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The Art of Advancement in the Age of AI

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ISPD Summer Development School
June 22-24, 2026 | New Orleans

Save My Seat

Testmonials from the 2025 Summer Development School

Engaging, varied, and practical sessions. Presenters provided real-life knowledge, tips, and examples. Examples of real-life outcomes. Main focus is on people and relationships.

Development Director, Bristol, VA

The small conference let us really connect and share personal experiences with the presenters. Understood that our schools are all in different places and the variety of topics let us go to ones on our level. Presenters integrated with attendees and made themselves available.

Elementary Principal, Louisiana

Very well organized, solid presentation with a plethora of topics.

Pastor, McSherrystown, PA

Love the tangible ideas, processes, and networking. Appreciate the binder for note-taking. Love the location of the hotel. Love the opportunity to celebrate Mass.

Principal, Louisville, KY

Amazing presenters, great, diverse subject matter, food, and priests at Mass.

President, Corpus Christi, TX

Great sessions with a range of topics. Opportunities to meet/connect with other school leaders. Engaging keynote presentations.

Assistant Principal, River Ridge, LA

The First Catholic Development Conference
 Designed for the AI Era

The Question Every Catholic School Leader Is Asking:

How do we harness AI’s power without losing the personal touch that makes Catholic advancement work?

For the first time, we’re showing Catholic school and parish leaders how to harness AI as an ally in advancement work, not a replacement for the relationships at the heart of our mission.

You’ll leave with tools you can implement for the 2026-27 school year.

2026 Keynote Speakers

Adam Olenn
Adam OlennFounder, Rustle & Spark
25+ years in branding and storytelling. His work spans four continents — and he’s determined to help Catholic leaders communicate compellingly in the age of AI.
Fr. Jared Rodrigue
Fr. Jared RodriguePastor, St. Luke the Evangelist
Led a $7M capital campaign to build a new church. He brings the lived experience of Catholic advancement from the pastor’s chair — faith-filled and built to last.
Dr. RaeNell Houston
Dr. RaeNell HoustonExecutive Director/ Superintendent Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation
Dr. Houston brings the view from the diocesan chair: what it actually takes to build a culture of development and advancement across an entire system.
Faustin Weber
Faustin WeberPresident, Prince of Peace Catholic School
35+ years as principal, president, and head of schools. His leadership philosophy centers on joy, optimism, and the long-term sustainability of Catholic education.

Who Should Attend?

Superintendents & Diocesan Leaders

Build advancement capacity across your entire system.

Presidents, Pastors, Principals & School Leaders

Master tools that save time and amplify your impact.

Advancement and Admissions Staff

Automate your research, personalize your relationships and scale your results.

Registration $1,375  •  Groups of 2 or more from the same institution $1,225.Registration $1,375  •  Groups of 2 or more from the same institution $1,225.
Advancement  •  Enrollment Management  •  Board Engagement  •  Marketing & Communication  •  Annual Funds  •  Development  •  Leadership  •  Stewardship  •  Capital Campaigns  •Advancement  •  Enrollment Management  •  Board Engagement  •  Marketing & Communication  •  Annual Funds  •  Development  •  Leadership  •  Stewardship  •  Capital Campaigns  •

Three days of tools you’ll use. Strategies that work. Results you’ll see. Work Smarter and amplify relationships.

Conference Tracks and Themes

Strategic Planning & Leadership

  • Unlocking the Future: Crafting a Strategic Growth Plan that Drives Real Change
  • From Survival to Sustainability: Building Development Culture Across All Schools
  • Your Strategic Growth Plan: The Key to Your School’s Future

Enrollment Management

  • From Data to Decision: Using Demographics to Grow Your Catholic School
  • From 2 AM Inquiry to First Day: Automating Your Admissions Journey
  • Creating Your Top Ten Selling Points and WOW
  • Hosting a Successful Open House

Development

  • Leveraging AI for Smarter Donor Research and Relationship Management
  • Mission-Centered Appeals: Customizing Your Message for Every Donor Segment
  • Finding Your Lost Alumni: Building and Refining Your Database
  • Campaign-Ready or Not? The Essential Checklist

Marketing & Communications

  • Social Media for Catholic Schools: AI-Assisted for Maximum Impact with Minimal Resources
  • Marketing Your Schools: The Diocesan Office’s Role in Growing Enrollment
  • Beyond the Template: Advanced Canva Techniques for Busy School Leaders

Experience New Orleans

Why New Orleans?

