Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) Ft. Worth – 2026

Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) Fort Worth – 2026

June 17, 2026 - June 20, 2026

Fort Worth, TX

The annual Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) is the flagship training conference for the Texas Association of School Boards. SLI is designed to meet the needs of school board members, school district personnel, and education service center board members.

You have a choice to attend the Institute that best fits your summer plans: San Antonio or our North Texas location. The schedules, general session speakers, and offerings for newly elected school board members and board officers are exactly the same at both Institutes.

Learn More About SLI

Curious about Summer Leadership Institute? Watch the 2025 SLI Fort Worth recap to see highlights, hear from participants, and get a feel for the learning, networking, and leadership development that make SLI such a meaningful experience.

Registration Is Open

San Antonio

Early registration: Wednesday, April 15-Tuesday, May 12
Cost: $535
Standard registration: Wednesday, May 13-Tuesday, June 9
Cost: $560
On-site registration: Wednesday, June 10-Saturday, June 13
Cost: $610

Ft. Worth

Early registration: Wednesday, April 15-Wednesday, May 19
Cost: $535
Standard registration: Thursday, May 20-Tuesday, June 16
Cost: $560
On-site registration: Wednesday, June 17-Saturday, June 21
Cost: $610

Registration FAQ

Find answers to questions about registering your team for Summer Leadership Institute (SLI).

Which registration type is right for my trustee?

This year, we have three different registration “tracks” that you can choose from for your trustee.

General Attendee: For those who plan to attend the full conference, but not Texas Trustee Institute for new board members or Board Officer Institute.
Texas Trustee Institute: Designed for newly elected trustees, this is a 2-part session beginning on Thursday with part 1 and conculding on Friday with part 2. Attendees will attend the general session following breakfast, then head to the TTI session. (lunch provided)
Board Officer Institute: In-depth training for board officers or those aspiring to be an officer. Attendees will attend the general session, following breakfast, then head to the BOI session. (lunch provided)

My trustee(s) is/are no longer able to attend SLI in San Antonio/Fort Worth and would like to change locations. How do I do that?

Open the registration confirmation email from registrar@tasb.org and click Edit Order.
Log in using your TASB credentials.
Click Cancel Registrant under the name of the attendee who is no longer attending.
When selecting a cancellation reason, please select Attending SLI-San Antonio Instead or Attending SLI-Fort Worth Instead.
Register for the other location.
In your confirmation, you will receive information to reserve hotel accommodations in the new host city.
TASB Registrars will process any refunds or invoicing changes that are needed behind the scenes.

Important: You will need to contact CHM or Hotel directly to cancel the original hotel room. If it is the Friday before either location, you must reach out to your hotel directly to change the name or cancel.

If it is before the deadline, please reach out to CHM directly.

Call 800-563-6493 or email sli@chmrooms.com.

I had an election and I need to register a new board member for an event. 

First, update your district’s member profile from your TASB dashboard after logging in.
Under My Services, expand Leadership, and then click Member Profile. 
Click Board/Officers.
Click Change next to the board member who is no longer with the district and then select Remove From Position. 
Enter the last day they were on the board, and then click Remove. 
With Board/Officers selected, click Add, and then select New Member. 
Fill out the information for the new board member and click Save. 
Go to the registration page for the location they plan to attend and register them.
The newly added board member should appear in your Select Existing Account list.  
Complete the registration and you will receive an email confirmation.

I had an election and need to substitute the registration for a board member. 

If a registration order has already been placed and you need to substitute, or switch out one the former board members for a new board member on the order, follow these steps:

First, update your district’s member profile from your TASB dashboard after logging in.
Under My Services, expand Leadership, and then click Member Profile. 
Click Board/Officers.
Click Change next to the board member who is no longer with the district and then select Remove From Position. 
Enter the last day they were on the board, and then click Remove. 
With Board/Officers selected, click Add, and then select New Member. 
Fill out the information for the new board member and click Save. 
Open the registration confirmation email from registrar@tasb.org and click Edit Order
In the new window, you will click Edit under the name of the registrant you need to substitute
- Please note, you may need to enable pop ups for this feature to work.
Select the name of the new board member from the Select Existing Account list.
Complete the registration and you will receive an email confirmation.

Additional Information

San Antonio June 10-13, 2026
Fort Worth June 17-20
Registration for both locations opens April 15
Registration: registrar@tasb.org
Housing: SLI@chmrooms.com or call 800-563-6493
SLI FAQ
Event Terms and Conditions
Contact us directly for support at 800-580-8822

Summer Leadership Institute, Fort Worth is being held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel located at 1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Selecting Hotels

All main events (general sessions, education sessions, and meals) will take place at the Omni Hotel.

All reservation requests must be made through Convention Housing Management (CHM) and its housing website. CHM is the official SLI housing coordinator. Housing for SLI will only be available to registered attendees.

New for SLI 2026: the housing link will be available both here and within the registration confirmation email.

Book Fort Worth Housing Now!

