About the Conference 

Every successful international school relies on the people and teams working behind the scenes. As schools navigate changing enrolment trends, regulatory requirements and evolving community expectations, effective collaboration across departments is more important than ever.

 

The 2027 conference focuses on three core pillars:

• Culture in the Workplace - building inclusive, supportive environments that bridge cultural differences, strengthen professional relationships and encourage staff development.

• Communication Across Teams - improving collaboration between departments, breaking down communication barriers and creating a shared understanding of school priorities.

• School Impact - translating effective teamwork and operational practices into stronger school performance, institutional trust and sustainable growth.

 

Conference Streams

The 2027 conference will explore six key areas of international school operations:

• Finance & Procurement - financial stewardship, budget planning, procurement and operational risk management.

• Human Resources & Talent Operations - workplace culture, staff wellbeing, professional development and employment compliance.

• Admissions, Marketing & Parent Relations - enrolment strategies, parent engagement, multilingual communication and institutional reputation.

• Facilities, Health & Campus Operations - campus safety, environmental resilience, contractor management and operational efficiency.

• Governance & Leadership - strategic direction, regulatory compliance, risk management and effective decision-making.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration - strengthening communication, streamlining processes and connecting teams across school departments.

 

Each stream is designed around practical challenges, real-world insights and collaborative learning, helping delegates bring valuable ideas and actionable strategies back to their schools.

 

Practical CPD Workshop Programme

The conference will explore a range of professional development topics relevant to the daily operations of international schools.

 

Finance & Procurement

• Communicating financial priorities to non-finance teams

• Vendor management and contract negotiation

• Internal auditing and operational risk controls

 

Human Resources & Talent Operations

• Effective feedback across cultures and workplace hierarchies

• Building equitable and inclusive international school teams

• Visa, work permit and employment compliance

 

Admissions, Marketing & Parent Relations

• Managing challenging parent communications

• Multilingual enrolment and communicating school value

• Data privacy and front-office operations

 

Facilities, Health & Campus Operations

• Leading multilingual facilities and contractor teams

• Environmental safety and emergency preparedness

• Managing catering, transport and security services

 

Governance & Leadership

• Strengthening communication between school leadership and operational teams

• Supporting regulatory compliance and institutional accountability

• Aligning operational decisions with long-term school strategy

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Connecting admissions, finance and facilities throughout the family enrolment journey

• Coordinating major school events across departments

• Improving purchasing, payment and internal approval processes

 

Programme Highlights

• Keynote Sessions & Panel Discussions - hear from experienced leaders and professionals exploring workplace culture, communication and the changing landscape of international education.

• Practical CPD Workshops - develop relevant skills, explore real-world challenges and discover approaches that can be applied within school operations.

• Interactive Roundtables - exchange ideas, share experiences and work collaboratively towards practical solutions.

• Cross-Functional Networking - connect with professionals across finance, HR, admissions, marketing, facilities, IT and school leadership.

• Networking Reception - build meaningful professional relationships and strengthen connections with colleagues from international schools across Asia.

 

Who Should Attend?

The conference welcomes professionals at all career stages working across the business, administrative and operational functions of international schools.

 

From coordinators, officers and specialists to department heads, business managers, finance directors and senior school leaders, the event provides an opportunity to learn from peers, share experiences and develop stronger professional networks.

 

Working Together for Stronger Schools

The FOBISIA Business Conference 2027 is an opportunity to connect people, bridge cultures and strengthen the teams that support international school communities.

 

Through shared knowledge, practical learning and meaningful collaboration, we aim to support schools in navigating change together and creating a lasting positive impact.