From Interoperability to Intelligence

October 28-29, 2026

GOLD SPONSOR

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Venue

Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
7142 E 1st St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 USA
$279 USD / night
+1 (480) 590-3864 (hotel)
+1 (800) 445-8667 (reservations)*

reserve your room*

*If calling directly for reservations, be sure to mention the PESC October 2026 Data Summit when booking to receive the discounted group rate.

PESC has reserved a limited number of rooms at the discounted group rate. We encourage you to reserve your room as soon as possible, as availability is limited and the discounted rate cannot be guaranteed once the PESC room block is filled.

The PESC group rate is available through September 30, 2026, or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first.

Questions?

Email info@PESC.org for assistance.

ABOUT
PROGRAM
FEES & POLICIES
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Building What Comes Next

Join us for the PESC October 2026 Data Summit, taking place in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, on October 28–29, 2026 — a focused, collaborative gathering of leaders and practitioners working to shape the future of education data.

For years, interoperability has been at the heart of PESC’s work: creating the standards and connections that allow trusted data to move across systems, institutions, and organizations. But interoperability has never been only about connecting systems. It’s about helping information move with the people it represents — making educational records, credentials, and achievements more accessible and meaningful; reducing barriers between institutions and organizations; and giving the education community better information to support learners and make informed decisions.

Today, that foundation is opening the door to something more. As AI, automation, digital credentials, and other technologies reshape education, trusted, connected data can become more than information exchanged between systems — it can become a source of insight, understanding, and action.

Under the theme From Interoperability to Intelligence, this fall’s Data Summit will bring our community together to explore how we build on the standards and connections already in place to create greater value for learners, institutions, and the education ecosystem as a whole.

The Voices Shaping Education Data

The PESC Data Summit brings together experts, innovators, and practitioners from across the education data community. Representing higher education institutions, technology providers, standards organizations, and other leaders across the ecosystem, our speakers bring diverse perspectives and practical experience to the conversations that matter now.

Through presentations, panels, and collaborative discussions, they’ll explore how trusted data and interoperability can support the next generation of education technology — from AI and automation to digital credentials, data governance, and beyond.

A man with glasses and a beard wearing a white shirt — **HILLARY HALPERN**
Sr. Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix
.

More speakers to be announced.

Why Attend the PESC October 2026 Data Summit?

Explore What’s Next

Discover how AI, automation, digital credentials, and other emerging technologies are changing what’s possible with connected education data — and why trusted standards and interoperability matter more than ever.

Connect with the PESC Community

Exchange ideas and build relationships with education technology and data leaders who are solving real-world challenges across institutions, organizations, and systems.

Turn Ideas Into Practice

Learn from peers and experts who are putting standards, data, and emerging technologies to work. Take home perspectives and approaches you can apply within your own organization.

Be Part of What’s Next

PESC Data Summits are built around collaboration. Bring your experience, questions, and ideas to conversations about where education data is headed — and how we can move the ecosystem forward together.

Submit a Session

Program Info

Join the Program Committee

Navigate the evolving landscape of student data exchange at the PESC October Data Summit. This program features interactive general sessions designed to spark discussion and share practical insight across the community. Topics include electronic transcripts (LER/CLR, JSON-LD, and related frameworks), credentials, artificial intelligence, data standards, PESC and partner updates, emerging best practices, and more.

Share Your Expertise – Become a Summit Speaker

Community submissions for the October 2026 Data Summit are now being accepted through Friday, September 18th. PESC is seeking dynamic and informative in-person sessions that address a variety of topics related to student data, including:

Open Standards and Standards Alignment
Emerging Technologies
The Future of Work and Education
Privacy, Security, and Compliance
Institutional and Policy Perspectives
Trends and Future-Focused Topics

We encourage submissions from the following and more:

Higher education professionals
Education technology providers
Data experts and analysts
Policymakers and researchers

Benefits of presenting at the October Data Summit:

Share your expertise with an international audience of education leaders.
Network with colleagues and potential partners in the field.
Gain recognition as a thought leader in student data exchange.
Contribute to shaping the future of education.

Submit a proposal

Featured Sessions

The October Data Summit program is taking shape, with sessions designed to move beyond the big ideas and into the conversations, challenges, and practical applications that matter across the education data community. Expect a mix of expert perspectives, real-world examples, community updates, and collaborative discussion — all with an eye toward where education data is headed and what it will take to get there.

