2023 Annual Conference Preview
Our 2023 Annual Conference Preview is ready to help you explore key opportunities to meet your learning needs. Included in the new preview are details about keynote presentations, preconference and Thought Leader sessions, agenda, and sponsors. Because Standards for Professional Learning serve as the foundation for the annual conference, Learning Forward has added color coding to help attendees find sessions connected to the standards’ frames and to each of the standards.
This year’s conference theme is Evidence into action, so take a look to see how education leaders at all levels are moving best practices from research into classrooms and buildings.
Download the conference preview.
Keynotes
Now accepting lodging reservations for 2023!
Serving as Learning Forward’s Annual Conference location this year, the Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention stands on the banks of the Potomac River. Located minutes from Washington, D.C. and Old Town Alexandria, the resort is just steps away from the restaurants and entertainment of National Harbor including: The Capital Wheel, MGM National Harbor, and Tanger Outlets. Featuring year-round resort entertainment and a variety of dining options, Gaylord National is the ultimate destination for leisure and business travelers.
Note that the special pricing extends before and after the conference so you can book extra nights using the conference discount!
2023 theme: Evidence into action
Evidence into action speaks to the importance of evidence-based practices and how our conference bridges research and implementation to improve results for each student. In 2022, we explored what it would take to reimagine education after all that we learned from the pandemic. (See a recap of 2022's conference here.) This year we look at how we apply what we have learned to best practices in classrooms, teams, buildings, systems, and regions.
We look forward to seeing you next year in DC! If you would like to be one of the first notified when registration opens for our 2023 Annual Conference, you can add your name to the waitlist here.
Call for proposals for the 2023 Annual Conference
Members of Learning Forward's Conference Program Committee, the DC Host Committee, proposal review volunteers, and staff have completed their review of 776 proposals for Learning Forward's 2023 Annual Conference. Due to limited space, approximately 200 proposals were selected for this year’s program.
To check the status of your proposal for the 2023 Annual Conference, please login to the Conference Proposal System at https://lfp.learningforward.org.
If you would like to receive reviewer feedback for your proposal, please forward your request with your proposal title to conferenceinfo@learningforward.org.
We appreciate all the submissions and encourage everyone to continue contributing to our collective learning through such avenues as journal submissions, affiliate events, and as active conference participants at this year annual conference at the Gaylord National.
Proposal review process:
Each year, proposals are rigorously reviewed by more than 100 experts from Learning Forward: the conference Host Committee, consisting of local education leaders and practitioners, and other volunteers from the education field. For each proposal, a team of reviewers is guided with a set of in-depth proposal scoring criteria and rubrics, including how well proposals address:
- The Learning Forward vision, mission, standards, and selected areas of focus
- Session outcomes
- How the professional learning advances school or district/division improvement, student achievement, and educator performance
- A process that models the best in adult learning and participant engagement
- A unique, creative, or innovative solution that conference attendees can take back to their own schools or districts
- Research and/or evidence-based practice
- The impact of professional learning on student achievement, educator performance, and school or district/division improvement
- Relevancy to the needs and interests of conference attendees, and
- Practitioner voice in the presentation team
For more information on submission tips, presenter requirements, areas of focus and topics, please visit the instructions at https://lfp.learningforward.org/index.cfm
If you wish to be part of this review process, either remotely or in the host city, contact conferenceinfo@learningforward.org
2023 in DC video
Watch this video to see what to expect from our 2023 Annual Conference: Evidence into Action, happening December 3-6, in National Harbor, just outside of Washington, DC.
Who attends
- Central office administrators
- Superintendents
- Policymakers and decision makers
- Teacher leaders/Coaches
- School-based teams
- Principals/Assistant principals
- Technical assistance providers
Earn CEUs for your attendance
Saint Mary’s College of California offers you the opportunity to earn affordable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending Learning Forward’s Annual Conference.
Ten hours of instruction equals one CEU. For more information, learn more here.


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What others are saying
Chuck Holland
This is by far my favorite conference. I always walk away feeling smarter and more prepared to do the work!
Read MorePassionate educators
Presenters are familiar with adult learning strategies. Attendees are passionate educators who want to improve education for all. Great opportunities to interact with educators from all over the country.
Read MoreHigh-quality professional learning
This conference is the gold standard for high-quality professional learning because of the presenters, sessions, organization, and the quality of attendees.
Read MoreGreat mix of practitioners
The Learning Forward Conference provided a great mix of practitioners and university personnel that provided for incredible networking opportunities! I will be there next year.
Read MoreEngaging conference
Thank you for making professional learning as engaging as possible. Every year that I attend Learning Forward, my practice enlarges and what was once not possible becomes actionable. Keep up […]
Read MoreFirst class conference
This conference was first class all the way. It helped me get a better understanding of many of the various aspects of professional learning and what it looks like across […]
Read MoreAwesome opportunity
I would like to commend the Learning Forward Team for such an awesome opportunity to attend the conferences which provide such awesome strategies and instructional standards that my team implements […]
Read MoreNetworking opportunities
Our team came back buzzing from inspirational content, networking opportunities, and just general all-around experience. You put together a great event and we’re proud to be a partner.
Read MoreQuality speakers
Quality big name speakers during concurrent sessions. Facilitators engaged participants. Focused on professional learning. It’s rare to attend a conference with TONS of sessions that are relevant for my work […]
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Sponsors
Download our brochure for information on sponsorship opportunities, or contact Carrie Freundlich by email at carrie.freundlich@learningforward.org or complete this contact form.