WASBO Conferences & Programs

WASBO's Professional Development Opportunities

WASBO offers numerous professional development offerings throughout the year for school personnel responsible for school business management functions. Topics include accounting, finance, facilities management, custodial & maintenance, transportation, human resources, legislative updates, licensure and more.

Are you new to the Business Office? Be sure to check out The Year of Success Program, a five-conference package that provides you with deep registration discounts, timely sessions covering the critical business office issues just ahead on the calendar, and the opportunity to develop a support network of professionals from around the state.

Accounting Conference

About: From veteran business managers and district administrators to new bookkeepers, this informative conference offers innovative ideas, timely instruction, and relevant advice on the issues facing school business offices today.
Date & Location: Late March in Madison
Who Attends: Finance Directors, Bookkeepers, CFOs, School Business Officials, New Staff Members, Service Affiliates
Highlights: Sessions, New Staff Member Orientation, Coordination with DPI Spring Workshop, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/accounting

Certified School Risk Managers Program

About: The Certified School Risk Managers Program (CSRM) will provide you with the in-depth knowledge of the risk management process and terminology based on the philosophy and theory of school risk management.
Date & Location: 5 sessions to be held throughout the year as well as an online option
Who Attends: Business Managers, Facility Managers, Risk Managers, Employee Benefit Coordinators, Safety Coordinators, Service Affiliates
Highlights: CSRM designation offered
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/riskmanagement

Custodial & Maintenance Conferences

About: WASBO typically offers Custodial & Maintenance Conferences each summer at various school districts throughout the state. Each conference is unique, programmed by the district staff hosting the event in concert with the WASBO School Facilities Committee. The emphasis is on practical and hands-on knowledge that custodial and maintenance personnel can implement in their districts.
Date & Location: 2-4 sessions each summer in new locations each year
Who Attends: School Custodial & Maintenance Staff, Facilities & Operations Directors
Highlights: Safety room challenge, educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, vendor exhibits, Facilities Management Certification sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: Yes – indoor & outdoor with room for large displays
Website: WASBO.com/custodial

Facilities Management Conference

About: This one and one-half day educational conference features a variety of classes targeted specifically for school facility, school operations and maintenance, and school business professionals. The conference also features an exhibit hall where service affiliates can showcase their products and services.
Date & Location: Mid-February in Wisconsin Dells
Who Attends: Facilities & Operations Managers, Facilities & Operations Staff, School Business Officials, Service Affiliates
Highlights: Vendor Resource Area with tabletop displays, sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: Yes – table top
Website: WASBO.com/facilities

Facilities Manager Core Certification

About: The purpose of the WASBO Facilities Manager Core Certification program is to develop a knowledge base for Building & Grounds/Facilities leaders, and to provide safe and healthful educational facilities in the State of Wisconsin.
Date & Location: Eight Modules offered at various conferences throughout the state
Who Participates: Facilities Directors, Business Managers, District Administrators, Maintenance Supervisors or anyone who has director or supervisory responsibility for the operations of school facilities.
Highlights: Increase in knowledge which leads to increased confidence in your abilities, recognition in your district and by your peers, knowledge gained from a network of school facility managers and industry professionals, familiarity with current topics, trends and legislation affecting school facilities management, improved employment options, enhanced leadership skills.
Vendor Exhibits: At the Facilities Management, Spring, and Custodial & Maintenance Conferences
Website: WASBO.com/facilitiescert

FALL Conference

About: The four tenants of the FALL Conference are Facilities, Accounting, Legislation and Leadership. School District Professionals and Service Affiliates will benefit from the knowledge and networking WASBO's Annual FALL Conference and Scholarship Fundraisers offer. You'll find sessions to benefit you and your district today, and help you plan for tomorrow.
Date & Location: Late September or October in Elkhart Lake
Who Attends: All WASBO members
Highlights: Fundraising event for WASBO Scholarship Fund, educational sessions, Facilities Management Certification sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/fall

Federal Funding Conference

About: The purpose of this conference is to provide school districts with the information they need, not only to be in compliance, but also to maximize their federal resources.
Date & Location: Mid-Late February in Wisconsin Dells
Who Attends: Special education program and Title I program coordinators and business staff working with special education and Title I funding.
Highlights: Educational sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/federalfunding

