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February 10-11, 2026

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AAGT 52nd Annual Conference

Gifted. Seen. Heard. Served.

Rewriting the story—and demanding what’s overdue.

We’re already planning an unforgettable experience for the 2026 Annual Conference, and this year’s theme sets the tone: Gifted. Seen. Heard. Served. This powerful message is more than a tagline—it’s a commitment. We’re rewriting the story for gifted learners and amplifying the voices of those who have too often gone unseen, unheard, or underserved. Expect bold conversations, practical tools, and the inspiration to spark change in your school, district, or community.

We know that travel and professional development budgets are tighter than ever, and we’re working hard to make your registration worth every dollar. You’ll see new value built into the conference experience, including shorter lunch sessions, more breakout options tailored to your needs, and intentional opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow. While the day pattern will remain the same for 2026, we’re already exploring fresh formats for 2027.

Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss what we have in store.

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Past Attendees say it Best:

This was my first time at this conference. It was informative and very energizing. I really appreciated the very open and inclusive environment and also really appreciated how diverse the breakout session offerings were.

Love the sessions that are so engaging with practical allocating strategies… even if not new they help you leave revived and ready to go back and make changes or grow.

I truly enjoyed the entire experience! It was my first time ever going to the conference, and I truly did not know what to expect! It was very apparent, that this group of educators truly love gifted education!

Quality of the speakers is outstanding and nice balance of breakouts, meaning options for teachers, admins and coordinators.

This is one of the best conferences yet! It was super organized, great facility, loved the lunches and entertainment. The student panel was great. I loved the raffle prizes. THe keynotes were inspiring. The breakouts were full of ideas. Thank you!

This year’s conference was amazing. Choosing breakout sessions was challenging, but I hit the jackpot and was very impressed with all six that I attended.

I really enjoy the conference! The courses are very informative and have really helped us to develop our gifted program!

I truly enjoy the break out sessions and the top-notch keynote speakers that AAGT brings to each event. I am excited the Dr. Gallagher is returning in May. (I so enjoyed Dr. Little last year at GCU.) I enjoy the student performers- especially Madeline Rollins. That was a WOW to kick off the conference. Overall, the AAGT conference team puts together a varied line up. I appreciate the effort to look at gifted through many lens, even from the Arizona State Treasurer. The team of teachers we brought from PV this year are newer to gifted. They really were excited about the quality and amount of learning they took in over the two-days.They did not leave the conference overwhelmed or exhausted. Thank you again for another wonderful event.

Conference Venue

Mesa Convention Center

263 N Center St
Mesa, AZ 85201

In the heart of a vibrant downtown, the Mesa Convention Center is located on the southeast corner of University Drive and Center Street.
Complimentary parking is available.

Explore Downtown Mesa

Conference Hotel

Delta Hotel by Marriott Mesa

Room Block Rate – $199

AAGT has secured a special room rate that is significantly lower than any other hotels in the area. Conveniently located adjacent to the Mesa Convention Center. Book your room before January 3, 2025. Rooms booked after this date are subject to availability.

Book Online
Build Your Annual Conference Quote

2-Day Full Access Registration

AAGT Members

$375Early Bird*

Non Member Pricing

$425Early Bird*
Register Today

*Price Increases $50 after 12/15

Your Conference Registration Includes:

  • AAGT Swag Bag filled with gifts and resources

  • Daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments to keep you fueled and focused

  • Face-to-face time with exhibitors who support gifted education

  • Access to 40+ breakout sessions per day designed to inspire, inform, and empower

  • Fun prize opportunities throughout the event—you never know where you’ll win next!

Come ready to be seen, heard, and served as we rewrite the story together.

1-Day Conference Pass

AAGT Members

$245Early Bird*

Non-Members

$295Early Bird*
Register Today

*Price Increases $30 after 12/15

One-Day Conference Registration Includes:
(Choose to attend Tuesday or Wednesday)

  • AAGT Swag Bag filled with gifts and resources

  • Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments on your selected day

  • Access to 20+ breakout sessions designed to elevate your understanding and impact

  • Time to connect with exhibitors supporting gifted learners

  • Chances to win great prizes throughout the day

Even if you’re joining us for just one day, you’ll leave feeling seen, heard, and inspired to serve.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP

Submit Application by October 15th

Available to first time attendees to the AAGT Annual Conference. Up to 10 scholarships will be issued for a full access pass.

