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About this event
EDspaces brings together the people designing, planning, and equipping learning environments—so better decisions can be made in service of every learner. Held October 28–30, 2026 in Kansas City, MO, EDspaces convenes education leaders, architects, designers, and industry partners who evaluate practical, real-world solutions across the full learning ecosystem—from classrooms to campuses.
EDspaces is built around a clear idea: as learning evolves, environments must keep up. The event focuses on how physical, sensory, and social conditions shape learner experience and outcomes. Rather than discussing learning spaces in theory, EDspaces emphasizes understanding what works in real environments—and translating those insights into decisions about what to build, renovate, or re-think next.
Why attend? Participants come to experience learning spaces in action, learn from education leaders and partners solving today’s challenges, and leave with ideas that can be applied immediately. The program is designed to help attendees connect design choices to measurable learner impacts by exploring spaces that support:
- Comfort — physical wellbeing and learning readiness
- Movement — flexible environments that allow mobility and adaptable learning
- Physiology — air quality, light, acoustics, and conditions that influence health
- Cognition — design that supports focus, thinking, and learning performance
- Connection — environments that encourage interaction and collaboration
- Belonging — spaces where every learner feels seen and supported
The EDspaces experience includes opportunities to walk real environments, understand how schools are addressing issues ranging from safety to funding to performance, and engage in conversations shaping the future of learning environments.
EDspaces also includes dedicated program tracks and engagement pathways across the event experience: attendance opportunities, exhibition/inquiry for partners, and conference programming such as plenary keynote sessions and speaker content. The agenda is supported through featured events and EDfacility tours, helping attendees explore solutions beyond static presentations.
For organizations and teams focused on innovation in learning spaces, EDspaces includes an exhibition component and highlights through Product Innovation Awards, while also featuring an ongoing call for Designed Learning Spaces proposals. Submissions for designed learning spaces are accepted through June 19, 2026, with the emphasis on designing for the learner—not the lesson—by considering the broader learning environment.
Whether your organization is planning, designing, equipping, or evaluating education facilities, EDspaces is an environment where decisions about learning spaces are made—grounded in real experience, focused on meaningful outcomes, and oriented toward actionable next steps.
Data sheet
| Event Name | EdSpaces |
|---|---|
| Event Date | October 28–30, 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Not publicly confirmed in the provided official website text |
| City | Kansas City |
| State / Region | MO |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Emerald X, LLC |
| Official Event Website | EdSpaces / EDspaces official website |
| Event Type | Conference, exhibition, and learning-environment sourcing / design event |
| Primary Category | Education & Training |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Building & Construction; Home & Office; Industrial Engineering; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium: official event site confirms dates, audience, and positioning; attendance volume not disclosed in the provided source text. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect education leaders, architects, designers, and industry partners evaluating solutions for learning environments across classrooms, campuses, and specialty spaces. |
EdSpaces is a specialized event focused on the design, planning, and equipping of learning environments. The official website positions the show as a place “where decisions about learning environments happen,” bringing together education leaders and solution providers to evaluate real-world products and ideas across the full learning ecosystem.
