The mission of the Georgia School Boards Association is to ensure excellence in the governance of local school systems by providing leadership, advocacy and services, and by representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s elected boards of education.

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Conferences

The Georgia School Boards Association offers two conferences each year- our Summer Conference in June and our Annual Conference in December. Both conferences are great for school board members, superintendents and other educational leaders.

GSBA conferences and workshops affords local school board members a great opportunity to fulfill their annual training requirements each year. (O.C.G.A 20-2-230).

Find out more about both of our conferences below.

“I’m grateful and thankful that in spite of the ongoing pandemic, we were able to come together to gain important information to aid in student’s education/workplace, etc. Thank you GSBA staff for an excellent job!”

180

Districts Invited

590

Average attendees per conference

6

Average Training Hours Received

Annual Conference

Save the Date

2023 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference

Pre-Conference Workshops: Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Exhibits: Wednesday, November 29 – Thursday, November 30, 2023

Conference: Thursday, November 30 – Friday, December 1, 2023

Renaissance Waverly, Atlanta, GA

The registration process for the 2023 Annual Conference and Waverly Hotel reservations will take place on 2 separate days. You must register for the conference before making reservations at the Waverly. Additional information regarding this process will be made available in October.

  • Annual Conference & Pre-Conference Workshop Registrations Open: Tuesday, October 17, 10:00am
  • Waverly Hotel Reservations Open: Thursday, October 19, 10:00am

    Check back! These details are subject to change. As additional information becomes available, this website will be updated.

The 2023 Annual Conference & Pre-Conference Workshops will be offered in a limited hybrid format.

For Pre-Conference workshops, Legal Issues will be offered in-person and virtually for board members only. The Literacy and Governance Team’s Focus on Developing a Supportive Learning Environment workshops will only be in-person. The Attorney’s afternoon session will also be offered in person only.

The Annual Conference will be held in person and virtually. The only sessions that will be streamed to virtual attendees will be the General Sessions in the Grand Ballroom. Breakout sessions will not be available to virtual attendees.

Pre-Conference Workshops:

Wednesday, November 29, 8:30am – 4:00pm

Virtual:

  • Legal Issues Workshop (board members only) I $300 I 6 credit hours

In Person:

  • Legal Issues Workshop:
    • Board Members I $300 I 6 credit hours
    • Attorneys I $375
  • The Governance Team’s Focus on Developing A Supportive Learning Environment I $300 I 6 credit hours
  • Literacy & The Governance Team’s Role Workshop I $300 I 6 credit hours

Annual Conference:

Thursday, November 30, 8:30am – 4:00pm through Friday, December 1, 2023, 8:30am – 11:00am.

Virtual:

  • Annual Conference Registration I $350

In Person:

  • Annual Conference Registration I $450

2023 Pre-Conference workshops are on November 29, 2023

GSBA affords local school board members a great opportunity to fulfill their annual training requirements for the fiscal year in conjunction with the GSBA Annual Conference held in Atlanta. This is a convenient way to obtain the necessary credit for annual training (see O.C.G.A 20-2-230).

GSBA is proud to offer 3 Workshops at the 2023 Annual Conference. All workshops will go from 8:30am to 4:00pm. For in-person attendees, a continental breakfast will be offered in the morning, boxed lunches will be served at noon, and breaks will be available throughout the day.

Check back! These details are subject to change. As additional information becomes available, this page will be updated.

NOTE: Registration fees for the Workshops will increase by $70 each after Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Legal Issues Workshop

Board Members (in person) | $300 | 6 hrs credit

Board Members (virtual) | $300 | 6 hrs credit

Attorneys (in person only) | $375

This is one of the most important and prestigious workshops offered annually by GSBA. For over seventy years, GSBA has been the leader in helping local school boards interpret the complexities of Georgia’s laws, rules, and regulations regarding public education. The E. Freeman Leverett Legal Issues Workshop is the most heavily attended annual workshop offered by GSBA.

The Governance Team’s Focus on Developing A Supportive Learning Environment (in person only)
$300 | 6 hrs credit

The Governance Team’s focus on developing a supportive learning environment is crucial for the overall success and well-being of students. They can help create a place that promotes positive relationships, student engagement, and holistic development, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. In alignment with the Georgia Department of Education Standards for Effective Governance, GSBA seeks to highlight effective practices linked to this important work. Topics may include but are not limited to, School & Student Safety, Student Discipline, Student & Staff Well-Being, and Student Support Services.

Literacy & The Governance Team’s Role (in person only)
$300 | 6 hrs credit

The Governance Team plays an essential role in literacy development within the school system. Their responsibilities include setting policies, providing guidance, and overseeing the implementation of literacy programs within their district. They are responsible for ensuring that literacy is promoted, supported, and accessible to all students within their school system. In alignment with the Georgia Department of Education Standards for Effective Governance, GSBA seeks to highlight effective practices linked to this important work. Topics may include but are not limited to, Innovative Programs, Policy Development, Resource Allocation, and Collaborations & Partnerships.

Click below to view the 2023 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference agenda.

Frederick Lane

Author, Lecturer, Educational Consultant, and Co-Founder of The Center for Cyberethics.

Frederick Lane is an author, attorney, educational consultant, and lecturer based in Brooklyn, NY. Over the past three decades, Lane’s writing and public speaking has made him a nationally recognized expert in cybersafety, digital misconduct, personal privacy, and other topics at the lively intersection of law, technology, and society. Lane is frequently interviewed about cybersafety, privacy, and cybersecurity issues and over the course of his career, has appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, the BBC, and MSNBC. Lane also served on the Burlington School Board in Vermont from 2001 to 2011.

As a professional speaker, Lane has delivered over 300 presentations to audiences in the United States, Canada, China, France, and Ghana. Lane is the author of ten books, including “Cybertrapsfor Educators 2.0” (2020), “RaisingCyberethical Kids” (2020), and “Cybertrapsfor Expecting Moms & Dads” (2017).

He is currently juggling two book projects: “Cybertraps for Educators 3.0” (2023) and “The Rise of the Digital Mob” (Beacon Press 2024). All of his books are available on Amazon.com or through his Web sites: FrederickLane.com and CybertrapsforEducators.com.

 

Keynote Description:

Generative Technologies (AI): Opportunities, Challenges, and Responsibilities for School Boards

In an era where technological advancements are shaping the way we teach, learn, and think, generative technologies (AI) stand at the forefront of the latest transformative wave. Our keynote speaker, Frederick Lane, will help demystify this rapidly evolving new technology and explore the ways in which it is already re-shaping K-12 education. This timely presentation is essential for school board members and senior administrators, who are tasked once again with understanding and preparing for the benefits and potential pitfalls of a powerful new technology.

Lane, a former school board chair in Burlington, VT and the author of “Cybertraps for Educators 2.0,” is uniquely positioned to help attendees appreciate the wide-ranging implications of generative technology. He will explore the immense opportunities it presents, the challenges it poses, and, most importantly, the responsibilities that school boards must shoulder to ensure a balanced, informed, and ethical integration of these technologies into our schools. Generative technology is already proving to be a powerful educational tool, one that sparks creativity, personalizes educational programs, and speeds up educator classroom prep. But these potential benefits go hand-in-hand with privacy concerns, hard-to-detect academic dishonesty, and malicious misuse.

Jeff Henderson

Best-Selling Author of “Know What You’re FOR”

Named by Forbes Magazine as one of 20 speakers you shouldn’t miss, Jeff Henderson has become a trusted voice for businesses and non-profit organizations. His career experience not only inspires groups and individuals but also provides tangible strategies to help them grow. Ultimately, Jeff’s aim is to help organizations build a good name where both purpose and profit thrive.

His best-selling book, Know What You’re FOR, launched a movement in non-profits around the world and has become a focal point for many businesses.

Jeff has worked for well-known organizations such as the Atlanta Braves, Callaway Gardens, Chick-fil-A, and North Point Ministries, one of the largest churches in America. While there, Jeff led three churches for over 17 years. Jeff also serves as a Thought Leader for Maxwell Leadership, training leaders around the world through his speaking and writing. Additionally, Jeff has launched The FOR Company, which helps churches and businesses grow using the FOR strategy outlined in his book.

Jeff and his wife Wendy have been married 25 years and have a daughter, Jesse, 21, and a son, Cole, 19.

Youth Advisory Council Panel

The Georgia School Boards Association’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) was formed to give high school students the opportunity to provide meaningful input to Georgia’s school board members on issues that directly impact the 1.7 million students who attend public schools in Georgia. The goal of the feedback is to help aid school board members in their decision-making regarding policies, as well as inform implementation processes that govern their local school districts.

Participation on The GSBA YAC provides the members with the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and contribute to their community by affecting positive change for students across Georgia. The discussions among the YAC members, and their presentations to board members and Georgia legislators will serve as a powerful voice for shaping policy. The collective voice of the YAC will assist GSBA as we develop programming to support board members with their work

The 2023 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference will be held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

2450 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339

770.953.4500

Parking Instructions to Guests:
  • Upon Arrival, please remember to take a ticket at the parking gate.
  •  For day visitors only: Pay stations are conveniently located on the 1st and 2nd floor and upon departure at the gate. These pay stations only take credit cards.
  •  To validate your parking, place the group discounted validation sticker on the BACK of the parking ticket. Be careful not to cover or place the sticker on the existing barcode.
  •  Upon exit of the lot – please scan your entry ticket first. You will then scan your validation sticker on the back when you’ve reached the payment screen.
  •  For Overnight guests – Please pull a ticket upon arrival and provide to the front desk agent. Parking will be billed to your room, and you will be provided an in and out ticket for lot access.

The reservation link for the Waverly will go live on Thursday, October 19 at 10:00am. You must register for the conference before making reservations at the Waverly. More information regarding hotel reservations will be shared with support staff next month.

The Waverly’s check-in time is 4:00 pm. The Waverly’s check-out time is 11:00 am.

At the time of check-in, all guests must have a photo ID that matches the name on the reservation. If you initially put all your room reservations under one name, this must be changed to each individual name prior to arrival.

All guest rooms at check-in must have a valid method of payment for room/tax and incidentals.

Hotel Room Pre-Payment:

If you would like to pre-pay for your hotel room(s), you may do so via credit card or check. Payment must be received by November 14 to the Waverly.

Only payment onsite will be received via credit card. The name on the credit card MUST be present at check-in with a photo ID.

If you wish to pay via check, payments can be submitted to the address below by November 14. Please include the information about the guests with the check, as well as contact information so that the Waverly may reach out to confirm any questions.

               Accounting Department

               Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center

               2450 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

If you would like to pay via a Credit Card authorization form, please contact Laura Chiles at the Waverly for assistance. Credit card authorization requests must be sent by November 14 to the Waverly.

You may bring a “company” check to pay for all your room(s) when you arrive at the Waverly. However, a credit card would need to be provided for incidentals. Checks do not include the $50 per night hold fee for these.

Please note that if you use a debit card for the $50 incidental fee, this amount will immediately be deducted from your bank account and returned after your stay. When paying via credit card, there will only be a “hold” on your card for this fee.

Waverly Tax Exemption Forms:

State of Georgia Sales Tax Exemption Form

State of Georgia Local Hotel/Motel Tax Exemption Form

Please send signed forms via email to Laura Chiles at the Waverly.

The Cobb County Recreation Tourism fee of $3 and the State of Georgia Hotel/Motel fee of $5 are not exempt from payment.

        Waverly Room Rate Breakdown:

        Rate is $190

        State & Local Taxes: 14% ($26.60)

        Cobb County GA Recreation Tourism fee: $3

        State of Georgia Hotel/Motel fee: $5

        Total Rate: $224.60 (inclusive of taxes and fee)

        Total Rate: $198 (14% state and local tax exemption)

Per Waverly policy, only 3 reservations can be made online at one time.

Cancellation/no-show policy at the Waverly:

If you have reserved a room at the Waverly. Please notify Leigh Crow to cancel the room. Do not contact the hotel room directly.

The Waverly has a 72-hour cancellation policy. If a cancellation is made within 72 hours of arrival, a full one-night deposit is required.

If you do not show up for your first night of the reservation, your room will be canceled for the remainder of the stay. The room cannot be guaranteed if you do not arrive for the first night’s stay. Please call the hotel and change your arrival date if you will not be arriving on your scheduled check-in date. 

Waverly Parking:

The Waverly offers a discounted rate for parking: $15/day for daytime parking and $20/night for overnight parking. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the Waverly, if you are parking overnight, please notify the parking attendant, and they will direct you to the check-in desk to receive your permit. If you are only parking at the Waverly during the day, you may purchase a parking pass from the attendant as you enter the lot. They accept cash and credit cards.

Valet parking options are not available.

Overflow parking is available at the Cobb Galleria for $10/day. Please visit their website for more details. Overflow parking options at the Cobb Galleria and parking cannot be reimbursed by the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

Overflow Hotels:

A list of Overflow Hotels can be found here. When making your hotel reservations, please reference the group code under each hotel’s information on this document to get the special negotiated rate.

Welcome Business Friends

Our Business Opportunities website has up-to-date information on how you and your business can support GSBA and public education in Georgia or contact Pam Harrison, Business Opportunities Manager, at pharrison@gsba.com

Exhibits: Wednesday, November 29, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and continues Thursday, November 30, from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

What are the dates of the 2023 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference?

Thursday, November 30 – Friday, December 1, 2023

What is the date of the Pre-Conference Workshops?

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Where will the 2023 Annual Conference be held?

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339

770.953.4500

Is there a virtual option for the Conference & Pre-Conference Workshops?

The 2023 Annual Conference & Pre-Conference Workshops will be offered in a limited hybrid format.

 

For Pre-Conference workshops, Legal Issues will be offered in person and virtually. The Supportive Learning Environment & Literacy workshops will only be in-person. The Attorneys only session will also only be in-person.

 

The Annual Conference will be held in person and virtually. The only sessions that will be streamed to virtual attendees will be the General Sessions in the Grand Ballroom. Breakout sessions will not be available to virtual attendees.

What is the cost to attend the Pre-Conference Workshops and the Annual Conference?

Virtual

  • Annual Conference Registration I $350 I $420 after 11/14/23
  • Legal Issues Workshop (virtual for Board Members Only) I $300 I $370 after 11/14/23

 

In-Person

  • Annual Conference Registration I $450 I $520 after 11/14/23
  • Legal Issues Workshop
    • Board Members: $300 I $370 after 11/14/23
    • Attorneys: $375 I $445 after 11/14/23
  • The Governance Team’s Focus on Developing a Supportive Learning Environment Workshop I $300 I $370 after 11/14/23
  • Literacy & The Governance Team’s Role Workshop I $300 I $370 after 11/14/23

 

NOTE: Registration fees for the Workshops and the Conference will increase by $70 each after Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

What is your cancellation policy?

Both in-person and virtual cancellations must be submitted in writing to Leigh Crow, lcrow@gsba.com, no later than Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Each individual cancellation will be assessed a $70 fee. For instance, if you cancel both a pre-conference workshop and conference registration, a $70 fee will be charged for each cancellation. Cancellations will not receive any refunds after this date.

 

If cancellations are made before November 14, and you have already paid, we will refund the registration to the original form of payment. No credits may be applied to future events

Can registration substitutions be made?

For the Conference:

If switching from in-person to virtual, requests must be submitted in writing to Leigh Crow, lcrow@gsba.com, no later than November 14, for a refund of the difference. Any switches from in-person to virtual AFTER November 14 will not receive a refund for the difference.

 

If you want to switch from virtual to in-person, requests must be submitted by November 14 and the difference will be charged. If you want to switch from virtual to in-person AFTER November 14, you will pay the $70 increased registration fee.

 

If you would like to substitute a registration from one board member to another, you may do so at any time.

 

For the Pre-Conference Workshops:

If you would like to switch from one workshop to another, requests must be submitted in writing to Leigh Crow, lcrow@gsba.com, no later than November 14. Workshop switches AFTER November 14 will be charged the $70 increased fee.

 

Legal Issues Workshop ONLY: Switching from in-person to virtual AFTER November 14, will not incur a $70.

Can you tell me more about the Annual Conference?

The Annual Conference will take place on Thursday, November 30 from 8:30 am-4:00 pm and Friday, December 1 from 8:30 am-11:00 am. All activities will take place in the Grand Ballroom except for our Breakout Sessions, which will take place in other spaces at the Waverly. The Annual Conference will be offered both in-person and virtually. The only sessions that will be streamed to virtual attendees will be the General Sessions in the Grand Ballroom. Breakout sessions will not be available to virtual attendees.

 

For in-person attendees, a continental breakfast and lunch will be offered on Thursday and only breakfast will be offered on Friday.

 

GSBA has a great program lined up for the Annual Conference. Please check the Agenda tab regularly. As more information becomes available, it will be added to the website and Whova.

Can you tell me more about the Pre-Conference Workshops?

GSBA affords local school board members a great opportunity to fulfill their annual training requirements for the fiscal year in conjunction with the GSBA Annual Conference. This is a convenient way to obtain the necessary credit for annual training (see O.C.G.A 20-2-230).

