1,500 Educators from Over 30 Countries to Attend, July 15-17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 9, 2025

WHAT 
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global leader in international education—developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people. The IB programme empowers school-aged students to take ownership of their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast. It serves over 5,700 schools in more than 160 countries, impacting more than 1.95 million students globally. 

The IB Global Conference returns to New Orleans — the first conference in the Southern region since it was last held in New Orleans in 2019.  

The 2025 theme, Our Humanity, Connected, emphasizes empathy, innovation, and global citizenship in education, bringing together approximately 1,500 attendees from over 30 countries, including school leaders, educators, and exhibitors. The main conference features over 100 sessions including keynotes, panel discussions, staff and peer-to-peer breakouts and networking opportunities.  

IB is an apolitical organization, not advancing or supporting political positions in any of the 159 countries where it works, including the U.S. Nonetheless, the IB Global Conference will discuss important themes and trending topics, including:  

  • AI in education 
  • Social-emotional learning 
  • Preparing students for an uncertain future 

Keynote speakers include Dean Pedro Noguera, Dr. Ulcca Hansen, and Dr. Gloria Mark.  

IB is organizing a community service project called “Stepping Up for the Kids” to support children in the New Orleans area. The initiative will provide shoes to children under 12 who are living in shelters or have been affected by natural disasters. During the conference celebration dinner, attendees will decorate the shoes, which will then be donated to Hotel Hope and the New Orleans Family Justice Center. 

WHERE 

New Orleans Mariott - 555 Canal Street   

 

WHEN  

July 15 – 17, 2025 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS 

IB Global: media@ibo.org  

New Orleans & Company: Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962,  kschulz@neworleans.com
                                                        Rhonda Cook, 504-616-6161, rcook@neworleans.com

IB executive team members are available for interviews, by request, in the days leading up to and following the conference.  

  • Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General at the IB  
  • Robert Kelty, Head of Development for North America  

 

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA  

Website:  

Social Media:  

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