The IECA 2025 Annual Conference will be held in Detroit, Michigan, May 5–7 and will feature educational sessions, fairs, and networking events for all attendees—IECs, admission professionals, and vendors. The conference will also include pre-conference workshops and campus tours for IECA member consultants taking place prior to and after the conference. Registration will open January 22.
On this page, you'll find the following information:
Conference Registration
Click on the appropriate link below for conference registration information.
Independent Educational Consultants
K-12 Schools
Includes K-12 Traditional Day/Boarding Schools, K-12 Online Schools, K-12 LD/ND Schools, Post-Secondary LD/ND Programs (non-therapeutic)
Therapeutic Schools & Programs
Includes RTCs, Wilderness Programs, Therapeutic Schools, Young Adult/Transition Programs, Therapeutic Related Service Companies
Gap Year, Summer, & Travel Programs Registration
Includes Gap Year, Summer, Travel Programs (non-therapeutic)
Schedule of Events
Download the conference schedule here.
All times listed on the schedule are in Eastern (ET)
Breakout Sessions
Participants will have great topics to choose from during each block of breakout sessions. Presenters will be able to upload their slides/handouts to our mobile conference app, so you will have access to shared materials for many of the educational sessions, regardless of which you attend. Sessions will not be recorded.
Download the preliminary list of educational sessions here
Continuing Education Hours
IECA offers Continuing Education Hours to all registrants at no additional fee. More information will be provided in the conference mobile app and in the Conference Guide you will receive onsite. IECA has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6632. Sessions that do not qualify for NBCC credit will be clearly identified. All sessions qualify for CE credit for AICEP. IECA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
ACE Speakers
Monday, May 5
1:00 p.m.
These renowned thought leaders will conduct dynamic, energetic presentations on Adolescence, Consulting, and Education (ACE).
Freeing The Anxious Generation: Collective Action to Restore Healthy Childhood
Gen Z is the first generation in history to go through puberty with portals in their pockets that call them away from the people nearby and into an alternative universe that is exciting, addictive, and unstable. How do we navigate this new technological landscape? Join Zach Rausch, lead researcher for The Anxious Generation, for a lively and in-depth presentation on the ways technology is reshaping childhood and what teens, parents, schools, and legislatures can do to reclaim childhood in the real world.
Zach Rausch is Associate Research Scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business, lead researcher to Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, and a researcher for the Center for Humane Technology. He earned a bachelor of arts in sociology and religious studies and a master of science in psychological science from SUNY New Paltz. He has also given expert testimony to multiple state legislatures on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.
The Joy Game: Using the Science of Happiness to Turn Stress and Exhaustion into the Daily Practice of Joy
In an era of constant change and mounting pressure, the pursuit of joy often feels elusive. In this talk, acclaimed happiness expert Amy Blankson reveals a transformative approach to living joyfully, no matter the obstacles. Drawing on twenty years of playful yet profound practice, Amy invites audiences into a powerful journey to deepen their connections and instill a contagious zest for life. Through her engaging storytelling, cutting-edge research, and actionable strategies, Amy empowers audiences to uncover their deepest sources of joy and cultivate a mindset that thrives through change. This keynote is a rallying call to embrace joy as a daily act of courage, connection, and purpose.
Amy Blankson is a sought-after speaker on the intersection of happiness and innovation. She is the Chief Evangelist for the Digital Wellness Institute, the bestselling author of The Future of Happiness, and a graduate of both Harvard and the Yale School of Management. Most recently, Amy was named to the AI75 by Dallas Innovates and serves on Harvard’s AI for Human Flourishing Council.
College Special Session
Wednesday, May 7
10:45 a.m.
Finding The College That’s Right For You
In this keynote, Jeff Selingo will offer a sneak peek into his next book, Dream School, which takes a fresh approach to the college search and is scheduled for release in September 2025. Selingo challenges the common narrative that there is a "dream school" for everyone—one perfect institution that guarantees success. In this presentation, Selingo will share insights on how to rethink what truly makes a “good” school and how we can empower families to focus on the colleges where students will flourish.
Jeff Selingo has written about higher education for more than two and a half decades and is a New York Times bestselling author of three books, including Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He also writes a bi-weekly newsletter on all things higher ed called Next, co-hosts the podcast, Future U.
College Showcase
Wednesday afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to hear from admissions counselors representing colleges and universities from across the country, from big universities, small liberal arts colleges, and those in between. This is a great chance to learn more about numerous campuses in one afternoon!
Hotel & Travel Information
Hotel Information
To ensure that registrants have first access to our room block, the booking information will be provided in registrants’ confirmation emails. Conference attendees only may book at the listed IECA Conference hotel rate of $248 single/double; the rate is valid through April 10, while rooms are available. A maximum of two rooms may be reserved under a conference registrant’s name. Those not registered for the conference will pay the hotels’ standard rates.
If you are looking for a roommate or have a room to share, please add your contact information to this Google Sheet and check back frequently. If you find a roommate, please remove both of your names from the list.
Travel Information
The hotel is located in downtown Detroit with easy access to the People Mover light rail system and just a short walk to the QLine streetcar. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is 21 miles from our hotel with Uber/Lyft fees of approximately $40, depending on time of day and traffic. Parking at the hotel costs $27 daily.
Conference Policies
Conference Recording Policy
Participants are not permitted to record any conference sessions or discussions (with any audio, video, note-takers, transcribers, or AI bots/software). If a participant requires a recording for accessibility purposes, they must obtain advance approval from IECA’s Director of Conferences & Events ([email protected]) and retain the recording for their private use only.
Health Safety Policy
To register for this event, you must read and agree that you will abide by the following policy: IECA Health Safety Policy
Guests
We are not able to accommodate guests at any conference event, including speakers, meals, sessions, or receptions. Only registered conference participants will have access to conference events and the conference areas of the hotel.
Special Accommodations
Registrants needing a physical accommodation and those with dietary restrictions are asked to include that information in the space provided during conference registration or send written requests for special meals or accommodations to [email protected].
IECA 2025 Annual Conference Cancellation/Refund Policy
IECA must receive notification of your cancellation by email at [email protected] to receive a credit or refund. Refund amount: Those who cancel by March 15 will receive a refund equaling 100% of the fees paid, minus a $50 administrative fee (a portion of the direct administrative costs charged by our online system for registering and unregistering participants and processing refunds). Those cancelling between March 16 and April 5 will receive a refund equaling 50% of the fees paid. Cancellations after April 5 will not receive a refund or credit.
Pre-conference Workshop cancellations: 50% refunds for those cancelling by April 5; no refunds or credits after April 5.
Member Tour cancellations: There are no refunds for tour cancellations, regardless of date, and tour registrations are not transferrable.