Creating Connections & Building Bridges Together!

Georgia Continuing Education Association (GCEA) conferences are held annually and will help your organization better prepare for a successful future. Our conferences provide an opportunity for you to gain assistance in solving problems through networking, identifying valuable instructional materials and resources, and sharing new programs and ideas that have been proven to succeed. Each year, topics for the GCEA annual conference are selected by the Conference Program Committee, so the content is always fresh and relevant to your interests and challenges.

Past Conferences


GCEA SPONSORS:
Would your company or organization like to help sponsor our conference or become a vendor? If so, complete and submit the Sponsorship Form below. We would be happy if you joined us!

PAST CONFERENCES
Video Links for Zoom Sessions & Titles
- Karen LaMarsh, Opening Keynote, What We Learned in 2020 So That We Can Thrive in 2021! https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_yzoa8ran
- Kimberly Tanner, Universal Design in Adult Education: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_t1veg3il
- Jackie Martin, Leading and Succeeding in Times of Change: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_6gcuxdq4
- Rose Procter, Making Virtual Education Successful: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_e6ardsxo
- Chase Highly and Brian Chaney, Greenstone Media, Step By Step Marketing & Online Advertising Guide for Growing Your College: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_cc75j27l
- Dr. Deborah Johnson-Blake, Best Practices & Hacks for Busy Leaders to Take Control of Their Time: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_epzwkquy
- Dima Ghawi, Closing Keynote, Elevating Employee Engagement: https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_hv4m9ng3
About the Conference: This has been quite the year for continuing education professionals. We've been faced with learning new ways for providing educational opportunities to our communities while facing unheard-of challenges. Join us at the GAEA Annual Conference for "Continuing Education Re-Imagined". Learn new strategies for providing award-winning programs to your community and strengthen the ideas and processes you already have in place. We look forward to seeing you there!
Speakers:
- Dima Ghawi, Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach
- Chase Highly, Greenstone Media
- Dr. Deborah "Dr. DJ" Johnson-Blake, CEO, The Writing Pad, LLC
- Karen LaMarsh, Director of Accreditation and Training, International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
- Jackie Martin, Lead Trainer, CEO, A Matter of Motivation
- Rose Procter, Director, BB&T Center for Ethical Leadership, Mike Cottrell College of Business, University of North Georgia
- Kimberly Tanner, Valdosta State University
Agenda:
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
- 9:00-10:15am Opening Session and Keynote: Karen LaMarsh, What We Learned in 2020 So That We Can Thrive in 2021!
- 10:15-10:30 Break
- 10:30-10:45 Sponsor Highlight
- 10:45-12:00 Session 2: Kimberly Tanner, Universal Design in Adult Education
- 12:00-1:15 Lunch Break
- 1:15-2:15 Annual Business Meeting and Re-Branding Presentation, Sponsor Highlight
Thursday, March 4, 2021
- 9:00-10:15 Session 3: Jackie Martin, Leading and Succeeding in Times of Change
- 10:15-10:30 Break
- 10:30-10:45 Sponsor Highlight
- 10:45-12:00 Session 4: Rose Procter, Making Virtual Education Successful
- 12:00-1:15 Lunch Break
- 1:15-2:30 Session 5: Chase Highly, Step By Step Marketing & Online Advertising Guide for Growing Your College
Friday, March 5, 2021
- 9:00-10:00 am Session 6: Dr. Deborah "Dr. DJ" Johnson-Blake, Best Practices & Hacks for Busy Leaders to Take Control of Their Time
- 10:00-10:15 am Break
- 10:15-10:30 Sponsor Highlight
- 10:30-11:45 Closing Keynote: Dima Ghawi, Elevating Employee Engagement
- 11:45-12:00 Conference Wrap-Up
- Conference Title: Creating Connections - Building Bridges Together!
- Date/Location: March 5-6, 2020, Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Georgia
- About Conference: The Annual Conference is designed to provide strategies, techniques, tips, latest trends, and best practices to lead your training unit to the next level of education and training. The information in each session will be appealing, relative, and on the cutting edge of our profession. Best of all, you will be able to implement it immediately!
Agenda
Thursday, March 5, 2020
- 7:30 am-8:30 am -- Registration & Breakfast
- 8:30 am-9:30 am -- Welcome
- 9:30 am-10:15 am -- Opening Session: Avoiding Negative Nancy - Ellen Hester
- 10:15 am-10:30 am -- Break
- 10:30 am-11:20 am -- Concurrent Sessions
- Latest Trends in Contract Training – Rusty Denning
- Positioning Your Department for Professional Development – Brooke Smith
- Multi-Generational Marketing Lessons From Bob Dylan – Blake Crawford
- 11:20 am-11:30 am -- Break
- 11:30 am-12:20 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
- Building an Award Winning Hybrid Program – Dan Stotz
- A Sector Partnership in Action – Dorie Bacon, Jamie Calloway, Fred Hill, Bobby Jones, Kathleen Kosmoski, Charlene Powell, & Sabrina Vasher
- Lasting Trends in Digital Marketing – Benji Bateman & Blake Crawford
- 12:20 pm-1:45 pm -- Business Meeting and Awards Luncheon. The State of the Workforce in Georgia - Wendell Dallas
- 1:45 pm-2:00 pm -- Break
- 2:00 pm-2:50 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
- Non-Credit to Credit Pathways: Partnering to Grow Enrollment – Rusty Denning
- Inclusion for All – Cher Brister & Juan Wilson
- Creating a Brand Message and Story Your Customers Will Love – Chase Highley
- 2:50 pm-3:00 pm -- Break
- 3:00 pm-3:50 pm -- Concurrent Sessions
- Hot Topic Roundtable – Jackie Veuleman
- Stackable Credentials, Digital Badges, and Other Major Trends – Dan Stotz
- How to Market to Corporate Clients – Chase Highley
Friday, March 6, 2020
- 7:30 am-8:30 am Breakfast
- 8:30 am-9:20 am Concurrent Sessions
- Creating a Pipeline of Talent Through Discovery – Julie Chance & Kathleen Kosmoski
- The Power of Positive Influence – Kevin Gecowets
- 5 Marketing Automation Strategies That Will Help You Close More Leads – Benji Bateman
- 9:20 am-9:30 am Break
- 9:30 am-11: 00 am Creating Connections – Building Bridges Together!
- Moderator: Mike Long
- Panelist: Richard Woods – Georgia State School Superintendent. Dr. Kathryn Hornsby – Assistant Commissioner, TCSG. Dr. Martha Venn – Vice Chancellor, USG
- 11:00 am-11:15 am Wrap Up
Main Speakers:
- Opening Keynote Speaker - Ellen Hester
- Closing Session: For the first time, leadership from the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and the Public School System are joining forces at the conference. Dr. Kathryn Hornsby (TCGS), Dr. Martha Venn (USG), and Richard Woods (State School Superintendent) will discuss the collaborative efforts taking place at the state level to address the workforce issues in Georgia.
- Business Luncheon Speaker - Wendell Dallas

Download Our Free eBook:
"4 Ways to Help You Thrive As a Continuing Education Professional"
As a Continuing Education (CE) Professional, you can't afford to languish in your profession. You need constant ways to thrive and adapt in order to dominate in your field. We’ve put together a free resource to help you thrive in your role as a continuing educator.