Important Housing Reminders for Fort Worth

Last day to cancel before CHM $25 fee is Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Last day to book housing and guarantee discount rate is Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

For questions related to housing, please call 800-563-6493 or email sli@chmrooms.com.

Fort Worth Hotels	Address	Rate	Distance from HQ
Fairfield Inn Fort Worth Downtown	1010 Houston Street Fort Worth, TX 76102	$169	0.2 mile (3 min. walk)
Hilton Fort Worth	815 Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76102	$209	0.4 mile (8 min. walk)
Kimpton Harper Fort Worth	714 Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76102	$217	0.5 mile (9 min. walk)
Omni Fort Worth Hotel	1300 Houston Street Fort Worth, TX 76102	$219	Headquarter Hotel
Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel	1701 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102	$200	0.2 mile (5 min. walk)

Housing FAQ

Find answers to questions about housing and shuttles.

The hotel my board wants to stay at is not available. What do I do?

BEFORE REGISTRATION OPENS, have your group select their top three hotels, so that if your top choice is booked, you can easily select your second or third choice. If the headquarter hotel is full, book an available hotel and then join the waitlist.

If and when your desired hotel becomes available, Convention Housing Management (CHM) will promptly notify you. This is typically one to two weeks before check-in date.

To get on the waitlist, you must make a reservation at one of the available hotels listed. After making your reservation, return to the main housing page and select the “Waitlist” icon in the right-hand column. Please be aware that the waitlist operates solely on cancellations and does not guarantee a reservation.

I have a board member who is handicap-accessible and must be at headquarter hotel. How do I request a handicap accessible room?

To request a handicap accessible room please follow these steps:

Register first for the conference to receive the housing link.
Enter your Arrival Date, Departure Date, and Number of rooms, then click Search.
Select your desired Hotel and Room Type.
If everything looks correct on the Extend your stay page, and then click Next.
Add the guest information on the Guest Information page.
- In the Request field at the lower portion of the page, check the box for Accessible room, provide specific details regarding the attendee's needs (i.e., roll-in shower required, accessible bathroom with grab bars, wheelchair-accessible pathways, and entrances etc.). Be as thorough and specific as possible to ensure their comfort and accessibility during their stay.
Follow the next steps to complete the booking.

***Please note, if your preferred hotel is not available, please follow the steps above to make reservations at one of the available hotels listed. Then submit a wait list request.

If needed, you may request to be placed on a waitlist for specific hotels in the following order:
1. Marriott Rivercenter (Headquarter hotel) (San Antonio)/ Omni Fort Worth (Fort Worth)
2. Marriott Riverwalk (San Antonio)/ Fairfield Inn Fort Worth Downtown (Fort Worth)
3. Grand Hyatt (San Antonio) / Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel (Fort Worth)
While housing coordinators will make efforts to accommodate special needs, they cannot guarantee that the entire board will be at the same hotel.
Once the reservation request and/or waitlist has been completed, CHM will be in touch. Note the waitlist operates solely on cancellations and does not guarantee a reservation. However, if a room becomes available, CHM will promptly notify you.

How to recognize housing pirates and housing poachers.

When we secure sleeping rooms at hotels for our conferences (commonly referred to as room blocks), we research the properties to make certain that our attendees will be adequately accommodated. The room block is established to ensure that rooms meet our standards and are offered at a discounted price. We have been informed that registrants are often contacted by fax, email, or most often by phone with offers for cut rate housing. The intent is to convince you that the offer is made on our behalf, or that the soliciting company is associated with TASB. This is not true. The exclusive service provider for SLI housing is Convention Housing Management (CHM).

If you are contacted by anyone asking if you need a room at SLI, get as much information as you can. Contact CHM at 800-563-6493 or sli@chmrooms.com.

Additional Information

San Antonio June 10-13, 2026
Fort Worth June 17-20
Registration for both locations opens April 15
Registration: registrar@tasb.org
Housing: SLI@chmrooms.com or call 800-563-6493
SLI FAQ
Event Terms and Conditions
Contact us directly for support at 800-580-8822

Conference Schedule

Wednesday

3-6 p.m. Badge Pickup

6-8:30 p.m. Pre-Conference (Preregistration and additional $50 fee required; dinner included):

Governance Decisions That Maximize District Revenue (Extended Session)

Through their governance role, school board members influence both how district dollars are spent and the level of funding districts can generate in support of student outcomes.

In this extended, interactive session led by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), trustees and district leaders will take a deeper dive into the key governance decisions and policy choices that influence district revenue. Using TEA’s Local School District Revenue Options resources, participants will examine common areas where districts may not be fully accessing available state funds and explore how decisions related to attendance, enrollment practices, tax rates, exemptions, and action-dependent funding streams can significantly affect overall revenue.

Outcomes

Trustees will leave this session with:

Increased awareness of state funding sources - both within and outside of a district’s direct control and how those sources align with local academic strategies.
A comprehensive, governance-level checklist and actionable guidance to support more informed budget conversations; and
A suite of practical tools to support district-level decision-making that maximizes the uptake of available state funds and strengthens the connection between financial decisions and student achievement.

