Education Summit
Le Méridien New Orleans
The final act of “Spotlight” puts YOU center stage.
RISE. RECHARGE. RELAX.
Step Into Your Spotlight—an immersive experience designed to help you rise into your next chapter, recharge your passion, and relax among peers who inspire you. This year’s Education Summit centers on personal and professional growth, blending empowering education, wellness, and authentic connection. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, it’s a celebration of learning, leadership, and the energy that happens when our community comes together.
What to Expect
- YOU in the Spotlight: think tank sessions, real-world case shares, peer roundtables, and quick-hit showcases where members share wins, lessons, and bold ideas.
- Powerful education: fresh trends, practical tools, and sessions mapped to professional competencies—built for immediate, real-world impact.
- Connections that count: intentional networking with destinations, partners, and fellow pros who love to collaborate and actually do business together.
- Celebration moments: Chapter of the Year pride, volunteer shout-outs, and a few surprise spotlights to toast an unforgettable year.
- Only-in-NOLA vibes: great food, music, and a setting that fuels creativity and camaraderie.
Speaker and Facilitators
Samantha Mele
Keynote Speaker
Deborah Cary
Own Your Message: Personal Branding for Impact and Influence
Robyn Davis
Canva Quest: The Event Pro Design Game
Shannon Johnson
What I Wish Every Planner Knew…
Joe Capone
Opening
Joe closes out 2025
Lauren Singer-Perry
announces 2026
Darryl Nielsen
Think Tank Break Outs
Hotel Information
Le Méridien New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504)-525-9444
Experience luxury at the recently renovated Le Méridien New Orleans, ideally located on Poydras Street in downtown. Just a short stroll from the legendary French Quarter and the Arts District, our boutique 4-star hotel blends European heritage with modern style. Relax by the rooftop pool, work out in the 24-hour fitness center, or enjoy all-day dining overlooking Lafayette Square.
Our newly renovated rooms and suites feature plush bedding, destination-inspired artwork, and sensuous furnishings—perfect for unwinding after a day of events or exploring the city. Le Méridien also offers sophisticated meeting spaces, custom catering, and exemplary service to elevate your event experience.
Step outside and immerse yourself in New Orleans’ vibrant music scene, historic architecture, and energetic nightlife. With curated experiences and signature food and beverage programs, your stay at Le Méridien promises to be as memorable as the city itself.
Parking
$30.00 daily parking
Hotel Concessions
Thank you to Le Meridien New Orleans for these generous concessions:
- Waived wireless internet in meeting spaces and guestrooms
- Complimentary access to the fitness center, available 24/7
- No resort fees
- 2 days pre/post at group rate
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Join us in giving back through our in-person CSR experience with HandsOn New Orleans. This incredible organization empowers local communities through volunteer service, revitalization, and disaster response—impacting thousands of lives across the region. During our project, we’ll be wrapping holiday gifts for parents to give their children, spreading joy and connection to families in need. SITE Southeast has already sponsored a generous number of gifts, and your contribution will help expand that impact—adding even more presents and support for local families.
We will send more information and the WISH LIST as soon as we receive it if you would like to donate items as well!
About HandsOn New Orleans
The mission of HandsOn New Orleans is to engage, empower, and transform our community through volunteer service. To date our team has engaged over 152,000+ volunteers serving 745,773 hours with an impact of $30.4 million dollars in community savings through time and materials. Thank you for wanting to be a part of this impact!
The organization achieves its mission with 50+ collaborative community partnerships via a suite of synergistic programs. HandsOn leverages its core strengths of volunteer engagement, design and execution of high-impact service projects, and disaster response services to strengthen families and transform neighborhoods in the seven-parish metro area. Collaborative partnerships are required to revitalize public schools, create safe and welcoming places for healthy play, eating, and after-school care, to restore our natural and made environments by eradicating blight and creating ways to live with water, and to provide essential human services to vulnerable populations.
Community and site partners – those closest to the problem – identify pressing needs while HandsOn recruits and manages volunteers to address the issues. The HandsOn model is unique. We are a force-multiplier that links human, financial, and material resources to create resident-based solutions and advance self-sufficient, citizen-driven community revitalization.
2025 Annual Sponsors
Host Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsors
