Experience 2 Days of Growth, Connection, and Inspirational Insights
EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit (formerly known as the Iowa BEST Summit) is a premier professional learning event dedicated to fostering well-being and mental health within educational communities.
Participants will gain practical strategies, insights from cutting-edge research, and access to innovative solutions that enhance mental health outcomes.
EmpowerED Minds is where K-12 educators, school leaders, school mental health providers, and higher education campus well-being professionals from across the country come to shape the future of school wellness through collaboration, innovation, and inspiration.
This event is presented by the University of Iowa's Scanlan Center for School Mental Health.
Elevate Your Impact
Dates: Tuesday, September 30 - Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Who: K-12 educators, administrators, school mental health providers + higher education campus well-being professionals + community providers and school mental health partners from across the U.S.
Empowering School Mental Health Professionals
Supporting and enhancing the skills of K-12 school mental health professionals with sessions focused on strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining the workforce.
Exploring Innovations in Research & Practices
Bringing together the latest research, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends in multi-tiered models of school mental health.
Strengthening K-12 Education & Leadership
Focusing on practical education and skill-building for K-12 teachers, administrators, and school leaders.
Advancing Campus Well-Being in Higher Education
Addressing mental health support, programs, and policies to enhance well-being in colleges and universities.
K-12 Education Professionals
- PreK-12 teachers, school counselors, administrators, paraeducators, and school mental health providers
- School district staff and leadership
- Building leadership teams
- Policymakers
- AEA personnel supporting social-emotional-behavioral health and accelerating learning
- AEA personnel supporting specific subgroups (e.g., special education, preschool, English learners)
- University faculty who support preservice educators
Students
- Graduate students, undergraduate students, and pre-service teachers
Higher Education Campus Well-Being Professionals
- Faculty, administrators, and student affairs professionals
- Counseling center staff and mental health practitioners
- Wellness program coordinators
- Higher education policymakers and leaders
- University and college staff and faculty
Community Partners
- Mental health providers, primary care physicians, Children’s Behavioral Health System Board members, and state medical association members
60+
UNIQUE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
1,000
Expected Attendees
Schedule at a Glance
Get excited to learn from dynamic speakers and experts in the field. The full schedule and speaker line-up will be available in Summer 2025.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
7:30 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast & Networking
8:30 - 9:45 AM: Opening Session
10 - 11 AM: Breakout Session 1
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Breakout Session 2
12:15 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 PM: Breakout Session 3
2:45 - 3:45 PM: Breakout Session 4
4 - 4:45 PM: Sponsored Sessions
5 - 6 PM: "Research Bites & Connection Night" Poster Session and Reception
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 AM: Breakfast & Networking
8:45 – 9:45 AM: Breakout Session 1
10 - 11 AM: Breakout Session 2
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: Breakout Session 3
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Join us as a 2025 EmpowerED Minds exhibitor or sponsor to share how your brand is making an impact. Build awareness of your products, programs, and services that support K-12 schools or college campuses.
Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities
- Presenting Sponsor ($50,000+)
- Signature Sponsor ($20,000+)
- Premier Sponsor ($12,500+)
- Elite Sponsor ($7,500+)
- School Mental Health Supporter ($2,500+)
- Special Event Sponsor: "Research Bites and Connection Night" Reception ($2,500)
- Sponsored Session ($1,500)
- Exhibit Booth ($600)
Earn Licensure Renewal Credit
EmpowerED Minds attendees are eligible to earn Iowa Licensure Renewal Credit (IRLU) by following these steps:
- Register for 2025 EmpowerED Minds: The School Wellness Summit.
- Register for IRLUs through the Baker Teacher Leader Center.
- Complete full Summit attendance (both days, all sessions) and online coursework (readings and discussions).
If you have questions about registering for IRLUs, email Mariana Colombo.
If you submit recertification materials through a governing body other than the Iowa BOEE and want to receive recert credit, you can submit a Summit agenda or attendance certificate to your credentialing body for approval.
Taking place in the heart of downtown Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center, the location is conducive to exploring the city, top-notch dining, and recreation.
Hotels
435 Park Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-241-1456
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES DES MOINES DOWNTOWN
207 Crocker Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-350-7997
Airport
The Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is conveniently located 5 miles from the Iowa Events Center.
Parking
- Parking is available north of the Iowa Events Center with entrances off of the following streets:
- 3rd Street
- 5th Avenue
- The Iowa Events Center surface parking lots offer the closest and most convenient access to the facility, and easy access to I-235 and other major routes after the event. ADA Accessible parking is available at the Iowa Events Center by entering the lot south of Crocker Street, next to Community Choice Convention Center.
- Cost: $12 for cars and trucks, $24 for large trucks (duallys and snow blades) and $48 for RVs and Buses.
- NOTE: There is NO overnight parking available in Iowa Events Center lots. Vehicles left overnight will be towed.