Recipients must be a current member of AAGT. 

Submit Application

EXPO HALL TABLE TOP REGISTRATION

Download the Vendor Prospectus

NonProfit Rate

$297Early Bird*
Register Today

*Price Increases $357 after 12/15

  • Eight foot table top (additional tables may be added for $150 each)
  • Registration and meals for 1 attendee (additional attendees may be added for an additional fee) 
  • Receive a registration list of opted-in attendees.
  • Participation in the Vendor Passport to encourage attendees to visit your booth & win prizes
  • Profile listing in our digital program and/or event app

AAGT Partner Rate

$371.25Early Bird*
Register Today

*Price Increases to $446.25 after 12/15

  • Eight foot table top (additional tables may be added for $150 each)
  • Registration and meals for 1 attendee (additional attendees may be added for an additional fee)
  • Receive a registration list of opted-in attendees.
  • Participation in the Vendor Passport to encourage attendees to visit your booth & win prizes
  • Profile listing in our digital program and/or event app

Standard Rate

$495Early Bird*
Register Today

*Price Increases to $595 after 12/15

  • Eight foot table top (additional tables may be added for $150 each)
  • Registration and meals for 1 attendee (additional attendees may be added for an additional fee) 
  • Receive a registration list of opted-in attendees.
  • Participation in the Vendor Passport to encourage attendees to visit your booth & win prizes
  • Profile listing in our digital program and/or event app

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Andi McNair Tuesday Keynote

Andi is the owner and gifted education consultant for A Meaningful Mess, LLC, With 16 years of experience as a classroom teacher, including working with gifted and talented students in a small rural school and almost 10 years as a gifted specialist at ESC Region 12, Andi has dedicated her career to transforming education. Her mission is to empower educators with practical tools and strategies to design meaningful experiences for today’s gifted learners.

As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Andi has presented at numerous conferences, education service centers, and collaborated with school districts to create innovative learning opportunities for students. In 2016, she was recognized as one of the Top People in Education to Watch by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences.

She is the author of Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry, A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher’s Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment, and Keeping It All Together Without Losing Your Mind, Ready-to-Use Resources for Genius Hour in the Classroom: Taking Passion Projects to the Next Level, and Designing for Depth in the Classroom: A Framework for Purposeful Differentiation.

A passionate advocate for gifted learners, Andi thrives in helping educators find practical solutions to meet their unique needs. She believes that every learner deserves experiences that are not only educational but transformative, and she is committed to making these experiences both achievable and impactful for educators.

Keynote Session
Coming Soon
Breakout Session
Coming Soon

Emily Kircher-Morris Wednesday Keynote

Emily Kircher-Morris, M.A., M.Ed., LPC, inspired by her own experiences as a twice-exceptional (2e) learner, is dedicated to supporting 2e children—including her own—in a way she wasn’t during her academic years. She has taught in gifted classrooms, has been a school counselor, and is now in private practice as a licensed professional counselor, where she specializes in helping gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent kids.

Emily is the author of several books related to the development of twice-exceptional learners. “Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classroom” (Free Spirit Publishing, 2021) focuses on supporting 2e learners in the educational setting, and “Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids” (Routledge, 2022) is a guide for parents navigating the world of twice-exceptionality. She is also a co-author on the second edition of “A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children” (Gifted Unlimited, LLC, 2023). Her most recent book, “Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools: Transforming Practices So All Students Feel Accepted and Supported” was released in January 2025.

Emily hosts The Neurodiversity Podcast, which explores parenting, counseling techniques, and best practices for enriching the lives of neurodivergent people. She is the founder of the St. Louis-based nonprofit Gifted Support Network. She speaks at statewide, national, and international conferences and frequently provides virtual and in-person professional development to educators worldwide. Many of her presentations and workshops can also be found at the Neurodiversity University online learning platform. Emily lives near St. Louis, Missouri.

