NWAIS Business Officers Conference

April 20-22, 2026

Alderbrook Resort and Spa

Union, WA

REGISTRATION FOR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
IS NOW OPEN

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at our conference?

Our Business Officers Conference is the premiere event for NWAIS sponsors. Drawing 60+ attendees representing school business offices each spring, these attendees are eager to meet new vendors and learn about the latest trends in finance, HR, investments and more.

There are three ways to engage in this event. Purchase separately or enjoy discounted pricing as a part of a package.

SPONSORSHIP ($1,000) includes all the benefits of a Premium Conference Sponsorship

• Logos linked in each event marketing email & event webpage
• Verbal acknowledgement in the welcome remarks
• Attendee list to follow up with post-event
• Logos linked in pre- and post- event information emails

EXHIBIT ($1,250) reserves a table for your company during our coveted 1-hour Exhibitors Reception, plus an invitation to join us for dinner. Includes a chance to introduce yourself and your company to all attendees prior to the reception, as well as a list of attendees prior to and after the event. Participation in this event is limited to 20 tables.

ATTENDING (NON-MEMBER RATE) the event is a great chance to meet attendees as a conference participant. For attendance only, please register for the event via our main event page. 

SESSION SPONSORSHIP ADD-ON ($750) allows you to sponsor a specific session or meal for additional brand visibility and acknowledgment.

PACKAGE PRICING

Sponsor + Exhibit = $2,000

Sponsor + Attend = $1,000 + Member Rate 

Exhibit + Attend = $1,250 + Member Rate

Sponsor + Exhibit + Attend = $2,000 + Member Rate

For more information, please contact Jami Sheets (jsheets@nwais.org).

April 20-22, 2026 - Alderbrook Resort and Spa, Union, WA

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Conference Overview

Each year NWAIS hosts a dynamic conference which is an opportunity to gather with colleagues and engage with content around school finance and operations.

Who Should Attend?

Independent School Business Managers and Their Colleagues.

Speakers and Sessions

Your planning committee has worked hard building an agenda to meet the needs of NWAIS finance professionals. Participants will engage in sessions around the economic and legal landscape, the changing role of leadership, and have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the region.

Learn More About Our Sessions and Speakers Here

Featuring Keynote Address

With Amada Torres, VP for Studies, Insights, and Research
NAIS

Presenting: 

Navigating the Future: Key Trends Impacting Independent Schools

 Learn More About Our Sessions and Speakers Here

Conference Agenda

Monday, April 20, 2026

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Learn More About Our Sessions and Speakers Here  

Pricing and Registration

TO RECEIVE THE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT: Your registration must be complete by the appropriate deadline.

Online registrations paid by credit card must be completed by 11:59pm ET on the deadline date.

Accommodations

We have reserved a limited number of rooms at a special group rate of $199/night.

Reservations can be made by phone or online.

To reserve by phone please call (360) 898-2145 and ask for the rate reserved for the NWAIS Business Officers Conference

To reserve online, navigate to alderbrookresort.com in input group code: 40X8YX under group code.

To book online, go to Alderbrook website and click on BOOK NOW button. Then enter the Arrival and Departure dates, and under Add Special Code/Group, enter the group code above. This will populate the available room types to book. Note: If you are trying to book outside of the contracted dates for either conference, the code will not work. You will need to call Reservations directly to book a room.  The initial rate shown online is group rate plus resort fee/tax. If you would like the total with tax, click on “+ Rate Details” to see the total with taxes as well.

Both online and call-in reservations will have first night room and tax collected as a deposit. Subject to 7-day cancelation policy.

RATE: Group discount is available through Friday, March 20, 2026. 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.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

Sage Dining Services

Gallagher (formerly Fred C. Church Insurance)

Heritage Bank

STONECIPHER CONSULTING GROUP

BLOOM PROJECTS

MULTNOMAH GROUP

CONFIRMED EXHIBITORS

Bloom Projects
Clarity
Clark Nuber
Heritage Bank
HUB International
Larson Gross
MentisSoft
Orah
PlanPILOT
RBC Wealth Management
SAGE Dining Services
Stifel
Stonecipher Consulting Group
Wenaha Group

Interested in supporting this event through sponsorship or exhibiting? Contact Jami Sheets (jsheets@nwais.org)

NWAIS Event Policies

Cancellation Policy

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by April 10, 2026 are eligible for a refund after a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after April 10, 2026 are ineligible for any refund.

Program Cancellation

In the unlikely event that NWAIS cancels a program for any reason, all pre-registered participants will receive notification via email. The cancellation will also be posted on the NWAIS website, and sent via listservs.

Schools Affiliated with NWAIS: Participants’ will have full refunds for all program fees applied to their NWAIS school accounts.

Schools Not Affiliated with NWAIS: Participants will receive a full refund for all program fees paid. NWAIS is unable to reimburse other expenses (such as travel) incurred by attendees prior to the event.

Travel and Other Expenses Incurred Before Event Cancellation

Typically, cancellations and postponements are very rare, however the pandemic has forced us to utilize these options more frequently. In the case that NWAIS needs to cancel, all registration fees will be refunded. 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 such as airline tickets and hotel accommodations that allow for some flexibility such as rescheduling, cancellation and/or future credit.

