SHIFT AGENDA

Join fellow SHIFT attendees on the Opal Sol Pool Deck every morning before breakfast for a revitalizing yoga session with the one and only Beth Cannon!

Grab some brain food and network with your fellow conference attendees to kick off day one of the conference! Breakfast is complimentary and will be out and available in the Opal Ballroom until 9:00 AM. Sponsored by Live Oak Bank.

Join SHIFT host Kathy Ligon as she welcomes you to an energizing and purpose-driven week. In this opening session, Kathy will cover key housekeeping details and set the tone for what's ahead. She’ll also share fresh insights on the latest advancements, pressing challenges, and emerging opportunities shaping the early education industry today.

Where does the ECE sector stand right now and where is it headed? EY-Parthenon's Phil Vaccaro and Malavika Dhawan break down the latest enrollment and financial data, what's driving the trends, and what it takes to navigate today's market. Whether you're growing, selling, or just want a clearer read on where things stand, you'll walk away with sharper insight and a stronger sense of how to position your program for what's next.

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

Join Certified Leadership Coach Tom Wood for an introduction of fundamental leadership truths including his staple Leadership Sprint themes of 'Serving and Loving,' 'A and A+ Game,' and referring to your 'Mirror Friend.'

Before you can convert enrollments, you need inquiries. This session explores the core marketing strategies that help childcare programs stand out, earn trust, and consistently attract prospective families. Nick Williams of Childcare Business Growth will share practical ideas you can implement immediately to increase community awareness, strengthen your brand, and drive more families into your enrollment pipeline.

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 three powerful tracks: GROW, LEAD, and GLOW.

Head across the Skyway Bride to the Opal Ballroom for a re-energizing (and complimentary) lunch and free time for networking! Sponsored by KinderCare Learning Companies.

GROW Breakout: “Why Families Choose You: Defining Your School’s Unique Advantage” - Vernon Mason
In today's competitive enrollment landscape, being a great school isn't enough—families need to understand what makes you different. In this session, Vernon Mason will help you identify, articulate, and communicate your school's unique selling proposition (USP) so it resonates with prospective families and sets you apart from the competition. Learn how to uncover the strengths that make your program memorable, align your messaging across every touchpoint, and build a brand that attracts the right families before they ever walk through your doors.

LEAD Breakout: "The Book Inside Your Business: How Childcare Leaders Can Turn Experience into Authority" - Kate Young & Carrie Casey
You've built a program families trust and a team that believes in your vision. But are you telling your story anywhere beyond your school's four walls? In this session, Kate Woodward Young and Carrie Casey, hosts of Childcare Conversation with Kate and Carrie, will reveal how a book can sharpen your message, build authority, and create trust with families, staff, partners, and potential buyers alike. You'll also leave with your book concept, audience, core message, and a simple outline you can start building from!

GLOW Breakout: “The Operator's Edge: Making AI Work in the Real World of Childcare” - Jacob Jensen
AI is changing the way childcare businesses operate, but your greatest advantage isn't the technology, it's your expertise. Childcare operators understand the realities of running a center in ways no software company ever will, and AI now makes it possible to turn that knowledge into practical solutions. In this session, Jacob Jensen shares how he used AI to build the platform his team relies on for scheduling, staff management, and key metrics. Learn the lessons from his early failures and how to turn your operational knowledge into a competitive edge.

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

GROW Breakout: “The Admissions Assistant the Never Sleeps” - Ankur Agarwal
Families expect answers now, not tomorrow. In this session, Ankur Agarwal, Co-Founder of CuePilot, will show how AI can strengthen every stage of the enrollment journey by responding to inquiries in seconds, scheduling tours automatically, recovering no-shows, and delivering personalized follow-up that never falls through the cracks. Learn how to layer AI into the admissions process your team already knows, creating faster, more consistent communication that improves the family experience and helps convert more inquiries into enrollments—without adding more work for your staff.

LEAD Breakout: TBA
Session description coming soon…

GLOW Breakout: “Vision to Velocity: Design for Enrollment” - Better Beans Branding
Discover six insider strategies for turning design into a powerful enrollment tool—from articulating value families can see and feel to creating a prototype built to scale. Walk away with practical ways to make smarter design investments, strengthen the parent experience, and build a brand that holds its value through growth.

Before we kick off our evening fundraising festivities, grab a drink at our happy half hour in the Opal Sol Pre-Function space. Sponsored by Funnydaffer.

For our third annual BOOST fundraiser, SHIFT attendees are invited to join the most exclusive golf-and-racquet club on the Gulf. Dress in your finest country club attire and head to the Opal Sol Pool Deck for an evening of cocktails, elevated clubhouse fare, a lively auction, and poolside putting activities — all benefiting BOOST and the early childhood educators we serve.