NSPRA 2025 Seminar
CHESPRA Welcomes the NSPRA 2025 Seminar to Washington, D.C.
CHESPRA is excited to welcome the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) 2025 Seminar to Washington, D.C., from July 20-23, 2025. As the regional NSPRA chapter, CHESPRA is honored to serve as the local host, helping attendees make the most of their time in our nation's capital.
CHESPRA is playing a key role in supporting the NSPRA 2025 Seminar. From providing local insights to coordinating volunteer efforts, our members are dedicated to making this event a success. The CHESPRA NSPRA 2025 Committee, lead by CHESPRA President Andrew Robinson, has been working hard behind the scenes. The committee is comprised of Andy Grunig, Daryl Johnson, Jordan Mason, Ashlee Meredith, and Christie Scott.
This team is focused on organizing volunteer opportunities, promoting CHESPRA to a national audience, and ensuring a smooth experience for all attendees.
Additionally, CHESPRA has made creative contributions by putting together a promotional video and designing the official logos for the NSPRA 2025 Seminar.
NSPRA 2025 Seminar Promotional Video
Monumental Impact. Monumental Progress. Monumental Possibilities.
About the NSPRA 2025 National Seminar
Key Event Details
Date: July 20-23, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.
Venue: Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave, NW
The NSPRA 2025 National Seminar is the largest communications-focused professional development event for school public relations professionals, superintendents, and education leaders. It brings together more than 1,700 attendees from across the United States, Canada, and beyond.
Seminar Highlights
- 150+ Breakout Sessions covering critical topics in school communications
- Deep-Dive Amplify Sessions exploring innovative strategies through hands-on learning
- Streamlined Skill Sessions on timely and relevant school PR topics
- Gold Mine Mini-Sessions offering practical ideas for immediate implementation
- Daily networking opportunities with regional, national, and global colleagues
- Industry partner exhibits in the Marketplace
Focus Areas
Attendees can expect sessions on:
- Generative AI in school PR/communications
- Career development and chapter leadership
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
- PR/Communication leadership
- Marketing and branding for school systems
- Strategic planning and communications tactics
Keynote Speakers
Monday General Session (July 21)
Elizabeth Edwards, Founder and CEO, Volume PR & Engagement Science Lab
Elizabeth Edwards, a leading communication futurist, will explore the intersection of human behavior, motivation science, and real-world communication strategies to create messages that truly connect and inspire action.
Tuesday General Session (July 22)
Suneel Gupta, Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author, and Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School
Suneel Gupta will provide insights on sustaining momentum, managing energy, and preventing burnout—helping school PR professionals and education leaders thrive in their roles.
Registration and Accommodations
CHESPRA encourages members to attend the NSPRA 2025 Seminar and to register early if possible. Early bird registration is available through April 30, 2025. For more details, and to register today, CLICK HERE.
The Washington Hilton is the official seminar hotel. Overflow hotels include the Churchill Hotel and Residence Inn Washington, DC/Dupont Circle. For hotel information and travel recommendations, CLICK HERE.
We're Presenting!
CHESPRA is proud to have several of our members presenting at this year's NSPRA Seminar.
Don't miss these inspiring sessions:
Featured CHESPRA Members: Andy Grunig and Andrew Robinson
Session Description: If you’ve never attended a NSPRA National Seminar before, this session will help you maximize your professional development and networking opportunities. Learn how the Seminar program is set up, which special offerings to take advantage of, what after-hours activities are available, and what not to miss while you’re in Washington, D.C. Plus, you’ll get a chance to meet other first-timers and start building a new professional network.
Featured CHESPRA Member: Katherine Goff
Presenting with: Dr. Victor Shandor
Session Description: Does your division have a great strategic plan – but only top leaders look at it, think about it, or even understand it? Learn how to unlock the full potential of your school district’s mission, vision, priorities and values. This session will explore practical strategies to reignite passion and belief in your strategic plan and empower all staff to take on the role of storytelling through the lens of your strategic plan.
Featured CHESPRA Member: Bob Mosier
Presenting with: Dr. Mark Bedell and Dr. Shannon Pugh
Session Description: From the day Dr. Mark Bedell arrived as Superintendent in Anne Arundel County Public Schools in the summer of 2022, he spoke about the transparency he would bring through his work. That included a new Strategic Plan and a fully transparent scorecard that would allow the public to easily see – and track – the school district’s progress toward meeting the goals outlined in that Strategic Plan. The community-driven process to craft a new five-year Strategic Plan began in October 2023 and culminated with the adoption of the plan by the Board of Education in May 2024. The development of a scorecard detailing progress for each goal in the plan began shortly after the Board’s adoption of the plan. The scorecard was unveiled publicly in November 2024 and immediately posted to AACPS’ website in a format that can easily be translated into multiple language to accommodates those for whom English is not their first language.
Featured CHESPRA Member: Ashlee Meredith
Presenting with: Dr. Brian J. Nichols, Campbell Proffitt, and Laura Clark
Session Description: In an era where authentic storytelling drives community engagement, students offer a unique perspective that can transform school district communications. Listen as Dr. Nichols, a 2022 NSPRA Superintendent to Watch, shares his vision for investing in a dedicated communications role to better tell the district’s story. The session will focus on how Supervisor of Communication Ashlee Meredith built the district's successful student intern program, and will cover recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring students in content creation. Former interns Laura Clark and Campbell Proffitt will share their student perspectives. Attendees will leave with practical tools for implementing similar programs, including templates for recruiting interns and mentoring students to create impactful, community-driven content.
Explore Washington, D.C.
Beyond the seminar, attendees will have a chance to experience the vibrant culture and historic landmarks of Washington, D.C. Many attractions are within walking distance or a short ride from the venue, including:
- Dupont Circle
- National Parks
- National Zoo
- Rock Creek Park
- Smithsonian Museums
- Washington Monument
Get Involved
CHESPRA members are encouraged to volunteer and help showcase our regional chapter to a national audience. Stay tuned for updates on volunteer opportunities and ways to support the NSPRA 2025 Seminar.
Learn More
For more details about the event, including specifics on registration, accommodations, and the full schedule, visit NSPRA's National Seminar webpage. Navigation is available by topic on the right sidebar.