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support auxiliary programming are invited to attend.

2025-26 Auxiliary Programs Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

WED, OCTOBER 15, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, DECEMBER 10, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, FEBRUARY 11, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, APRIL 22, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, JUNE 3, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Euan Oswald of Open Window School! 

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support admissions and enrollment management are invited to attend.

2025-26 Admissions Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

THURS, OCTOBER 23, 11:00am-12:00pm PT / 12:00-1:00pm MT
THURS, DECEMBER 1, 11:00am-12:00pm PT / 12:00-1:00pm MT
THURS, FEBRUARY 12, 11:00am-12:00pm PT / 12:00-1:00pm MT - Featuring Karen Kalzer, NWAIS Legal Counsel
THURS, APRIL 23, 11:00am-12:00pm PT / 12:00-1:00pm MT - Featuring Chris Watson, NWAIS Executive Director

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitators, Sarah Glass of Portland Jewish Academy, and Inge Hoogerhuis of Northwest Academy!

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support technology systems in their schools are invited to attend.

2025-26 Technology Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

WED, OCTOBER 29 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
THURS, DECEMBER 18, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
WED, FEBRUARY 11, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
THURS, APRIL 23, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
WED, JUNE 17, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Jennifer Lamkins of NWAIS!

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work in an official capacity (such as a paid DEIB role or official staff committee) are invited to attend.

2025-26 DEI Practitioners Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

MON, OCTOBER 27, 3:00-4:00PM PT / 4:00-5:00PM MT
MON, DECEMBER 8, 11:00AM-12:00PM PT / 12:00-1:00PM MT
MON, FEBRUARY 9, 11:00AM-12:00PM PT / 12:00-1:00PM MT
MON, APRIL 27, 11:00AM-12:00PM PT / 12:00-1:00PM MT
MON, JUNE 8, 11:00AM-12:00PM PT / 12:00-1:00PM MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Mahtab Mahmoozadeh of Giddens School! 

NWAIS Spring Heads Meeting

May 3-5, 2026

 Alderbrook Resort and Spa (Union, WA)

 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN   

Conference Overview

Join Heads of School from across the Association and share experiences, build relationships and explore practices as well as trending themes in independent school leadership.

Guest Speakers

Announcing Keynote Speaker

Jason Craige Harris, Polyanna Senior Advisor

Presenting:

Leading with Steadiness Under Pressure:

Practices for Reflective, Connected School Leadership

And Workshop Leaders

Click Here for More Information on Speakers And Sessions

Meeting Agenda

Sunday, May 3, 2026

2:30-3:00         Registration

3:00-5:30 Welcome and Keynote Session: Leading with Steadiness Under Pressure: Practices for Reflective, Connected School Leadership with Jason Craige Harris

6:00-8:00         Reception and Dinner

7:30-8:30         Optional, Fun Evening Program

Monday, May 4, 2026

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-10:30       Business Meeting

10:30-12:00     Workshop: Deep Listening: The Leadership Strategy Behind Authentic Storytelling with Barbara Egan

12:15-1:00        Lunch - HIP Groups To Gather

1:00-5:00          Free Time

5:00-6:00          Reception and Dinner to Honor Departing Heads of School

6:00-7:00          Dinner

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

8:00-9:00        Breakfast with Legal Update Session

9:00-9:30 Break / Hotel Check Out  

9:30-10:30      Round Table Case Studies: When It Happens at Your School: Case Studies in High-Stakes Leadership 

10:30-12:00    Closing Keynote: Culture in Action: Tools for Measuring Trust & Leading Change with Cara Gallagher

12:00              Conference Conclusion

Registration

No payment is required to NWAIS at the time of registration. Your school will be billed after the event. Please register as soon as you know that you will be attending and no later than April 20, 2026.

Accommodations

Accommodations can be made by contacting Alderbrook Lodge & Spa directly. NWAIS has contracted a special rate of $199 per night. A variety of rooms are available at the special rate, including cottages. Please make your reservation directly through Alderbrook by calling (360) 898-2145 and asking for the NWAIS Spring Heads Meeting rate.

Reservations will open January 6, 2026

Book early! Reservations must be made by April 3, 2026 to qualify for this rate. 

To reserve online, navigate to alderbrookresort.com in input group code: 40W5P1 under group code.

To book online, go to Alderbrook website and click on BOOK NOW button. Then enter the Arrival and Departure dates, and under Add Special Code/Group, enter the group code above. This will populate the available room types to book. Note: If you are trying to book outside of the contracted dates for either conference, the code will not work. You will need to call Reservations directly to book a room.  The initial rate shown online is group rate plus resort fee/tax. If you would like the total with tax, click on “+ Rate Details” to see the total with taxes as well.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

T. CAREY CONSULTING

NWAIS Heads Meeting Policies

Annual Fall and Spring Heads Meetings are open only to schools affiliated with NWAIS.
All NWAIS Accredited and Candidate member schools are billed for a portion of the Heads Conference expenses whether or not the School Head attends. Travel expenses to and from the meeting are reimbursed, added to the meeting expenses, and shared among all accredited and candidate member schools. Hotel expenses are not covered by the Travel Share Policy. If the Head of School of an Accredited and Candidate member school cannot attend, they may send a representative in their place.

Heads from Affiliate Members and Subscriber Schools will only be charged for the Heads Conference if they attend. They will be billed for a full share of the meeting expenses. They are however, responsible for their own travel expenses, and not responsible for any portion of the pooled travel expenses.

Heads Meeting Guests are asked to register in advance. Guests that are attending the program sessions will be billed after the event for the cost of the meals only. They are not responsible for the shared travel costs or program expenses. Spouses or other guests who do not attend programming will be billed after the conference and will only be charged for the meals, which they register to attend. Only one attendee from each Accredited and Candidate member school is eligible for any reimbursement of travel costs through the Travel Share program.

In the case that a guest of a Head of School is unable to attend, there is no cancellation fee until 4 days prior to the start of the meeting. After that point, all registrations are final, and guests will be billed regardless of attendance.

Travel and Other Expenses Incurred Before Event Cancellation

Typically, cancellations and postponements are very rare, however the pandemic has forced us to utilize these options more frequently. In the case that NWAIS needs to cancel, all registration fees will be refunded. 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.   

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support communications and marketing efforts are invited to attend. Professionals working in admissions and advancement who are looking to learn more about communications and marketing are also welcome to attend.

2025-26 Communications & Marketing Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

TUES, SEPTEMBER 16, 3:30-4:30PM PT / 4:30-5:30PM MT
WED, NOVEMBER 5, 3:30-4:30PM PT / 4:30-5:30PM MT
THURS, JANUARY 22, 3:30-4:30PM PT / 4:30-5:30PM MT
TUES, MARCH 3, 3:30-4:30PM PT / 4:30-5:30PM MT
WED, MAY 6, 3:30-4:30PM PT / 4:30-5:30PM MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Shea Phillips of Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain!

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Health Office Coordinator Round Tables occasionally host guests with expertise in health conditions common among students. These experts will be listed next to their scheduled dates. 

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support the student health office are invited to attend.

2025-25 Health Office Coordinator Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

WED, SEPTEMBER 24, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
GUEST: Sydney Record, a nurse educator who specializes in infection prevention, will share her expertise and answer questions.

THURS, NOVEMBER 20, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
GUEST: Sarah Lukhang Klippel, ND, MS will share information on and answer questions pertaining to, juvenile diabetes.

TUE, JANUARY 13, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
WED, MARCH 19, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
THURS, MAY 7, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our Round Table Facilitator, Allison Taylor of The Evergreen School!

NOTE :This registration is for participating in an individual session as well as access to the session recording and materials.

To register anyone affiliated with your school for access to the whole series (access to all sessions and recordings), please refer to the School Wide Registration page. 

BUILDING BETTER BOARDS

Design for Culture

with Greg Bamford and Antonio Viva, Leadership + Design

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

12:00-1:00 PM PT
1:00-2:00 PM MT

Session Description 

Discussing school culture can feel like tackling a shadow-ambiguous and elusive, yet central to a school's success. Many schools struggle with the healthy evolution of their culture due to a lack of clarity and honest assessment, leading to stagnation. This webinar employs a design thinking approach to help leadership gain fresh insights into your school's culture. Join us to identify and implement actionable steps that will effectively shape and enhance the culture of the school as a whole and of the board in particular.

To view session details for the rest of the series, please visit our Building Better Boards page. 

Meet Our Facilitators

Greg Bamford, Leadership + Design

Greg Bamford (he/him) is a Co-Founder and Partner at L+D. Prior to this, Greg was Associate Head of School for Strategy and Innovation at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Washington, and Head of School at the innovative Watershed School in Boulder, Colorado. During his time at Watershed, the young school grew to full enrollment and achieved ACIS accreditation for the first time. He is currently on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, The Overlake School in Redmond, Washington, and the Advisory Board for The Hatch School, a new, independent girls' high school that opened in Seattle, Washington in 2022.

With his experience in school leadership, Greg brings a strategic lens to leadership development, innovation, and change management for Leadership+Design clients. He is particularly passionate about building leadership capacity and the cultural muscle to enact needed change. Greg has been a featured speaker at education conferences nationally and his writing has appeared in publications like Independent School, Net Assets, and The Yield. Greg lives in Tacoma, Washington with his wife and two children.

Antonio Viva, Leadership + Design

Antonio Viva (he/him) is a Partner at L+D. He is a seasoned educator, experience designer, strategic advisor and non-profit leader. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of Artisans Asylum, one of the oldest and largest makerspaces in the United States. Prior to his role at Artisans, Antonio spent 12 years as the Head of School at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA. During his tenure, he designed and led transformative programs such as The Boston Ballet School Professional Division at Walnut Hill. He also served as Senior Research and Design Associate for Education Development Center, Inc. where he worked on a national school design project for the US Department of Education. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Union College in English and Teaching respectively. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Antonio is most curious about areas including creativity, design, futurist thinking, culture and leadership as a personal practice. He has been featured by numerous national and regional independent school associations across the United States. He resides in the Boston suburbs with his family and two cats and maintains his personal studio on Cape Cod.

Series Overview

In this series of workshops, attendees will explore the role of trustee, and provide a space for board members to learn from national thought leaders, experienced board chairs, heads of school and association leadership.

Offered throughout the year, each workshop has a theme for board improvement and actionable steps to move your school forward. Previously this workshop was recommended for those new to the role, but feedback was that it was universally valuable. All independent school board members are encouraged to attend.

Making the Most of Building Better Boards

Attendees can register for individual workshops or your board can register for full access for the series. All registrations include access to session recordings. If you have registered individually, the recording is for your own reference and should not be shared. If you register as a board, you are welcome to share the recording with anyone affiliated with your school.

Registration 

Registration is now open! 

This registration is for participating in an individual session.All registrations to individual sessions include access to the session recording and resource materials. Each registrant will receive emails before and after the session with access and resource links for their personal use. Access is non-transferable and links should not be shared. 

If you would like full access to sessions and recordings for your school and board, please consider registering for School Wide Registration.

Pricing 

  Non-Members | $85 per session

* Links to recordings and materials will remain active until August 31, 2026, so they may be used and reviewed throughout the school year and summer.

Cancellation

Substitutions for registrations may be made any time prior to the session at no extra charge. Written cancellations received by 24-hours before the start time of the session are eligible for a refund after a $20 cancellation fee. Any cancellations received after the 24-hour window will be ineligible for refunds. 

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to reach out to any of us for the following:

• PROGRAMMING | Emily McGrath, Associate Director
• EVENT LOGISTICS | Jami Sheets, Director of Community Engagement
• REGISTRATION | Vivian Hoang, Program Coordinator & Registrar

NOTE : This registration is for school wide access to the entire workshop series including all session recordings and materials.

To register a single attendee for a specific session, please refer to the links under Session Overview below or on the Building Better Boards page.

BUILDING BETTER BOARDS

Full Series (School Wide Registration)

Virtual Workshop Series

September 17, 2025 | 12:00-1:30 PM PT

October 29, 2025 | 12:00-1:30 PM PT

January 14, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 PM PT

February 4, 2026 | 12:00-1:30 PM PT
March 18, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 PM PT

April 1, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 PM PT
May 13, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 PM PT

Series Overview

In this series of workshops, attendees will explore the role of trustee, and provide a space for board members to learn from national thought leaders, experienced board chairs, heads of school and association leadership.

Offered throughout the year, each workshop has a theme for board improvement and actionable steps to move your school forward. Previously this workshop was recommended for those new to the role, but feedback was that it was universally valuable. All independent school board members are encouraged to attend.

Making the Most of Building Better Boards

Attendees can register for individual workshops or your board can register for full access for the series. All registrations include access to session recordings* and resource materials.

If you have registered individually, the recording is for your own reference and should not be shared. If you register for the full series, you are welcome to share the recordings with anyone affiliated with your school.

* Links to recordings will remain active until August 31, 2026, so that they may be used and reviewed throughout the year.

Building Better Boards vs. Institutional Leadership through Governance Conference—Which is right for your Board?

NWAIS offers powerful programming to enhance the performance of Board of Trustees. From brand new Trustees, to seasoned board members, there truly is a program for everyone. But which program is right for your Board?

Building Better Boards is a seven-part series of workshops offered virtually throughout the year. Each workshop covers a different topic related to school governance with local and, occasionally, national thought leaders. There is something for everyone in Building Better Boards, but generally speaking, you should sign Trustees up for this series if they:

• are in their first three years of service on the Board;
• are looking to deepen their knowledge of good governance practices;
• are looking for a holistic overview of focus areas within the Board;
• are generally self-motivated and focused on their own growth as a Trustee.

In contrast, the Institutional Leadership through Governance Conference is an a one-day, in-person conference happening at the Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston in Tacoma. This event features national thought leaders and perspectives with a focus on trends and forecasting for the future. Consider this event if Trustees:

• are seasoned leaders on the Board or are part of your Board’s Executive Committee;
• are looking for a national perspective presented by thought leaders in school governance;
• are looking to dive a bit deeper into governance topics;
• hope to network with other Trustees and Heads of School from around the region;
• wish to partner with their Head of School at a deeper level.

Do you think the Institutional Leadership through Governance Conference might be a good fit? Stay tuned for more information! 

Session Overview

Follow the links below for more session information or to register for an individual workshop.

*NOTE: All sessions will be either 60 or 90 minutes depending on the content and will begin at 12:00 PM PT / 1:00 PM MT

Session 1 | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 — 12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT*

You Are A New Trustee…Now What?
with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association

Session 2 | Wednesday, October 29, 2025 — 12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT

Governing for What’s Next: Future-Ready Schools and Scenario Thinking

with Mike Cobb,  Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist, Mission & Data

Session 3 | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 — 12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT

Building the Board's Annual Agenda and Running Effective Board Meetings
with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association

Session 4 | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 — 12:00-1:30 PM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM MT*

Generative AI in Educaction: A Strategic Foresight Exercise

with Eric Hudson, Facilitator and Strategic Advisor to Independent Schools, Learning on Purpose

Session 5 | Wednesday March 18, 2026 — 12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT

Building and Developing Your Board

with Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS—joined By Heads of School from Across the Association

Session 6 | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — 12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT

What This Moment Affords Us: Opportunities in Equitable Governance Practice
with André Withers, 25-Year Independent School Administrator, DEI Expert, and Partner with Educators Collaborative

Session 7 | Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — 12:00-1:00 PM PT / 1:00-2:00 PM MT

Design for Culture

with Greg Bamford and Antonio Viva, Leadership + Design

Registration 

Registration is now open! 

