Welcome from the Executive Director

Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back to the 2026–2027 school year!

I hope you had a wonderful and restorative summer. There is something special about stepping away from the demands of our daily work and having the opportunity to recharge. Whether your summer included travel to new places, meaningful time with family and friends, or simply the pleasure of relaxing with a great book, I hope it left you feeling refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

Larry Hobdell

As we begin this new school year together, I am pleased to share several exciting initiatives and opportunities that reflect the continued growth and momentum of our ACAMIS community.

  • A New ACAMIS Brand: The ACAMIS Board of Trustees approved an exciting initiative to work with School ID to develop a refreshed ACAMIS brand, including a new logo. We want our new identity to authentically reflect who we are as an organization, so we will be seeking input from across our community—including Board members, Heads of School, sports and ACE leaders, and students. You will find more details about this exciting project in the ACAMIS Fall Newsletter.
  • Fall Professional Learning Conferences: Our first two conferences of the year promise outstanding learning opportunities. The Technology Conference will be hosted by Keystone Academy in Beijing on October 17–18, followed by the Early Childhood Conference at Xiamen International School on October 24–25.
  • Spring Leadership Conference: Please mark your calendars for our Spring Leadership Conference (SLC), which will be held at Wellington College International Shanghai on March 19–20, 2027. We look forward to bringing school leaders together once again for meaningful learning, collaboration, and connection.
  • Student Leadership Conferences: Following the tremendous response last year—with more than 130 students and faculty advisors participating—we are delighted to expand our Student Leadership offerings. This year, ACAMIS will co-sponsor three specialized Student Leadership Conferences focused on:
    • Social Innovation
    • Sports Leadership
    • Technology Leadership
    Each conference will include online pre-conference sessions, an engaging in-person conference experience, and a post-conference showcase celebrating student learning and impact. If your school is looking to empower student leaders to make a meaningful difference, I encourage you to learn more and consider registering a team. Additional information will be shared in the Fall Newsletter.
  • Regional Directors Forums: For the first time, ACAMIS, in partnership with PD Academia, will offer three regional half-day Directors Forums. Designed specifically for Heads of School, these forums will provide valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and explore practical leadership strategies in response to today's evolving regulatory and market landscape. More details will be available in the Fall Newsletter.
  • Marketing & Admissions Conference: Also new this year, ACAMIS is partnering with 21st Century Learning to present a conference designed specifically for Marketing Directors and Admissions Directors. The conference will be held in Shanghai this December and will focus on the unique opportunities and challenges facing these important leadership roles. Dates, the venue, and registration information will be announced in the Fall Newsletter.
  • ACAMIS PD Advisory Forum: Another exciting addition this year is the ACAMIS PD Advisory Forum, an online community that will bring together colleagues to identify emerging professional learning needs, share effective practice, and help shape the future of ACAMIS professional development beyond our conferences. If professional learning is part of your role, I encourage you to learn more and consider joining this collaborative initiative.
  • ACAMIS Sports: Under the outstanding leadership of Chairperson Brendan Markey and Co-Chair Thomas Matthews, the ACAMIS Sports program will launch its Fall Core Sports season with Boys' and Girls' Volleyball in late October, alongside a full calendar of Invitational Tournaments. Please see the attached Sports Charter for the complete schedule.
  • ACE Events: Under the leadership of newly appointed ACE Chair Regional Representative Virginia Lee, supported by six exceptional ACE Regional Representatives, the ACE program will offer another exciting year of events beginning this fall. Please refer to the attached ACE Handbook 2027 for the full calendar.

As we begin another school year together, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for everything you do to support students, colleagues, and our wider ACAMIS community. Your professionalism, generosity, and willingness to collaborate are what make ACAMIS such a vibrant, innovative, and supportive network. I wish you all a successful, rewarding, and student-centered 2026–2027 school year. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.

With warm regards,
Larry