Published on: August 27, 2025
An ATIXA Tip of the Week by Brett A. Sokolow, J.D., ATIXA Chair and Co-Founder
We are just two months away from ATIXA’s 14th Annual Conference, and this year we’re doing something we’ve never done before.
For the first time, ATIXA will host its Annual Conference jointly with The National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA), as the ATIXA and NABITA Joint Annual Conference. Two leading associations, one supercharged event, and a packed lineup of training, best practices, and guidance you can take back to your school, district, or campus.
Mark your calendar for October 14-16 in Baltimore, MD, with Pre-Conference Certification Trainings on October 13-14 and Post-Conference Trainings on October 17-18.
Here are my top ten reasons you’ll want to be there:
- Unique Joint Format: We’ve got a shared Opening Keynote, welcome reception, interactive networking, and plenty of chances to swap ideas with multidisciplinary experts and peers in Title IX, Behavioral Intervention Teams (BITs), and civil rights compliance. Your registration gets you into every conference session (not just ATIXA’s); or spread the knowledge and bring a colleague to the NABITA sessions, then compare notes. Zero in on one track, or roam freely across Higher Education, K-12 Education, Investigator, Title IX Coordinator, Advocacy/Prevention, BIT Operations, Case Management, and Safety & Threat Assessment.
- Title VI Training Opportunities: The compliance landscape has shifted considerably since last year, and we’re here to help you. This year, we’re offering four Title VI certification trainings plus our brand-new ATIXA + VI subscription. This specialized add-on for ATIXA members is packed with tools, training, and resources to strengthen your Title VI and Civil Rights offices.
Pre-Cons:
- Monday, October 13 – Title VI Compliance Foundations Level One for Educational Settings (one-day)
- Tuesday, October 14 – Title VI Compliance Foundations Level Two: Best Practices for Title VI Coordinators in Educational Settings (one-day)
Post-Cons:
- Friday, October 17 – Free Speech and Responding to Protests and Activism in Educational Settings (one-day)
- Friday, October 17-Saturday, October 18 – Title VI and Civil Rights Investigation Foundations Level One for Educational Settings (two-day)
- Navigating a “Regs Whiplash” Year: As I told USA TODAY in January, we’re all feeling the effects of “regulatory whiplash” after the January 9th vacatur of the 2024 Title IX Regulations. Layer on shifting federal priorities and Trump-era rollbacks to DEI and LGBTQIA+ protections, and you’ve got a compliance rollercoaster. At this year’s conference, we’re offering a Pre-Con refresher course on the 2020 Title IX Regulations for Higher Education or K-12 Education. Think of it as your map through the maze.
- Keynote Speakers: We’re starting strong on Tuesday, October 14, 6:00-7:30pm ET with John Wesley Lowery, Ph.D., a national leader in student affairs, student success, and disability access. He’ll take on The Future of Education Amid Executive Orders, Regulations, and Investigations, a timely, thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss. Read his blog for a preview of his thought process and listen to his interview on our new ATIXA podcast, More Likely Than Not.
- Certification Opportunities: If you want the gold standard in Title IX certification and professional development, that’s us. We’ve certified nearly 75,000 professionals, and this year we’re offering 21 different certification topics before and after the conference.
- Learning from Peers (Not Just the Experts): Some of the most innovative ideas come from your peers. That’s why our practitioner-led Affinity Groups and Community Conversations are built for sharing real-world strategies. In these sessions, you can vent frustrations, explore trends, and connect with others passionate about advancing equity in education. Burnout, process efficiency, effective prevention efforts, working with minors—you name it, and we’ll cover it. Combine these sessions with the networking opportunities during breaks for a top-notch experience. Swap war stories, brainstorm, and build your support community.
- A Chorus of Voices: This year, we’ve got 33 speakers locked in, with more concurrent session presenters joining the lineup. That’s a lot of brainpower in one place. Topics run the gamut: Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA/504, VAWA, Clery Act, case management, threat assessment, suicide prevention, disruptive behavior, bullying, school violence, and effective interventions. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, only instead of a “food coma,” you’ll leave stuffed with practical, intersectional strategies you can put to work right away.
- Expert Access: Consultation Corner is back, so if you’ve ever wished for one-on-one time with an ATIXA or NABITA pro, this is it. Schedule via Whova (our event app), grab your coffee, and bring your toughest questions. We’re here for it.
- Plenary – A Fan Favorite: Our plenary panel is a tradition for a reason. Each year, our partners discuss the latest from the Title IX field, and this year, we’re adding the BITA field to the mix. Expect candor, energy, and just the right dash of debate. It’s always lively, occasionally feisty, and never dull. Don’t just take my word for it. ATIXA President Saunie Schuster shares why she loves it in her recent blog post.
- Your People are Here: Whether you’ve been to 13 of these or you’re joining us for the first time, you’ll find your professional home at ATIXA and NABITA. We can’t wait to see old friends and make new ones. Moreover, you can use the event to build collaboration between the members of your BIT/CARE team and your Title IX/non-discrimination team. These teams need each other, and takeaways from the conference can bolster each team individually and empower their areas of intersection and crossover.
If this top ten list catches your attention, the conference itself will exceed your expectations. We’ll be at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor from October 13 to 18. Register here.