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2026 Annual Conference Sponsorship and Exhibition

Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM (CST) to Monday, November 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM (CST)
120 Seats Remaining
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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: 550-650

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.

Annual Conference Exhibitor Booth

A booth at the TAIS Annual Conference offers high-visibility, high-touch 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.

Booth and two full conference registrations (with meals)

  • Dedicated exhibitor space with an information table
  • Visibility on the Annual Conference app as an exhibitor

Whova exhibitor access and tools:

  • Exclusive access to the conference app, Whova, to build a custom Exhibitor Booth Profile

  • Ability to share product videos, host live showcases, and initiate meet-ups

  • Options to run promotional offers or in-app push campaigns

  • Digital lead capture with the ability to collect and export contacts

Presbyterian Day School is located on the 29-acre campus of Second Presbyterian Church in East Memphis. Vendor tables will be set up in the Original Gym, located directly behind the main entrance. Snacks, lunch, beverages, and entertainment will also be in the Original Gym—making it easy for attendees to gather and creating more natural opportunities for vendor engagement throughout the event.

Campus Map

The Foundry Sponsorship

This opportunity is designed for organizations that want more than a standard exhibitor presence. Along with premier booth placement and full conference access for two representatives, this level gives you a unique way to create visibility through a memorable, attendee-facing experience.

  • Premier exhibitor booth placement for easier discovery

  • Two full-conference registrations (includes meals) for both days of the TAIS Annual Conference

  • Recognition across conference communications:

    • Listing on the event web-page

    • Visibility in the conference app

    • Logo placement in event email marketing

    • Logo placement on Annual Conference event signage

Foundry Sponsors can choose to direct their sponsorship toward a signature conference moment that attendees will remember. Examples include:

  • Live Entertainment

  • Branded MemPops Popsicle Cart

  • Animal Therapy and Yoga

  • Soccer Match Swag

  • Additional creative activities designed with TAIS

This option turns your sponsorship into an experience that builds goodwill and keeps your brand associated with the moments that energize the conference community.

The Annual Conference Lead Sponsorship

This opportunity is the premier opportunity for standout visibility at the Annual Conference, paired with year-round engagement through TAIS’s Annual Gold Partnership.

Includes event-specific recognition:

  • Recognition on the event web-page and in the event app (Whova)

  • Logo placement in event email marketing

  • Prominent logo placement on on-site event signage

  • Formal recognition during the opening session keynote

  • Sponsor-provided promotional materials displayed on Annual Conference lunch tables (lunch only)

  • Premier dedicated exhibitor space with an information table in the Original Gym

  • Two full conference registrations (with meals)

  • Network by attending sessions by TAIS school leaders

Whova exhibitor access and tools:

  • Exclusive access to the conference app, Whova, to build a custom Exhibitor Booth Profile

  • Ability to share product videos and photos

  • Options to run promotional offers or in-app push campaigns

  • Digital lead capture with the ability to collect and export contacts

  • Tools to schedule conversations and meet ups with attendees
Annual Conference Lead Sponsors gain the event-specific benefits above, plus year-long benefits included with the TAIS Gold Partnership.
The Annual Conference Lead Sponsorship, which affords access to the 2026-2027 Gold-Level Annual Corporate Partnership, is a pathway to propose an Annual Conference session. The Annual Conference program is finalized and published several months in advance of the event. Therefore, partnership commitment must be received by July 1, 2026, to propose an Annual Conference session.

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.

Annual Conference Exhibition Only, Annual Conference Foundry Sponsorship, or Reception Hosts Only are not pathways to session presentations. The Annual Conference Lead Sponsorship, which affords access to the 2026-2027 Gold-Level Annual Corporate Partnership, is a pathway to propose an Annual Conference session. The Annual Conference program is finalized and published several months in advance of the event. Therefore, partnership commitment must be received by July 1, 2026, to propose an Annual Conference session.

Evening Reception Host 

Take center stage at our evening celebration on Sunday, November 8th. Partner with TAIS in hosting an energizing, relationship-rich gathering on Sunday evening of the Annual Conference.

  • Exclusivity of only five sponsoring organizations will be featured

  • Prominent visibility on the Evening Reception invitation and marketing

  • Logo placement on reception signage

  • Tabletop presence with the option to place marketing materials and edible swag on the reception tables

  • Two seats for your representatives
You'll connect with TAIS heads of school, board members, and other key leaders, like the Administrator Services Committee (ASC), Teacher Services Committee (TSC), and presenters from member schools. You'll also get to know thought-leaders from across the region, with attendees traveling from Mississippi, Kentucky, and Arkansas—making this a high-impact moment for visibility and meaningful connection.

Agenda

November 7
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Exhibition Load-In and Setup All 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.
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
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Evening Reception An invitation-only gathering attended by hosting partners, network leaders, and special guests. Hosted on a secondary site.
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.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Exhibition Hall Breakdown
Credits Price
Exhibition Booth: For-Profits Organizations
Registration Ends 9/6/26 at 1:00 PM CST
12.00 (Sponsor Contract 26-27) $850.00
Exhibition Booth: Non-Profit Organizations
Registration Ends 9/6/26 at 1:00 PM CST
12.00 (Sponsor Contract 26-27) $650.00
Credits Price
Annual Conference Lead Sponsor
Registration Ends 9/6/26 at 1:00 PM CST
12.00 (Sponsor Contract 26-27) $4,600.00
Annual Conference Foundry Sponsor
Registration Ends 9/6/26 at 1:00 PM CST
12.00 (Sponsor Contract 26-27) $1,800.00
Credits Price
Reception Host
Registration Ends 9/6/26 at 1:00 PM CST
12.00 (Sponsor Contract 26-27) $1,500.00

For More Information:

Paige Johnson
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Other Ways to Engage

Heads' Retreat Sponsorship

Full Corporate Partnership