 

GSBA is proud to offer 3 Workshops at the 2023 Annual Conference. All workshops will go from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. For in-person attendees, a continental breakfast will be offered in the morning, boxed lunches will be served at noon, and breaks will be available throughout the day.

 

All 3 workshops will provide 6 hours of credit for board members. Only the Legal Issues Workshop will be offered both virtually and in person for board members. The Supportive Learning Environment & Literacy Workshops will only be offered in person. The Attorney’s afternoon session will also only be offered in person. Please check the Pre-Conference Workshop tab regularly. As more information becomes available, it will be added to the website and Whova.

 

Virtual

  • Legal Issues Workshop (virtual for Board Members Only) I $300 I 6 credit hours

 

In-Person

  • Legal Issues Workshop
    • Board Members: $300 I 6 credit hours
    • Attorneys: $375 I credit hours will be awarded
  • The Governance Team’s Focus on Developing a Supportive Learning Environment Workshop I $300 I 6 credit hours
  • Literacy & The Governance Team’s Role Workshop I $300 I 6 credit hours

 

NOTE: Registration fees for the Workshops and the Conference will increase by $70 each after Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Will there be an Attorney’s Workshop?

Yes, The Georgia Council of School Board Attorneys will be hosting a workshop. Attorneys will attend the Legal Issues Workshop in the morning and then will break out into their own session in the afternoon. This is offered in person only. Attorneys who attend the afternoon session will be eligible to receive 6 credit hours for attending. GSBA will provide credit hour forms at the end of the workshop to complete and then will submit the proper paperwork to the Georgia Bar Association.

How will virtual attendees access the event?

We will again be using the Whova platform for all attendees. Within Whova, attendees can access the agenda, conference materials, and the sessions that attendees are registered for that are being live-streamed.

 

Only a person who is registered for the events can access Whova utilizing the email address they registered with. We cannot send a general Whova link to other staff members who are not registered for the events.

 

Two weeks before the event, each registrant will receive an email from Mark Willis/Whova with instructions on how to access the platform. At this time, attendees may access the agenda and download materials.

 

On the day of the Legal Issues Workshop and the Conference, registrants can simply log into Whova and navigate to their session. A separate link will not be sent out on the day of each event. Registrants will need to access Whova in advance to ensure they can log in.

What is Whova?

Whova is the web and mobile event application we will be using to allow attendees to access the agenda, conference materials, digital exhibit booths, and the sessions that are being live-streamed. This is the same platform that was used for the 2022 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference and the 2023 GSBA Summer Conference. Details to access the event will be emailed to all attendees as we get closer to the event.

Will I need to create a new Whova account for this event?

If you have previously used Whova to access the prior GSBA conferences, you will use the same login information. If this is your first time, you will be prompted to create an account on your first login. Detailed instructions will be emailed to all attendees ahead of time.

Will there be any prizes for attendees related to the Whova Leaderboard?

No. The Whova Leaderboard is simply to show the level of engagement by the attendees but there will be no prizes for the leaders.

Where can I view the agenda?

Visit the Agenda tab on this webpage for additional details. This tab will be updated as more information becomes available. Please note that the agenda is subject to change.

 

The agenda will also be available on Whova. More information on Whova will be posted soon.

When does registration open for the Annual Conference & Pre-Conference Workshops?

Registration for the Conference and Workshops opens Tuesday, October 17 at 10:00 am.

 

The Conference registration link will be emailed out on Tuesday, October 10. It will also be posted on the GSBA website under the Event Registration Page and the Conference Page. This link will go live on Tuesday, October 17,  at 10:00 am. You may register all your governance team at this time utilizing this one link.

 

If you plan to attend a workshop and the conference at the same time, please make sure to register for both in advance.

Will on-site registration be available?

On-site registration will be available for the Pre-Conference Workshops. However, on-site registration will not be available if the conference itself is sold out (if we’ve reached capacity in the Grand Ballroom).

 

If the conference is full, your name can be added to the waiting list. Board members will receive priority to attend. If you are moved off the waiting list after November 14, you will not pay the increased registration fee.

 

If you join the waiting list AFTER November 14, you will pay the increased registration price.

 

Virtual

  • Annual Conference Registration (virtual) I $350 I $420 after 11/14/23

 

In-Person

  • Annual Conference Registration (in-person) I $450 I $520 after 11/14/23

When does the reservation link for the Renaissance Waverly Hotel open?

Reservations for the Renaissance Waverly will go live Thursday, October 19, at 10:00 am.

 

Hotel reservations may only be made AFTER registering for the Conference and/or Pre-Conference Workshops. After you register for the conference, a confirmation page will appear including a link to the Waverly reservations, The link will also be sent in a confirmation email you will receive after you register for the conference. This link will go live on Thursday, October 19, at 10:00 am. This link will not be made available anywhere else. Please use this one link to make all reservations. There is no unique link for each individual registrant.

Why are the conference registration and hotel reservation dates separated?

We heard you! To ease the process, registration for the 2023 Annual Conference and Waverly Hotel reservations will take place on 2 separate days. GSBA hopes this will make the registration process a little less stressful.

What is the check-in process at the Waverly?

The Waverly’s check-in time is 4:00 pm. The Waverly’s check-out time is 11:00 am.

 

At the time of check-in, all guests must have a photo ID that matches the name on the reservation. If you initially put all your room reservations under one name, this must be changed to each individual name prior to arrival.

 

All guest rooms at check-in must have a valid method of payment for room/tax and incidentals.

What if I want to pre-pay for my room(s)?

If you would like to pre-pay for your hotel room(s), you may do so via credit card or check. Payment must be received by November 14 to the Waverly.

 

Only payment onsite will be received via credit card. The name on the credit card MUST be present at check-in with a photo ID.

 

If you wish to pay via check, payments can be submitted to the address below by November 14. Please include the information about the guests with the check, as well as contact information so that the Waverly may reach out to confirm any questions.

 

Accounting Department

            Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center

            2450 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

 

If you would like to pay via a Credit Card authorization form, please contact Laura Chiles at the Waverly for assistance. Credit card authorization requests must be sent by November 14 to the Waverly.

Can I bring a check to pay for our room(s) when I arrive?

Yes, you can bring a “company” check to pay for all your room(s) when you arrive at the Waverly. However, a credit card would need to be provided for incidentals. Checks do not include the $50 per night hold fee for these.

 

Please note that if you use a debit card for the $50 incidental fee, this amount will immediately be deducted from your bank account and returned after your stay. When paying via credit card, there will only be a “hold” on your card for this fee.

Where can I find the hotel Tax Exemption Form?

State of Georgia Sales Tax Certificate of Exemption

State of Georgia Local Hotel/Motel Tax Exemption Form

 

Please send signed forms via email to Laura Chiles at the Waverly.

 

The Cobb County Recreation Tourism fee of $3 and the State of Georgia Hotel/Motel fee of $5 are not exempt from payment.

 

Waverly Room Rate Breakdown:

Rate is $190

State & Local Taxes: 14% ($26.60)

Cobb County GA Recreation Tourism fee: $3

State of Georgia Hotel/Motel fee: $5

Total Rate: $224.60 (inclusive of taxes and fee)

Total Rate: $198 (14% state and local tax exemption)

How many rooms can I reserve at the Waverly at one time?

Per Waverly policy, only 3 reservations can be made online at one time.

What is the cancellation/no-show policy at the Waverly?

If you have reserved a room at the Waverly. Please notify Leigh Crow to cancel the room. Do not contact the hotel room directly.

 

The Waverly has a 72-hour cancellation policy. If a cancellation is made within 72 hours of arrival, a full one-night deposit is required.

 

If you do not show up for your first night of the reservation, your room will be canceled for the remainder of the stay. The room cannot be guaranteed if you do not arrive for the first night’s stay. Please call the hotel and change your arrival date if you will not be arriving on your scheduled check-in date.

Why can’t I get a room at the Waverly?

Unfortunately, GSBA is only allotted so many rooms at the Waverly. If you are unable to get a room at the Waverly, we encourage you to check out our list of overflow hotels for accommodations.

Where can I find info about the overflow hotels?

A list of Overflow Hotels can be found here.

 

When making your hotel reservations, please reference the group code under each hotel’s information on this document to get the special negotiated rate.

How much does it cost to park at the Waverly?

The Waverly offers a discounted rate for parking: $15/day for daytime parking and $20/night for overnight parking. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. When you arrive at the Waverly, if you are parking overnight, please notify the parking attendant, and they will direct you to the check-in desk to receive your permit. If you are only parking at the Waverly during the day, you may purchase a parking pass from the attendant as you enter the lot. They accept cash and credit cards.

 

Valet parking options are not available.

 

Overflow parking is available at the Cobb Galleria for $10/day. Please visit their website for more details. Overflow parking options at the Cobb Galleria and parking cannot be reimbursed by the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

If I bring someone with me, can they join me for meals?

No, individual meal tickets are not available for people who are not registered for the Pre-Conference Workshops or the Conference. NOTE: If you are registered for the Workshops and/or the conference, meals are included with your registration.

Where do I pick up my conference name badge when I get to the Waverly?

Name badges may be picked up at the Conference Registration Desk on the second floor in the back right corner of the Waverly. Workshop and Conference attendees may pick up their name badges on:

  • Tuesday, November 28, from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
  • Wednesday, November 29, from 6:45 am-4:00 pm
  • Thursday, November 30, from 7:00 am-4:00 pm

Does GSBA have any Covid Protocols in place?

GSBA will be following CDC Guidelines regarding Covid-19. Please visit their website for additional information.

Dietary needs

GSBA will do its best to accommodate special dietary needs. Please contact Leigh Crow at lcrow@gsba.com with any specific requests.

Will there be a Board Chair Luncheon?

GSBA will be hosting a luncheon for Board Chairs attending the Pre-Conference Workshops on Wednesday, November 29. Board Chairs will receive additional information from Nancy McLellan later.

Can Governance Teams meet during the Pre-Conference Workshops and the Conference?

No, Governance Teams may not meet during programming times at the Pre-Conference Workshops and the Conference. However, if a Governance Team would like to meet at the Waverly before or after programming hours, please reach out to Leigh Crow at lcrow@gsba.com.

When will exhibitors be on site?

The exhibit show starts Wednesday, November 29, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and continues Thursday, November 30,  from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where can I get information about being an Exhibitor or Sponsor at the event?

All opportunities for exhibits and sponsorships are accessible on the Business Opportunities website and can be signed up from there. If you have additional questions, please contact Pam Harrison by email at pharrison@gsba.com or by phone at 770.962.6855.

Will we receive any handouts for the Pre-Conference Workshops?

To reduce the amount of paper used, handouts will not be distributed. All materials will be made available on Whova.

Will any board award, service pins, etc. be presented at the Annual Conference?

Yes! The Board Recognition awards, Leading Edge Awards, Student Video Contest, Beacon Award, and Service Pins will be presented at the Annual Conference. Please check the agenda for specific days/times they will be presented.

Badge scanning and rewarding credit hours

GSBA will use a badge scanning process to award credit hours to board members at the Pre-Conference Workshops. All board members will need to make sure their badges are scanned when they leave the workshop at the end of the day. Designated GSBA team members will be standing at the doors to scan badges.

 

For board members attending the Legal Issues Workshop virtually, Whova will provide a viewing record to GSBA to verify a board member watched the workshop.

Do board members receive credit for attending the Conference?

No, board members only receive credit hours for attending a pre-conference workshop.

My board member was unable to watch the Legal Workshop virtually, will they still receive credit?

If a board member missed watching the Legal Issues workshop on the day it aired, they can watch it on Whova later. Once they have watched it, GSBA will need to be notified via email that the board member viewed the workshop. Please contact Ashley Mosby to verify that the board member has completed the training.

Summer Conference

The GSBA Summer Conference & Delegate Assembly is held each year at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Savannah, Georgia. The conference consists of one day of workshops and two days of speakers, the Delegate Assembly, lunches, and more.

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

GSBA’s Summer Conference has a multitude of advertising, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities.

 

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

Check back!  As additional information becomes available, this tab will be updated.

Save the Date!

Here are the dates for our 2024 Summer + Annual Conferences

2024 GSBA Summer Conference & Delegate Assembly

Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Exhibits: Thursday, June 6 – Friday, June 7, 2024

Conference: Friday, June 7 – Saturday, June 8, 2024

Hyatt Regency, Savannah, GA

2024 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference

New Dates!

Pre-Conference Workshops: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Exhibits: Wednesday, December 11 – Thursday, December 12, 2024

Conference: Thursday, December 12 – Friday, December 13, 2024

Renaissance Waverly, Atlanta, GA

Contact Us

Questions related to our conferences? Contact:

Leigh Crow
Program Manager: Conferences & Events
Email: lcrow@gsba.com

Dr. Samuel King
Director of Board Development
Email: sking@gsba.com

Ashley Mosby
Executive Assistant
Email: amosby@gsba.com

Pam Harrison
Business Opportunities Manager
Sponsors, Exhibitors and Advertisers
Email: pharrison@gsba.com