The event matters because school and campus environments increasingly influence student comfort, movement, physiology, cognition, connection, and belonging. That makes EdSpaces highly relevant for buyers involved in renovation, new construction, furniture specification, interior design, facilities planning, and procurement for educational spaces.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| School district leadership | K-12 public school districts, charter networks, regional education authorities | Sets priorities for capital projects, classroom upgrades, and facility improvements | High-value buyers for furniture, learning-space design, acoustics, safety, and facility solutions |
| Facilities and operations teams | School facilities departments, campus operations offices, maintenance teams | Influence specifications, lifecycle replacement, and implementation planning | Strong fit for flooring, lighting, HVAC-adjacent, storage, and maintenance-related suppliers |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | District procurement offices, education purchasing cooperatives, purchasing departments | Manage RFPs, vendor qualification, budgeting, and contract awards | Critical for suppliers seeking contract-driven sales and approved-vendor pathways |
| Architects and interior designers | Education-focused architecture firms, design studios, planning consultants | Specify products and influence design concepts early in the project cycle | Key gatekeepers for product specification and preferred vendor selection |
| Superintendents and district executives | District offices, charter school leadership, education administration | Approve strategy, capital priorities, and modernization initiatives | Useful for high-level partnerships and large renovation / new-build opportunities |
| Higher education facilities leaders | Universities, colleges, community colleges, student services and facilities teams | Oversee classrooms, shared learning spaces, and student experience projects | Relevant for campus furniture, collaboration spaces, wayfinding, and durable interiors |
| Campus planners and project managers | Public school and higher-ed capital planning offices, owner’s representatives | Coordinate design, budget, scheduling, and contractor execution | Important for manufacturers and integrators needing project-based sales |
| Technology and innovation leaders | Education technology teams, innovation offices, digital learning units | Influence smart classrooms, AV, connectivity, and learning-environment tech | Strong fit for edtech, AV, and integrated classroom solutions |
| Independent school leaders | Private K-12 schools, faith-based schools, boarding schools | Make direct purchase and renovation decisions faster than many public buyers | Good opportunity for mid-market and premium learning-space suppliers |
| Industry consultants and planners | Education consultants, project advisors, capital planning consultants | Advise buyers and shape project requirements | Useful influencers for early-stage awareness and specification-led selling |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Kansas City | Local education institutions, district offices, design firms, vendors | Medium | Host-city attendance is typically strong for regional decision-makers and nearby suppliers |
| Host state: Missouri | School districts, colleges, architecture and construction partners | High | Missouri buyers are likely to attend for sourcing, planning, and professional education |
| Nearby business hubs | St. Louis, Wichita, Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City metro | High | Regional K-12 and higher-ed buyers can access the event with lower travel friction |
| National reach | Education leaders, architects, facilities and procurement teams across the U.S. | High | Official positioning suggests a nationwide audience interested in learning-environment solutions |
| International reach | Limited but possible for manufacturers, design partners, and education specialists | Low to Medium | International attendance is possible, but the event is primarily U.S.-market focused |
| Trade corridors / key markets | Midwest education procurement and school renovation markets | High | Strong relevance for suppliers serving public education capital programs and campus upgrades |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary classification: National | National reach with strong regional pull | The event is positioned around education leaders and solution providers from across the U.S., while Kansas City creates a strong Midwest attendance base. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Public Schools | Public school district | Local district-level buyer for classroom upgrades, renovations, furniture, and facility improvements | kcpublicschools.org | Chief Operating Officer, Director of Facilities, Procurement Director, Capital Projects Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Saint Louis Public Schools | Public school district | Large Missouri district with ongoing facilities and learning-environment needs | slps.org | Chief Financial Officer, Facilities Director, Purchasing Manager, Construction Project Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Blue Valley Schools | Public school district | Suburban district buyer for campus modernization, classroom design, and technology-enabled spaces | bluevalleyk12.org | Executive Director of Operations, Procurement Manager, Director of Facilities, Bond Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Olathe Public Schools | Public school district | High-volume education buyer with recurring facility and furnishings needs | olatheschools.org | Director of Purchasing, Facilities Planner, Operations Director, Capital Projects Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Shawnee Mission School District | Public school district | Relevant for renovation, classroom layout, and student environment projects | smsd.org | Director of Facilities, Purchasing Coordinator, Superintendent, Project Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Des Moines Public Schools | Public school district | Midwest district with potential interest in learning space upgrades and capital planning | dmschools.org | Chief Operations Officer, Facilities Director, Purchasing Director, Bond Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of Missouri System | Higher education system | Higher-ed facilities and classroom modernization buyer with multi-campus requirements | missouri.edu | Campus Planner, Director of Facilities, Procurement Officer, Project Executive | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of Kansas | Higher education institution | Potential buyer for academic spaces, student collaboration areas, and campus projects | ku.edu | Facilities Planning Director, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Construction Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of Nebraska System | Higher education system | Relevant for multi-campus procurement and learning-environment modernization | nebraska.edu | Assistant Vice President Facilities, Purchasing Director, Capital Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Indianapolis Public Schools | Public school district | Large urban district with facility, classroom, and student experience improvement needs | myips.org | Procurement Director, Facilities Director, Bond Program Manager, Operations Executive | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Denver Public Schools | Public school district | Major district with ongoing capital planning and learning-space renewal opportunities | dpsk12.org | Chief Operations Officer, Director of Facilities, Strategic Procurement Leader | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Chicago Public Schools | Public school district | Large-scale buyer for facilities, classroom, and renovation programs | cps.edu | Procurement Officer, Facilities Executive, Capital Projects Director, Construction Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / Director of Procurement | Procurement | Director to C-level | Owns sourcing strategy, vendor selection, and purchasing policies for education projects |
| 2 | Director of Facilities / Facilities Manager | Facilities / Operations | Manager to Director | Influences building improvements, maintenance planning, and space readiness |
| 3 | Capital Projects Manager / Bond Program Manager | Capital Planning | Manager | Manages renovation and new-build programs where specification and procurement are critical |
| 4 | Superintendent / Chief Operating Officer | Executive Office | C-level / VP | Approves strategic priorities, budgets, and major learning-environment investments |
| 5 | Architect / Interior Designer | Design / Planning | Individual Contributor to Director | Specifies products and shapes the early design direction for learning spaces |
| 6 | Project Manager / Owner’s Representative | Project Delivery | Manager | Coordinates project scope, vendor engagement, and implementation timelines |
| 7 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Sourcing / Procurement | Manager to Director | Runs competitive sourcing and category-based purchasing for educational facilities |
| 8 | Technology Director / IT Director | Information Technology | Director | Supports smart classroom, AV, network, and digital learning environment investments |
| 9 | Higher Education Facilities Director | Facilities / Campus Planning | Director | Responsible for classrooms, collaboration areas, and campus refresh projects |
| 10 | Merchandising / Purchasing Manager | Purchasing | Manager | Relevant for institutions buying furniture, fixtures, and standardized learning-space products |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education Management | Core industry for K-12 and learning-environment decision makers | District leaders, procurement, facilities, and operations buyers |
| 2 | Higher Education | Colleges and universities buy classrooms, learning commons, and campus furniture | Campus planning and facilities modernization |
| 3 | Architecture & Planning | Design firms specify spaces and products for schools and campuses | Specification-led selling and partner referrals |
| 4 | Construction | Education projects often require renovation and new-build contractors | Project-based purchasing and bid influence |
| 5 | Furniture | Learning spaces require durable, flexible, ergonomic furnishings | Classroom, library, and collaboration-space furnishing sales |
| 6 | Design | Interior and experience design are central to the event theme | Early-stage influence with specifiers and consultants |
| 7 | Facilities Services | Facilities teams manage day-to-day operational needs of school buildings | Maintenance-friendly products and service contracts |
| 8 | Government Administration | Public school systems and education authorities operate as public-sector buyers | Government procurement and RFP engagement |
| 9 | Building Materials | Useful for renovation, fit-out, and durable interior solutions | Capital project and facilities upgrade opportunities |
| 10 | Environmental Services | Learning environments increasingly emphasize health, air quality, and sustainability | Indoor environment, wellness, and sustainability solutions |
| 11 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Relevant for furniture systems, modular environments, and infrastructure-adjacent products | Manufactured solutions for educational spaces |
| 12 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Education buyers often source standardized operational products here | Broad catalog sales to schools and campuses |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official website text provided | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official website text provided | No exhibitor count stated in the provided source text. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official website text provided | No buyer count stated in the provided source text. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official website text provided | Speaker page exists, but no count was provided in the source excerpt. |
