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2023/01/11 08:00:00
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AAGT 49th Annual Conference

“The best way for people [children included] to grow and develop is to identify how they most naturally think, feel, and behave — their talents — then build on those talents to create strengths, or the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance.”

AAGT’s Conference theme this year is “Tap Into Talent” and we want to share keynote and breakout sessions that will focus on how we can better tap into our own talents as educators, help identify hidden talents in students, guide parents to better support their child’s talents, or give students the confidence to share their many talents.

Please join us either in-person for two full days of learning, networking, and gifted education synergy! Sessions on talent development, differentiation, technology integration, Arizona’s K-12 Academic Standards, social/emotional needs of gifted individuals, and much more will be offered.

Past Attendees say it Best:

This was such a great event to come to as a brand new Gifted teacher. We really had zero direction when starting up our program, so this was so helpful!

Heather

Teacher

This was such a comprehensive conference! You have it all! Anchoring to the “WHY” we support gifted students, addressing the myths and barriers, and providing solutions and hacks to improving gifted education was non-stop! Keynotes and breakout sessions were all top notch! Can’t wait for next year!

Jennifer

Gifted Coordinator

I’m really rethinking my definition of gifted. I’m thinking about the way we identify gifted children and local norms and everything that goes along with that.

Amy

Teacher

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to hear directly from experts in the field of gifted education. Learning about the latest research findings and expert insights helps inform my teaching practices, allowing me to better serve my students.

Melissa

Teacher

I love the opportunity to be immersed in all things gifted every year with individuals that share that same passion. It always inspires, reignites, and helps me reframe. Thank you, AAGT!

Vicki

Gifted Coordinator

I really enjoyed the whole conference. I loved collaborating with new and familiar faces! My favorite sessions were those who had high energy, great modeling and practical takeaways to use right away in the classroom!

Brandy

Teacher

This has been on my bucket list for years. I am so proud to be among amazing educators in our state and valued hearing from all of the people who are advocating for our children in the state.

Amanda

District Coordinator

I enjoyed all the sessions and I am planning on watching the recordings of other sessions that I wanted to attend.

Adriana

Teacher

As a first time attendee, I left energized with fresh ideas to motivate as well as support the social and emotional needs of my gifted learners.

Lisa

Teacher

The conference was time well spent! I plan to convey much of the information to my co-workers when I return to school through PD. It’s always so refreshing and revitalizing to learn from the leaders in our discipline and each other! Thank you for a great experience!

Robert

Teacher

It is always refreshing to attend the conference. To be surrounded by a quirky and dedicated set of educators. It’s my favorite time of the year.

Jessie

Teacher

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 – $165

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 28, 2022.

Book Your Room

Attendee Registration

Choose to attend in-person or purchase access to breakout sessions after the live event, and earn up to 40 Professional Development Hours! All attendees will have access to event portal and breakout session recordings for six months.

Registration Includes:

  • AAGT Swag Bags stuffed with fun gifts and information
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Break
  • A chance to visit with exhibitors in person and win prizes
  • National Keynote Speakers Dr. Brian Housand and Dr. Angela Housand + Student Panel Discussion, ASU Barrett College Student Speaker and more!
  • Choose up to 7 breakout sessions per day to join in-person, watch the remaining recordings post event on your own schedule.
  • Attendees who stay to the very end session and check-in via QR Code will be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

NON-MEMBER RATE

$450 Per Attendee

Registration will closes 5:00 PM on January 6, 2023

AAGT MEMBER RATE

$400 Per Attendee

Registration will closes 5:00 PM on January 6, 2023

Purchase Virtual Event Portal Access Only
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EXPO HALL TABLE TOP REGISTRATION

$350 AAGT Partners | $450 NonPartners

Early bird pricing will end December 1, 2022, pricing will increase $50

Please join us either in-person or virtually for two full days of networking and sharing gifted education resources to educators throughout Arizona!

