Agenda

Monday Schedule

February 16, 2026

7:30 am – 5:30

Registration Desk Open

8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Vendor Set-Up

9:00 AM – Noon

Pre-Conference (Morning)

Presenter(s)
Finalsite
Room
Galleon I
Focus Area
Web, Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description
Your website is your district’s most-visited space and the foundation of your digital communications strategy. This pre-conference session will introduce practical, day-one strategies to make it more effective.
Presenter(s)
Justin Elbert, Klein ISD
Room
Schooner
Focus Area
(AI) Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description
Artificial intelligence can streamline school PR work, from automating tasks and photo editing to generating crisis statements and diagnosing ADA issues. This interactive session will explore practical ways to save time, improve communication, and protect data while using AI tools.
Presenter(s)
Christie Goodman, APR, PRSA Fellow, IDRA
Room
Galleon II
Focus Area
(AI) Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are changing how families, students and journalists find information. This interactive seminar introduces generative engine optimization (GEO). You will learn practical steps to ensure your district’s story is visible in AI search.

 

Presenter(s)
Lisa Losasso Jackson, We Go Public, 11 Productions
Room
Galleon III
Focus Area
Community Engagement
Description
Public trust isn’t built by saying more—it’s built by how often, how consistently, and how recognizably a district shows up.
Rooted in well-established research from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, and public-trust studies, this hands-on workshop explains how communities form perceptions and how that can impact a district’s image.
Presenter(s)
Julie Thannum, APR, Justin Dearing, APR, Laurin Moore, CESO
Room
Yacht
Focus Area
Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

Will Guidara’s best-selling book on restaurant hospitality serves as the basis for this thought-provoking session. We start with the foundation of branding and show the power of a clear brand to differentiate your schools.

Presenter(s)
Brad Domitrovich, The PR Zealot
Room
Spinnaker
Focus Area
Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

Strong public relations doesn’t begin with press releases, social media, or marketing campaigns – it begins with people. During this interactive training, participants will explore the philosophy that “PR = People Relationships” and discover practical ways to strengthen trust with every stakeholder group.

Presenter(s)
Cheryal Lossmore, Eanes ISD
Room
Harbor
Focus Area
Media Production
Description

Lights, camera…action! In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how to create scroll-stopping videos for school PR. From trendy reels to evergreen formats like POV, sequences, and behind-the-scenes storytelling, you’ll not only see what works—you’ll practice making it yourself.

Presenter(s)
Jason Wheeler, Garland ISD
Room
Clipper
Focus Area
AI
Description

AI isn’t replacing school communicators… It’s becoming your most helpful intern. Discover how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI image/video generators speed up daily tasks. We’ll explain AI simply, show real examples of shrinking writing time from 45 to 5 minutes, and demonstrate drafting, brainstorming, image generation, and multilingual support.

Noon – 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

Take a break from pre-conference learning and engagement! Join pre-conference colleagues and friends to enjoy a quick bite with the opportunity to network, connect, make new connections and meet up with old friends!

Pre-purchased your lunch through early registration? Meet in Galleon I to grab your Boxed Lunch!

1:00 PM – 4:00

Pre-Conference (Afternoon)

Presenter(s)
Finalsite
Room
Galleon I
Focus Area
Web, Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

Your website is your district’s most-visited space and the foundation of your digital communications strategy. This pre-conference session will introduce practical, day-one strategies to make it more effective.

Presenter(s)
Dr. Jordan Ziemer, Abilene ISD; Danielle Clark, APR, Harris County Department of Education (HCDE)
Room
Galleon II
Focus Area
New Professional
Description

Starting a career in school communications can be both exciting and overwhelming. This session is designed to introduce new professionals to the world of school PR, providing a roadmap for success while addressing common challenges.

Presenter(s)
Lesley Bruinton, APR, NSPRA Past President, School Spirit PR
Room
Yacht
Focus Area
Advanced Professional; Communications/PR/Marketing
Description

Facing ethical dilemmas online anonymously might not be feasible for your next work challenge, yet making judgment calls can still be intimidating. This session will help you confidently handle these situations.

 

Presenter(s)
Leigh Anne Pearson, Friends of Texas Public Schools, John Tanner, bravEd
Room
Spinnaker
Focus Area
New Professional, Advanced Professional, Communications/PR/Marketing, Community Engagement
Description

Trust is the most valuable communication asset a school district has. In this interactive three-hour workshop, participants will explore how credibility is built (and lost), practice applying a “trust lens” to real-world scenarios, and reframe messages to move beyond informing into inspiring.

Presenter(s)
Greg Turchetta, Apptegy; Justin Elbert, Klein ISD
Room
Harbor
Focus Area
Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

Enrollment drives everything in a district—from funding to staffing to program opportunities. Yet declining numbers remain one of the toughest challenges leaders face. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore the “customer journey” of families and learn the five phases of enrollment marketing.

Presenter(s)
Sheri Hicks, CAE, TASA
Room
Clipper
Focus Area
(AI) Communications, PR, & Marketing
Description

Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can support your event planning and office operations. In this session, you’ll learn practical ways to use AI for brainstorming ideas, refining session content, selecting speakers, tracking task lists, streamlining vendor communications, and managing logistics.

Presenter(s)
John Munoz, Lennie Nelson, Vizrt
Room
Galleon III
Focus Area
Media Production
Description

Discover how to elevate your video production with powerful, end‑to-end tools during this in‑depth session from Vizrt. You’ll explore Vizrt’s newest TriCaster solution, including its key features, creative capabilities, and workflow advantages. The session also highlights how Viz Flowics enhances productions with dynamic graphics, audience engagement tools, and seamless integration for live shows.

Presenter(s)
Sylvia Rincon, Rincon Suarez PR & Communications; Lexie Greathouse, Kim Cathey, Judson ISD
Room
Schooner
Focus Area
Education Foundations
Description

Join seasoned education foundation professionals as they share their experiences in launching, re-launching, and re-branding their foundations to strengthen their presence within their school districts. Through effective branding and marketing, they have boosted awareness, increased donor participation, and enhanced student and community engagement.

Presenter(s)
Becky Bravo-Escos, Owner/CEO of Caelen Communications, Amanda Brim, CPC, Caelen Communications
Room
Helm
Focus Area
Bond
Description

Every successful campaign starts long before Election Day. We’ll walk you step by step through the communications side of election planning, from setting the stage with community engagement to building trust through transparent messaging, to delivering information that helps voters make informed decisions.

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Welcome Reception – Let the TSPRA Times Roll Conference Kickoff featuring exhibitor viewing, DJ, collaborative activities, t-shirt distribution, refreshments, prizes and fun!

6:30 pm

Evening on Your Own / Client Dinners 

8:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Work/Life Balance: Karaoke [Sponsored by ParentSquare]