Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The CABE/CAPSS Convention provides Connecticut board of education members and superintendents the opportunity to acquire knowledge through general sessions and workshops that can help them prepare students to be successful in the 21st Century.
Attend the Convention and experience a day focused on student growth.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: The CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 takes place on November 20-21 at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, Groton, CT.
- 2Scale and Focus: This convention is a key event for Connecticut board of education members and superintendents, focusing on educational leadership.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE).
- 4Entry: Registration is open now; attendees can register online.
Why visit
The CABE/CAPSS Convention provides Connecticut board of education members and superintendents the opportunity to acquire knowledge through general sessions and workshops that can help them prepare students to be successful in the 21st Century. Registration is open now; attendees can register online.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products and services to key decision-makers in the education sector, enhancing visibility and potential partnerships. This convention is a key event for Connecticut board of education members and superintendents, focusing on educational leadership. Attendees include school board members, superintendents, and educational leaders from across Connecticut.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Connecticut board of education members and chairs
District superintendents and assistant superintendents
K-12 school administrators and business managers
Education policy makers and state-level association leaders
Curriculum, instruction and student services directors
Education consultants and service providers evaluating district partnerships
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Edtech and learning management software providers
Curriculum and instructional materials publishers
Student assessment and data analytics vendors
Professional development and leadership training organisations
School facilities, safety and operations suppliers
Education consultancies serving Connecticut districts
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
K-12 curriculum and instructional materials
Education technology and learning platforms
Student assessment and progress-monitoring tools
District management and school operations software
Professional development and leadership programmes
School safety, facilities and student services solutions
Location & Facilities
Venue
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Groton, United States
Facilities
Parking
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Registration is open now; please visit the registration page for details.
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Groton, United States
Why it matters
On 2026-11-20 to 2026-11-21, CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 in Groton covering K-12 curriculum and instructional materials, Education technology and learning platforms, Student assessment and progres gives technology buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
4-star
Groton, ConnecticutConvention venue hotel. Google Hotels guest rating 4.3 from about 2,200 reviews; amenities include paid breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, indoor pool, air conditioning, fitness center, spa and restaurant.
Residence Inn by Marriott Mystic Groton
3-star
Mystic, about 5.9 km from the venue hotelGuest rating 3.9; free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, pet-friendly, fitness center, breakfast, restaurant and kitchen in rooms.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Mystic Waterford
3-star
Waterford, ConnecticutGuest rating 4.0; free breakfast and free Wi-Fi listed in the Google Hotels result set.
Courtyard by Marriott Norwich
3-star
Norwich, ConnecticutPaid breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, indoor pool, air conditioning, fitness center, bar and restaurant listed in the Google Hotels result set.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Bus (SEAT fixed route)
Estimated costApprox. USD 1.75 one way, exact change; confirm current SEAT fares and route times before travel
Best forSoutheast Area Transit local routes linking Groton, New London and the Route 1 corridor
SEAT is the regional bus district for southeastern Connecticut. Service is thinner in the evening and on weekends, and the Mystic Marriott on Route 117 is a short taxi or rideshare hop from the nearest useful stop rather than a doorstep drop.
Commuter rail (CTrail Shore Line East)
Estimated costApprox. USD 3-6 one way for local zone trips; confirm CTrail fares and timetable before travel
Best forNew London (NLC) to Mystic (MYS), Old Saybrook and New Haven
Shore Line East runs along the coast with limited service at Mystic station. From the station, finish with a taxi or rideshare to the venue; do not assume a walkable connection along Route 117.
Intercity rail (Amtrak Northeast Regional)
Estimated costApprox. USD 15-40 one way on the Providence to New London segment depending on fare bucket; confirm Amtrak pricing
Best forBoston and Providence to New London (NLC); New York to New London via Shore Line East connection
New London is the practical rail gateway for the venue. Book early for November travel and build in a 15-20 minute taxi or rideshare from the station to Groton.
Taxi and rideshare
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forGroton, New London and Mystic hotels to Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Rideshare coverage in southeastern Connecticut is thinner than in Hartford or New Haven, especially late evening. Schedule a return trip in advance or keep a local cab number.
Rideshare or rental car from the airport
Estimated costApprox. USD 80-140 one way by rideshare from PVD; rental cars typically priced per day, book ahead
Best forPVD or BDL to Groton and Mystic
If two or more colleagues travel together, a rental car is usually cheaper than separate rideshares and gives you flexibility for dinner in Mystic. Confirm drop-off charges before booking one-way rentals.
Car and parking
Estimated costSelf-parking at the venue hotel is listed as complimentary; confirm with the venue on arrival
Best forI-95 and Route 117 to the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Driving is the default for Connecticut board members and administrators. Allow extra time on I-95 northbound on Friday afternoons, when shoreline traffic builds.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from PVD to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forRhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) to Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from BDL to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forBradley International Airport (BDL) to Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Weather
Groton sits on the Connecticut shoreline, so November 2026 will feel cool, damp and changeable. Typical highs run 8-13 C (46-56 F) with overnight lows near 0-5 C (32-41 F), and coastal Groton often runs a few degrees milder than inland Hartford. Rain is common, the first frost usually arrives in this window, and early-season snow is possible but rarely significant on the coast. Daylight ends around 16:30, so plan evening drives to Mystic or New London accordingly. These are seasonal norms for planning, not an event forecast; check a local forecast 48-72 hours before departure.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dress code
Business casual is the norm for board members and administrators, with superintendents and presenters often in a jacket. Comfortable shoes matter more than formality because the Mystic Marriott's meeting space and parking areas involve outdoor walking in cool, wet November weather.