Sessions are subject to change. Additional sessions and speakers will be announced as the program develops.

AI, STANDARDS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN ACTION

SPEAKERS:

What happens when AI meets education data standards? This session will move beyond the theoretical with practical examples and a live demonstration of AI interacting with standards in real time. Explore how natural language and AI can make complex data standards more accessible and actionable, and what organizations should be thinking about as they prepare their data and infrastructure for an increasingly AI-enabled ecosystem.

PUTTING STANDARDS TO WORK

SPEAKERS:

How do we make standards easier to discover, understand, and actually use? This session will explore how modern tools and infrastructure can transform the way we interact with education data standards—from navigating technical information and visualizing data models to connecting standards across the broader education ecosystem. Whether you build standards, implement them, or simply rely on the data they help move, see what becomes possible when standards are designed not just to be documented, but to be put to work.

REIMAGINING THE TRANSCRIPT: A FIRST LOOK AT JSON-LD IN ACTION

SPEAKERS:

Jim Kelly, Principal, Jim Kelly Technologies
John Lovell, Technology Director, A4L Community
Rick Skeel, Chair, PESC JSON-LD Transcript Workgroup; Retired Registrar, University of Oklahoma

PESC’s JSON-LD Transcript Workgroup is reaching an important milestone. Join us for a first look at the PESC College Transcript JSON-LD Working Draft, where we will explore how the familiar transcript model is being reimagined for modern, web-native data exchange using JSON Schema, linked data, and shared education vocabularies. This will kick-off the PESC community’s first opportunity to see the work in its final form, examine the design choices, and help identify necessary changes before the draft moves forward.

WHAT DOES THE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE ECOSYSTEM NEED NEXT?

SPEAKERS:

As education and workforce systems become increasingly connected, what do we need from standards to support what comes next? This interactive session will bring the community into the conversation about emerging needs across postsecondary education and the broader education and workforce ecosystem. Through discussion and small-group dialogue, attendees will explore new priorities, connections to workforce data, opportunities for standards, and where PESC can have the greatest impact.

Schedule at a Glance

Schedule is subject to change.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2026

7:30-8:30 AM MST – Continental Breakfast
8:30-10:00 AM MST – General Sessions
10:00-10:30 AM MST – Beverage Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM MST – General Sessions
12:00-1:30 PM MST – Luncheon
1:30-3:00 PM MST – General Sessions
3:00-3:30 PM MST – Snack Break
3:30-5:00 PM MST – General Sessions
5:15-6:15 PM MST – Networking Reception

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026

7:30-8:30 AM MST – Continental Breakfast
10:00-10:30 AM MST – Beverage Break
10:30 AM-12:00 PM MST – General Sessions
12:00 PM MST – ADJOURN

Join the Program Committee

Help shape the direction and impact of future PESC Data Summits by joining the Program Committee. Committee members collaborate to guide session topics, review proposals, and ensure the program reflects the needs and priorities of the education data community. This committee meets for one hour weekly, with light collaboration in the interim. If you’re interested in contributing your expertise and helping build a meaningful and engaging Summit experience, we invite you to get involved — please contact us at info@pesc.org to learn more.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Hillary Halpern, Program Committee Chair and Senior Director of Program Deployment, University of Phoenix
Melissa Buckley, Senior Director of Strategy and Market Insights, National Student Clearinghouse
Mark Cohen, Product Manager for Infrastructure and Data Services, California Community Colleges Technology Center
Bryant Faust, President, IV Consulting Enterprises, AACRAO Representative
Alex Jackl, Founder & CEO, Bardic Systems, Data Standards United Chair
Jennifer Kim, Senior Director of Operations, PESC
Michael Sessa, President Emeritus, PESC
Monterey Sims, Director of Admissions and Evaluations, University of Phoenix
Jodi Tavares, Executive Director, ARUCC MyCreds | MesCertif
Vivian Wong, Group Vice President, Oracle Higher Education

All Summit registration payments must be received by Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Registrations submitted after this date must be paid by credit card at the time of registration.

Registration Fees

PESC Members receive discounted rates! Learn more about joining PESC.

