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Spring 2025 Conference

Baltimore Hunt Valley

We’re excited to announce that the CHESPRA 2025 Spring Conference will be held in Baltimore Hunt Valley, Maryland, from May 1-2. Nestled in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, this event offers a vibrant setting for school communicators to come together, learn and grow.

The cost of the conference is $100 per CHESPRA member. See the additional information at the bottom of this page for everything that the conference includes.

 Join us for one and a half days packed with engaging workshops, expert-led sessions and meaningful networking opportunities designed to enhance your professional development.

Hotel Information

We will be staying at the Embassy Suites Hunt Valley, offering a comfortable and convenient location for all attendees. This full-service hotel is known for its welcoming atmosphere and amenities that will enhance your stay, from complimentary Wi-Fi to a hosted happy hour every day.

To book your room, use the reservation link. Our group rate of $149 per night is available for stays from April 30 - May 2, 2025. We encourage you to reserve early to ensure availability.

Book Your Room Here

Register for the Spring Conference

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<p><meta charset="UTF-8" />Please mail a check made out to <strong>CHESPRA&nbsp;</strong>to the following address:</p> <p>Arlington Public Schools<br /> c/o Frank Bellavia, CHESPRA Treasurer<br /> 2110 Washington Blvd.&nbsp;<br /> Arlington, VA 22204<br /> <br /> In the note or memo field, write<strong>&nbsp;Spring 2024 Conference</strong>.</p>

Spring Conference Schedule

Speakers & Presenters

Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of School Communications
Presenter: Barbara Hunter, APR
National School Public Relations Association

This popular presentation features a collection of leadership lessons over the last 30 years during the best and worst of times in school communications. Now updated with new leadership lessons for the 2023-24 school year, the presentation includes embracing your doubts and defining your success. You’ll be able to use these lessons to reflect on and guide your own leadership journey.

Engage. Empower. Excel. How a Strategic Communications Framework Redefined System Engagement and Sparked Innovation
Presenter: Gboyinde Onijala
Baltimore County Public Schools

This presentation will highlight best practices and strategies for building community through strategic communications.

You Can Sit With Us: Finding Community & Connection in School PR
Presenter: Joshua Sauer, APR
Finalsite
 

School PR is more than a job—it’s a community. Joshua Sauer, APR, has experienced it all—working in districts, leading OKSPRA, serving on the NSPRA board, and founding affinity groups Road2NSPRA and GAYSPRA. When he moved to Finalsite, it could have felt like “going to the dark side,” but instead, his connections only deepened. This session explores the power of friendships, mentorships, and support in school PR—whether you're in a district, a chapter, or even "on the other side." Walk away with a renewed sense of community and the reminder that in school PR, you never have to go it alone.

Fix This: Real Solutions for School Communicators
Moderator: Katie LaPira
Rockingham County Public Schools

This session will offer a hands-on, problem-solving session where attendees bring their biggest challenges (FOIA requests, social media management, engaging hard-to-reach families, etc.). More details to come.

Sign Up to Present

We invite leaders in public relations, communications and public education to submit session proposals for the Spring 2025 CHESPRA Conference.

Proposal Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025

Proposal acceptance notifications will be sent by Mon, March 24. Accepted presenters must register for the conference but do not need to register before submitting a proposal. You may submit multiple proposals, though only one may be selected due to limited capacity. Vendor submissions are not accepted unless co-presented by a school district, with no sales pitch involved.

Topics of Interest:

  • Crisis management case studies
  • Political impact on education
  • Artificial Intelligence in education
  • Opioid crisis collaboration
  • Innovative tools/methods in education
  • Media relations for small vs. large districts

Get creative with your ideas!

Spring 2025 Conference Proposal

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Apply for the Tim Bullis Scholarship

Last spring, CHESPRA announced the Tim Bullis Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports professional development by providing conference attendance funds for one member in good standing. To apply for the Spring 2025 scholarship, please complete this form by Fri, March 21, at 11 a.m.

A committee of CHESPRA members who were Tim’s colleagues will select one recipient.

Additional Information