It’s 2020, and with a new year comes the opportunity to learn new things and apply new ideas in your classroom, school and district. Educational technology conferences are one of the best ways for educators to learn about the innovations in STEAM and STEM, coding, and computer science all in one place while networking with other thought leaders and vendors at the same time.

Many of these conferences also offer professional development opportunities, which can be invaluable if your team is looking to get training on new technology or curricular methods to bring back to your home school or district when implementing a new program.

We’ve rounded up a list of the best education technology conferences coast-to-coast that you should try to add to your own agenda this year (and bonus — you might even see SAM Labs at most of these events!).

The List OF 2020 Education Technology Conferences

1. TCEA
   Location: Austin Convention CenterDate: February 3-7, 2020Hands down the largest edtech conference hosted each year in Austin, the Texas Computer Education Association conference brings together educators from all levels to deliver professional development, workshops and displays of innovative classroom technology every year.

    

2. FETC
   Location: Miami Beach Convention CenterDate: January 14-17, 2020Hosted each year in Miami, Florida, the Future of Education Technology conference brings together administrators, principals, educators and thought leaders to talk all things education technology in a creative setting while offering attendees the opportunity to network and meet hundreds of edtech vendors.

    

    

3. EduCon
   Location: The Science Leadership AcademyDate: January 24-26, 2020EduCon is a unique conference held in Philadelphia each year that defines itself not only as a conference, but as a conversation. The conference holds itself to five guiding principles centered on schools, learning and technology and encourages attendees to become a part of the voice, not just a participant.

    

4. National ESEA Conference
   Location: Atlanta, GADate: February 4-7, 2020The 2020 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Conference is an event that promotes equity for all students and to ensure they receive the resources they deserve. Hosted in Atlanta, this conference covers broad topics, including leadership, instruction and policy, but dives deep within each session.

    

5. NCCE
   Location: Washington State Convention CenterDate: March 4-6, 2020Held in Seattle, the Northwest Council for Computer Education Conference is an innovative event that puts STEM, STEAM and the latest technology in front of attendees during numerous sessions and workshops. If you’re interested in learning more about using Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality or eSports in the classroom, this is the conference for you.

    

   

6. CoSN2020
   Location: Washington HiltonDate: March 16-18, 2020The annual Consortium for School Networking Conference is a total hands-on event hosted in Washington D.C. designed to explore the latest and greatest in technology while giving school district staff the ability to meet thought leaders, try new tech and discuss important ideas within dozens of breakout sessions and workshops.

    

7. Spring CUE 2020
   Location: Palm Springs Convention CenterDate: March 19-21, 2020Boasting over 450 sessions, the Spring Computer-Using Educators Conference brings educators from all over the state of California to learn new technologies and network. If you’ve been wanting to listen in to sessions led by an Apple, Google or Microsoft Certified Leads, this is the conference for you.

    

8. ISTE
   Location: Anaheim Convention CenterDate: June 28 – July 1, 2020The ultimate edtech conference you can head to in the United States, the International Society for Technology in Education Conference is the largest event held every year dedicated to advancing innovation in classroom technology. The conference rotates locations each year, and this year’s event will be held in Anaheim, California

    

9. Texas STEM Conference
   Location: Renaissance HotelDate: January 22–24, 2020If STEM and STEAM is an important part to your classroom teaching methodology, the Texas STEM Conference is an excellent conference to add to your itinerary for 2020. Hosted in Austin, the conference draws in over 1,000 attendees every year and holds dozens of sessions to help educators learn best practices around teaching and learning.

    

10.  PETE&C
    Location: David L. Lawrence Convention CenterDate: February 23-26, 2020The Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference has it all — from sessions, to networking to offering dozens of edtech vendors offering the latest gadgets in edtech. Held in Pittsburgh, the event also hands out awards each year for outstanding educators in the field.
11. ITEEA
    Location: Baltimore, MDDate: March 11-14, 2020The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference is hosted each year with clear learning objectives and takeaways in mind before they even pick up their badges. This year’s event in Baltimore makes STEM front and center and gives attendees the opportunity to see not only why STEM works, but how it has been used in real-world examples.
12. NSTA
    Location: Boston Convention & Exhibition CenterDate: April 2-5, 2020The National Science Teaching Association’s Conference on Science Education is the go-to conference for the latest training, products and news on science education. The conference, hosted in Boston this year, also lets attendees hear from thought leaders from around the world, as the conference draws in some of the brightest people in the industry.
13. TCCA Conference
    Location: Davis High SchoolDate: TBD 2020 (typically October)The Technology & Curriculum Conference of Aldine is a unique education technology in Texas, not only because of the sheer number of attendees it draws in and sessions it delivers each year, but because this conference is free for attendees. Held in Houston, the event brings in educators as far as Arkansas and Louisiana.
14. Texas Charter School Conference
    Location: JW Marriott Hill Country San AntonioDate: September 30 – October 2, 2020Every year, the Texas Charter School Conference holds its annual conference to discuss the advancement of policy, instruction and student achievement of charter schools around the state. Held in San Antonio this year, the conference highlights that education technology is an important component for these schools, and you’ll definitely see sessions within the conference program.
15. MassCue 2020
    Location: College of the Holy CrossDate: March 6, 2020If you’re looking to learn more about leadership skills and critical issues in education, MassCue 2020 is the event for you. This year, MassCue (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators) and MASCD (the Massachusetts affiliate of ASCD) have teamed up this year to put on the 2020 event in Worcester.
16. American Association of School Librarians Conference
    Location: TBDDate: TBD 2020 (typically November)The American Association of School Librarians Conference is an annual conference dedicated to bringing together librarians, LMC specialists and support staff together to learn about the latest teaching practices within library spaces, new technology and gadgets taking over the LMC scene and training and certification opportunities.

