NSBA CUBE Annual Conference 2026

Marriott Marquis Chicago, 2121 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616.

Early Bird (before July 17) is $575; Standard (after July 17) ranges $750–$875; Onsite (after September 24) is $899; One-day passes (onsite only, beginning October 1) are $350.

Urban school board members and district leaders from across the nation attend to network and share strategies for educational challenges.

Featured speakers include Linda Cliatt-Wayman (author and education leader), Kareem Weaver (co-founder and executive director of FULCRUM), and Tim Wise (educator and author on perspective, power, and institutional culture).

Full registration includes access to keynote sessions, breakout sessions, and networking meals. Guest registration grants access to CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO) only.

Refunds of the registration fee (minus a $150 service fee) can be honored only if requested in writing to NSBA before the deadline.

Yes, one-day passes are available onsite beginning October 1 for $350.

The optional site visit costs $89 and includes breakfast provided by the culinary arts program.

Value depends on your role and priorities. If you lead urban school district strategy or sit on a board managing educational challenges in urban areas, the conference provides direct access to peers facing similar issues and keynote perspectives on institutional change. If your work is outside urban education administration, value is more limited.

Most attendees wear business casual or smart casual attire. The conference does not publish a formal dress code, but professional clothing appropriate for networking and educational sessions is standard.