The keynote for the gala and awards banquet is Dr. Mark Schug, professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Schug has served as a national fellow for the National Council on Economic Education, and works as a consultant and economic and personal finance education, and urban education policy.

At the annual conference, three keynotes have been confirmed: Mark Ritchie, the Minnesota Secretary of State; John Moore, president-elect for the National Council for Social Studies; and Rose Chu, the Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. Ms. Chu will answer questions about the social studies standards revision.