Education

National Conference Education

Conference Education Session information is tentative, subject to change.

All events and Education Sessions presented at Hyatt Regency Indianapolis Hotel unless otherwise indicated.

Updated 5.24.2026

The League's National Conference Education Program includes 26 Tools & Techniques sessions on restoration, fundraising, marketing, operations, facilities, AI, governance, accessibility and film programming along with important case studies demonstrating best practices from around the nation, offering something for everyone.

On Sunday, back by popular demand, we will offer our annual "Early Bird Renovation 101" intensive session for those who can't wait to get started. Two segments of concurrent Tools & Techniques sessions will be offered on Monday, two more segments on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday.

Scroll down for more details about the 2026 education program.

Mills + Schnoering Architects
Official Education Sponsor

Tools & Techniques

Concurrent Professional Development Sessions

Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15 (times vary)

Facilitated discussions, workshops, panel discussions, and case studies provide real solutions to real problems. Tools & Techniques segments on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will offer best practices, emerging trends, and practical information for improving your historic theatre, your business, and your community.

Click where indicated to download the PDF for each specific Tools & Techniques Segment session details and speaker bios.


Monday, July 13

Tools & Techniques Segment 1

Click here to read details of all Segment 1 sessions

10:45am - 12:00pm | 6 concurrent sessions

  • ADA Planning for your Historic Theater
  • Adventures in Premium Experiences
  • Stewardship in Action: Navigating Dual Missions in Historic Theatres
  • The Perfect Ask: Uniting Board and Staff for Major Gifts Success
  • Whose Show is it Anyway? A Panel Discussion on Venue Rentals
  • An additional session will be added.
Tools & Techniques Segment 2

Click here to read details of all Segment 2 sessions

2:00pm - 3:15pm | 5 concurrent sessions

  • Nonprofit Board Governance Best Practices
  • How Film Exhibition is Evolving from Simple Screenings into Experiential Cultural Events that Combine Community, Education and Analog Authenticity
  • Print is Dead! Is Print Dead? Considering the Role of Paper and Ink in the Digital World
  • The Diversified Development Program: Contributed Revenue Strategies for Every Size Theatre
  • Using Organic Growth and Community Connections to Build an Education and Engagement Program
  • An additional session may be added.

Tuesday, July 14

Tools & Techniques Segment 3

Click here to read details of all Segment 3 sessions

9:15am - 10:30am | 5 concurrent sessions

  • Forecasting vs. Budgeting: Building Stronger Financial Planning Foundations
  • Small Theater, Big Results: A Practical Annual Fundraising Plan for Lean Teams
  • Speak Up! - The Economic Impact of Your Theatre on the Community
  • That Anniversary is More Than a Number: Case Study in Leveraging the Centennial of the Strand Theatre to Build Awareness, Audience, Engagement AND Raise Money
  • Theater Technology Life Cycle Planning
Tools & Techniques Segment 4

Click here to read details of all Segment 4 sessions

3:30pm - 4:45pm | 5 concurrent sessions

  • Audience Engagement During a Renovation: How to Keep the Public Interested When There are No Shows
  • Avoiding the Dark, a Landmark in Progress: How the Paramount Theatre Oakland Systematically Modernized While Staying True to Its Character
  • Designing for Everyone: Applying Universal Design in Historic Theatres to Build Community, Drive Revenue, and Enrich Lives
  • From Annual Giving to Major Gifts: Reimagining Donor Pathways for Historic Theaters
  • Navigating the Segregated Balcony: How Theatres are Balancing History, Operations and Cost in Approaching Segregated Spaces

Wednesday, July 15

Tools & Techniques Segment 5

Click here to read details of all Segment 5 sessions

9:45am - 11:00am | 5 concurrent sessions

  • Facilities Management 101 for Historic Theatres
  • Multiplication, Not Addition: What to Expect Before, During and After Adding a Screening Room
  • Show of Hands: Using Audience Data to Drive Smarter Theater Decisions
  • The New Atmospheric Theater: New Ways to Excite and Engage Audiences
  • Unlocking Historic Tax Credits

Early Bird Education Sessions

Download the Printable PDF

Sunday, July 12, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Hyatt Regency Indianapolis Hotel

This year, the League will offer an optional "Early Bird" education session prior to the official conference kickoff on Sunday evening.

There is no additional fee, but the Early Bird session will have a limited capacity so it is first come, first served, and will require advance registration. The Early Bird Session is included in the Full Conference Registration fee. If you want to attend but are not registering for the Full Conference, please contact LHAT to determine what the fee will be to attend (if any). Coffee, cold drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Click on PDF link above to read full session description and speaker information.

You will be able to add this session after you register if you are undecided at first.

Facilitated Networking Sessions

Monday, July 13, 9:15 am - 10:30 am
Tuesday, July 14, 10:45 am - 12:00 pm

We'll kick off the first full day of the conference by doing what LHAT does best: sharing best practices from around the nation. We learned during the pandemic that LHAT Happy Hours were a great way for members to stay connected and hear what others were doing to remain relevant in their communities. We started a live version of this type of “informal” networking three years ago and it's received rave reviews since, so we're building in even more time for this type of networking in Indianapolis.

We'll begin the first discussion as one large group, then divide into 4-5 smaller groups so you can take a deep dive into any topic desired.  Share things you have learned since the Pittsburgh conference or ask questions about topics that are most important to your theatre's future success. Think of it as an in-person LHAT-CHAT Network! Breakout group demographics will be announced when we get closer to the conference.

Tuesday afternoon, we'll gather again for more networking using the same format, but this time, we'll break into smaller groups based on different topics or demographics than the day before. We want to make sure you get the chance to connect with as many different peers as possible to share experiences and ask for advice. There's no better opportunity for you to tap into the League's “Brain Trust.” Whether you're a first-time attendee, new to the historic theatre field, or have been at your theatre for many years, there's always something new you can learn to improve your theatre, solve a problem, or make your job easier so you don't have to “reinvent the proverbial wheel.”

Theatre Tours

Sun., July 12, Tue., July 14, & Wed., July 15 (subject to change)

Pre-Conference Historic Theatre Ramble (Optional)

Sorry! The Ramble SOLD OUT in the first 24 hrs We have started a waiting list in case anyone cancels. Please email info@lhat.org to be added to the list.

Sunday, July 12, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Optional Activity - Additional Fee Required, Limited capacity - Includes continental breakfast and lunch

Theatres to be toured will include: (additional theatres will be posted when they are confirmed)

In-Conference Theatre Tours

Tuesday, July 14, 2:00 pm (date and time subject to change)

Wednesday, July 15, 11:30 am (date and time subject to change)

Eye Opener Breakfasts: Peer Discussions and Networking

Mon., July 13 and Tue., July 14, 8:00-9:00 am (times subject to change) - Hyatt Regency Indianapolis Hotel

Seek advice from your LHAT colleagues and share experiences in historic theatre operations, programming, management and facilities development through highly interactive information exchanges Monday and Tuesday morning during the conference. A favorite of LHAT conferences, this networking breakfast introduces you to valuable resources within the League's network.

Resource Area - Historic Theatre Information Exchange

Open Sunday afternoon, all day Monday & Tuesday - Hyatt Regency Indianapolis Hotel

The LHAT Conference is the nation's largest annual gathering of historic theatre professionals because it's all about peer information exchange. To enhance that experience, we need your help.

Please bring copies of any materials from your theatre that you think a fellow attendee might find valuable -- anything they can look at (or even better -- take home) to add to what they learned during conference sessions and peer networking. We want attendees to leave re-energized, with all kinds of tools and ideas that they can share with their staff and board members back home that will help them forge ahead and plan for the success of their historic theatres.

What to bring

Capital and Annual Campaign Flyers • Volunteer Training Guidelines • Front of House Manuals • Employee Manuals • Emergency & Preparedness Plans / Safety Handbooks • Patron Code of Conduct • Sample Patron Incident Forms • Rental Rates / Sample Rental Agreements & Guidelines • Tech Sheets • Economic Impact and Feasibility Studies • Sample RFPs for Services • Sponsorship and Membership Brochures • Sample Offer & Venue Contract Riders • Season Brochures and Programs