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2026 MAASE Summer Institute

Sunday, August 9, 2026 to Wednesday, August 12, 2026
203 Seats Remaining
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Event Details

In keeping with MAASE's mission of providing "...opportunities for leadership development, collaboration, and advocacy...", Each year, special education leaders convene in August to engage in leadership development and shared learning on topics critical to the field of special education. 
This premier event for special education leaders in Michigan will feature the following:
  • Keynote Speaker Jimmy Casas
  • Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education Updates 
  • Attorney Presentations  
  • Numerous Breakout Sessions 
    • Are you ready to showcase your expertise, inspire colleagues, and contribute to this year’s Summer Institute? Our breakout session proposal window is NOW OPEN!
  • Awards & Networking Opportunities
This annual event starts on Sunday August 9th with several optional activities during the day and an evening kick-off hospitality reception that is open to all conference attendees. Participants will then engage in full days of learning on Monday and Tuesday through whole group sessions, breakouts, and networking with hospitality receptions at the close of each day of learning. The conference will come to a close mid-morning on Wednesday. Participants will leave Summer Institute with new professional connections, feeling energized & engaged, and equipped with new tools for success for the 2026-2027 school year!
As you can see, this is an event you won't want to miss. Please register today to secure your spot at Summer Institute 2026, where you will find countless opportunities to Advocate, Learn, & Lead with your MAASE colleagues! 

Mark you calendar to secure your room. The room block will open on February 23, 2026 at 8:00 am and the code to us is MAASE26. If you are told that the GTR room block is full, please be advised that DOES NOT necessarily mean that the hotel is full. There may be rooms outside of the block available for reservation.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Reservation Site

In addition, you may find accommodations at the following alternate locations:

Pointes North (15 rooms) - Guests can book their room by calling the Hotel Front Desk at 231-938-9191 and referencing the group name "MAASE".

Pointes North does not have an online booking option for group blocks, all reservations will need to be made by calling the Hotel Front Desk directly. 

Sleep Inn & Suites (20 rooms) - Guests can book their room by either calling the Hotel Front Desk at 231-938-7000 and referencing the group name "MAASE" or they can book online HERE.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites (10 rooms) - Call 231-938-2600 and ask for the MAASE Room Block (Reservation cut off July 23rd) - Click HERE to book a room

Parkshore Resort (25 rooms) - Call 231-947-3800 and use the Group Code MAASE (Reservation cut off July 9th) - Click HERE to book a room

Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel (10 rooms) - Call 231-534-8870 - Group Offer Code: GR80926. Click HERE to book a room. (Reservation cut off July 10th)

For More Information:

Lindsey Zeller
Lindsey Zeller
Manager of Membership & Marketing MAASE (517)618-1826
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Kickoff your Summer Institute conference experience with one of our planned social events on Sunday, August 9th. Each event is sure to offer networking, connections and loads of fun! Please note that all of these events will occur at the same time so please only select one event to attend. We can't wait to see you soon!

We’re excited to announce a brand new kick-off event designed to help you step away from the daily grind and invest in intentional reflection through a LifeFocus retreat from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., hosted on-site at the Grand Traverse Resort with facilitators Abby Cypher and Cheryl-Marie Manson. This immersive experience will help you gain clarity, reconnect with what truly matters, and create a personalized, actionable roadmap for your future through guided reflection and hands-on LifeFocus sessions focused on values, purpose, and intentional planning. The intimate setting and like-minded community create space for meaningful connection, insight, and perspective. The cost is $150 and requires separate registration. Space is limited, so don't delay your registration! Join us for a grounding, inspiring day that will leave you ready to move forward with confidence and intention.

The MAASE Deviation Open is open to everyone—new golfers, wanna-be golfers, and seasoned pros alike—and this year we’re taking it back to the ’80s! Grab your neon, big hair, and retro vibes as we tee off with a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. at the Grand Traverse Resort Spruce Run Course. Enjoy team prizes and fun contests, including Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin, all with an ’80s twist. Please register individually by Sunday, July 26, with anticipated team members identified during registration. Acceptable golfing attire is required, but ’80s flair is highly encouraged!

Grab some friends (anyone over the age of 21 is welcome) and climb aboard to be whisked away for an afternoon of winery adventures and fun. With this event you will visit 3 great wineries on Old Mission Peninsula. The tour bus will pick up and drop off right at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Be sure to bring your photo I.D. if you plan to purchase alcohol and maybe a small cooler for food and drinks (alcohol is allowed on bus).

Click here to sign up for you kick off event choice!