A conference staple for more than a decade, the Social Media Lounge returns to AASA’s 2025 National Conference on Education in New Orleans better than ever.  

The Social Media Lounge, located at Booth 425 in the exhibit hall, is the place to connect, learn from social-savvy superintendents, explore best practices, snap photos and network with education leaders.  

Three hour-long sessions will take place in the lounge: 

• Fostering Mental Wellness and Community Connection Through Social Media at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, with moderator Tobin Novasio, superintendent in Hardin, Mont., and panelists Edward Manuszak, executive director of early childhood of Washtenaw Intermediate School District in Michigan; Zandra Jo Galvan, superintendent of Salinas Union High School District in California; Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, superintendent/CEO in Hartford, Conn.; and Nick Polyak, superintendent of Leyden High School District 212 in Illinois. 

• Harnessing AI for District Success: Best Practices for Social Media and Beyond at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, with moderator Kirk Koennecke, superintendent of Indian Hill School District in Ohio, and panelists Martha Salazar Zamora, superintendent in Tomball, Texas; Nathan L. Fisher, superintendent in Roselle Borough, N.J.; Rupak Gandhi, superintendent in Fargo, N.D.; and Krestin Bahr, superintendent of Peninsula School District in Washington, Wash. 

• Tackling Misinformation and Fake News in Public Education at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, March 7, with moderator Katrise Perera, superintendent of Lancaster Independent School District in Texas, and panelists Shari Camhi, superintendent in Baldwin, N.Y.; Curtis Finch, superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District in Arizona; Barbara Mullen, superintendent of Rush-Henrietta Central School District in New York; and Kimberly Simpson, chief communications officer of Lancaster Independent School District in Texas. 

The Social Media Lounge will host a happy hour-style reception, where conference attendees can network, from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 6. 

New this year, attendees will have the chance to win big by participating in a raffle giveaway. Simply attend sessions at the booth to receive a ticket. Each session ends with a live drawing, where participants can win gift cards, AASA branded merchandise and even a complimentary registration to the 2026 national conference in Nashville. 

The interactive social media wall is making a comeback, replete with a new polling feature. Attendees are encouraged to join the conversation one of three ways: 

• By using the #NCE2025 hashtag on all conference posts on their personal social channels and responding to questions posted on AASA’s social media channels; 

• By clicking the purple “Create Post” button here; or 

• By scanning the QR code featured around the conference center TV screens. 

These social posts and poll results will be showcased in real time on the wall throughout the conference. 

Plus, conference participants can capture the moment at the revamped photo area, featuring festive Mardi Gras-themed props perfect for selfies and group shots.  

The 2025 Social Media Lounge sponsors are: ACT, AFS Intercultural, Certified Contractors and Renaissance. The lounge was designed and furnished by EDmarket and Meteor Education. 

(Amiela Arcellana is a reporter with Conference Daily Online and AASA’s marketing coordinator.)