This registration is for school wide access to the entire workshop series including all session recordings and materials. To register a single attendee for a specific session, please refer to the links under Session Overview above or on the Building Better Boards page.

Schools must designate a single school representative to receive communication for the full series on the behalf of attendees. 

About 4 days before each workshop, the designated school representative will receive details to share with their attendees. This school representative will also receive links to all session recordings and materials after the sessions to share with attendees. NWAIS will not be contacting trustees individually. 

Pricing

(Includes access to all sessions, resources, and recordings* for anyone affiliated with your school)

(Available only to NWAIS Schools) | $750 

 * Links to resources and recordings will remain active until August 31, 2026, so that they may be used and reviewed throughout the year.

Cancellation

Cancellations for school wide registrations are eligible for a refund after a $100 cancellation fee by September 15, 2025. 

Still have questions?

Please feel free to reach out to any of us for the following:

• PROGRAMMING | Emily McGrath, Associate Director
• EVENT LOGISTICS | Jami Sheets, Director of Community Engagement
• REGISTRATION | Vivian Hoang, Program Coordinator & Registrar

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS assistant heads of school and division heads are invited to attend.

2025-26 Assistant and Division Heads of School Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

WED, SEPTEMBER 24, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, NOVEMBER 19, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, JANUARY 21, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, MARCH 18, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT
WED, MAY 13, 1:00-2:00pm PT / 2:00-3:00pm MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator and Round Table Leader, John Stegeman of Eastside Prep!

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working to support advancement, including fundraising, alumni engagement, and community engagement, are invited to attend.

2025-26 Advancement Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

TUE, SEPTEMBER 9, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
WED, NOVEMBER 12, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
THURS, JANUARY 29, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
TUE, MARCH 10, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT
WED, MAY 13, 3:30-4:30pm PT / 4:30-5:30pm MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Grace Finch of Annie Wright Schools! 

NWAIS Self Study Online Orientation

Friday, May 15, 2026

9:00 am-12:30 pm PT

Will you be contributing to your school’s upcoming self study?

Are you hosting a Visiting Team in 2026-27, 2027-28 or 2028-29?

Do you want to learn more about the NWAIS accreditation process?

Schools hosting accreditation visits in the coming two years are strongly encouraged to send a team to this orientation.

Join us for an informational session and the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with teams from other schools also in the self study process, led by NWAIS' Director of Accreditation, Betsy Watkins.

Come to learn more about:

• How the Self Study fits into the accreditation process
  
• The role of the Self Study Coordinator
  
• Considerations for how to design your school’s self study process
• Recent changes to the NWAIS accreditation process, including use of AI in the Self Study process
• How to work with the Team Chair and Visiting Team
• How to best use the NWAIS resources available to you in the accreditation process
  

NWAIS offers two self study orientations over the course of the school year to better meet the needs of schools. The association encourages schools to have members of their teams attend more than once. The questions schools have at the beginning of the process are typically different from those closer to the visit. Although the program will be similar, the conversation may differ based on the needs of attendees. Come once or come twice! 

New to your school or your role? Wondering how other schools tackle common problems?

Join your NWAIS colleagues for connection and collaboration in these free, community-led discussions. Round Tables are hosted by NWAIS, meet virtually through Zoom, and are open to all independent school professionals working in specific professional areas within the school.

Who Should Attend?

All NWAIS professionals working as learning or support specialists are invited to attend.

2025-26 Learning Specialist Round Table Dates

Registering for this event automatically registers you for every round table in the series:

WED, SEPTEMBER 17, 10:00-11:00AM PT / 11:00AM-12:00PM MT
WED, NOVEMBER 12, 10:00-11:00AM PT / 11:00AM-12:00PM MT
WED, JANUARY 21, 10:00-11:00AM PT / 11:00AM-12:00PM MT
WED, MARCH 25, 10:00-11:00AM PT / 11:00AM-12:00PM MT
WED, MAY 27, 10:00-11:00AM PT / 11:00AM-12:00PM MT

How to Register

Register once for every Round Table in a series. A week before each event, you will receive a quick survey asking for any discussion topics, or let us know if you aren't able to attend. 

Round Table Facilitator

Thank you to our facilitator, Mary Cole of Charles Wright Academy!

June 22-24, 2026 | Alderbrook Lodge

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Conference Overview

This program is created by your peers in NWAIS leadership roles to support the work of experienced and aspiring leaders. The program includes time to reflect on the year's successes and challenges, build a new skill set and consider how it will be relevant in the coming year. Attendees have found it valuable to attend on their own or in cohorts from their school.

Who Should Attend?

Assistant Heads, Division Heads, Deans, and those in and aspiring to Educational and Administrative Leadership Roles. We are also thrilled to welcome participants from the current Emerging Leaders Institute and Pathways to Leadership Cohorts.

Program

Session facilitators will guide attendees through extended workshops which give attendees time to dig into subjects with colleagues, practice skills at a pace that matches the end of the year. This program is designed to provide time to let go of and process the year that is closing, learn new skills and strategies for school leadership as well as providing time to think abut how they might apply to the year ahead.  

