2027 SDAEC |

CONFERENCE DESTINATION

Where Inspiration Meets Adventure.

Join us in historic Deadwood at Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort! Enjoy world-class professional development, comfortable resort accommodations, vibrant dining, and the undeniable charm of the Black Hills. Recharge your passion, connect with peers across South Dakota, and discover the perfect mix of business and pleasure in one legendary destination.

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

Conference Headquarters Hotel

Use the links below to book your hotel room for the event at special conference hotel rates.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott @ Cadillac Jack’s® Gaming Resort

- King Suite: $89

Tru by Hilton @ Cadillac Jack’s® Gaming Resort

- Single King: $89 a night
- Double Queen: $89 a night.

Cutoff date for reservations is Monday, March 29, 2027

Taxes and Fees: Hotel rates are subject to a $6.00 per room per night occupancy fee, plus a local lodging tax of 8.7%

Parking Fee: A daily parking fee of $14.95 per room per night plus applicable sales tax will be charged in addition to the room rates set forth above. All taxes are subject to state and/or federal mandated changes.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Keep checking back for more details

Day 1: 9:00-5:00 PM MST
Day 2: 8:00-5:00 PM MST
Day 3: 8:00-12:30 PM MST

ATTENDEE RESOURCES

Strike Gold in Deadwood: The Premier Statewide Adult Education Conference Is Back!

South Dakota Adult Education Conference (SDAEC 2027)

Theme: Striking Gold — Blazing Trails in Adult Education

April 27–30, 2027 | Historic Deadwood, South Dakota

After a multi-year hiatus, South Dakota’s flagship conference for adult educators is making its grand comeback, and we are taking over historic Deadwood! Whether you are looking to refresh your core classroom routines, discover cutting-edge educational tools, or simply reconnect with colleagues from across the state, SDAEC 2027 is the professional development event of the year.

Why You Can’t Afford to Miss It

Training Designed for YOUR Classroom Realities: Choose from interactive 75-minute sessions tailored specifically to English Language Acquisition (ELA/ESL) instruction, GED and high school equivalency preparation, digital literacy, and student retention.
The Perfect Balance of Basic & Bold: Discover fresh innovations like AI and distance-learning tools alongside tried-and-true, low-prep foundational strategies that veteran teachers swear by and new teachers need.
An Unbeatable Destination Experience: Turn required professional development into a refreshing spring getaway. Work hard in high-impact sessions by day, and explore Deadwood’s legendary history, scenic Black Hills views, dining, and entertainment by night.
Affordable Rates & High ROI: We are committed to keeping registration fees low so programs can send their entire team. Get maximum professional growth without draining your program’s travel budget.
The Ultimate Educator Reunion: Network, swap lesson plans, and problem-solve with peers, administrators, and state partners who understand the unique rewards and challenges of adult education.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is built from the ground up for the dedicated educators and leaders who help adult learners and diploma seekers succeed:

Adult ELA / ESL Instructors, Tutors, & Coordinators
GED & High School Equivalency Teachers (including alternative high school prep staff and adult ed centers)
Adult Literacy & Workforce Development Practitioners
Program Directors, Administrators, & Support Staff

Claim Your Spot!

Dust off your boots and get ready to strike gold in the Black Hills! Early prospector registration pricing and hotel room block details are available.

Visit www.sdall.org/pd/SDAEC27 to bookmark the event page and register early to ensure regular updates!

Registration Fees & Deadlines

Lock in the best rate by registering early! All registration packages include full access to all 75-minute breakout sessions, daily break refreshments, and admission to the Annual Awards Social Gathering.

Registration Tier	Registration Dates	SDALL Member Rate	Non-Member Rate
Early Bird Rate (Best Value!)	Through Feb 15, 2027	$200	$250
Standard Rate	Feb 16 – April 15, 2027	$225	$275
Late / Onsite Rate	April 16 – April 30, 2027	$275	$275

💡 Save $50 instantly with SDALL Membership!
Not an SDALL member yet? Join or renew your SDALL membership right during online registration to immediately unlock the discounted member rate and enjoy year-round association benefits.

