Join us in Valencia, Spain for the IH Directors’ Conference from the 3rd – 6th of May.
Join Us for the IH Directors’ Conference 2026
The IH Directors’ Conference is an opportunity for owners and managers of International House schools to invest time in their own personal development and leadership skills, hear from industry experts and share their own knowledge with each other. It is also a time to celebrate the IH network, highlight everything we have achieved in the previous year, and inform our strategy for the future.
This year’s programme brings together a dynamic mix of workshops, sessions and panel discussions, combining both internal and external expertise. From topics such as Lean Methodology to AI for Strategy, the aim is to provide a range of perspectives that will inform, challenge, and inspire – supporting you in building a successful future for your schools and for IH as a whole.
One of the highlights of this year’s conference will be the AI for leadership from Rob Dixon, “Harness AI to lead smarter”. Delegates will learn how to upskill their teams, streamline operations, and free up time to focus on strategy and business growth. Alongside this focus on innovation, we will also place strong emphasis on what matters most: our people. Sessions on staff wellbeing and retention will explore how leaders can better support teams and build sustainable, thriving school environments. We are also delighted to welcome Spanish Olympian Theresa Zabell, who will use her experience as a framework for growth, resilience, and decision-making.
Location
The conference will take place in Valencia, Spain and our hosts will be IH Valencia. The venue for the conference will be the SH Valencia Palace Hotel.
The City
Spain’s third-largest city is home to idyllic sandy beaches, a buzzing food scene and breathtaking architecture. Expect delicious aromas and flavours in local markets and restaurants, find a space to relax in the tranquil green parks or seek out adrenaline at the beach. This cosmopolitan gem has everything.
9.15 – 10.10: Creating a Culture of Innovation | Emma Hoyle and Shaun Wilden, IHWO
10.15-11.15: Lean Language Schools: Cut Waste, Improve Conversion, Grow Revenue | Professor Felipe Quintana Navarro
11.15: Coffee break and meet the sponsors
11.45 – 12.40: Lean Language Schools Workshop continued
12.40-13.15: Opportunities: The Future of Language Education
13.15: Lunch and meet the sponsors
14.30-15.30: Inspection Update: Innovation in Action | Belle Dowber-Hawkins and Fari Greenaway, IHWO featuring IH schools
15.30-15.40: Making Enrolment Easy: The Impact of Digital Payments on Language School Growth | Jorge Alegre, Sales Director of Mainland Europe, Flywire
15.40: Coffee break and meet the sponsors
16.10-16.50: Panel discussion ‘Lessons from the Field: Sales Strategies That Actually Work’
16.50-17.00: In Memoriam Remembering Friends | Marco Faldetta
Leading and Innovating a School in Unstable Contexts |May Mon Aung, IH Yangon-Mandalay
Virtual Reality for Language Learning – Latest Developments | Jonathan Dykes, IH Belfast
14.50-15.25:
International Marketing and Sales Strategy (B2B + B2C) With an All-In-One Marketing and Sales Platform | Javier Peinado and Andrea Burgos, CONNEXT
Comunicación Digital B2B
Erasmus – Grant Application Hacks | Josip Sobin, IH Split and Andrea Vincenzi,
IH Budapest
15.25: Coffee break and meet the sponsors
15.45-16.50: Closing Plenary – The 5 Rings of Leadership: From High Performance to Lasting Impact | Theresa Zabell
16.50-17.00: Get excited for Cape Town 2027! | Gavin Eyre and Ilse Liebenberg, IH Cape Town
17.00: Conference Closing
19.00: Buses to Veles e Vents Restaurant – leave from SH Valencia Palace
19.30: Aperitif
20.30: Gala Dinner at Veles e Vents Restaurant Dress code: smart/formal
00.00: Buses back to SH Palace Valencia
Optional Activities
Thursday 7th May – Day trip to Peñíscola
Join us to visit this beautiful Mediterranean town, renowned for its Papa Luna Castle. We’ll walk through the Old Town, visit the castle and have free time to enjoy the beach. There is an optional lunch in a local restaurant available.
Please note, this year the Study Abroad Event will take place after the Directors’ Conference from 7th to 9th May. See details of the 2026 Study Abroad Event here.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you would like to sponsor this event for a chance to reach the International House community of CEOs, Directors and Senior Management, please contact our Events Manager, Marta Robles Villarino via email: [email protected]
Environmental Sustainability
We are delighted to have the opportunity to meet our friends and colleagues at this wonderful face-to-face IH Directors’ Conference. At the same time, we can’t ignore the negative environmental impact that travelling to and gathering in one location will have.
We will be considering various other initiatives as we prepare for the conference. As delegates, you can contribute in the following ways:
If you fly, consider carbon offsetting your flight.
Please bring your own water bottle, reusable coffee cups and pens to eliminate disposable single-use plastic waste.
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