Midwest Facility Masters Conference

About: The Midwest Facility Masters Conference is a tremendous opportunity for facility managers, buildings and grounds supervisors, school business managers and district administrators to gain a new perspective on technology, procedures, processes and impacts of the facility and staffing decisions in the their districts. This one and one-half day educational conference features a wide variety of classes targeted specifically for school facility and business professionals as well as an exhibit hall where vendors can showcase their products and services. This event draws attendees from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
Date & Location: Early November or late October in Wisconsin Dells
Who Attends: Facilities & Operations Directors from WI and surrounding states
Highlights: Educational sessions, Facilities Management Certification sessions, exhibit hall, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: Yes – pipe & drape
Website: WASBO.com/facilitymasters

Money Talks Webinar Seires

Dates: Virtual webinars on the last Friday of the month
Who Attends: Those in Business Office, Superintendents and everyone else
Highlights: Series on borrowing, investing and managing school district funds
Vendor Exhibits: No — Virtual Webinars
Website: WASBO.com/MoneyTalks

New School Administrators & Support Staff Conference

About: The New School Administrators and Support Staff Conference is an intensive conference designed to provide you with a sound introduction to the school business office. It is also the first of six professional development opportunities each year in the Year of Success Program. The Year of Success Program is ideal for new business managers, bookkeepers and district administrators. Year of Success "brings it all together" and provides the support you need when you are new to the business office.
Date & Location: Early August
Who Attends: Employees new to the School Business Office
Highlights: educational sessions, PDP training opportunities, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/newadmin

School Business Office Professionals Conference

About: Learn and network with your peers from school business offices around the state!
Date & Location: Statewide annual conference held around December
Who Attends: Bookkeepers, Payroll/Benefit Administrators, Accounts Payable/Receivable
Highlights: Educational sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/sbo

Spring Conference

About: The Spring Conference is WASBO's biggest event of the year with something to offer for all WASBO Members. There are over 40 educational sessions, an expansive exhibit hall, a WASBO Foundation student scholarship fundraiser, WASBO professional recognition award presentations, and plenty of opportunities to network.
Date & Location: Late May in rotating locations – Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse, Green Bay
Who Attends: All WASBO members
Highlights: Golf fundraising event for WASBO Scholarship Fund, sessions, exhibit hall, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: Yes – pipe & drape
Website: WASBO.com/spring

Transportation Tidbits Webinar Series

Dates: Virtual webinars throughout the year
Who Attends: Transportation Managers, School Business Officials, Service Affiliates
Highlights: Great learning with vital, up-to-date information
Vendor Exhibits: No — Virtual Webinars
Website: WASBO.com/transportation

Winter at a Glance Conference

About: Part of the Year of Success Program, this one-day conference focuses on the business office responsibilities most critical for the winter months.
Date & Location: Early December in Madison
Who Attends: Bookkeepers, Business Managers, District Administrators
Highlights: Educational sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/winter

Wally Zastrow Leadership Academy

About: Hone your leadership skills in this six-session yearlong course!
Date & Location: Series of six sessions in Madison
Who Attends: District Professional members with input or decision-making authority for strategic decisions involving the school district.
Highlights: Educational sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: No
Website: WASBO.com/leadership

WASBO University's Certification Programs

About: WASBO University offers live, virtual professional development, created and presented by your WASBO peers, tailored to the unique needs of Wisconsin school business office and facilities professionals. This valuable learning opportunity is available to every school in the state, no matter the size or location of the district. WASBO University receives administrative and technical support from our partners at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Division of Continuing Education & Community Engagement.
Date & Location: Courses offered online throughout the year via University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Division of Continuing Education & Community Engagement.
Who Participates: Facilities Directors, Business Managers, Bookkeepers, District Administrators, Maintenance Supervisors or anyone who has director or supervisory responsibility for the operations of school facilities.
Highlights: Increase in knowledge which leads to increased confidence in your abilities, recognition in your district and by your peers, knowledge gained from a network of peers, familiarity with current topics, trends and legislation affecting school facilities management, improved employment options, enhanced leadership skills.
Vendor Exhibits: None.
Website: WASBO.com/university

Year of Success Program

About: A six-conference package designed to offer new business managers, bookkeepers, and district administrators with the timely knowledge they need to succeed in a typical school business office year.
Date & Location: Series of six conferences throughout the state.
Who Attends: District Professional & Service Affiliate members with input or decision-making authority for strategic decisions involving the school district.
Highlights: Educational sessions, networking opportunities
Vendor Exhibits: Sometimes
Website: http://www.wasbo.com/success