Badge pickup and registration desk
Registration desks at district-focused conventions are busiest in the 30 minutes before the first session. Bring your district name and confirmation number, and pick up materials on day one so you are not queuing before a workshop you specifically came for.
Tipping and paying
Restaurant tipping in Connecticut runs 18-20 percent, and card payment is standard almost everywhere in Groton and Mystic. Carry a little cash for parking attendants and small purchases, but do not rely on cash-only venues.
Local area around the venue
The venue is on Route 117 in Groton, a short drive from Mystic, whose seaport village and aquarium draw weekend crowds, and from New London across the Thames River. Reserve dinner tables for Thursday to Saturday, when shoreline restaurants fill with visitors.
Getting around without a car
Southeastern Connecticut is car-oriented and there is no metro. If you arrive by train at New London, plan a taxi or rideshare for the final leg to Groton, and confirm a return option for the evening rather than assuming an app car will be nearby.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Groton; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Groton; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa: Groton, Connecticut: Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa; Mystic, about 5.9 km from the venue hotel: Residence Inn by Marriott Mystic Groton; Waterford, Connecticut: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Mystic Waterford.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Groton; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: There is no metro or light rail in southeastern Connecticut, so the Mystic Marriott is reached by road. SEAT (Southeast Area Transit) runs local buses around Groton and New London, and CTrail Shore Line East connects New London with Mystic, Old Saybrook and New Haven, with connecting service toward New York. Amtrak Northeast Regional stops at New London, making rail a realistic option from Boston, Providence, New York and Philadelphia; from New London station, complete the trip by taxi or rideshare to Route 117 in Groton. Service is limited in the evening and at weekends, so check timetables and confirm a return ride before you travel, and expect rideshare availability in Groton to be thinner than in Hartford.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: Mid-November in Groton typically brings daytime highs of 8-13 C (46-56 F) and overnight lows of 0-5 C (32-41 F), with the coast a few degrees milder than inland Connecticut. Frost is likely overnight. Treat these as seasonal norms for packing, not a forecast for the convention dates.
Seasonality: November is one of the wetter, windier months on the Connecticut shoreline, with rain on roughly one day in three and occasional coastal storms that slow traffic on I-95. Snow is possible but rarely accumulates on the coast this early. Sunset falls around 16:30, so a waterproof layer, an umbrella and a warm mid-layer are the practical packing list. Check the local forecast within 72 hours of travel.
Packing: Mid-November in Groton typically brings daytime highs of 8-13 C (46-56 F) and overnight lows of 0-5 C (32-41 F), with the coast a few degrees milder than inland Connecticut. Frost is likely overnight. Treat these as seasonal norms for packing, not a forecast for the convention dates. November is one
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Days 14-12: Confirm your district delegation
T-2
Days 12-10: Register and lock lodging
T-3
Days 10-7: Shortlist workshops against your board goals
T-4
Days 7-5: Travel, mileage and reimbursement paperwork
T-5
Days 5-3: Read the board packet and draft questions
T-6
Days 3-1: Pack for a coastal New England November
T-7
Day before: Documents and logistics
T-8
Day one: Badge, floor plan and follow-up list
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 registration concourse
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your district governance, curriculum or leadership priorities match the CABE/CAPSS programme for this November 2026 edition.
Best for
Connecticut school board members, superintendents and district administrators comparing policy sessions and meeting education service providers.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before the November 2026 edition for registration, hotel booking and travel.
Risks
Session schedule and delegate fees were not published in the captured sources - confirm on cabe.org before committing travel.
exhibit
You sell into Connecticut K-12 districts and can staff a booth at the Mystic Marriott across the convention days.
Best for
Edtech vendors, curriculum publishers, school services firms and consultants who want face time with Connecticut district leaders and board members.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for exhibit hall booking, freight to Groton and pre-show outreach to districts.
Risks
Exhibit space pricing was not captured; contact the exhibit hall coordinator at dcole@capss.org or 860-236-8640 for rates.
skip
Your product or geography does not fit a state school governance audience concentrated in Connecticut.
Best for
Suppliers outside the Connecticut K-12 education market or teams without US public-sector sales capacity.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- CABE
- Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, the statewide association of local school board members that co-organises the convention.
- CAPSS
- Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, the professional association of district superintendents that co-hosts the convention.
- Board of education member
- An elected or appointed local official who sets policy for a Connecticut public school district and is a core delegate at this convention.
- Superintendent
- The chief executive of a public school district, responsible for implementing board policy and district operations.
- Exhibit hall
- The supplier area at the convention where education service providers and edtech vendors meet district and board buyers; contact for exhibit space is Dawn Cole, dcole@capss.org, 860-236-8640.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- CABE Convention 2026
- CABE CAPSS Convention
- education conference Groton 2026
- Connecticut education events
- CABE/CAPSS Convention 2026 Groton
- CABE 2026
- CABE Groton 2026
- CAPSS Convention Groton 2026
- CAPSS 2026
- CAPSS Groton 2026
2 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
Sources
1
References
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Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Connecticut Association of Boards of Education
- event_website
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.