Top Tips for Leadership Forum and Eagle Institute Attendees
Attending the 2026 Leadership Forum or adding the 2026 Eagle Institute to your experience? Use these tips to arrive prepared, stay focused on your leadership goals, and make the most of your time in New Orleans, Louisiana!
Before You Go
- Review the Leadership Forum schedule and select which tracks you plan to attend:
- Day 1: Strategic Association Leadership or Innovative Leadership
- Day 2: Intentional Leadership or Collaborative Leadership
- If you are attending Eagle Institute, read the program overview to prepare for your visit to the National WWII Museum and the Pearl Harbor case study experience.
- Book your travel and hotel for New Orleans. Please refer to your registration confirmation for the hotel links.
- Download the event mobile app for schedules, room locations, maps, and real-time updates. – COMING SOON
- Preview the attendee list and note peers you would like to meet—especially those in similar roles or with similar district sizes.
- Show your ASBO pride and gear up with official logo apparel and accessories.
What to Pack
- Business cards
- Electronics and chargers (phone, tablet, laptop, portable battery)
- Resort casual attire and layers:
- For Men: Polo shirts, button-down shirts, chinos, linen pants, and stylish shorts
- For Women: Sundresses, skirts, chic shorts, flowy tops, and jumpsuits
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- A light jacket or sweater—meeting rooms can be cool
- Notepad and pen or your preferred device for capturing ideas
- Reusable water bottle
Once You Arrive
- Pick up your badge on Level 2 of The Ritz-Carlton in the Maison - Lafayette Foyer.
- Use the mobile app to bookmark sessions, take notes, and receive real-time updates about any schedule changes.
- Join the Welcome Reception on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in the Library Lounge & Courtyard (Level 3) to meet fellow attendees in a relaxed setting.
- Take advantage of the networking breakfast and lunch offered on both days of Leadership Forum—these are ideal times to connect with peers who understand your work.
- Plan to attend the New Orleans Experience and Grab and Go Lunch on Friday, January 30, 2026. Enjoy a festive second line, music, and king cake as you celebrate with colleagues.
- Introduce yourself to the speakers and fellow attendees, sharing your role, district, and one challenge you are currently working on, to facilitate an exchange of ideas and solutions.
Attending Eagle Institute
- Remember that Eagle Institute is an add-on program with limited capacity (60 attendees) and is available only to Leadership Forum registrants who are school business professionals, Affiliate Executive Directors/Staff, or Emeritus members.
- Note the schedule: Eagle Institute begins Friday, January 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM and concludes on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
- Be ready for an immersive experience that includes a visit to the National WWII Museum, a screening of Beyond All Boundaries, and guided discussions on leadership in times of crisis.
- Come prepared to actively participate in small-group conversations, reflect on your own leadership assumptions, and consider how lessons from Pearl Harbor apply to your district today.
- Take a moment to recognize Equitable, the proud sponsor of Eagle Institute, whose support helps make this program possible.
After the Event
- Complete the post-event surveys. Your feedback shapes future leadership programs.
- Connect with peers you met in New Orleans on the Global School Business Network and on social media to continue conversations and exchange resources.
- Visit the Continuing Education Credits page for details on session evaluation instructions and how to track your credits.