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2025 IHSA Annual Conference

60 head start 47th annual conference banner


Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - Friday, February 21, 2025 / President Abraham Lincoln Hotel  - Springfield, Illinois

Illinois Head Start Association Annual Conference 2025

"Celebrating 60 Years of Love, Learning, and Lifting Up Families"

Join us as we celebrate 60 years of Head Start making a difference in the lives of children and families across Illinois. This year’s conference is a special opportunity to connect with others, learn new ideas, and honor the legacy of Head Start.

Conference Details

  • Dates: February 19-21, 2025
  • Location: President Abraham Lincoln Springfield 
  • Theme: 60 Years of Love, Learning, and Lifting Up Families

Registration Options

Full Conference Pass - Includes access to all sessions, events, and meals across all three days.

  • Individual: $475.00 (Late Registration: $564.00)
  • Group (5 or more attendees): $430.00 per person (Late Registration: $475.00 per person)

One-Day Pass

  • Regular: $330.00 (Late Registration: $375.00)

Perfect if you can only join for one day. Includes sessions and meals for the selected day.

Meals Included

All registration options include meals for the selected days:

  • Wednesday: Snacks at the 60th Birthday Celebration and dinner at the President Abraham Lincoln Museum.
  • Thursday: Light breakfast and the Awards and Scholarship Luncheon.
  • Friday: Light breakfast and the Closing Keynote Luncheon.
AWARDS  & SCHOLARSHIPS

The IHSA is excited to announce that the annual Awards and Scholarship application window is now open! These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of HS/EHS staff, parents, and programs, while scholarships provide valuable support to further education and professional growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize excellence and uplift our Head Start community!

  • Administrator of the Year 
  • Teacher of the Year
  • Support Staff of the Year
  • Parent of the Year
  • Leota Brown Memorial Scholarship
  • Mary Alice Buchanan Memorial Scholarship

MORE INFO HERE


Support our  Dollar Per Child Campaign!

Make a big impact with just a raffle basket contribution! Your contribution—whether a themed basket, gift card, or unique item—will add excitement and fun for attendees while supporting our efforts.

Every donation counts! To contribute, please contact IHSA. Thank you for your generosity!

COUNT ME IN!

Join Us in Celebrating 60 Years of Head Start! Sign up now to reserve your spot!

Late fees apply after February 1, 2025.

Be part of this special event as we honor Head Start’s history, celebrate its success, and look forward to the future.

For more information, contact cwelsh@ilheadstart.org.

REGISTER TODAY!

Sneak a peek at the current line up of sessions.  Descriptions available for you to check out!

Show Me!

Interested in Sponsoring or Exhibiting . . Vendors Welcome! 


See your options and the Sign-up LINK here - but HURRY!!! 


 Exhibitors shipping items for their tables: 

all shipments must arrive on or after Sat,. Feb. 15th. *  

Attn: VENDOR COMPANY NAME 
PERSON'S NAME (picking up packages)
President Abraham Lincoln DoubleTree
701 East Adams Street
Springfield, IL 62701

  * Each shipment must be clearly marked with: 
GROUP: IL Head Start Assn 2/19-2/21
COMPANY: Vendor’s Company Name
BOX: 1 of 1  ..  ( 1 of 2,  and 2 of 2, etc. )


Weds., Feb. 19, 2025 - (Exhibitors may set-up Weds. afternoon)
Thurs., Feb. 20, 2025 - (Exhibit Hall open 7:30 am - 5:30 pm)
Fri., Feb. 21, 2025 - (Exhibit Hall open 7:30 am - 2:30 pm)
(subject to a slight timeframe change)


  If you have purchased or shall purchase one (or more) tote-bag-insert option/s at $100 per item, then ship your box to:  

Illinois Head Start Assn.

Attn: tote-bag insert

3435 Liberty Drive

Springfield, IL 62704

Have questions about the 6 foot by 30 inch Exhibit tables?  Or other opportunities? 