This year's program will be a deep dive into school culture.

School culture shapes everything—from student belonging and staff retention to learning outcomes and community trust. This year's Leadership Institute program will give leaders the space to step back from day-to-day demands, learn from peers, and engage with research-informed practices that strengthen values, relationships, and leadership alignment. By attending, school leaders gain practical strategies and shared language to intentionally cultivate environments where students and adults can thrive.

Workshop Facilitators

Meera Shah

Founder and Executive Director of Trey Education

&

Lauren Evans

Lower and Middle School Principal at Carolina Day School

Presenting:

Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving

As Well As

Ken Rogers

Ken Rogers is the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction at The Park School in Brookline, MA and a nationally recognized independent-school presenter whose work centers on leadership, adult learning, organizational clarity, and effective communication.

Presenting:

Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure

and

Optional Pre-Conference Add-On Session For Assistant Heads and Division Heads

10:00-12:00pm Monday, June 22, 2026

Join planning committee members for a morning session to connect with others who share these unique roles and to explore important legal and policy updates with

Karen Kalzer

NWAIS Retained Legal Counsel 

Participants are invited to stay for lunch and community building.

Click Here to Learn More About Sessions And Speakers

"Thank you so much for such an inspiring three days! I am revved up for the new school year!"

“The networking opportunity can't be beat. It's a very different feel and pace than most other conferences.”

“Excellent accommodations, excellent food, thoroughly planned, overall outstanding”

“I think it is great to attend with a group from your school - very valuable on many levels and worth the investment.”

“You will gain so much & you will also have the chance to fully integrate it into what you do. This conference is informative but invested in personal reflection and application. It is an outstanding opportunity to interact with peers. It is a most spectacular location to retreat professionally and personally.”

“This is an amazing opportunity to connect with colleagues from your own school and people who are your peers at other neighboring schools. This is a chance to not only offer your own ideas but to walk away with a better sense of where independent schools are heading.”

 “It is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, refresh after the school year, and dream big about the future of your school. I came away with both practical ideas I can implement right away, and more ambitious ideas for the leadership team at my school. I highly recommend it and hope to be back next year!”

Conference Agenda

Monday, June 22, 2026

10:00-12:00    Add-on Session for Assistant or Division Heads (Includes lunch, $75)

Monday, June 22, 2026

1:00-1:30         Registration

1:30-2:30         Welcome and Community Building

2:30-5:00         Workshop: Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving - Part 1

5:00-7:00         Reception and Dinner

7:00-9:00         Optional Evening Activity

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

8:00-9:00          Breakfast

9:00-11:30        Workshop: Culture Compass: A Framework for Shared Performance and Thriving - Part 2

11:30-2:00        Long Lunch to Enjoy Alderbrook

2:00-4:00          Workshop: Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure - Part 1

4:00-6:00          Free Time

6:00-7:30          Dinner

7:30-9:00          Social and Free Time - Waterfront Fire Pits 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

8:00-9:00           Breakfast

9:00-11:30         Workshop: Holding the Umbrella: Shaping Culture Under Pressure - Part 2

11:30-12:00       Closing

Pricing and Registration

Conference Fees Will Include Programming as well as a Reception and Dinner on June 22, and Breakfast, Lunch and Reception and Dinner on June 23 and Breakfast on June 24, 2026.

* Pricing includes a full meal package for guests and children. If you would like to have guests join you and not join us for meals, there is no charge and no need to register those individuals. There are alternative meal options available on-site

To receive the early bird or regular discount, your registration must be complete and payment must be postmarked or received by the stated deadline.

• For registrations with payment by check, payment must be postmarked by the stated deadline

• Online registrations completed by credit card must be completed by 11:59pm on the stated deadline.

Guest Meals

This year you can register guests for individual meals, rather than a full meal package. We recognize the cost of meals at Alderbrook is resource-intensive. We hope that this will allow you to customize your experience and make the most of time with your family. Pricing is outlined below. Children under 6 are welcome to join us at no charge. If your guests are not joining for meals, there is no charge and no need to register them with NWAIS.

Guest Meal Costs

ADULT GUEST

• Monday Reception & Dinner - $120
• Tuesday Breakfast - $65
• Tuesday Lunch - $85
• Tuesday BBQ Dinner - $85
• Wednesday Breakfast - $65

CHILD GUEST (6+)

• Monday Reception & Dinner - $40
• Tuesday Breakfast - $25
• Tuesday Lunch - $25
• Tuesday BBQ Dinner - $40
• Wednesday Breakfast - $25

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Accommodations

Accommodations can be made by contacting Alderbrook Lodge & Spa directly. NWAIS has contracted a special rate of $209 per night.

Please make your reservation by phone directly through Alderbrook by calling (360) 898-2145 and asking for the NWAIS Leadership Institute or you can reserve your room online using the code: 40X8Z0

Online Reservation Link (not active yet, please check back to reserve your room)

Book early - The room block reached capacity last year and late registrants needed to reserve space off-site. 

Reservations must be made by May 22, 2026 to qualify for this rate. 