Payment Options & Purchase Orders

We make paying for your registration easy and flexible for school districts and programs:

Online Credit Card Payment: Pay instantly via credit card using our secure online payment portal at www.sdall.org/pd/SDAEC27.
Purchase Orders (POs): We gladly accept Purchase Orders! You will find a dedicated PO Submission Link directly on the conference web page at www.sdall.org/pd/SDAEC27 to upload your approved PO document.
Pay by Check: Please make all checks payable to Cornerstones Career Learning Center and mail to:
Cornerstones Career Learning Center
Attn: SDAEC 2027 Registration
33 3rd St SE, Suite 201
Huron, SD 57350

Registration & Cancellation Policies

Substitutions: Registrations are 100% transferable to another staff member from your program or organization at any time without penalty.
Refunds: Cancellation requests received in writing on or before March 31, 2027, will receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee. Due to contractual commitments with the venue, refunds cannot be issued after March 31, 2027.

For questions regarding registration, group billing, purchase orders, or payment status, please contact Kim Olson at 605-353-7175 or Kim.Olson@CornerstonesCareer.com.

[REGISTER HERE]

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

Call for Presentations: Share Your Golden Nuggets of Wisdom in Deadwood!

South Dakota Adult Education Conference (SDAEC 2027)

Theme: Striking Gold — Blazing Trails in Adult Education

April 28-30, 2027 | Deadwood, South Dakota

Whether you are pioneering cutting-edge educational technology or delivering a time-tested classroom routine that works, your experience is invaluable!

Our adult education community thrives when we balance fresh, innovative strategies with solid, tried-and-true basics. Seasoned educators are always looking for new ideas to re-energize their practice, and newer teachers need the foundational tools that turn chaos into classroom success. If you have a practice that gets results, whether it’s high-tech or classic pencil-and-paper, we want to hear about it!

The South Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning (SDALL) invites educators, high school equivalency instructors, English Language specialists, administrators, adult education trainers, and literacy practitioners to submit a session proposal for our comeback conference in historic Deadwood.

What We’re Looking For: From Solid Basics to Next-Gen Tools

We are seeking engaging 75-minute breakout sessions that give attendees practical tools they can use immediately. Priority consideration will be given to proposals covering:

Foundational Teaching Essentials: Classic classroom management, core reading/math strategies, low-prep active learning games, and time-tested routines that give new teachers a strong start and veterans a refreshing reminder of what works.
English Language Acquisition (ELA): Multilevel classroom techniques, real-world conversation strategies, vocabulary acquisition, and supportive methods for adult English learners.
GED & High School Equivalency Prep: Proven subject-area strategies for adult and high school GED programs, contextualized instruction, and clear pathways to completion.
Emerging Tech & Modern Innovation: Tech tools, digital literacy skills, AI in adult ed, hybrid learning models, and interactive distance learning strategies.
Student Retention & Support: Building confidence, overcoming learning differences, trauma-informed teaching, and keeping students motivated and attending regularly.
Program Leadership & Specialized Settings: Instruction in correctional facilities, data-driven program management, and WIOA partner alignment.

What Makes a Winning Proposal?

Session proposals are evaluated on how well they engage attendees and deliver real value. A great proposal features:

Practical Takeaways: Whether it is a brand-new software tool or a simple graphic organizer template, participants leave with something ready to implement.
Interactive Design: Hands-on activities, discussion, or group problem-solving (rather than a 75-minute lecture).
Clear Objectives: Well-defined goals for what participants will learn or practice during the session.

Session Guidelines & Details

Session Length: Breakout sessions are 75 minutes long.
Standard AV Provided: Each presentation room includes a screen, projector, and flipchart. (Lead presenters are responsible for coordinating additional AV or special equipment needs).
Resource Sharing: Lead presenters agree to provide digital copies of presentation slides, handouts, or lesson outlines for attendees and for the conference webpage.
One Application Per Topic: Please submit a separate form for each presentation topic you propose.

Ready to Share Your Wisdom?

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION PROPOSAL

Proposal Deadline: January 1, 2027
Presenter Notifications: February 1, 2027

Questions?

Contact Kim Olson, Conference Coordinator

📞 605-353-7175 | ✉️ Kim.Olson@CornerstonesCareer.com

EXHIBITOR & SPONSOR RESOURCES

Welcome to 2027 SDAEC

The South Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning (SDALL) invites you and your organization to participate as a vendor, presenter, and/or sponsor for the 2027 South Dakota Adult Education Conference (SDAEC 2027) in historic Deadwood, South Dakota.

Showcase your products, services, and educational solutions to professional adult educators, program directors, and instructors who are actively searching for tools to enhance their programs and streamline student success.