Keynote Session

A Little Weird is Good

For this fun and unique presentation, Emily embraces everything that is good about being “a little weird.” She discusses the importance of living authentically, the impact of masking/camouflaging for neurodivergent people, and the importance of risk taking. Emily wraps up this talk by playing an original song, “A Little Weird is Good” on her ukulele.

Embrace neurodiversity and lean into the weird! Neurodivergent people are a bit different, but these differences are what make the world a vibrant and thriving place. Rather than conforming, kids can live their authentic lives – through vulnerability, self-advocacy, risk-taking… and not being afraid of being a little weird.

Breakout Sessions

Pobody’s Nerfect: Strategies to Support Perfectionistic Tendencies

One child panics when a single mistake is made. Another child breaks down when asked to work in groups. A third child has low self-esteem and refuses to turn in work. What do they all have in common? They are all perfectionists. While many professionals who work with children are able to recognize perfectionism when they see it, they may be unsure how to help a child overcome this barrier. This presentation will give specific strategies to use in the classroom or counseling setting to work both individually and in groups with students to overcome perfectionism.

Sidekick Wanted: High-Ability Kids and the Friendships They Want/Need

Social relationships for high-ability children and teens can sometimes be difficult to manage. Emotional intensity and advanced cognitive development can make it hard for some students to develop the deep and meaningful peer relationships they desire, leaving them feeling frustrated and lonely. What are the causes of this disconnect? How can educators recognize and support students as they navigate these stages? Does bullying impact high-potential learners more than other children? You’ll leave this session with ideas and strategies to support the social connection of gifted students in your classroom.

Call for Breakout Session Proposals

Proposals Due by Sunday, October 19

✨ Welcome to the 2026 AAGT Annual Conference Proposal Submission!

Arizona’s largest gifted education conference returns with the theme:
Gifted. Seen. Heard. Served.
Rewriting the story—and demanding what’s overdue.

We’re looking for educators, researchers, and advocates to share innovative strategies that ensure gifted learners are recognized, supported, and served.

Key Details:

  • Present live, in person (45-minute session + 10-minute Q&A)

  • Register and remain on site the full day you present

  • Sessions recorded for our Virtual Conference Package (opt-out available)

  • Optional pre-recording = extra discount

Submit Proposal

2026 AAGT Annual Awards

Nomination Packets are Due by December 1, 2025

Please review the criteria, required documents and the rubric to ensure that your nomination packet is complete at submission. AAGT continues to work towards making sure these awards are of the highest caliber and a distinguished honor to the recipients.

Recipient History

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year

AAGT presents annually the Gifted Education Teacher of the Year Award to an individual currently teaching K-12 gifted students in a classroom or in a context such as a pullout class for gifted students. This individual demonstrates best practices in gifted education, displays exemplary knowledge of gifted students and demonstrates the ability to accommodate academic learning differences, including the social and emotional issues unique to gifted students, and implements equitable and culturally responsive practices in gifted education.

Submit Nomination

Gifted Education Leadership Award

AAGT annually presents a Gifted  Education Leadership Award to an individual who brings about change that results in improved services within a district or change that has a state-wide impact. These individuals may be a district gifted coordinator, principal, superintendent, school board member, counselor, college/university faculty member or others in a leadership position. The contributions of this individual may include: development or growth of district-wide programming that meets the needs of gifted students; identification practices that minimize bias, implement programming that meets the academic and affective needs of diverse gifted learners; provides professional development that supports teachers and leaders on the needs of advanced learners, and advocates within the district for gifted education and gifted children.

Submit Nomination

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted

AAGT annually presents the Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award to a recipient who consistently supports the mission and vision of AAGT through advocating for the support of gifted education opportunities and appropriate gifted education funding throughout the state of Arizona for the benefit of Arizona’s diverse population of gifted and talented students. This recipient may be a parent, a group, a state or federally elected official, or a member of the business community or media.

Submit Nomination

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement

AAGT occasionally presents the Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who over an extended period of time has devoted time, expertise and resources to the advancement of gifted education in the state of Arizona and nationally so that gifted children of all races, cultures and groups have had the opportunity to achieve their full potential. This award is typically awarded at the end of career/post career.

Submit Nomination
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