There’s no better city to celebrate the art of Catholic advancement than New Orleans—a place where faith, culture, and community are woven into every corner.

The ISPD Summer 2026 Development School is returning the the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, right in the heart of New Orleans and within walking distance of the French Quarter, shopping, amazing food, and the casino.

Our opening Mass on Monday evening will be at at the historic St. Louis Cathedral, followed by a reception in the heart of the French Quarter. On Tuesday, we’ve built in an extended lunch break so you can explore the city’s legendary food scene—from po’boys at Mother’s to beignets at Café Du Monde to authentic Creole cuisine in the Quarter.

And Tuesday evening? Add an optional ticket at registration for a sunset cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez, where you’ll enjoy live jazz and Mississippi River views while networking with fellow Catholic school leaders. Between world-class sessions, you’ll experience a city that knows how to build belonging—the same principle that drives everything we do in Catholic advancement.

Conference FAQ

The ISPD 2026 Development School Experience will take place at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the premier leisure hotel ideally located along the bank of the Mississippi River, across the street from Caesers Casino, within walking distance of the Aquarium of America, the World War II Museum, and a streetcar ride to the Audubon Zoo, Butterfly Garden, and Insectarium.

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is also interconnected to the Outlet Mall at The Riverwalk, which includes 85 outlet shops, restaurants, and a fabulous food court. It is two easy walking blocks to our world-famous French Quarter and countless restaurants, art galleries, streetcar lines, and more.

Conference attendees can take advantage of our special group hotel rate. After you register for the conference, a link to reserve your hotel room will be provided.

  • Mass is offered each day of the conference.
  • Our conference welcome reception happens at the end of the first day. It’s a great chance to meet and network with fellow attendees.
  • Attendees will be able to register at the group rate for a Tuesday evening Jazz Cruise on the Natchez Steamboat.  (Does not include their dinner.)

The ISPD 2026 Summer Development School is a great way to showcase your company, brand, and products to Catholic school and parish administrators. This conference attracts key decision-makers, including (arch)diocesan superintendents, pastors, presidents, principals, advancement/development, marketing, and enrollment professionals, who work tirelessly to improve their schools and parish communities.

ISPD Conference sponsorships provide opportunities for attendees to connect and build relationships!  Conference Sponsors will have exclusive access to attendees and will be able to generate qualified leads through our conference app Whova.

The price includes registration/tuition, continental breakfast each morning, lunch on Wednesday and refreshments throughout the day, a Monday evening reception, and conference materials.

  • Groups of two or more from the same institution can qualify for the group ticket discount.
  • Current ISPD consulting and coaching clients can qualify for special conference pricing.  Contact the ISPD office for more information.

Attendee Cancellation Policy:

Before May 1, 2026: Conference registration may be canceled with a full refund (less a $75 processing fee) with written notification to catholicdev@ispdconsulting.com.

Between May 1 – June 1, 2026: A 50% refund is available for conference registration with written notification to catholicdev@ispdconsulting.com

After June 1, 2026: No refunds will be granted after this time. In the case of an emergency or extenuating circumstances, requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A registered attendee who cannot attend the conference may transfer that registration to another individual from their institution. All requests should be made via written notification to catholicdev@ispdconsulting.com.

Need to Pay Offline?

If your school or diocese requires a purchase order or prefers to pay by check, we’re happy to accommodate you. Simply contact us at karen@ispdconsulting.com and a member of our team will work with you to complete your registration.

2026 Professional Learning Sessions (Preliminary)

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