Skyward hosts Innovators Conference 2026 for K-12 leaders in Florida. Mar 16, 2026 Skyward, a provider of school administration software, hosted its 23rd Innovators Conference (iCon) from February 25 to 27 in St. Pete Beach, Florida, according to a March 9 announcement. The event brought together more than 400 K-12 education leaders and focused on the integration of artificial intelligence and Skyward's Qmlativ platform. The conference aimed to help school districts adopt modern student information system (SIS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions. Attendees participated in over 80 sessions led by Skyward experts, district representatives, and business partners. Topics included optimizing Qmlativ usage, preparing for migration from older systems, and strategies for improving district operations. A one-on-one help room was also available for personalized support. Tom King, chief marketing officer at Skyward, said, "This year's iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future. With Skyward driving that transformation, we're seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It's exciting to witness what becomes possible when innovation and purpose come together." During the event, Skyward presented the 2026 Leader in Excellence Awards to individuals and districts recognized for innovative use of its software. Winners included Plano Independent School District in Texas; Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools; New Trier High School District 203 in Illinois; Liberty-Eylau ISD; Holly Stewart of Crete-Monee School District 201U; Theresa McConnell of Mohawk Area School District; Sean Schaeffer of Edmonds School District; Kathy Reed of Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation; and Rick Seybold of Grafton School District. "Thanks to winning the Leader in Excellence Award, I was able to attend iCon for the first time," said Rick Seybold. "The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to bring back new ideas from iCon that we can use in the future." Next year's Innovators Conference is scheduled for February 24-26, 2027 at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach.

Skyward's iCon 2026 delivers future-focused Conference, bringing together 400+ K-12 leaders for learning, innovation, and celebration. Attendees enjoyed over 80 sessions, high-level networking, and celebrating the 2026 Leader in Excellence winners. March 03, 2026 09:03 ET | Source: Skyward Inc STEVENS POINT, Wis., March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Skyward, a school administration software provider committed to helping K-12 leaders spend less time on tasks and more time with students, celebrated its 23rd Innovators Conference (iCon) February 25-27, 2026 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. This year's event focused on the innovation of AI and Qmlativ, reflecting districts' moves toward the latest SIS and ERP solutions available by Skyward. "The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to..." "This year's iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future..." "With Skyward driving that transformation, we're seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It's exciting to witness..." "Thanks to winning the Leader in Excellence Award, I was able to attend iCon for the first time..." "The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to..." "This year's iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future..." "With Skyward driving that transformation, we're seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It's exciting to witness..." "Thanks to winning the Leader in Excellence Award, I was able to attend iCon for the first time..." "The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to..." With 80+ sessions from Skyward experts, districts, and business partners, iCon 2026 offered deep dives into Qmlativ optimization, migration preparation, and strategies for improving district operations. Attendees also took advantage of the highly sought-after one-on-one help room, which provided individualized support for both Qmlativ users and districts preparing to transition from SMS 2.0. "This year's iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future," said Tom King, chief marketing officer at Skyward. "With Skyward driving that transformation, we're seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It's exciting to witness what becomes possible when innovation and purpose come together." Skyward also celebrated the 2026 Leader in Excellence Awards, honoring individuals and districts that use Skyward in innovative, high-impact ways. Recipients included: * Plano Independent School District, TX as a Qmlativ district winner * Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, WI as a Qmlativ district winner * New Trier High School District 203, IL as the SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ district winner * Liberty-Eylau ISD, IX as the SMS 2.0 district winner * Holly Stewart, senior data administrator at Crete-Monee School District 201U, IL as a Qmlativ individual winner * Theresa McConnell, director of technology at Mohawk Area School District, PA as a Qmlativ individual winner * Sean Schaeffer, information systems manager at Edmonds School District, WA as a Qmlativ individual winner * Kathy Reed, data steward at Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation, IN as an SMS 2.0 individual winner * Rick Seybold, director of technology and district assessment coordinator at Grafton School District, WI as an SMS 2.0 individual winner "Thanks to winning the Leader in Excellence Award, I was able to attend iCon for the first time," said Rick Seybold. "The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to bring back new ideas from iCon that we can use in the future." Next year's Innovators Conference will take place February 24-26, 2027, at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. For more information, visit skyward.com/icon. About Skyward Since 1980, Skyward's SIS and ERP solutions have helped more than 2,500 school districts save time, connect with families, and empower success. By blending advanced technology guided by actual users with world-class support delivered with a personal touch, Skyward is the clear choice for K-12 leaders who want to spend less time on tasks and more time with students. To learn more about the next generation of K-12 administration software, visit www.skyward.com. Media Contact:

iCon is on the horizon! Get ready for Skyward's 23rd-annual iCon conference, the premier professional development event for Skyward users. If you're joining Skyward Inc. this year, Skyward Inc. has put together a list to help you prepare for a three-day adventure filled with edtech camaraderie, innovation, and district optimization! 1. Download your iCon navigation system. Grab your phone, download the Skyward iCon app, and enjoy this video as it leads you through how to set up a profile and get the most out of your experience. 2. Get excited. Let the fun begin! Check out this short video for a glimpse of what awaits at iCon. 3. Chart your course. Keep key topics within easy reach as you navigate your district's needs. Choose from subjects such as: * Implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in a safe, strategic, and student-centered way. * The full lifecycle of dashboard creation and customization. * Automation and organization of routine tasks. * Building impactful visuals that bring your district data to life. * Practical ways to streamline processes, optimize Qmlativ, and maximize operational efficiency in your district. * Encryption, password policies, and best practices for securing user access. * And so much more! 4. Prepare to meet with its edtech captains. The one-on-one help room is a harbor for Qmlativ expertise. Sit down with a Skyward expert, discuss your district's needs, ask your S2Q questions, and receive individualized support from someone eager to lead you down the path of success. Pro tip: Sign up at the registration desk when you arrive at iCon. Spots are limited and fill up quickly! Topics in the help room will exclusively cover Qmlativ and S2Q migration topics. 5. Need a break from the tech talk? Make the most of your free time with tropical activities. The ocean awaits! Take a short stroll to sandy beaches or indulge in fresh seafood at RumFish Grill, home of a famous 33,500-gallon fish tank. If you'd like to venture out, there are plenty of other options within walking distance that offer a bite to eat, a beachy beverage, or a spot to watch for the green flash at sunset. Visit this page to download an "I'm attending!" image to share on socials. Haven't signed up yet but want to attend? Join the waitlist! Visit the event registration page to add your name to the waitlist for this year's event. Or mark your calendar to register early for iCon 2027! Skyward Inc. look forward to seeing you soon! Visit its Events page to view upcoming conferences, including your state's user group conference where you can connect with other Skyward users and learn to use the software more effectively. Thinking about edtech for your district?