Your registration will include

Eight foot table top

Registration and meals for 1 attendee (additional attendees may be added for a fee)

Small Vendor Profile in event app

Receive a registration list of opted-in attendees.

Participation in the Vendor Passport to encourage attendees to visit your booth and win prizes

Reserve Your Tabletop
Download the Vendor Prospectus

Bronze Advertisement Package

$100 Add-on to Table or Purchase Separately for Virtual Presence
  • Small Profile in event app- May include all social media links, documentation, and calls to action
  • Ad in slideshow in general session
  • Quarter page ad in printed program

Silver Advertisement Package

$200 Add-on to Table or Purchase Separately for Virtual Presence
  • Large Profile in event app- May include all social media links, documentation, and calls to action
  • Half page ad in printed program
  • Ad in slideshow in general session
  • Tote bag insert included
  • Social Media Post

Gold Advertisement Package

$300 Add-on to Table or Purchase Separately for Virtual Presence
  • Large Profile in event app – May include all social media links, documentation, and calls to action
  • 2 Minute Promotional Video in event app
  • Ad in slideshow in general session
  • Full page ad in printed program
  • Tote bag insert included
  • Social Media Post

Sponsorship Opportunities

Show your support at the AAGT Annual Conference!

The sponsorships below automatically will have gold advertising package added. All sponsorships will be listed on our website, social media and email marketing campaigns.

Lanyard/Name Badge Sponsor – Your logo on attendee lanyards 

Tote Bag Sponsor – Your Logo on conference tote bags given to every attendee

Program Printing Sponsor – Full Page COLOR ad in premiere location on back of the program + signage at registration next to programs

Breakfast Sponsorship – Poster with your logo at banquet tables during breakfast

Lunch Sponsorship – Poster with your logo at banquet tables during lunch

Wifi Sponsorship – Signage throughout the venue with wifi instructions and your logo

Event App Sponsor – Event app banner ad with link to your profile. Signage with download instructions and your logo.

Afternoon Snack Sponsorship – Poster with your logo at banquet tables during breaks

Photo Booth Sponsorship – Your logo on the border of all digital photos and poster next to photo booth

Parent Night Refreshment Sponsorship – Poster with your logo at the event

Purchase Sponsorship

Thank You Sponsors!

Parent Night Refreshment Sponsor

Tote Bag Sponsor

Program Printing Sponsor

Wifi Sponsor

Raffle Prize Donors

Attendees will have a chance to win fabulous prizes from our wonderful donors!

One year of Meal Planning Services (5 Available)

School Site License ($10000 Value)

Gift Basket

Scavenger Hunts by Let’s Roam

All Access Accelerator License
(Five available)

Meet Our Keynotes!

ANGELA HOUSAND, PH.D.

Practice? Practice. Practice!

You may have heard that too much practice leads to boredom for gifted students. You may have also been told that developing talent into elite performance requires practice. Conflicting ideas? Maybe…it really depends on the goal. Together, we will delve into the complex concepts of talent development, “practice” and its role in achievement. You’ll walk away with ideas to think about, strategies to use in the classroom, and maybe even a new perspective on “practice”.

Plus Two Breakout Sessions!

Social Emotional Learning: A Foundation for Talent Development
Fail Early, Fail Fast!

BRIAN HOUSAND, PH.D.

Taylor Swift, a Supermarket, & the Saguaro Cactus

Yes, you read that right! Taylor Swift, a Supermarket, and the Saguaro Cactus! At first glance, this may seem like a random collection of nouns in a game of Mad Libs, but this person, place, and thing have a great deal to teach us about developing talent in our gifted learners. We will analyze the unique characteristics of each and discover some practical strategies to incorporate in your learning environment.

Plus Two Breakout Sessions!

