2027 CADA STATE CONVENTION
The CADA State Convention is the premier event in the nation for Activities Directors — the place where student leadership, school culture, and professional inspiration come together. CADA is the leading organization in the United States dedicated to growing strong, confident student leaders who make a lasting impact on their schools, communities, and families.
At the convention, you’ll gain practical tools, fresh ideas, and proven resources to elevate your program and strengthen your campus culture.
Date: February 24-26, 2027
Venue: Palm Springs Convention Center
Featuring Keynote Speakers
The Amazing Tei Street
Wednesday
With more than 25 years of experience in youth leadership, professional development, curriculum design, and violence prevention education, The Amazing Tei Street is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer who inspires audiences through humor, storytelling, and actionable lessons that empower people to recognize and embrace what makes them amazing.
Brad Montague
Thursday
New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and creator of Kid President, Brad Montague, inspires audiences through humor, creativity, and storytelling, helping people reconnect with purpose, strengthen connections, and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Phl Januszewski
Friday
Phil Januszewski is a high-energy professional speaker and 20-year Chemistry and Physics teacher who helps adults feel less tired and more inspired. Known for his tattoos, Netflix baking-show fail, and passion for happiness, Phil uses positive psychology, storytelling, and humor to help educators and adult givers thrive. He is an expert in teacher wellness and burnout prevention and has been helping people lean into their strengths, build better routines, and live with more joy and purpose since 2013.
Attendee Registration
Convention Prices
Member/Out Of State Registrants
$595 – Early Bird (Before Jan 14)
$645 – Regular Rate (Jan 15-Feb 15)
$695 – Onsite
Non-Member Registrants
$745 – Early Bird (Before Jan 14)
$795 – Regular Rate (Jan 15-Feb 20)
$845 – Onsite
All attendees agree to the CADA Convention Policies upon registering for the event.
How to Register
All attendees must register online and complete payment on the payment screen—you are not registered until you receive the confirmation page/email.
For registration policies, click here.
For registration edits, email info@cada1.org.
By registering, you agree to all CADA Convention Policies.
Paying by Check
Select “Sending Check” at checkout and click “Submit and Complete Order.”
Mail checks to:
CADA – 7960 Soquel Dr., Suite B112, Aptos, CA 95003
Please include a copy of your confirmation with payment.
Switching Payment Methods
If you registered using “Sending Check” and now prefer to pay by credit card or CALCARD, simply call CADA Central or log in to your account to process payment online.
Out-of-State Attendees
Attendees traveling from outside California receive the member rate.
Call CADA Central at 831-464-4891 for a coupon code.
What is Included with My Registration?
All Attendee Convention Registration includes:
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Workshops and general sessions
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Area functions
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Exhibit hall access
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Convention giveaways
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All social events/meals:
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Wednesday dinner & networking event
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Thursday Exhibit Hall reception (light appetizers)
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Thursday after-party
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Friday dinner/dance
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Out-of-State Attendees
Attendees traveling from outside California receive member pricing.
Call CADA Central at 831-464-4891 for a coupon code.
Hotel lodging is not included with registration. Click here for lodging details.
Special Events & Additional Tickets
Wednesday, March 4 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Click here for details.
MAA Courses: $100 Foundations • $50 per 200-level course
Companion/Guest Ticket: $150
For non-school spouse/partner/guest. Includes social events + exhibit hall access (no educational sessions).
Additional Friday Dinner/Dance Ticket: $75
Friday, March 6 (all registered attendees receive one ticket)
CADA Scholarship 5k Run/1k Walk: $25
Friday, March 6 (Includes shirt) — All proceeds benefit the CADA/CASL Memorial Scholarship.
Administrators' Day (Free Pass)
Friday is CADA’s Admin Day, a perfect opportunity for your administrator to experience firsthand the impact of student activities and the value CADA brings to your campus.
Administrators are invited to join us for free on Friday, March 6, with an all-access pass to workshops, the General Session, the Exhibit Hall, the administrator-focused Admin Power Panel, and a special Administrators’ Reception in the Presidential Suite.
If your administrator would like to stay for the Friday Dinner/Dance, a $75 dinner ticket is required.
How to Register
To attend Admin Day only, administrators simply complete the form below — that’s all it takes.
If they plan to attend the full convention, they do NOT need to register for Admin Day separately and should complete full registration instead.
Register Now for Admin Day!
