School Photographers of America Celebrates Success At The 2026 SPOA International Summit on School Photography & Yearbooks

Raleigh, N.C. –  Five years ago, we challenged ourselves to answer a simple question: What could our industry accomplish if we came together? The answer was on full display at the 5th Annual SPOA International Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina. Returning for our second year in Raleigh, this year's event was proof of what's possible when momentum continues to build. With every member, every

partnership, every educational session, and every conversation, we're seeing the impact of an industry that's choosing to move forward together.

The 2026 SPOA International Summit welcomed 297 attendees, representing 27 member companies, 30 supplier partners, and 31 states, and featured 43 educational sessions presented by 65 expert speakers. Together, attendees explored emerging trends, shared best practices, and built meaningful relationships that will continue to elevate our industry.

Industry-Forward Education

Education remained at the heart of the Summit, with an engaging lineup of expert-led sessions and panel discussions.

Attendees explored a wide range of topics, including business growth, marketing, leadership development, AI, emerging technologies, sales strategies, yearbook production, operational efficiencies, and strengthening relationships with schools and districts. Each session was designed to equip attendees with practical knowledge while reinforcing SPOA's commitment to building a stronger industry together.

New! SPOA 101 Pre-Con

New this year, SPOA 101 was introduced as a dedicated pre-conference session for first-time attendees and newer members! Designed to help attendees get the most out of their membership and Summit experience, the session introduced attendees to SPOA's mission, year-round advocacy efforts, member benefits, and the many ways to get involved within the association.

BIG News! SPOA Accreditation Program

The 2026 Summit also marked the official launch of the SPOA Accreditation Program, a significant milestone for both the association and the school photography industry.

Developed to recognize professional photography companies that meet established standards and industry best practices, the accreditation program provides schools and districts with added confidence when selecting photography partners. The initiative reinforces SPOA's ongoing commitment to professionalism, quality, ethics, and continuous improvement across the industry.

Applications for accreditation are now officially open!

Celebrating Excellence

The SPOA Annual Industry Awards Dinner, sponsored by Captura, was a true celebration of the people, passion, and dedication that make the school photography industry so special. From the moment the evening began, the excitement in the room was undeniable, filled with high fives, hugs, and moments of genuine celebration. Every award, every speaker, and every cheer reflected the incredible community that continues to strengthen this profession.

In addition to the Photography and Yearbook awards, the evening honored outstanding individuals through the Rising Star Award, Dedication to Mentorship Award, Perseverance Award, President’s Award, Hall of Fame Induction, and the Captura Legacy Award, recognizing those who have made a lasting impact through their leadership, commitment, and contributions to the industry. The evening was a true reminder of what makes the SPOA community unique. We also recognized the incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help bring the Summit experience to life. SPOA is incredibly grateful for the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and passion to make the 2026 Summit such a success.

The celebration continued long after the final award was presented, with attendees sharing laughs, taking celebratory photos, dancing, and creating memories together.

New! Yearbook Competition

We proudly launched the SPOA Gallery & Grand Champion Yearbook Awards to celebrate student achievement and recognize the creativity, photography, and storytelling behind

outstanding school publications across the country.

Entries were evaluated by a blue-ribbon panel of yearbook innovators specializing in photo-driven publications, with judges focusing on student photography, design, storytelling, and overall concept. The top publications earned recognition in the SPOA Gallery and were celebrated during the SPOA Annual Industry Awards Banquet. We are looking forward to announcing the Grand Champions this fall! Read the full Yearbook Awards Press Release here.

Industry Photo Competition

The SPOA Industry Photo Competition continued to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and dedication of school photographers across the industry. Featuring 12 categories of competition, each entry was extensively judged by industry professionals,

recognizing photographers who demonstrate exceptional technical skill,

artistic vision, and storytelling through their work.

The competition reached its exciting conclusion during the SPOA Annual Industry Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 25, where Grand Champions were announced and celebrated among their peers. Each Grand Champion received a Canon camera generously sponsored by Canon in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Business Solutions Exchange

Networking continued to be a cornerstone of the Summit experience, creating opportunities for school photography professionals and supplier partners to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The Business Solutions Exchange provided a unique space for attendees to share ideas, discuss challenges, and explore solutions with fellow industry companies of all sizes and backgrounds. By bringing together professionals from across the country, the exchange encouraged open conversations and fresh perspectives that strengthen the industry as a whole.

Reverse Expo

The Reverse Expo is becoming one of the Summit's most energetic and talked-about events. This is an opportunity for business suppliers to break the ice, give an elevator pitch, and build relationships in a fun, fast-paced, approachable setting. Attendees walked away energized by the conversations, new connections, and solutions they discovered, while supplier partners shared that same excitement as they connected with passionate

professionals from across the industry. The event set the stage for meaningful conversations that continue long after the Summit concludes.

Women in Leadership Breakfast

The annual Women in Leadership Breakfast is a meaningful tradition within the SPOA community, bringing together women from across the industry to celebrate leadership and inspire one another through shared experiences.

Each year, Dr. Lillie Cox brings her inspiring perspective and leadership expertise to the breakfast, encouraging attendees to embrace their strengths, invest in their growth, and continue making an impact within their businesses and communities.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

The success of the 2026 SPOA International Summit would not have been possible without the incredible support, partnership, and investment of our sponsors. Their commitment goes far beyond supporting an event. They play an essential role in helping SPOA provide meaningful education, create opportunities for connection, and continue advancing the school photography industry!

Looking Ahead

The momentum created over the past five years is only the beginning. As SPOA continues to grow, the association remains focused on building a stronger future for school photography. 

In the year ahead, SPOA will continue expanding the Accreditation Program, providing schools with greater confidence in their photography partners while recognizing companies committed to professional standards and industry best practices. The association will also continue its advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry, working to protect and preserve the profession while ensuring the voices of school photographers are represented.

With expanded educational opportunities, new resources, and continued collaboration among members and supplier partners, SPOA is committed to creating even more ways for the community to connect, learn, and grow.

Planning is already underway for the 2027 SPOA International Summit! If the past five years have shown us anything, it is that when our industry comes together with a shared vision, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. The momentum is here, and the future of school photography has never been brighter.

We are just getting started!