| Historical attendance | Prior-year figures not verified in the provided source text | Historical / not verified here | Official event site | Use only when confirmed by organizer materials or prior-year reports. |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning space design | Flexible classrooms and student-centered layouts | Demonstrate how space design improves engagement and outcomes | Furniture systems, design services, modular layouts |
| Facilities modernization | Renovation, refresh, and lifecycle upgrades | Show ROI, durability, and implementation speed | Construction, building materials, fit-out solutions |
| Furniture and fixtures | Ergonomic, durable, adaptable classroom and common-area products | Hands-on demos and specification support | School furniture, storage, collaborative seating |
| Safety and wellbeing | Healthier, safer, more supportive learning environments | Position products around comfort, acoustics, air quality, and safety | Acoustics, air-quality related products, wellness design services |
| Technology integration | Smart classrooms and connected learning environments | Bundle hardware, AV, and support services | AV, edtech, networking, classroom integration |
| Sustainability | Responsible materials and lower lifecycle cost | Appeal to districts and campuses with ESG and durability priorities | Sustainable materials, recycled content, circular solutions |
| Procurement and sourcing | Approved vendors, contracts, and budget compliance | Support RFP responses, specification sheets, and purchasing pathways | Contract-ready product catalogs, bid support, procurement services |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is explicitly built around education leaders and learning-environment decision makers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely access to executives, facilities leaders, procurement teams, architects, and specifiers. |
| Data collection potential | High | Strong event-directory and agenda-based profiling potential, especially for education and facilities contacts. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear target industries, departments, seniorities, and job titles map well to Apollo filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | National education market with a strong Midwest concentration and clear public-sector geography. |
| Best outreach approach | High | Use specification-led outreach, facilities-led messaging, and procurement-aware value propositions. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Excellent event for B2B attendee list building, education-sector prospecting, and supplier-targeted outreach. |
| Best use case | Very High | Lead generation, buyer profiling, attendee list sales, and targeted outreach to education procurement teams. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Current-year attendance/exhibitor counts are not publicly confirmed in the provided source excerpt. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Education Management; Higher Education; Architecture & Planning; Construction; Furniture; Design; Facilities Services; Government Administration; Building Materials; Environmental Services; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Focus on education buyers, specifiers, and implementation stakeholders |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Facilities; Administration; Finance; Information Technology; Capital Projects; Project Management; Design / Planning | Reach decision-makers and influencers involved in learning-space purchases |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; C-level; Owner; Partner | Prioritize budget holders and specification authorities |
| Job titles | Director of Facilities; Procurement Director; Purchasing Manager; Capital Projects Manager; Superintendent; COO; Architect; Interior Designer; Campus Planner; Project Manager | Capture the most likely buying and specifying roles |
| Geography | United States; Midwest; Missouri; Kansas; Illinois; Nebraska; Iowa; Oklahoma; Texas | Align with the event’s national scope and Midwest concentration |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Prioritize public school districts, universities, and large design/contracting firms |
| Keywords | school furniture; learning environment; classroom design; campus planning; facilities; procurement; education renovation; student experience; learning spaces | Identify organizations with active learning-space budgets and projects |
| Company type | Public sector; Education; Higher education; Architecture firm; Design firm; Construction firm; Manufacturer; Supplier | Separate buyers, specifiers, and delivery partners |
| Revenue range | Not essential; use where available for private design, construction, and manufacturing firms | Helpful for prioritizing suppliers and consultants with relevant project scale |
| Technologies | AV systems; classroom technology; space planning software; facilities management software; BIM; project management tools | Relevant for integrated classroom and campus environment offerings |
Suggested Apollo search logic: (Education Management OR Higher Education OR Government Administration OR Architecture & Planning OR Construction) AND (Director OR Manager OR VP OR Chief) AND (Procurement OR Facilities OR Operations OR Capital Projects OR Campus Planning OR Purchasing).
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDspaces Official Website | Official organizer / event website | Event name, dates, Kansas City location, positioning, audience themes, agenda/navigation structure, and 2026 call for designed learning spaces | Very High |
| Provided official website text excerpt | Primary-source event copy | Confirmed dates: October 28–30, 2026; location: Kansas City, MO; audience focus: education leaders, architects, designers, and industry partners | Very High |
| Emerald X, LLC | Organizer attribution from site footer | Organizer identity and copyright attribution | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to EdSpaces — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