     

17. Florida Charter School Conference
    Location: TBDDate: TBD 2020 (typically October)Another conference dedicated to advancing the standards of charter schools, the Florida Charter School Conference is an event held every year for educators and administrators that discusses important topics and issues relevant to advancing teaching and learning.

     

18. National Association of Charter Schools
    Location: Marriott World Center OrlandoDate: June 21-24, 2020If you’re looking for the largest event held for charter schools, the National Association of Charter Schools Conference is the event you should head to this year. Hosted in Orlando, this event brings in over 5,000 attendees and holds over 100 sessions that bring innovative solutions to problems educators face in today’s charter schools.

     

19. Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit
    Location: Music City Center, NashvilleDate: May 4-5, 2020The Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit, hosted by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, is one of the largest events in the state dedicated to promoting STEM and STEAM teaching strategies for educators. The conference also has multiple different session tracks so that attendees can choose their focus.
20. NSBA
    Location: Chicago, ILDate: April 3-6, 2020The National School Board Association Conference is a globally renowned conference that brings administrators together for exceptional learning and networking opportunities every year. Hosted in Chicago, this conference not only focuses on technology, but leadership skills, urban school challenges and promoting safe school best practices.
21. NYCESPA Convention
    Location: NY Marriott at the Brooklyn BridgeDate: February 8, 2020Every year, the New York City Elementary School Principal Association Convention hosts an event to bring together administrators to talk about the challenges many principals face, including achievement gaps, technology integration difficulties and student behavior health. This conference is an excellent opportunity for principals who want professional development catered to their role.

     

22. NAESP 2020 Leaders Conference
    Location: Hyatt Regency Crystal City HotelDate: March 22-25, 2020The National Association of Elementary School Principals 2020 Leaders Conference is another excellent opportunity for principals to get the professional development and networking they may need. The event, hosted in Arlington, also lets principals advocate for schools on Capitol Hill and meet with Congressional representatives regarding federal education policy, which definitely should include educational technology.

     

23. METC
    Location: St. Charles Convention CenterDate: February 10-12 2020The Midwest Education Technology Community Conference is an annual conference for educators that gives a taste of ISTE right in Illinois. With sessions and workshops led by ISTE certified educators, the conference hosts many opportunities for learning new tricks and tips for all things edtech.

     

24. IDEAcon 2020
    Location: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention CenterDate: February 24-27 2020IDEAcon, formerly known as the ICE Conference, is another well-known event in the midwest that draws attendees from all over the tri-state area. Nationally-recognized speakers give informative sessions, and the conference also draws in over 200 exhibitors for educators to sample the latest gadgets in edtech.

     

25. Impact Education Conference
    Location: Hyatt Regency MinneapolisDate: December 12-15 2020Formerly known as the TIES Conference, the Impact Education Conference is yet another high-quality event held in the midwest. Taking place in Minneapolis, this conference features prominent keynotes, dozens of sessions and prizes and giveaways for attendees.

     

26. ATLIS
    Location: Chicago Marriott Magnificent MileDate: April 5-8 2020ATLIS, the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools, is an incredible conference for technology and curriculum administrators who want to blend their love for education technology with gaining valuable professional development on leadership skills and management. The conference has many pre-conference institutes that give additional training opportunities as well as school site tours to see hands-on activity at local school districts.
27. OETC
    Location: Greater Columbus Convention CenterDate: February 11-13 2020The Ohio Educational Technology Conference is a statewide educational technology conference that draws in over 4,000 attendees every year designed to promote accessibility to the latest education technology to educators and administrators. This conference is three full days of sessions, hands-on demonstrations and workshops.

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More Resources for All Things STEAM and Coding

If you’ve found a conference near you that fits into your schedule and budget, great! We hope to see you there. If you need additional help finding funds to help you get to your dream learning technology conference, download our Ultimate Edtech Grant Guide 2020 for a list of funding that can help you find the resources you need to get there.

For more free tools on STEAM and coding, check out our:

• Free eBook: Implementing a District-Wide Coding Program
• Sample Learn to Code Lessons from SAM Labs
• Sample STEAM Lessons from SAM Labs

Eleanor Jacobson

Eleanor is an EdTech writer who’s passionate about changing the world one classroom at a time. When not spreading the news about the latest in K-12 technology, you’ll find her geeking out about the latest startups or video games and adding to her ’80s toy collection.