The Struggle is Real: Recognizing and Responding to #giftedkidburnout
UNTITLED: Developing Creative Talents in Your Students and You

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, January 11

7:30 AM – Breakfast & Expo Hall

8:30 AM – Welcome

8:45 AM – Keynote Dr. Angela Housand

9:45 AM – Break & Visit Expo Hall

10:15 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:15 AM – Break Buffet

11:30 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:30 PM – Lunch Buffet

1:30 PM – Panel Discussion

2:00 PM – College Student Keynote Speaker

2:30PM  – Break & Visit Expo Hall

3:00 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

5:00 PM – Parent Night with SENG
Light refreshments served, sponsored by ASU Herberger Young Scholars Academy

Schedule of Events

Thursday, January 12

7:30 AM – Breakfast Buffet

8:30 AM – Welcome 

8:45 AM – Keynote Dr Brian Housand

9:45 AM – Break & Visit Expo Hall

10:15 AM – Breakout Session 1 

11:15 AM – Break

11:30 AM – Breakout Session 2

12:30 PM – Lunch Buffet

1:30 PM – AAGT Spotlight Session &  Awards

2:30 PM  – Break & Visit Expo Hall

3:00 PM  – Breakout Session 3 

4:00 PM –  End of Day  – Check out with an AAGT Volunteer and be entered to win a prize for staying through the entire conference!

Our Breakout Session lineup is now available!

Click tabs at the bottom to toggle between January 11 and January 12.

Schedule subject to change

Click to View All Breakout Sessions

Student Talent Showcase

Tap Into Your Talent!

Thank you for your interest in participating in our Annual Conference online student talent showcase! The Showcase will be accessible to those who register for the AAGT Annual Conference via Webex Events App and via a Youtube Video Showcase.

What we are looking for?

Anything and everything your student/child is talented at including:

  • Musical acts including playing instruments or singing
  • Dance numbers
  • Sports videos
  • Coding projects
  • STEM Projects
  • Writing Samples
  • Dramatic Acts
  • Standup Comedy
  • Art pieces including paintings, sketches, pottery, photography, wood work, metal work, etc
  • And more!
AAGT Virtual Talent Showcase 2023 Guidelines
  • Videos of talents should be no more than 2 minutes in length.
  • All performers are restricted to one act only due to the volume of acts expected.  Acts can be performed as a single act or group act.
  • No act or music with inappropriate lyrics, gestures or costume is allowed.
  • The playlist order of the Talent Showcase will reflect a mix of different types of talents and grades and will not be based on level of performance/quality.
  • By participating in the talent show you/your child agrees to being on the AAGT YouTube channel, facebook page, website and newsletters.

Submissions will be accepted through December 30, 2022

Submit Your Student(s)Talent
Please list any other students in act and their grade.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Images like .png, .gif, .jpg Documents such as .doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf Audio like .wav, .mp3, .mp4 Video like .mpg, .mov, .wmv
In lieu of file upload
Short description of what is submitted. For artwork include mediums and title of piece.
By selecting this box, you are confirming you are an adult 18 years or older and that you are either the parent or have received parental consent to use the minor's submissions on the AAGT Event App and Social Media.

Featuring Adam Laningham

SENG President Elect
SENG Logo

AAGT Gifted Parent Night for Supporting the Social & Emotional Needs of Your Child

Wednesday, January 11 • 5:30 PM

Virtual or In-Person Available!

Free for AAGT Members and Conference Attendees. $15 for Nonmembers. Limited to first 100 in-person registrations.

The Impact of Trauma in Gifted Children and Strategies to Support Them

Research is continuing to show us the effects trauma has on the brain, and its impact on our children. It is especially important to understand this for our gifted population as many gifted children are already struggling with their asynchronous development, fitting into society, and working through the school system. Gifted children are just as likely to suffer from other traumas as any other child; however, their unique sensitivities and pressures they are already under put them at a unique risk. This presentation will help participants better understand the impact of trauma as well as provide specific strategies to support our gifted children.

Register Today
Download and Share the Parent Night Flyer
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