PESC Members:

Early Bird: $850 — through September 25
Standard: $995 — September 26–October 13
Final: $1,095 — beginning October 14

Non-Members:

Early Bird: $995 — through September 25
Standard: $1,195 — September 26–October 13
Final: $1,295 — beginning October 14

The Summit Package includes:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2026

Interactive General Sessions and Networking
Continental Breakfast
Mid-Morning Refreshment Break
Luncheon
Afternoon Snacks and Refreshments
Networking Reception

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026

Interactive General Sessions and Networking
Continental Breakfast
Mid-Morning Refreshment Break

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted to PESC in writing (e.g. email) and will be processed 30 calendar days after the October 2026 Data Summit concludes. Any person who registers and decides not to attend MUST submit a formal cancellation request – otherwise full payment is due. Cancellation and refund requests made by September 30, 2026 may be considered for a refund. Any cancellation and refund request made after September 30, 2026 is not eligible for a refund regardless of whether the registrant attends the Summit. All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted to Jennifer Kim at jennifer.kim@pesc.org.

REGISTRATION POLICY

PESC requires that all speakers, moderators, chairs, and attendees of Data Summits register and remit registration fees to attend Data Summits. PESC thanks all speakers, moderators, and chairs and is truly grateful for their efforts in volunteering to provide updates and presentations at Data Summits. Only in rare instances, however (that is if a speaker is only attending a Data Summit for a specific session or presentation), can registration fees be considered for waiver and only by the PESC office.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND RECORDING

By participating in this event, you agree that you may be filmed, photographed, and recorded, and you grant PESC and our affiliates the right to use, publish, and copyright your picture, likeness, name, and/or audio recording in videos and/or photos taken during this event for use by PESC and our affiliates throughout the world, in perpetuity, and through media.

REGISter now

Explore the Area

Hotel

Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
7142 E 1st St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 USA
+1 (480) 590-3864 (hotel)
+1 (800) 445-8667 (reservations)*

Check In: 4pm
Check Out: 12pm

Self-Parking: $25/day

*If calling for reservations, be sure to mention the PESC October 2026 Data Summit when booking to receive the discounted group rate.

The PESC group rate is available through September 30, 2026, or until the room block is sold out, whichever comes first.

AMENITIES AND SERVICES

Free WiFi
On-site restaurant
Outdoor pool
Fitness center
Pet-friendly rooms
Concierge
Boutique
EV charging
Streaming entertainment
Room service

reserve your room

Getting Here

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the primary airport serving the Scottsdale area and is approximately 9 miles from the Canopy Scottsdale Old Town. Rideshare, taxi, and rental car options are available for transportation between the airport and Old Town Scottsdale. The hotel does not provide airport shuttle service.

Explore Old Town Scottsdale

WHAT’S NEARBY

Western Spirit: Museum of the West – 0.10 miles
Scottsdale Civic Center – 0.20 miles
Civic Center Park – 0.70 miles
Scottsdale Stadium – S.F. Giants Spring Training – 0.80 miles
Scottsdale Historical Museum – 0.90 miles
Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall – 1.60 miles

Make the most of your time in Scottsdale! Just steps from the PESC Data Summit, Old Town offers a lively mix of Southwestern character, arts and culture, dining, shopping, and nightlife — all within a compact, walkable area. Explore local galleries and public art, discover Scottsdale’s Western history, browse unique shops and boutiques, or unwind over dinner and drinks with fellow attendees.

Whether you have a few hours between Summit activities or decide to extend your stay, there’s plenty to discover beyond the conference room.

PESC Data Summits bring together experts, thought leaders, and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of technology and data in the higher education sector.

Audience

PESC Data Summit participants are often C-Level, VP, and/or Directors with direct responsibility for buying and influencing the purchase of new tech solutions:

President, CEO, Founder, Executive Director, Principal
CIO, CTO, COO, CPO
Vice President, Director
Project Lead, Manager, Supervisor
Registrar, Associate Registrar
Technologist, Analyst, Developer, Architect

Silver and Gold sponsorships provide visibility for your organization among PESC’s network of 2,000+ higher education data and technology professionals. The earlier you become a sponsor, the more exposure your brand will receive through our various social media, email, and in-person events.

Why Sponsorship Matters

Showcase Expertise: Position your organization as an industry authority in data exchange and interoperability within the education sector.
Enhance Brand Visibility: Increase your brand’s visibility and recognition among an engaged audience.
Community Leadership: Share insights, solutions, and best practices with Summit attendees while contributing to improving educational data practices.
Long-Term Engagement: Connect with decision-makers, influencers, and potential clients in the education technology space while building lasting connections across the PESC community.

Please contact Jennifer.Kim@PESC.org with all sponsorship inquiries.

sponsor now

Bronze