October 8, 2026

The communities ESAs serve are changing. Technology is changing. Workforce needs are changing. And the expectations of schools and districts continue to evolve.

Being future-ready isn't about predicting exactly what comes next. It's about building the leadership, perspective, systems, and skills to respond when it does.

Global education is not just about learning about the world. It's about preparing our students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in an increasingly interconnected society.

For ESAs, that creates an opportunity to help schools and districts access global learning experiences, partnerships, and perspectives they may not be able to build on their own.

And you don't have to build it from scratch.

AESA Global has done the work for you. We've developed the international relationships, coordinated the experiences, and built the support structure. Your ESA can tap into that infrastructure and begin opening new opportunities for the educators and communities you serve.

These upcoming experiences are a high-level, low-risk way to get started. Identify a team. Experience the work together. Bring the learning home. Then start exploring what global engagement could unlock for your ESA and your region.

Global Leadership Institute | Vienna & Budapest
April 2-10, 2027

Bring executive and regional leaders together to explore governance, innovation, workforce development, and systems leadership through an international lens.

Educators Field Studies | Portugal or South Korea
June 23-July 2, 2027

Build a team of 3-6 educators and leaders from your ESA and the districts you serve to explore education, technology, CTE, STEM, professional learning, sustainability, innovation, and more.

Not sure how to build your team? We've made that easier, too. AESA has created an Educators Field Studies Outreach Toolkit with ready-to-use materials your ESA can use to invite district leaders and educators in your region to participate.

You don't have to create a global program. Start by taking advantage of the one already available to you through AESA.

Where should your ESA invest? When does it make sense to partner instead of build? And how do you organize for opportunities that don't exist yet?

Led by MIT Professor Dr. Duncan Simester, along with Doreen Marvin and Andy Pechacek, BSF 2.0 focuses on making strategic choices in an environment of uncertainty and change.

And if you've worked with Duncan before, there's more to explore. BSF 2.0 includes new material and takes the conversation beyond the original Business Strategy Framework.

It’s not too late to send a team. The hotel reservation deadline has passed, but we can still help. Contact Jill Jackson, AESA Director of Meetings and Events, and she’ll work with you on lodging options.

Business Strategy Framework 1.0 will be offered as a post-conference workshop December 4-5 in Orlando, immediately following the AESA Annual Conference & Expo.

BSF 1.0 gives ESA leaders a practical framework for thinking differently about their services, customers, competition, and opportunities for growth. It's the foundation for putting stronger business strategy behind your ESA's mission.

The Building Capacity workshops were originally designed for district leadership teams to engage in hands-on planning using the Gen AI Maturity Tool. However, AESA is seeing strong interest from ESA teams as well. ESA staff who are exploring AI service models, regional supports, or system-level strategy are encouraged to participate. Below are upcoming workshops.

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

• Dates: October 28, 2026 & March 3, 2027
• Trainer: Dr. Sonal Patel, Program Manager, Digital Learning and Computer Science
• Location: West End Educational Service Center, 8265 Aspen Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
• Registration Flyer

Being ready for what's next isn't only about technology and strategy. It's also about the experience people have with your organization.

As services evolve and expectations change, the Service With Soul Customer Service Online Learning Lab will help ESA teams think intentionally about how they serve districts, schools, partners, and other customers.

Want a preview? Customer service will also be featured in a breakout session at the AESA Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando.

That's what being future-ready really comes down to: action.

At the 2026 AESA Annual Conference & Expo, you'll see ESAs in Action as leaders from across the country share how they're responding to changing needs, building new services, strengthening their organizations, and creating new opportunities for the communities they serve.

With 130+ breakout sessions across six strands, the conference is a chance to learn what's working, challenge your thinking, and bring home ideas you can put into action.

Being future-ready isn't about knowing exactly what's coming. It's about being ready to act when opportunity comes.