Need to forward your logo?  Reach out to: mwood@ilheadstart.org  or call 217-241-3511  

 

Conference General Schedule
**subject to change**
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - (Exhibitors may set-up Wednesday afternoon)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pmOpening; Keynote Speaker
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Capitol Gathering - Celebrating 60 years of Head Start @ the Capitol Rotunda

6:00 pm - 8:00 pmDinner Gala - A Night at the Museum
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - (Exhibit Hall open 7:30 am - 5:30 pm)
8:00 am - 9:00 amLight Breakfast; Networking; Basket Raffle
9:00 am - 10:30 amBreakout Session
10:45 am - 11:15 amGeneral Session; Business Meeting; Networking; Basket Raffle
11:15 am - 12:00 pmGeneral Session; IHSA Board Elections
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm Luncheon; Annual Awards & Scholarship Recognition
1:45 pm - 3:15 pmBreakout Session
3:30 pm - 5:00 pmBreakout Session
Friday, February 21, 2025 - (Exhibit Hall open 7:30 am - 2:30 pm)
8:00 am - 9:00 amLight Breakfast; Networking; Basket raffle
9:00 am - 10:30 amBreakout Session
10:45 am - 12:15 pmBreakout Session
12:30 pm - 2:00 pmClosing; Keynote Speaker; Raffle Announcement


Conference Overview & Information 

Celebrating 60 Years of Love, Learning, and Lifting Up Families  


This year marks Head Start’s 60th anniversary, celebrating its legacy of commitment to supporting children and families through Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The theme, "Celebrating 60 Years of Love, Learning, and Lifting Up Families," highlights the mission and lasting impact of Head Start.

 For six decades, Head Start has nurtured children and families with love, supported lifelong learning, and uplifted communities for a brighter future. Since its beginning in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, Head Start has grown into a powerful movement, supporting the holistic development of young children and promoting equity for families. Beyond preparing children for school, Head Start has built a legacy of compassion, resilience, and transformative support. This celebration honors the fulfillment of Head Start’s mission over the past 60 years, recognizes the dedication of those who have made it possible, and looks forward to continuing the legacy that has been built for future generations. 


Join us as we celebrate 60 years of making a difference—honoring the love, learning, and commitment that have lifted up families and strengthened communities.

 This year's conference will provide high-quality educational sessions for Illinois Head Start/Early Head Start Directors, Managers, staff, and parents! Plenty of opportunities to engage in a variety of in-depth educational sessions that focus on various subjects of interest to the Head Start and Early Head Start community.
 

Full Conference Registration Fee Includes:

  • All concurrent breakout sessions
  • Access to the IHSA Conference Exhibit Hall
  • Opening Keynote
  • Capitol Gathering Celebrating 60 years of Head Start (includes hors d'oeuvre & treats)
  • Thursday Awards Luncheon (lunch provided)
  • Closing Keynote (lunch provided )
Conference Highlights

In addition to the great programming planned at the conference, take this opportunity to:

  • Network with exhibitors offering the best products and services available to the Head Start/Early Head Start Community.
  • Connect and learn from those who do what you do and understand the challenges and issues you face.
  • A Night at the Museum - Join us as we celebrate '60 Years of Love, Learning, and Lifting Up Families.' As an exclusive side event within the larger celebration, this evening requires a separate ticket and fee for entry. Join us for a memorable gathering that highlights the legacy and shared commitment to supporting families.
  • Win basket raffle prices in support advocacy of our Power of Two Campaign -  crowd favorite, we will have our Power of Two Raffle! We're hosting our annual basket raffle that adds an extra element of fun to your event. Here's your chance to not only attend insightful sessions but also win fantastic prizes by participating in our basket raffle. Purchase tickets, choose your favorite basket, and drop your tickets right there for a shot at winning! It's a fantastic way to add some excitement to your conference experience and potentially walk away with some amazing goodies. Don't miss out on the thrill – grab your tickets and join the anticipation! You can support our efforts in raising funds for our Dollar Per Child Campaign by donating a themed basket. Reach out to anyone of our IHSA team and members at 217-241-3511.
  • Capitol Gathering Celebrating 60 years of Head Start - Wear your program/agency shirt and join us as we unite to champion the cause of Head Start and Early Head Start. Make your voice heard! Meet with your State Representative to champion the cause of Head Start and Early Head Start.
  • And more!
Hotel Information

The IHSA Annual Conference will take place in the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel - DoubleTree by Hilton, Springfield Hotels, Illinois, 701 E Adams St, Springfield, IL, 62701, Springfield, Illinois.

Deadline to book your room to take advantage of the special conference pricing is on or before January 27, 2025. Price is subject to change once the room block is sold out.

Individual needing reservations, call or reach out to the hotel Front Desk directly at  217-544-8800 for the front desk reservations.  

CONFERENCE HOTEL GUEST BOOKING PAGE



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