To Receive the Registration Discounts

Your registration must be complete by the appropriate deadline.Online registrations paid by credit card must be completed by 11:59pm on the deadline date.

Participant Cancellation Policy

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by June 12, 2026 are eligible for a refund after a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after June 12, 2026 are ineligible for any refund.

Program Cancellation

Typically, cancellations and postponements are very rare, however the pandemic has forced us to utilize these options more frequently. Registered attendees will be notified of any program cancellation directly via email as well as through listservs and NWAIS website. In the case that NWAIS needs to cancel, all registration fees will be refunded. 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.

NWAIS New Heads Institute

Two Days To Prepare New Heads for NWAIS Membership and Stepping Into Your New Role

July 30-31, 2026

Location: TBA

REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN FOR THIS EVENT

Please Save The Date

The NHI gave me both the tools and the confidence to start my school year off with vision and strategies. It was immensely powerful to connect with such a diverse, passionate and talented group of leaders. I left the conference feeling excited about my new role rather than nervous about all of the things I still have left to learn.

– Past Attendee

Attending this conference is a must for new heads, whether you are brand new to the position or new to the region. It's a great opportunity to learn some new things, confirm some existing ideas, and to form connections with other HOS's in the association prior to the Fall Head's Conference.

– Past Attendee

Who Should Attend?

New and newer Heads of School are invited to attend. The program will be built around those that are stepping into headship this year or last year.  This is a small event, and generally has fewer than 10 attendees, providing an opportunity to build strong relationships with new colleagues. Centered on building relationships within the Association, attendees will learn about the many benefits of membership, experience valuable sessions, and take time for planning as you embark on new phase of your leadership journey.

Planning to Attend the NAIS Institute For New Heads?

These two programs are wonderful complements to each other.  One recommendation would be to attend the NWAIS institute in the summer you take on your role and the NAIS Institute once you have completed year one, or do both in the first year.  If you would like to hear more about the right order and fit for you, please call and discuss the opportunities with Emily McGrath, Associate Director.

This was invaluable time spent with colleagues and mentors. The return on my time and money spent for this Institute is incalculable.

– Past Attendee

Institute Programming Will:

• Help you match and manage a new school culture.
• Guide your understanding of regional and cultural dynamics in the Northwest.
• Connect you with a window into  “lessons learned” from veteran heads on building trust and developing strong working relationships with all constituencies.
• Discuss how to work with your board and board chair on moving your school forward.
• Support an understanding of the variety of outside resources available to help you and your school.
• Introduce you to local experts on legal risk management and financial reporting.
• Connect you with other Heads of School and your association
• Provide 1:1 coaching to help you plan for a thoughtful transition and launch into your new headship

Coming from the public school setting, the New Heads Institute provided me with insightful knowledge and valuable activities to help me transition to my new role as Head of School.

  – Past Attendee

Program Components & Format

This is a sample agenda based on previous years, to give you a sense of the flow of the event and types of topics covered. Exact topics and timing are subject to change.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

8:00 - 8:30  Light Breakfast, Introductions and Overview
8:30 - 9:15   Welcome to NWAIS
9:15  - 9:30 Agenda & Goals
9:30  - 10:30 Challenges & Opportunities
10:30 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:00 Leadership Insights
12:00 - 12:30       Lunch
12:30 - 1:30 Working With Your Board
1:30 - 2:30 Entry Planning
2:30 - 3:00 Snack & Case Studies
3:00 - 4:00  Stories from Headship

5:00-7:00 Reception with Current Heads of School

Friday, July 31, 2026

8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast & Check-In
9:00 - 9:45 Put Me In, Coach! Executive Coaching Program
10:00 - 11:00 Entry Plan / Leader's Charter Work
11:00 - 1:00 Working Lunch and Presentation of Plans
1:00 Farewell, and Good Luck!

Add-On

Participation in Year-Long Cohort Support  Additional Fees Not Included

Throughout the year, you will be invited to connect with New Heads from NWAIS and other regional Associations to share your experiences  and learn from each other.

The cohort meetings will:

·       Establish a group to support you and develop relationships so that you can call each other in the future 

·       Provide a forum in which you can discuss various issues and problems you’re facing with your peers and an experienced head of school

·       Present you with information that will be of value to you in your first year and beyond.

A Year of Executive Coaching Additional Fees Not Included

In addition to the New Heads Institute programming, Heads new to their role can also be matched with an executive coach who can meet with you as challenges arise and support you as you navigate tricky waters. Last year NWAIS piloted this program. Feedback was powerful and the program has now received a grant from the EE Ford Foundation to replicate it in other accrediting associations.

Participation in this program will include regular meetings and access to your coach whenever necessary. The program is directed by Alan Sparrow, a former head of school and certified executive coach. A number of extraordinary leaders have been retained for the program so that participants can be matched with the right coach. NWAIS can help with the matchmaking and then participants will retain the coaches directly.

Attending this workshop is a fantastic way to begin your new headship. You will emerge with more confidence, a set of colleagues that you can draw upon for support, and a well-vetted plan to implement in your school. This is time well spent!

– Past Attendee

Faculty

The program will be led by Briel Schmitz, Head of School at Spruce Street School, Matt Culberson, Experienced Head of School, and Chris Watson, Incoming Executive Director of NWAIS.  The faculty will be joined by NWAIS staff and board members, and other guest speakers including current heads of school.

