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Institutional Leadership Through Governance Conference
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Join colleagues from NWAIS schools across the region for our premier in-person event for trustees. Over the course of the day, attendees will explore topics in independent school governance.

 Export to Your Calendar 11/15/2026
When: Sunday, November 15, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront
5125 Grand Loop
Ruston, Washington  98407
United States
Contact: Emily McGrath
emcgrath@nwais.org

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Institutional Leadership Conference

November 15, 2026

Silver Cloud Point Ruston, Tacoma, WA

   

 


 

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Conference Overview

 

Join over 100 other trustees and heads of school for the premiere independent school governance event in the Northwest. This event focuses on the areas where boards struggle, giving you the information and tools to move your school forward. Sessions are led by national thought leaders and focus on trends in education, independent schools, and strategy. Heads of School find this event especially valuable when they attend with their board chair or executive committee, but trustees of all levels of experience will benefit from the broad mix of sessions and topics.


Stay Tuned for Program Information 

 

Full Conference Agenda - Sunday, November 15, 2026

 

8:30-9:00

 Registration and Breakfast

 9:00-11:00

 Welcome and  Keynote     

 11:00-12:00

 Focus Sessions A1 & A2

 12:00-1:00 

 Lunch

 1:00-2:00 

 Focus Sessions B1 & B2

 2:30-4:00

 Closing Keynote Workshop 

 

 

 

Pricing and Registration

Please check back for registration fees and information

 

 Registration Deadlines NWAIS Members
 Non-Members
 Early Bird
 Until October 16, 2026

   
 Regular  October 17 - November 2, 2026
       
 Late  After November 2, 2026
   
   




Accommodations & Travel

 

 We have reserved a limited number of rooms at a special group rate

ONLINE BOOKING LINK 

Hotel registration is not yet open

 


ONLINE BOOKING LINK

1. Click on group booking link above to generate discounted rates
2. Select arrival and departure dates and input the number of guests
3. Click "Search for Availability"
4. Click "Reserve" on your available preferred room type
5. Enter all relevant guest information: name, address, phone & email
6. Comments: provide estimated check-in/out time, note special requests, etc.
7. Click "Agree" to hotel policies
8. Click "Make Reservation" and a confirmation email will be sent automatically


PHONE RESERVATIONS: Call the hotel directly at (253) 319-8300 Ext. 1 to ask for the "NWAIS Fall Heads Meeting" discount and a guest service agent will gladly assist with booking your reservation.

RESERVATION CHANGES: Should you need to change, cancel or update a reservation, please email pointruston.reservations@silvercloud.com or call (253) 319-8300 Ext. "1" and one of our guest service agents would be pleased to assist you.

ONSITE PARKING: Overnight valet parking is offered at $36 plus tax per night for registered guests of the hotel. Event daytime parking is offered at a rate of $18 plus tax per day for event attendees. Parking rates are subject to change without notice. Onsite parking is not able to be guaranteed and is subject to availability. Hotel does not offer self parking.

RATE: Group discount is available through Wednesday, October 23, 2025. After that date, all guest rooms in the group will be released back into hotel's general inventory. Please note all guest room reservations and room types are subject to availability at the hotel.


 

Program Policies


NWAIS May Help Cover Travel Costs

The NWAIS travel reimbursement policy is designed to reimburse candidate and accredited member schools for some travel costs. This policy applies to a school’s total travel expenses (not the cost of rooms and meals), no matter how many people the school sends to the workshop. If your school spends more than $150 dollars on travel for this event and is traveling a distance greater than 250 miles you will be reimbursed a percentage of your expenses. 


Cancellation Policy

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by November 6, 2025 are eligible for a refund after a $50 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after the cancellation deadline are ineligible for any refund.

In the Unlikely Event of Program Cancellation

Typically, cancellations and postponements are very rare, however the pandemic has forced us to utilize these options more frequently. In the event that NWAIS cancels a program for any reason, all preregistered participants will receive notification via email. The cancellation will also be posted on the NWAIS website. Preregistered participants’ schools will receive full credit for all program fees paid. 

NWAIS is however, unable to reimburse other expenses (such as travel) incurred by attendees prior to the event. NWAIS strongly recommends that attendees make travel arrangements that allow for some flexibility such as rescheduling, cancellation and/or future credit.