Advancement Institute 2026
May 6, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond
During this in-person event, we will explore best practices and innovations to advance the mission of your independent school. This full-day event, built to support work across independent school divisions, includes engaging speakers; an assortment of curated sponsors; plenty of time for peer collaboration; and concurrent sessions for Admissions, Communications & Marketing, and Development teams. Our host venue, The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, provides a fantastic backdrop in which to explore ways in which lessons from the past can be applied to challenges of the present, in service to stronger VAIS schools in the future.
Click here to view the Tentative Schedule
FEATURING Dr. Unnatti Jain
Dr. Unnatti Jain is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and author who inspires audiences across organizations, schools, and universities. With decades of experience, she empowers individuals and teams to embrace personal growth, leadership development, and navigate generational differences. Her work with teens, parents, and professionals offers valuable insights into behavior and intergenerational dynamics, fostering connection, growth, and success. Jain brings a unique, purpose-driven perspective to her speaking engagements, helping parents to deepen connections with their children; guiding educators to engage diverse student populations; and supporting organizations with building collaborative, multi-generational workforces. Through her engaging talks, Jain motivates communities to bridge generational divides and create environments rooted in understanding and transformation.
Conference Keynote: Understanding Generational Mindsets: Building Schools That Connect Across Ages
Every aspect of independent schools— financial planning, human resources, admissions, communications and marketing, and philanthropy — depends on trust and connection across generations. Parents, staff, alumni, and donors all bring different values, expectations, and decision-making styles. This keynote will unpack how generational mindsets shape financial behaviors, workplace expectations, enrollment choices, and giving patterns. You can expect practical strategies to align leadership, culture, and storytelling so that your schools will thrive today and for the generations ahead.
Spotlight Session:
The State of the Industry
Allison Davis, Associate Director of Membership & Business Development, Enrollment Management Association
The 2026 State of the Independent School Enrollment Industry Report (SOTI) is EMA’s flagship research project, providing a snapshot of the independent school enrollment management industry approximately every three years. The 2026 update is EMA’s fifth edition of the report, with the most recent report published in 2023.
This session will share the latest findings from the 2026 SOTI Report, highlighting trends and shifts in enrollment demand, staffing, salary ranges, marketing efforts, and more across the U.S. Attendees will also explore Virginia-specific insights and learn how to use EMA’s interactive SOTI dashboard to examine data by region, school type, and other factors—empowering schools to make data-informed enrollment management decisions.
REGISTRATION:
| Who? | Fee: |
| VAIS Members | $295 |
| Non – VAIS Members | $590 |
REGISTRATION/REFUND DEADLINE: April 22
VAIS has arranged a room block at this nearby hotel:
Graduate by Hilton Richmond
Use this link to book your hotel room by April 5.
Please email Darcie TeVault with any questions.
EVENT SPONSORS:
Click HERE to learn more about VAIS sponsorship opportunities.
