Attendees at the 2026 Joint Annual Conference will find much that is new, as the presenting organizations work to enhance the premier training event for Illinois school leaders. Here’s the second “What’s New?” for 2026:

IASB is presenting a new single-day Exhibit Trade Show that will take place at the Sheraton Grand on the Saturday of Conference. Exhibitors will now have the option to choose from two IASB Exhibit Trade Show locations. The Hyatt Regency will continue host exhibitors for a two-day Trade Show on the Friday and Saturday of Conference.

Potential exhibitors can contact IASB Events Management Assistant Manager Heather Peloquin to learn more about exhibit space at the 2026 Annual Conference. Potential attendees can look forward to connecting with a wide range of school services and products at Illinois’ premier education conference. 

In the first “What’s New,” IASB shared info about a new look for the Hyatt Regency and a new date and times for the equity workshops. Watch for more announcements on new and exciting changes to the Joint Annual Conference.

Some things haven’t changed: The 2026 Joint Annual Conference will take place during the same timeframe as usual: November 20-22, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Headquarters hotels are the Hyatt Regency Chicago and Sheraton Grand Chicago, plus events at the Swissôtel and housing blocks reserved at several other downtown hotels. Registration opens June 1.

Visit the Joint Annual Conference webpage for all the latest information on the 2026 event