SHIFT AGENDA

Join fellow SHIFT attendees in the Main Ballroom every morning before breakfast for a revitalizing yoga session with the one and only Beth Cannon!

Start your second day off right with a complimentary breakfast and a bit of networking with fellow attendees. Breakfast will be out and available in Broadmoor Hall A until 9:00 AM. Sponsored by Better Beans Branding.

Topic to be announced soon…

With federal relief funds ending and state policies evolving, what’s next for early education funding? In this timely session, the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) unpacks the current funding landscape and offers expert insight into what providers can expect in the year ahead. Learn how national and state-level decisions are shaping public investment, where new opportunities may emerge, and how to prepare your program for financial shifts. Whether you're navigating subsidy changes or advocating for increased support, this session will help you plan with confidence and strategy.

Take 30 minutes to have a good stretch or refill your SHIFT water bottle before the next session.

Panelists: Ron Packard, Pansophic Learning; Vance Spilman, LeafSpring Schools; Jomar Jenkins, Big Blue Marble Academy; and Rachel Supalla, Discovery Kidzone

Growth in the childcare industry looks different at every stage, but the challenges and opportunities often overlap. In this dynamic main stage panel, hear directly from leaders who have helped scale early education businesses. Featuring four CEOs in varying stages and experienced with many types of growth, this conversation will explore what it takes to grow sustainably, adapt to changing markets, and stay true to your mission. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for your next big leap, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and inspiration to fuel your journey.

Find out which industry leaders you’ll have the chance to hear from in our afternoon breakout sessions. You’ll be able to choose from engaging topics in four powerful tracks: KNOW, GROW, LEAD, and GLOW.

Re-energize with a complimentary lunch in Broadmoor Hall A and free time for networking!

GROW Breakout: “Tax Planning Strategies that Pay Off” – Rudy Colmenero
The true value of your business isn’t just what a buyer offers — it’s what you keep after taxes. In this session, CPA and tax attorney Rudy Colmenero will demystify the tax implications that can shape your financial outcome, from structuring the transaction to allocating the purchase price and navigating “hot assets.” You’ll discover proactive strategies to preserve more of your business’s value, leverage tax benefits in negotiations, and avoid costly surprises. The key is planning early — long before any deal is on the table.

LEAD Breakout: “Managing the Masses: Multi-Site Management Techniques for Growing Schools” – Tym Smith
This dynamic training is designed for childcare leaders, directors, and owners looking to expand and effectively manage multiple childcare sites. Led by an experienced presenter with hands-on expertise in multi-site operations, this session explores proven strategies for streamlining systems, building strong leadership teams, maintaining consistent quality, and scaling with confidence. Participants will gain insight into practical tools, delegation methods, staff retention across locations, and how to maintain culture and compliance while growing. Whether you're opening your second site or managing several, this training provides actionable takeaways to strengthen your leadership and operational success.

GLOW Breakout: “6 Hidden Childcare Leaks That Could Be Draining Your Profit” – Aleta Mechtel
Is your childcare center facing staffing issues, low enrollment, or financial strain? In this session, we’ll uncover six hidden leaks that may be quietly draining your center’s success—from team retention to marketing, operations, and more. Learn practical, proven strategies you can implement right away to boost profit, build a stronger culture, and create the thriving center you set out to lead.

Take a 30-minute brain break before the next sessions.

GROW Breakout: “The Two-Location Paradox: Technology Enhancements and Your Childcare Business” – Jared Hall
Expanding beyond one location creates a challenge: leaders must rely on secondhand reports instead of direct observation, often leading to unclear or inaccurate decisions. But new technologies are changing that. With real-time, context-rich data, operators can now identify and solve issues as they happen—replacing guesswork with clarity. This session explores how technology is transforming decision-making for childcare businesses of all sizes.

LEAD Breakout: “The Ripple Effect: How a Bold Team Investment Led to Full Classrooms” – Jennifer Duffield
What once felt impossible—sending 20 different teachers on annual humanitarian trips—became a powerful investment that transformed culture and fueled enrollment growth. In this session, Jennifer Duffield, Co-Founder of Dancing Moose Montessori, will show you how she brought a bold idea to life, including the budget and staffing strategies that made it sustainable. Follow the journey of a school that grew from 7 students to nearly 1,000 by obsessing over culture. That focus led to exceptional teacher retention, high parent satisfaction, and consistently full classrooms. If you’re looking to grow enrollment, start by doing something extraordinary for your team.

GLOW Breakout: “Scroll, Share, Shine: Marketing that Connects in Early Education” – Sydney Vinson
Discover how to turn likes into lasting impressions! In this fast-paced, fun session, we’ll explore how to use social media and marketing to amplify your school’s voice, boost enrollment, and build real connections with families. From creating scroll-stopping content to highlighting what makes your center special, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and a spark of inspiration to make your brand shine online — all while staying true to your heart for early childhood education.

Before returning to the main ballroom for our keynote speaker, make sure to stop in the Broadmoor Hall Foyer for an afternoon pick-me-up of beer and an energizing snack. Sponsored by FunnyDaffer.

This keynote explores how purpose-driven practices can transform early childhood education by raising standards of excellence and infusing deeper meaning into our work. Focusing on six key elements—curriculum, assessments, research, exceptionalities support, professional development, and government advocacy—it aims to elevate every aspect of the educational experience. Rather than settling for the status quo, this session challenges educators to pursue measurable improvements through a strong commitment to quality. It’s a call to move from aspirational ideas to intentional design, crafting learning experiences with purpose. Grounded in evidence and shared values, this approach aligns daily practice with theory, data, pedagogy, and policy to create better outcomes for every child and greater confidence in the future we build together.

We’re bringing the great outdoors to life indoors as the International Center transforms into a day camp daydream for our final reception of the conference. Mingle with fellow happy campers over elevated campfire bites, sip complimentary cocktails, and test your skills with interactive games — all in true camp style. Sponsored by Procare Solutions.