Briel Schmitz, Head of School at Spruce Street School (WA)

Chris Watson, Executive Director of NWAIS and Former Head of School, Soundview School (WA)

Matt Culberson, Former Head of Several NWAIS Schools Including: McGillis School (UT), Charles Wright Academy (WA), and Wasatch Academy (UT)  

Registration

REGISTRATION IS NOT YET OPEN FOR THIS EVENT

Please save the dates and check back for pricing and location information

Travel Reimbursement

NWAIS will cover a portion of travel costs incurred by member schools to attend professional development events.

Click here for travel share reimbursement form.

Cancellation Policy
Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by July 18, 2025 are eligible for a refund after a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after July 18, 2025 are ineligible for any refund.

Attendees Will Be Eligible For Clock Hours And / Or STARS Credits

Attendees receive clock hours and STARS free of charge. The original clock hours form or your STARS certificate will be mailed back to you for your records. If you need to petition another agency for credits or you would like a certificate for your files, NWAIS is happy to provide one upon request at no charge.

Announcing Keynote Speaker 

Back By Popular Demand!

Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath 

Neuroscientist, Educator, and Author of the Best-selling Book Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 Insights from Brain Science to Make Your Message Stick

And Announcing Featured Speakers

About Our Theme

TEACHING AT THE INFLECTION POINT: Designing learning for a changing world

Independent schools are at a defining moment. Rapid advances in neuroscience, evolving understandings of pedagogy, accelerating technological change, and an urgent commitment to access, equity, and inclusion are reshaping what it means to teach and learn well. This is an inflection point for our profession.

This year’s conference invites educators to examine how we design learning experiences that are responsive, research-informed, and rooted in purpose. Together, we will explore how to align what we know about how students learn with how we teach, ensuring that every learner benefits in a changing world.

We will focus on four interconnected strands:

Neuroscience → Deepening our understanding of how learning works in the brain and what that means for memory, engagement, motivation, and belonging.

Pedagogy → Evolving teaching practices to meet the needs of diverse learners and designing instruction that is inclusive, responsive, and intellectually rigorous.

Technology & AI → Examining how emerging tools shape learning environments—leveraging innovation thoughtfully so that technology supports, rather than dictates, meaningful learning.

Access, Equity & Inclusion → Ensuring that advances in research, practice, and technology expand opportunity and belonging for all students.

As we engage these strands, participants will leave with research-based insights, practical strategies, and renewed clarity about how to design learning that is both future-oriented and deeply human.

Join your NWAIS colleagues this October as we explore how to teach at this inflection point—and how to design learning that prepares students not just to navigate change, but to shape it.

Propose A Breakout Session

We invite you to help shape this year’s conference by proposing a breakout session. This is a powerful opportunity to share your expertise, innovative practices, and real-world insights with colleagues across the NWAIS community. Whether you are exploring neuroscience-informed teaching, evolving pedagogy for diverse learners, thoughtful integration of technology and AI, or advancing access, equity, and inclusion, your work can spark meaningful dialogue and practical learning. Breakout sessions are designed to be interactive, relevant, and grounded in experience—offering participants strategies they can bring back to their schools. If you are experimenting, reflecting, redesigning, or leading change at this inflection point in education, we encourage you to submit a proposal and contribute to the collective learning of our community.

Timeline

• Request For Proposals Will Open: March 2, 2026
• All Proposals Must Be Submitted By: May 1, 2026
• Applicants Will Be Notified By: June 5, 2026

Propose A Breakout Session Here

Please be prepared to complete the application in a single session. If you would like to prepare your answers in advance, you can preview the survey questions, download a .pdf of the application here.

Presenter Discount and Process

Reserving Space

If you are interested in facilitating a meet-up, affinity or discussion session, please contact Emily McGrath to sign-up.

Conference Overview  

8:00-8:30               Registration, Light Breakfast and Coffee

8:35-8:45               Opening Remarks

8:45-9:30               Keynote Address

9:30-10:00             Coffee Break and Book Signing

10:00-11:00           Session A: Featured Speakers and Breakout Sessions

11:00-12:00           Lunch        

12:15-1:15             Session B: Featured Speakers and Breakout Sessions 

1:30-2:30               Session C: Closing Speakers and Breakout Sessions 

Join Us In Person

Valuing our time together, we will be sunsetting our asynchronous participation options. This year join your colleagues in person to experience all that the Fall Educators Conference has to offer. 

Pricing and Registration

Stay tuned for information. General registration will open August 1, 2026.

Conference Policies  

Substitution, Cancellation and Switching Policy 

Substitutions may be made any time prior to the conference. Written cancellations received by October 2, 2026 are eligible for a refund after a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after October 2, 2026 are ineligible for any refund. 

Clock Hours / STARS Credits

Attendees are eligible for 4 WA clock hours, STARS Credits, and/or in-service hours. There is no cost for professional credits. 

To remain in compliance with OSPI regulations, attendees are required to opt-in for clock hours prior to or on-site at the conference on Friday, October 9, 2026. 

Any opt-in submissions received after October 9, 2026 will be deemed ineligible. 

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.