SDAEC 2027 brings together a diverse, statewide audience of educators serving:

High School Equivalency (GED/HSE) preparation programs and alternative high schools
Adult English Language Acquisition (ELA/ESL) and literacy initiatives
Community, Corrections, and Tribal Education programs
Career Readiness, Job Corps, and Post-Secondary Readiness partners

To ensure high vendor visibility, our conference schedule features dedicated exhibit breaks, registration networking, and an official Vendor Day so participants have ample time to interact with your team.

Exhibitor Space is Limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitor Deadline: March 15, 2027
Online Application: www.sdall.org/pd/27SDAEC
Questions: Contact Kim Olson at 605.353.7175 or Kim.Olson@CornerstonesCareer.com

Why Exhibit at 2027 SDAEC in Deadwood?

Dedicated Vendor Engagement: Our schedule specifically designates a high-impact Vendor Day featuring dedicated exhibit hall breaks and attendee networking.
High-Traffic Placement: Central exhibit setup ensures continuous foot traffic and interaction throughout the event.
Premier Destination Venue: Deadwood offers an iconic Black Hills experience, driving higher registration numbers and attracting programs from across the state.
The “Gold Rush” Exhibitor Game: All attendees will receive a “Claim Map” encouraging them to visit every vendor table to be entered into grand prize drawings.

Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor

Partner with us at the South Dakota Adult Education Conference (SDAEC 2027) in historic Deadwood, SD! Connect directly with adult education administrators, high school GED prep instructors, and English Language Acquisition (ELA) educators from across the state.

Review our sponsorship and exhibitor packages below to select the option that best fits your organization’s goals.

1. The Mother Lode Sponsorship — $700

Co-Sponsor: SDALL Awards Ceremony & Evening Social

The premier opportunity for maximum visibility, podium time, and high-level networking.

This package co-sponsors the official South Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning (SDALL) Awards Ceremony and Annual Social, held at the conference venue or an agreed-upon off-site venue.

Podium Time: 10-minute presentation during the Awards Ceremony & Evening Social.
Breakout Session: Option to present a breakout session (Must complete the Request for Proposal form at www.sdall.org/pd/SDAEC27).
General Sessions: Verbal recognition during conference general sessions.
Program Advertising: Full-page, full-color ad in the official conference program booklet.
Registration Materials: Up to 5 promotional items (flyers, pamphlets, branded swag) included in all attendee registration bags.
Digital Exposure: Featured recognition in pre-conference “Check out the Exhibitors!” emails and all “Call to Conference” digital reminders leading up to the event.
Exhibitor Space: 1 exhibitor table with 2 chairs.

2. The Gold Mine Sponsorship — $500

⭐ MOST POPULAR FOR PUBLISHERS & CURRICULUM VENDORS

Official Conference Refreshment & Food Break Co-Sponsor

Gain direct access to attendees during prime networking and refreshment hours.

Refreshment breaks are the highest-traffic moments of the conference. Help us energize attendees while showcasing your curriculum and tools. (We are seeking 8 co-sponsors for this tier).

Break Signage & Exposure: Prominent logo signage placed directly on the refreshment/coffee stations during conference breaks.
Breakout Session: Option to present a breakout session (Must complete the Request for Proposal form at www.sdall.org/pd/SDAEC27).
General Sessions: Verbal recognition during conference general sessions.
Program Advertising: Half-page color ad in the official conference program booklet + “Thank You” sponsor listing.
Registration Materials: Up to 2 promotional items (flyers, pamphlets, or cards) included in all attendee registration bags.
Digital Exposure: Recognition in pre-conference “Check out the Exhibitors!” emails and all “Call to Conference” digital reminders.
Exhibitor Space: 1 exhibitor table with 2 chairs.

3. The Silver Spur Exhibitor — $250

Standard Exhibitor & Program Supporter

Ideal for vendors looking for a dedicated booth presence and program recognition.

Exhibitor Space: 1 exhibitor table with 2 chairs.
Program Advertising: Quarter-page color ad in the official conference program booklet.
Recognition: Listed in the “Thank You” section of the conference program.

4. The Claim Staker — $50

Non-Profit Exhibitor OR Non-Attending Promotional Option

Designed specifically for non-profit community organizations or off-site publishers.

Option A (In-Person Non-Profit / Non-Publisher): 1 exhibitor table with 2 chairs.
Option B (Non-Attending Publisher or For-Profit Vendor): Quarter-page program ad OR 1 promotional item (flyer, pamphlet, or card) inserted into all attendee registration bags.