National experts from Fortune 500 firms, education law, and Ron Clark Academy headline two-day event in Little Rock

As schools nationwide face increased competition for students and families' attention, Apptegy, a leading provider of communication and brand management solutions for school districts, announces the return of SchoolCEO Conference 2025, a specialized gathering designed to equip education leaders with proven strategies for attracting and retaining families in today's school choice landscape. The two-day conference, taking place September 24-25, 2025, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, will feature nationally recognized experts who work with Fortune 500 companies and elite educational institutions.

The conference theme, "What Parents Want: Breaking Through the Noise in an Era of Choice," directly addresses the critical challenge facing superintendents, communications leaders, and principals as they compete for enrollment .

The conference will feature four nationally recognized keynote speakers, each bringing unique expertise to help school leaders understand and connect with modern families:

• The Mom Complex’s Katherine Wintsch and Lauren Fitzgerald, sharing research on how to reach mothers, the primary decision-makers in 85% of household education choices.
• William D. Parker, award-winning principal and host of the Principal Matters podcast, on how campus leaders can shape district brands.
• Derek Black, constitutional law professor at the University of South Carolina, on the history and policy context of school choice.
• Michael Bonner, of the Ron Clark Academy, on turning every enrollment interaction into a competitive advantage.

“Although school choice is not new, education leaders are operating in a fundamentally different environment than they were even five years ago," said Tyler Vawser, VP of Marketing at Apptegy. "Parents have more choices than ever, and they're making decisions based on communication, brand perception, and word-of-mouth that many districts and schools haven't fully embraced. This conference brings together the expertise these leaders need to compete and to thrive."

The conference is limited to 500 attendees to ensure an intimate, interactive experience specifically designed for superintendents, communications leaders, public relations directors, principals, campus leaders, and family engagement directors who are tasked with building enrollment and community trust in an increasingly competitive environment. The conference features zero vendor booths and focuses exclusively on actionable content.

“The School CEO conference is where you reconnect with your purpose as a school communications leader,” said Katherine Crnkovich, APR, CPRC, Communications Officer of Seminole County Public Schools. “Surrounded by inspiring peers and energized by thought provoking keynote speakers, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and the clarity to show up fully for the work that matters, telling your district’s story.”

Registration is open at https://www.apptegy.com/conference/. The conference rate includes all meals, materials, and networking events, with special hotel rates available at the Little Rock Marriott.

About Apptegy Apptegy is the leading communications platform for K-12 school districts, serving hundreds of school systems across the United States. The company's integrated suite of tools helps school leaders build stronger brands, improve family engagement, and increase enrollment through strategic communication. Apptegy puts school brands first, providing districts with branded, centralized communication tools that build community trust and drive results. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Apptegy is committed to helping every school district tell their story effectively and connect authentically with their communities.

About SchoolCEO SchoolCEO is a research and perspectives magazine for superintendents and other K-12 leaders, with more than 25,000 readers. Published quarterly in print and online, SchoolCEO is the only magazine focused on marketing and communications in K-12 public education, equipping educators with actionable ideas to brand and market their schools in a competitive environment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825833250/en/

“The School CEO conference is where you reconnect with your purpose as a school communications leader,” said Katherine Crnkovich, APR, CPRC, Communications Officer of Seminole County Public Schools