2026 Annual Conference Sponsorship and Exhibition
Overview
The Annual Conference of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools is the organization's signature opportunity for educators to grow together. In 2025, the Annual Conference brought together nearly 600 teachers, leaders, visionaries, and resources from across Tennessee and the Southeast. Over 180 presenters led 100+ sessions highlighting the robust work of TAIS teachers and leaders. The 2026 TAIS Annual Conference will be held at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 8th and 9th.
Target Audience: All school roles
Expected Attendance: 650-750
Parallel Event: 2026 Heads' Retreat
Focus & Form: See What Matters. Create What’s Next.
In a fast-paced world saturated with 10-second clips and automated solutions, attention is fragmented, human connection is strained, and clarity in decision-making is diminished at every level. The 2026 TAIS Annual Conference invites educators and school leaders to look more closely, practice discernment and articulation, and shape learning and leadership with greater purpose. Join us in looking to art and innovation to build the skills needed to lead our school communities with vibrancy and greater intention.
Agenda
| November 7 | |
| 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
Annual Conference Exhibition Load-In and Setup: Option 1
All Annual Conference exhibitions must be loaded in and set up on Saturday, November 7th. On Sunday, November 8th, there will not be access to the conference site before the opening of registration at 1:00 pm CT. Vendors also exhibiting at the Heads' Retreat will be able to access that event space to setup your high-top networking table from 3:00-4:30 pm CT on Sunday, November 8. There will not be access to the Heads' Retreat space before 3:00 pm CT on Sunday, November 8. |
| 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Annual Conference Exhibition Load-In and Setup: Option 2 All Annual Conference exhibitions must be loaded in and set up on Saturday, November 7th. On Sunday, November 8th, there will not be access to the conference site before the opening of registration at 1:00 pm CT. |
| November 8 | |
| 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM | No Access to Conference Site |
| 12:59 PM - 5:00 PM |
Exhibitor Arrival
Conference Site and Parking Lot Open at 1:00 pm CT (No Early Access Available) Exhibitors must complete setup on Saturday and be ready to greet attendees when registration opens at 1:00 PM CT on Sunday. Parking and campus spaces cannot be accessed before 1:00 PM on Sunday. |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Exhibition Hall Open View the detailed attendee agenda for Sunday, November 8, here. |
| 5:00 PM | Campus Closes |
| November 9 | |
| 6:30 AM | Conference Site and Parking Lot Open |
| 7:00 AM | Exhibitor Arrival |
| 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Exhibition Hall Open View the detailed attendee agenda for Monday, November 9, here. |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Exhibitors' Lunch Early lunch service will be available to exhibitors in the dining hall during the Annual Conference's Breakout Four. |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Exhibition Hall Last Lap |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Exhibition Hall Breakdown |
Annual Conference Exhibition
A booth at the TAIS Annual Conference offers high-visibility engagement with Tennessee’s independent school community across two days, connecting your team with 500+ educators and school leaders.
At the 2026 Annual, the Exhibition Hall is the hub of the conference, sharing a space with breakfast, snack, and lunch service; seating for attendees; and special entertainment. Positioned indoors and often as a passage for breakout sessions, attendee connections are natural and repeated.
package includes
- A dedicated 8-foot information table
- A two-day ticket for two representatives (meals included)
- A centrally-located, indoor exhibitor space, which also draws attendees with snacks, coffee, meals, and special entertainment
- Visibility on the conference app
- Capability within the app to create a custom Digital Exhibitor Booth, share product videos or live showcases, run promotional offers or in-app push campaigns, digitally collect and export leads, schedule one-on-one conversations, and more
- High-touch engagement with 500+ attendees over the span of two days
ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sponsorship
Position your brand in front of independent school teachers, leaders, and every role in between by sponsoring the Annual Conference. Choose between Lead Level or Foundry Level.
Both sponsorship levels offer a complimentary Exhibitor Booth Package and premium booth placement. The Exhibition Package includes a two-day ticket for two representatives and full access to Whova's digital exhibition tools.
The Lead Sponsor package offers standout visibility at the Annual Conference and a complimentary Gold-Level Annual Partnership to stretch your investment beyond the big event. Lead Sponsorship is also a pathway to present an Annual Conference Session. Associate your brand with thought-leadership all year long. Open to all, but limited availability. First come, first served.
The Foundry Sponsor package is designed for organizations that want more than a standard exhibitor presence. This level offers a unique way to create visibility through a memorable, attendee-facing experience, such as live entertainment, a branded sweet treat, or swag. Associate your brand with goodwill and community care. Open to all.
| Lead Sponsor | Foundry Sponsor | |
| Recognition on event web page | ✔ | ✔ |
| Logo placement in event e-mail marketing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Visibility in event app | ✔ | ✔ |
| Logo placement on on-site signage | ✔ (Premium placement) | ✔ |
| Complimentary Exhibitor Package | ✔ (Premium placement) | ✔ (Premium placement) |
| Formal recognition during Opening Session | ✔ | |
| Promotional materials on event lunch tables (sponsor-provided) | ✔ | |
| Session attendance and networking with school leaders for two | ✔ | |
|
Partner Solutions at the Heads' Retreat |
✔ (Discounted fee for two of three rounds) | |
| Complimentary Annual Gold Supporter Benefits | ✔ | |
| Opportunity to present an Annual Conference session | ✔ | |
| Opportunity to host a signature conference moment, co-designed with TAIS | ✔ |
Presenter Eligibility & Commitment
TAIS Annual Conference session presentations are reserved for TAIS Members, TAIS Corporate Partners, or invited guest speakers. Proposal submitters must be (a) employed by a TAIS Member School, (b) explicitly invited by TAIS staff to propose a session, or (c) representing an organization that intends to become a TAIS Annual Corporate Partner for the 2026–2027 year.
