Talent Scouts and Opportunity Bridges

>> View the Tentative Conference Presenter Overview <<

2024 IAGC Annual Conference

The 29th Annual IAGC Conference is excited to be offering several options for our many attendees, members, and supporters from across the state of Illinois. 

WHEN:      Friday November 1 and Saturday November 2, 2024

TIME:         8:30 am - 3:30 pm

WHERE:    NIU Naperville Conference Center,  1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville IL  60563

WHO:   

Friday   Keynote Presenter:  Dr. Emily Mofield   Talent Scout

Saturday   Keynote Presenter:  Dr. Matt Zakreski    Opportunity Bridge 

WHAT:      5 hrs PD credit per day (requires sign-in/ sign out each day and registration on PD+)

New this year:

• The two-day conference is being held on Friday and Saturday, allowing better flexibility for schools who are struggling with filling requests for subs.    Check to see if your school compensates teachers for PD held outside of contract hours in lieu of sub pay.
• A one-day virtual ticket includes 5 pre-selected sessions (including the Keynote presentation) on Friday only for those who are unable to travel to Naperville.  Attendees will be required to sign in / sign out of each session in order to receive 5 PD credits. (limited availability)
• A gourmet box-lunch option, provided by NIU catering, is available to purchase when you register.  In addition, we are scheduling two lunch sessions into each day.  We hope this will allow for less crowding and a more comfortable lunchtime experience for everyone.
• An Exhibitor Adventure Map with longer exhibitor visiting times to allow our attendees to benefit from the many resources and experts who support gifted children and their families and teachers. 
• A Friday Social Hour in the NIU Ballroom immediately following the IAGC membership meeting, including complimentary refreshments, raffle prizes, meet and greet with our Keynote Presenters and our Sponsors, and fun / challenging games!
• Parent Saturday to support and connect the families of gifted and advanced children. 
• A Saturday Student Talent Showcase to inspire and entertain guests!

Join fellow educators, parents, and gifted program professionals from across Illinois for the 29th IAGC Annual Conference on November 1st & 2nd, 2024 at the Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Naperville.  

The IAGC has several new and exciting plans for this year's conference, including:

• pre-conference Administrator Academy
• a 2-day Educator conference (Friday and Saturday)
• a Virtual mini-conference (Friday only) 
• Parent Saturday (Saturday only) 
• Student Talent Showcase (Saturday only)

Various sessions are scheduled to support both veteran and novice educators in all roles and across all grade levels, in addition to school psychologists and social workers and, of course, parents.

Conference strands include: 

• Evidence-Based Curriculum and Instruction
• Effective Program Leadership
• Addressing Opportunity Gaps
• Acceleration and Identification
• Social-Emotional Learning and Support
• Effective Use of Technology
• Parent Focus

Keynote Speakers: