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February 8-9, 2027

Mesa Convention Center

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AAGT 53rd Annual Conference

Celebrating Brilliance in All Its Forms

Giftedness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s bright ideas, big questions, endless curiosity, bold creativity, unexpected perspectives and, yes, sometimes a little glorious chaos.

Join Arizona’s gifted education community February 8–9 for two days of inspiring speakers, practical strategies, innovative ideas and meaningful connections with people who understand the privilege and challenge of supporting gifted learners.

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, counselor, parent, advocate or someone working to make gifted education better, there’s a place for you here.

Because when brilliant people come together, amazing things happen. ✨

Past Attendees say it Best:

I really had an AHA moment regarding passion projects. In our school, students spend some time researching future careers with an online program called Major Clarity. At the middles school level, it isn’t very engaging for them. A passion project is an excellent was to let them express themselves while researching what they really love. I also really enjoyed being able to speak with other teachers and compare how they deal with challenges in the gifted classroom.

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.

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Stephanie Higgs Monday Keynote

​L​ittle Miss Gifted, Stephanie Higgs, is an award-winning, Nashville-living gifted educator and differentiation coach who is currently pursuing her PhD in Neurodiverse Studies with William Carey University.

Stephanie is a quick thinking, fast talking, passionate keynote speaker, author, and international presenter. Stephanie is known for offering sessions with immediate, easily implemented, research and evidence-based, FUN takeaways.

Stephanie’s your #1 hype girl, here to love and serve. You’ll leave her session energized, equipped, and empowered for an educational glow up!

✨ Activate the Superpowers of Neurodiversity

Most educators and parents receive little formal training on neurodivergence, yet an estimated 20% of the population is neurodivergent. That means every classroom and every community includes learners whose minds work in wonderfully different ways, whether we recognize it or not.

The real challenge? We don’t always recognize what we don’t understand. Behaviors that seem confusing or challenging may be communicating something important about how a child experiences the world.

This keynote shines a spotlight on what has been invisible for too long. It makes the misunderstood understood and the unsupported empowered, revealing the brilliance that may be hidden beneath the surface.

Neurodivergent children are often misunderstood, mislabeled or supported in ways that don’t meet their needs. This session equips educators, parents and caregivers to see the brilliance behind the behaviors, decode the communication behind the chaos and become the allies every neurodivergent learner deserves.

Because when we understand how every mind shines, we create opportunities for every learner to sparkle. ✨

Dr. Emily Mofield Tuesday Keynote

Dr. Emily Mofield is an Associate Professor at Lipscomb University, an award winning author of more than 13 books, and a nationally recognized speaker in gifted education. 

Her work focuses on equipping teachers with practical strategies they can use right away to promote deeper learning and extend student thinking. She is the co-author of Collaboration, Coteaching, and Coaching in Gifted Education (NAGC Book of the Year, 2021) and best-seller Vertical Differentiation, and is currently working on her next book, Beyond the Screen: Tools for Deep Thinking and Meaningful Inquiry in a Digital World.

Emily lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, daughter, and darling poodle. When she’s not working with educators, you can find her riding the Peloton bike and playing piano (but not at the same time!).

✨ Reimagining Brilliance: Transforming Potential into Realized Talent

What is the role of gifted education, how has it changed and where are we going? The past several years have challenged many of our assumptions while opening the door to new possibilities and new ways for brilliance to shine.

At the same time, today’s students are growing up in a rapidly changing world that calls for deeper thinking, creativity and adaptability. In this keynote, Emily presents practical strategies to stretch student thinking, a fresh perspective on developing talent and renewed confidence in sharing the purpose of gifted education with others.

Discover how we can nurture the unique brilliance in every gifted learner and help their potential truly shine. ✨

✨ Two Days. One Brilliant Community. ✨

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Practical Learning

Choose from dozens of breakout sessions designed to give you ideas and strategies you can actually use.
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Inspiring Voices

Learn from nationally recognized keynote speakers and gifted education leaders.
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Meaningful Connections

Meet educators, coordinators, parents, advocates and others who understand gifted learners.
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Resources + Ideas

Explore the Exhibit Hall and discover tools, organizations and resources supporting gifted education.
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Professional Development

Earn up to 11 professional development hours across two conference days.
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A Little Fun Too

Great food, prizes, conference swag and plenty of opportunities to connect and celebrate.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Educator & Professional Registration

Need district approval?

We've got you covered.

Create a personalized conference quote to share with your school or district before completing registration.

BUILD YOUR QUOTE ONLINE

2-Day Full Access Registration

AAGT Member PLUS

$395Early Bird through December 15

General Registration

$465Early Bird through December 15
Register Today

Your Conference Registration Includes:

  • Both keynote sessions
  • 20+ breakout session choices each day
  • Up to 11 PD hours
  • Breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments both days
  • Exhibit Hall access
  • AAGT conference swag bag
  • Prize opportunities throughout the conference
  • Access to available recorded sessions after the event

1-Day Conference Pass

AAGT Member PLUS

$265Early Bird through December 15

General Registration

$295Early Bird through December 15
Register Today

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

  • Keynote session on your selected day
  • 20+ breakout session choices on your selected day
  • Up to 6 PD hours
  • Breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments on your selected day
  • Exhibit Hall access
  • AAGT conference swag bag
  • Prize opportunities throughout the conference
  • Access to available recorded sessions after the event

AAGT Member Plus: Exclusive discounted pricing for current Member Plus members, and so much more!

General Registration: Includes a complimentary AAGT Free Membership, giving you access to AAGT CommUnity, our online community for gifted families, educators and advocates, plus AAGT email communications and resources.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP

Submit Application by October 19th

AAGT will award up to 10 scholarships for first-time attendees to experience the full two-day conference.

Recipients must be a current member of AAGT. 

Submit Application

✨ NEW FOR 2027: Parent & Homeschool Day

Monday, February 8

Parents, caregivers and homeschool families, there’s a place for you at the AAGT Annual Conference!

Join us for a full day designed with gifted families in mind, including parent-focused sessions, homeschool options, Monday’s keynote with Stephanie Higgs, the Exhibit Hall, Parent Networking Hour, meals, conference swag and more.

Early Bird Registration: $170 Member Plus | $195 General

EXPLORE PARENT & HOMESCHOOL DAY

✨ Share Your Brilliance at AAGT 2027

Breakout Session Proposals Due October 19

Have a strategy, idea or practice that could help Arizona’s gifted education community? We’re looking for educators, researchers and advocates to share innovative approaches supporting gifted learners.

Submit A Proposal

Schedule of Events

Monday, February 8

7:00 AM – Registration, Expo Hall, and Breakfast

8:00 AM – Welcome

8:30 AM – Keynote Session – Stephanie Higgs

9:30 AM – Break & Visit our Vendors

10:00 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:00 AM – Break

11:15 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:15 PM – Lunch, Raffle Prizes, Visit our Vendors

1:30 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

2:30 PM  – Break

2:45 PM  – Spotlight Session (Worth 1 PD Hour)

4:00 PM – Conference Networking Hour
Connect with gifted coordinators, classroom teachers, parents, advocates and fellow attendees. (1 PD Hour available for eligible attendees.)

6 PD Hours Possible

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, February 9

7:00 AM – Registration, Expo Hall and Breakfast

8:00 AM – Welcome and AAGT Board Introductions

8:30 AM – Keynote Session – Dr. Emily Mofield

9:30 AM – Break & Visit our Vendors

10:00 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:00 AM – Break

11:15 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:15 PM – Lunch, Raffle Prizes, Visit our Vendors

1:30 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

2:30 PM – Break

2:45 PM – Breakout Session 4

5 PD Hours Possible

✨ EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS ✨

Connect with Arizona's gifted education community

Showcase your organization, share resources and build relationships with hundreds of educators, administrators, counselors, parents, homeschool families and advocates from across Arizona.

Non-Profit Rate

$325Early Bird through 12/15
Register Today

AAGT Partner Rate

$425Early Bird through 12/15
Register Today

Standard Rate

$595Early Bird through 12/15
Register Today

✨ Help Brilliance Shine ✨

Sponsorship opportunities are available at a range of levels, from accessible conference enhancements to keynote and presenting sponsorships.

VIEW EXHIBITOR & SPONSOR PROSPECTUS
BECOME A SPONSOR

Our 2027 Champions of Gifted Education

Together, these organizations are helping create an inspiring and accessible conference experience for educators across Arizona.

Interested in joining this incredible group? Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

2027 AAGT Annual Awards ✨

Help us celebrate the people making a difference for Arizona's gifted learners.

Nominations are now open for AAGT’s 2027 Annual Awards, recognizing outstanding educators, leaders and advocates whose work strengthens gifted education.

Nomination packets are due December 1, 2026.

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Gifted Education Leadership Award
Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award

EXPLORE AWARDS & SUBMIT A NOMINATION

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 December 31, 2026. Rooms booked after this date are subject to availability.

Book Online
SHOP THE 2027 COLLECTION

2027 AAGT Conference Collection ✨

✨ A Little Something Brilliant ✨

Wear it. Stick it. Write brilliant ideas in it.

Our 2027 Conference Collection includes the official conference T-shirt, sticker and notebook, all featuring this year’s colorful All That Glitters is Gifted design.

Even better, every purchase supports AAGT’s mission to advocate for and serve Arizona’s gifted learners.

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