Thursday

7 a.m.-5 p.m. Badge Pickup

7-8 a.m. Breakfast + Coffee and Connections

8-9:15 a.m. Opening General Session: Colette Carlson. The Human Edge™, Impactful Leadership, Today’s Advantage isn’t digital. It’s Human.

9:15-9:30 a.m. Break | The TASB Advantage at the SLI Showcase

9:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions OR In-Depth Sessions:

9:30-10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. In-Depth Sessions:
- Board Officer Institute (For Board Officers)
- Texas Trustee Institute (Day One) (For New Board Members)

10:30-11 a.m. Extended Coffee Break | TASB Advantage Showcase

11 a.m.-noon Concurrent Sessions

Noon-1:15 p.m. Lunch

1:15-2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

2:15-2:30 p.m. Break | The TASB Advantage at the SLI Showcase

2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

3:30-3:45 p.m. Break | The TASB Advantage at the SLI Showcase

3:45-4:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

Friday

7 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Badge Pickup

7-8 a.m. Breakfast + Coffee and Connections

8-9:15 a.m. Award and General Session

James B. Crow Governance Award Presentation
General Session: A Panel Discussion with Texas Legislators

9:15-9:30 a.m. Break | The TASB Advantage at the SLI Showcase

9:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions OR In-Depth Session:

9:30-10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. In-Depth Session:
- Texas Trustee Institute (Day Two) (For New Board Members)

10:30-11 a.m. Extended Coffee Break | TASB Advantage Showcase

11 a.m.-noon Concurrent Sessions

Noon-1:15 p.m. Lunch

1:15-2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

2:15-2:30 p.m. Break | The TASB Advantage at the SLI Showcase

2:30-3:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

3:30-3:45 p.m. Break

3:45-4:45 p.m. Closing General Session: Chad Haymas - I’ve Got Your Back: The Leadership That Changes Everything

Saturday

7-8:30 a.m. Breakfast and Badge Pickup

Special Required Trainings (Preregistration and additional $50 fee required; breakfast included):

7:45-11 a.m. Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes (EISO)
*Trustees must complete this 3-hour training within 120 days of election or appointment and then every two years. This session focuses on strategic leadership, goal setting, and measuring student success. .

8:30-9:30 a.m. Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children (Child Abuse Prevention)
*Required within 120 days of election or appointment and then every two years, this 1-hour session educates trustees on recognizing and preventing child abuse, human trafficking, and other maltreatment, ensuring student safety.

NOTE: EISO is only available In-person. Child Abuse Prevention can also be taken online through the TASB Online Learning Center (OLC).

Additional Information

San Antonio June 10-13, 2026
Fort Worth June 17-20
Registration for both locations opens April 15
Registration: registrar@tasb.org
Housing: SLI@chmrooms.com or call 800-563-6493
SLI FAQ
Event Terms and Conditions
Contact us directly for support at 800-580-8822

We are thrilled to introduce the incredible lineup of speakers joining us for this year’s Summer Leadership Institute! These thought leaders, innovators, and industry experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to inspire, educate, and empower our communities. Each speaker has a unique story to share, offering valuable insights that will challenge perspectives and spark meaningful conversations.

Get ready to learn from the best. Here’s who will be taking the stage!

Colette Carlson

Carlson, a human behavior expert, is known for helping leaders, teams, and organizations activate The Human Edge™ — the critical strategies that strengthen trust, foster connection, and elevate performance in an increasingly automated, fast-paced world.

Her blend of humor, heart, and high-impact storytelling delivers customized keynote experiences rooted in communication psychology, audience interviews, and current research. Her energetic, engaging, and interactive delivery style consistently earns top ratings and repeat invitations across industries.

Since founding her company, Speak Your Truth, Inc., Carlson has delivered content shaped by decades of conversations — with executives, emerging leaders, sales professionals, and frontline teams — giving her a real-world understanding of the human dynamics at play in today’s workplaces. This lived research enables her to provide both strategic insight and practical, actionable solutions.

Attendees leave her sessions energized and equipped with both the mindset and skillset to improve communication, deepen engagement, and lead with intention — key components of The Human Edge™ that drive both personal growth and organizational results.

Chad Haymas

Hymas has spent the last 20 years helping people overcome adversity. After being left paralyzed from the chest down when a falling bale of hay broke his neck in 2001, his determination and resilience earned him the title of a world-record-holding wheelchair athlete — finishing 513 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas in 2003. 

Despite the life-altering accident that resulted in limited use of his hands and arms, Hymas' indomitable spirit and unwavering determination propelled him to inspire audiences with his powerful message of resilience, leadership, purposeful living, and personal empowerment.

This motivational speaker, bestselling author, and passionate safety advocate captivates audiences with engaging storytelling, profound insights, and practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving extraordinary success.

His presentations — ranging from leadership and team building to safety awareness and leaving a legacy — create a lasting impact, empowering attendees to unlock their full potential and create positive change in their lives and communities.

Topics

Continuing Education