Funding Your Attendance
If you need help getting your school or district to fund your CADA Convention attendance, there are several possible sources. Professional development funds are often available through site budgets and LCAP plans that support programs improving student outcomes. Additional funding may be available through ARPA allocations provided to K–12 schools. District offices or school principals may also have access to funding through programs such as TUPE, Title I, Title IV, Title V, School Improvement Funds, the Pupil Retention Block Grant, or even Associated Student Body funds.
According to FCMAT, ASB funds can be used to pay for Activity Directors to attend the CADA Convention if district board policy allows it and students agree to the expenditure before it is made.
Click here to view the FCMAT response on ASB eligibility.
Lodging & Transportation
Book Now with Orchid Housing
2027 CADA Convention has negotiated discounted hotel rates for CADA attendees. Using the link below, you can review the hotel options, make real-time reservations through our secure hotel booking website, or contact our housing provider by phone, fax, or email.
You must make your hotel reservation through Orchid Events. Hotel reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Submit your request as soon as possible for the best opportunity of receiving your hotel choice.
Deadline
All reservations must be received by January 7, 2027, to guarantee availability and conference rates. After this date, reservations will be made based on availability and hotels may charge higher rates.
Ways to Book Hotel Reservations
Online: CLICK HERE (for new reservation OR to modify or cancel an existing hotel reservation)
Telephone: Agents available 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday
Toll-free (US): 1-888-585-7422
Deposit
All reservation requests must be accompanied by a credit card guarantee equaling the amount of one night’s room and tax for each room reserved. Your credit card WILL NOT BE CHARGED during this initial stage and will be held as a GUARANTEE only.
Acknowledgments
Orchid Events will send reservation acknowledgements within 24 hours via email if booked online or by telephone. If you do not receive your acknowledgement in this time frame, contact Orchid Events. You will not receive written confirmation from the hotel.
Cancellations & Changes
Reservations canceled between the date of booking and January 15, 2027, are subject to a $50 cancellation fee. Cancellations received after January 15, 2027, will forfeit the deposit equal to one night’s room rate and applicable taxes.
Through January 25, 2027, changes and cancellations can be made online or by contacting Orchid Events via e-mail at help@orchid.events. After January 25, 2027, contact your hotel to make changes and/or cancellations.
Questions or Special Requests?
For questions or special requests, please contact Orchid Events at 1-888-585-7422 or e-mail to help@orchid.events. Special requests are not guaranteed. Hotels will assign specific room types upon check-in, based on availability.
Transportation
No matter where you’re traveling from in California, Palm Springs is a convenient and accessible destination. Located in the heart of Southern California, Palm Springs is just a short drive from many major cities:
- Los Angeles Area: Approximately 2–3 hours
- Orange County: About 2 hours
- San Diego: Around 2.5–3 hours
- Central Coast (Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo): 4–5 hours
- Sacramento: Approximately 7–8 hours
- San Francisco Bay Area: About 7–8 hours
Prefer to fly? Palm Springs International Airport offers direct flights from many California cities and is just minutes from local hotels and attractions.
Hotel Shuttles
Free shuttles will be running during convention hours to all the CADA Convention Hotels.
Schedule of Events
New this year! We are starting earlier! The sessions will begin at 10 AM on Tuesday, and the convention will close at midnight on Friday night.
- 8 AM – 7 PM: Registration & Info Desk
- 9 AM – 12 PM: ASB Finance Pre-Conference (additional fee)
- 10 AM – 10:45 AM: Session 1
- 11 AM – 11:45 AM: Session 2
- 1–4 PM: MAA Seminars (additional fee)
- 1:30–2:15 PM: Session 3
- 2:30–3:15 PM: Session 4
- 4–5 PM: Speaker Showcase / New to Convention
- 5:30–7 PM: Opening Keynote
- 7–10 PM: Dinner & Opening Night Reception Sponsored by Pegleg Entertainment
- 7:10–8 AM: Yoga
- 9–10:30 AM: General Session
- 10:45–11:30 AM: Session 5
- 11:45–12:30 PM: Session 6
- 4:10–5:55 PM: Sessions 7 & 8
- 6–9 PM: Exhibit Hall Reception Sponsored by SOS Entertainment
- 9 PM–12 AM: Herff Jones Party
- 7:15–8 AM: CADA Scholarship 5k/1k Walk
- 9–10:15 AM: Camp Staff Meeting
- 11:15–12:00 PM: Session 9
- 12:15–1 PM: Session 10/Awards Reception
- 1:30–3 PM: General Session
- 3:15–5 PM: Guru Guides/Sessions 11 & 12
- 7:30–9 PM: Dinner
- 9 PM–12 AM: Dessert & Dance Sponsored by Lifetouch
Pre-Conference Seminars
CADA attendees can opt into our fiscal pre-conference sessions on Wednesday from 9:00 AM–Noon for a deeper dive into ASB finance. This Session is $50 with pre-registration or $75 onsite.
