By: Makenzie Schiemann, M.S., Ph.D., Partner, TNG; President, NABITA
NABITA will host its 16th Annual Conference on November 17-22, 2024, in West Palm Beach, FL. It is the premier nationwide behavioral intervention and threat assessment conference and a pivotal gathering for professionals dedicated to making education safe for all. The Annual Conference showcases two keynote addresses, 12 featured sessions, topical roundtables, a welcome reception, and an event app to connect with attendees. This year’s event features an exclusive lounge for Super Members, affinity groups to foster close-knit connections, and learning tracks for K-12, Higher Education, BIT Operations, Case Management, and Safety & Threat Assessment. What sets NABITA’s conference apart are the six pre-conference and post-conference certification courses that offer training on assessment tools, skills, and knowledge to your entire team.
What to Expect
Attendees can expect a combination of high-quality content and good connections with colleagues. Our conference offers a distinctive approach to team training. While many organizations host conferences and facilitate gatherings, NABITA combines best-in-class certification courses with the conference experience to deliver a holistic learning experience. Attendees leave with the confidence and knowledge to immediately implement what they have learned.
As a former NABITA member,[1] attending the NABITA conference was the highlight of my year. Connecting with peers engaged in similar work across the country was invigorating, and I always returned with insights that significantly enhanced my efforts at my institution. Now, as NABITA’s President, I find the conference even more rewarding, as I get to see our members and attendees come together to discuss strategies, advance their skills, and make new connections.
What makes our content high-quality is its foundation in philosophical research, which is informed by best practices and infused with fundamental, practical strategies to implement at schools, districts, and institutions. Every NABITA consultant has direct experience as a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) practitioner or case manager, meaning that they genuinely understand how to translate theory into operationalized solutions that work for your unique school, district, or institution, as well as your students and administrators.
Four Conference Tracks for Your Entire Team
A few years ago, we intentionally structured our content into four conference tracks: BIT Operations, Case Management, Safety & Threat Assessment, and K-12. The beauty of BIT work is its multidisciplinary nature. We infuse our training with that collaborative approach, allowing us to cater to a broad audience and engage your entire team. Our attendees are law enforcement officers, therapists, deans of students, principals, disability support specialists, and more. Attendees come to this work from many different spaces, and each needs training applicable to their role. By tailoring the content to these specialized tracks, we can speak directly to the needs of your various team members.
Attendees can fully immerse themselves in a single track, but you have the flexibility to attend any session. If a session in another track piques your interest or if you hold a hybrid role, you can easily navigate between tracks to create a personalized agenda that meets your needs. No matter your chosen track, you will still receive training in threat assessment, mental health, and case management. We understand that practical work in this field requires a macro-level approach. By bringing multiple team members from your school, you can have a team member at every session across each track, ensuring that you return prepared to enhance your BIT operations, improve your case management services, and strengthen your threat assessment and safety.
Six Pre-Conference and Post-Conference Certification Courses
We’ve designed the Pre- and Post-Conference courses to bookend the conference in a way that optimizes the learning process. The three Pre-Conference sessions teach BIT standards and best practices, as well as case management strategies. They set the stage for the conference, providing essential skills foundational to achieving success in this work.
We close the week with Post-Conference courses that deliver advanced training and build on the knowledge gained throughout the conference. After an immersive week in the core elements of the work, the Post-Conference sessions offer insights into advanced risk assessment tools. By participating in the entire curriculum—from Pre-Conference to Annual Conference to Post-Conference—you’ll acquire a comprehensive suite of knowledge and skills that will significantly enhance your professional capabilities.
Built-in Opportunities to Expand Your Community
We offer built-in networking opportunities throughout the conference. The reception and breaks provide informal settings for interaction. You can grab an expert and chat between featured or concurrent sessions or in a group setting during roundtables. Some of the most meaningful connections occur in the informal conversations after sessions. All NABITA content is designed to foster engagement and discussion. During each session, participants are encouraged to ask questions and share insights. We often see attendees form small groups afterward to process what they’ve learned. These exchanges allow them to learn about each other’s practices, share solutions, and find natural ways to connect over similar work.
New to this Work?
If you’re a new team or a one-person shop looking to build a team, I highly recommend starting the week with our BIT Standards and Best Practices Pre-Conference Certification Course. This course will equip you with everything you need to establish your team and effectively advocate for it within your school, district, or institution. It provides essential tools and insights to help get your team off the ground successfully.
Maximize Your Experience
To make the most of the conference, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. The more you engage with others—whether it’s asking questions of fellow attendees, presenters, or NABITA faculty—the more you’ll learn. People hesitate to approach others or challenge the ideas they encounter, but those who actively participate in discussions often gain the most from the experience. Even if this is your first conference, embrace the opportunity to connect with those around you and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Stay tuned for the second part of this blog, where I highlight how our experts train your entire team to address the full spectrum of risk at the 16th Annual NABITA Conference. Register today: https://www.NABITA.org/conferences/16th-annual-NABITA-conference/. Become a NABITA member for preferred event pricing and upgrade to a Super Membership or K-12 Professional Development Package to enjoy exclusive perks at the event. Join or upgrade today.
[1] NABITA Members enjoy preferred pricing! Become a member now.