving on local school boards.
Additional details about both workshops will be announced in the coming months.
Whether you serve as a school board member, superintendent, administrator, or educational partner, the MSMA Fall Conference offers valuable opportunities to strengthen your leadership, expand your network, and support the success of Maine's public schools.
The registration fee for the two-day conference is $360 per person. Please note that one-day registration is not available. Online registration will open in late September.
Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for this outstanding professional development experience. Additional program details and registration information will be available later this summer.
We look forward to welcoming you to Augusta this October.
Sincerely,
Eric Waddell
Executive Director
Maine School Management Association