ASB Finance – Dusty Nevatt
Want to learn more about the best ways to handle & spend ASB money? The kids want to do this, but the district says no. What are the best processes and procedures to follow when mentoring students through the ASB “rules”? Join semi-retired Chief Business Officer Dusty Nevatt for the ASB Finance, Laws, Regulations & Best Practices pre-conference workshop. Q & A time will be provided.
School Spirit REBOOT! Igniting a Culture Where EVERY Student Participates! - Scott Backovich - ENVOLVE Schools
Let’s be honest: the same spirit weeks, rally games, and recycled activities your campus runs every year DON’T reach the students who need them most. Sure, your extroverted students jump in without hesitation, but what about everyone else? The rest of your student body? They’ve already decided your activities aren’t for them. Ready to change that for good and spark campus-wide participation? It’s time for a SCHOOL SPIRIT REBOOT!
In this high-energy session, ENVOLVE founder Scott Backovich will hand you a brand-new arsenal of tools built to pull EVERY student into the action. Discover fresh activity frameworks, master strategies for reaching your hardest-to-engage students, and leave with ready-to-run lessons you can launch on campus immediately!
Social Events
- New to Convention – networking & tips (NTC)
- Opening Night Reception – Pegleg Entertainment
- Exhibitor Reception Sponsored by SOS Entertainment – light appetizers
- Herff Jones Party
- Scholarship 5k/1k Walk – $25, includes t-shirt
- Dinner & Dance – Sponsored by Lifetouch
Apply to Present
Seeking workshop presenters for the CADA State Convention
Application deadline: October 31
Offers to present emailed by: December 10
Speaker applications are open to regular/associate CADA members (school-site based) and exhibiting affiliates (speakers & vendors) who will be registering to attend the Convention. Affiliates should book their booth space by October 31 to be considered. Regular CADA members will be expected to register for the Convention by January 23 in order to be accepted as a presenter. Presenters do not receive free convention registration.
Workshops
Workshop Sessions
Workshop sessions will be spread from Wednesday to Friday. CADA offers a wide array of topics applicable to activities directors, administrators, finance clerks, class/club advisors, LINK/WEB advisors, athletic directors, and any position that supports school culture and climate.
*TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Wednesday
Session 1 at 10:00 a.m. (45 mins)
Session 2 at 11:00 a.m. (45 mins)
Session 3 at 1:30 p.m. (45 mins)
Session 4 at 2:30 p.m. (45 mins)
Thursday
Session 5 at 10:45 a.m. (45 mins)
Session 6 at 11:45 a.m. (45 mins)
Session 7 at 4:10 p.m. (45 mins)
Session 8 at 5:10 p.m. (45 mins)
Friday
Session 9 at 11:15 a.m. (45 mins)
Session 10 at 12:15 p.m. (45 mins)
Session 11 at 3:15 p.m. (45 mins)
Session 12 at 4:15 p.m. (45 mins)
Meet the Pros Roundtable
Meet the Pros roundtable is a session in which presenters share their topic four times for 10 minutes per rotation during the hour-long session. Each rotation may include up to 10 CADA members at each table. Topics are related to an activities/leadership program, curriculum ideas, or a specific lesson which can be taught in a leadership classroom.
Meet the Pros roundtable (present 10-12 minute topic four times in an hour)
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- Friday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Compensation
Affiliate members (and their guests) who are exhibiting & medallion sponsors are welcome to apply, but are not compensated.
Apply Now!
All applicants need to apply to be considered for a session. Vendors must have a booth before applying to be considered.
All presenters are expected to UPLOAD an electronic resource or link related to their presentation to be included in the online CADA Resource Library and the Convention mobile app. This resource will be due 2 weeks prior to the Convention to allow adequate time for the Convention team to process and post resources.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO PRESENT
(You must be logged in to a Google account to complete the application.)
Workshops & Meet the Pros
Deadline to Apply: October 31
Offer to Present emailed by: December 10
Presenter Questions
e: jculver@cadaboard.org
p: 661.492.3202
Offers to Present will come from CADApresenter@gmail.com (workshops) or CADAroundtable@gmail.com (Meet the Pros). Please add these to your address book to keep them from the dreaded Spam/Junk folder.
Administrator's Day
Future Dates
- 2026: March 4–6 – Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV
- 2027: Feb 24–26 – Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA
- 2028: Mar 1–3 – Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV