In-Person Conference for Non-Teaching Staff
Forge Ahead Together: Building Professional Relationships
March 7-8, 2025 | Shekou International School, Shenzhen
Schools that have registered for our past conferences:
Designed for ALL Support Staff.
Welcome to the Non-Teaching Staff Conference for International Schools, where our focus is on "Forge Ahead Together: Building Professional Relationships." In the dynamic world of international schools, strong relationships among non-teaching staff are essential for effective communication, mutual support, and enhancing our roles.
This conference is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues from diverse school settings, engage in workshops, and explore strategies for cultivating meaningful connections. Whether you're in administration, operations, or another non-teaching role, this event is your platform to strengthen your professional network and contribute to the success of our international school community.
Date & Time
March 7, Friday, 12:30–7:00PM
March 8, Saturday, 8:00AM–6:45PM
Venue
Shekou International School, Shenzhen
蛇口外籍人员子女学校
Registration Fee
Cost Per Participant
Full 2-Day Conference Pass (Mar 7-8): RMB2900/USD395
1-Day Conference Pass on Mar 8: RMB2200/USD315
Certificate Course
A certificate of participation will be awarded.
Praise From Our Past Participants
“I came, I grow.”
— Annie Lv, Suzhou Singapore International School
“[If you] want to be better [at your job], please join us at the next conference.”
— Carrie Chu, Dulwich College Beijing
“Learning, improved, and inspired.”
— Vicky Gao, Hangzhou International School
“The whole training is very informative and really inspired me in many ways.”
— Sonia Zhang, Tsinghua International School
“Learning from awesome people from different backgrounds.”
— Jane Zhang, Nanjing International School
“Everyone here understands you.”
— Effie Sun, TEDA Global Academy
Agenda
Day 1: March 7, 2025 (Friday)
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Registrations
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Welcome, Introductions & Logistics
1:40 PM – 5:00 PM: Job-Specific Experiential Learning
This experiential learning event is tailored to enhance the effectiveness of non-teaching staff in international schools through four job-specific sessions. Attendees will participate in focused activities and discussions organized according to their roles in marketing, HR, finance, or facilities management. Led by expert facilitators, each group will tackle challenges unique to their field, offering practical insights and strategies to help you excel in your specific role.
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM: Cocktail Social
5:50 PM – 6:35 PM: Keynote Speech
"Building Strong Professional Relationships and Collaborative Communication"
This keynote speech outlines essential strategies for building strong interpersonal connections and fostering open communication within teams. It emphasizes the importance of trust, respect, empathy, and emotional intelligence, alongside active listening and clear messaging. The speech also addresses communication barriers, conflict resolution, and enhancing team dynamics through shared goals. Attendees will gain actionable steps to create a positive and cohesive work environment.
6:35 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner (Main Course)
Day 2: March 8, 2025 (Saturday)
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM: Recap & Overview of Day 2
8:15 AM – 9:00 AM: Keynote Session
"Creating a Supportive Network for Personal and Professional Growth"
This keynote emphasizes the importance of building a supportive network for personal and professional growth. It highlights strategies for cultivating meaningful connections that offer emotional support, mentorship, and career opportunities. The speech explores the benefits of diverse networks and provides practical advice on maintaining these relationships, helping individuals enhance resilience and achieve sustained success.
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Coffee Break
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM: Elective Workshops (General Topics)
10:15 AM – 10:35 AM: Coffee Break
10:35 AM – 11:50 AM: Elective Workshops (Job-Specific Topics)
11:50 AM – 12:50 PM: Networking Lunch
12:50 PM – 1:50 PM: Peer Sharing & Learning
1:50 PM – 2:10 PM: Coffee Break
2:10 PM – 3:25 PM: Elective Workshops (Job-Specific Topics)
3:25 PM – 3:45 PM: Coffee Break
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM: Elective Workshops (General Topics)
5:00 PM: Shuttle Service – Back to Hotel/Designated Airport/Train Station
6:45 PM: (Optional) Sight-Seeing Tour
PD Academia invites you to submit a proposal for presentation at our annual conference for administrative support staff.
Presenters do not have to pay to present. If the presenter wants to register as a participant, they will receive a special discount on registration and may qualify for free registration.
How will I learn?
Based on extensive research, we have developed a model for virtual professional development that will:
Enable participants to enjoy a mix of content delivery methods to meet the needs of various learning styles and preferences, including but not limited to mini-lectures, case studies, role-plays, discussions, and video productions.
Challenge participants to apply knowledge and tools introduced throughout the conference to their own working context.
Connect participants to process content collectively and share unique experiences and perspectives in small and large groups.
Allow participants to review the presentations at their own convenience for 12 months after the conference to reinforce their learning.
What Our Past Participants Are Saying
“I met some fantastic people and learned a lot about my role.”
— Gabrielle McCann, Australian International School Hong Kong
“Education is more than just about academics. Emphasize character building; it is what will make the world a better place. Your actions matter.”
— Isma Hussain, Yew Chung International School Hong Kong
“In this conference, you are not only a learner but also a teacher. You will think about your job differently after interacting with many peers who play the same role in other schools.”
— Nini Ni, Beijing City International School