Proposals accepted under option (c) are contingent upon the presenting organization formally committing to a 2026–2027 Corporate Partnership by July 1. Sessions will not run without this confirmed commitment.
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Annual Conference Foundry Sponsor
Registration Ended 10/22/26 at 1:00 PM CST
|
$1,800.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Reception Host
Registration Ended 9/13/26 at 1:00 PM CST
|
$1,500.00 |
| Price | |
|---|---|
|
Additional Booth Attendees for Annual Sponsors
The Early Bird discount ends August 21. This ticket increases to $330 Standard Rate after that date. |
$330.00 |
|
Additional Booth Attendees for Exhibitors
The Early Bird discount ends August 21. This ticket increases to $425 Standard Rate after that date. |
$425.00 |
In addition to gaining access to present a breakout session, Annual Conference Lead Sponsors are invited to propose and fund:
- Tabletop Collateral and Logo on Session in App
- Sunday Afternoon Snack
- Monday Morning Breakfast
- Monday Morning Snack
- Monday Lunch
- Bag Stuffers, Sponsor-Branded or Co-Branded - Access shared with Annual Strategic Partners
Pen(Reserved by PDS)- Journal or Notebook
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Chapstick and/ or Hand Sanitizer
Kitchen Magnet(Reserved by SAGE)- Propose your own item
- Member Session Supporter - Annual Conference Lead Sponsors can select one member-presented featured breakout session to formally support. A representative may introduce the speaker(s), and the sponsor logo will be placed within the session description. Preview the full slate of breakouts here, noting speaker affiliations, and e-mail Melissa (melissa@taistn.com) and Kara (kara@taistn.com) to collaborate around a great fit.
- Exhibit Hall Raffle Contribution - We are committed to creating an engaging Exhibit Hall experience. To help draw attendees to booths throughout the event, we will hold an all-conference raffle drawing at 3:00 pm on Monday, 11/9, during the Exhibit Hall Last Lap. Winners must be present to collect their prize. Prizes will be tiered by value and announced as an exhibitor highlight. For example, "The ABC Company Grand Prize goes to...!" Email Melissa (melissa@taistn.com) to claim a prize tier and share your intended contribution. We will share details on ticketing and drawing once we have a clearer idea of exhibitor interest and contributions.
- One Grand Prize ($400+ value)
- Two Signature Prizes ($150 to $250 value)
- Five Connections Prices ($50 to $100 value)
Networking Lounge Furniture(Reserved by Knowledge Tree)- Branded or Non-Branded Quiet Room Fidgets, Stress Toys, or Mindfulness Tools
- Exhibit Hall Raffle Contribution - We are committed to creating an engaging Exhibit Hall experience. To help draw attendees to booths throughout the event, we will hold an all-conference raffle drawing at 3:00 pm on Monday, 11/9, during the Exhibit Hall Last Lap. Winners must be present to collect their prize. Prizes will be tiered by value and announced as an exhibitor highlight. For example, "The ABC Company Grand Prize goes to...!" Email Melissa (melissa@taistn.com) to claim a prize tier and share your intended contribution. We will share details on ticketing and drawing once we have a clearer idea of exhibitor interest and contributions.
- One Grand Prize ($400+ value)
- Two Signature Prizes ($150 to $250 value)
- Five Connections Prices ($50 to $100 value)
Committed: Creative Chameleon, DovetailED, DWAM, Facing History, FLIK, ISM, MHM, TIAA, VenturEd Solutions (Full listing here.)
In addition to gaining access to present a breakout session, Annual Strategic Partners are invited to propose and fund:
Co-Branded Name Badge Holder(Reserved by DWAM)Name Badge Lanyard(Reserved by DWAM)Sponsor-Branded Tote Bag(Reserved by FHAO)- Bag Stuffers, Sponsor-Branded or Co-Branded - Access shared with Annual Conference Lead Sponsors
Pen(Reserved by PDS)- Journal or Notebook
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Chapstick and/ or Hand Sanitizer
Kitchen Magnet(Reserved by SAGE)- Propose your own item
Breakout Presenter Gifts(Reserved by FHAO)- Exhibit Hall Raffle Contribution - We are committed to creating an engaging Exhibit Hall experience. To help draw attendees to booths throughout the event, we will hold an all-conference raffle drawing at 3:00 pm on Monday, 11/9, during the Exhibit Hall Last Lap. Winners must be present to collect their prize. Prizes will be tiered by value and announced as an exhibitor highlight. For example, "The ABC Company Grand Prize goes to...!" Email Melissa (melissa@taistn.com) to claim a prize tier and share your intended contribution. We will share details on ticketing and drawing once we have a clearer idea of exhibitor interest and contributions.
- One Grand Prize ($400+ value)
- Two Signature Prizes ($150 to $250 value)
- Five Connections Prices ($50 to $100 value)
Charging Stations(Reserved by Central Tech)Mempops Giveaway at the Exhibit Hall Last Lap(Reserved by Clark Nexsen)
Exhibit Hall Raffle Contribution - We are committed to creating an engaging Exhibit Hall experience. To help draw attendees to booths throughout the event, we will hold an all-conference raffle drawing at 3:00 pm on Monday, 11/9, during the Exhibit Hall Last Lap. Winners must be present to collect their prize. Prizes will be tiered by value and announced as an exhibitor highlight. For example, "The ABC Company Grand Prize goes to...!" Email Melissa (melissa@taistn.com) to claim a prize tier and share your intended contribution. We will share details on ticketing and drawing once we have a clearer idea of exhibitor interest and contributions.
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- One Grand Prize ($400+ value)
- Two Signature Prizes ($150 to $250 value)
- Five Connections Prices ($50 to $100 value)
