AD 360 Podcast — National Athletic Directors Conference Preview

Host: PlayOn Sports
Date: November 18, 2025
Guests: Former Athletic Directors Greg Vandermade (A) and Scott Rosenberg (B)

Episode Overview

This episode of AD 360 serves as a comprehensive preview and practical guide to the upcoming National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Conference in Tampa. Hosts Greg and Scott, both former athletic directors, break down strategies for getting the most value from the event—no matter your level of experience in the field. They discuss how to prepare, network, select sessions, navigate the vendor hall, and foster professional relationships, all while sharing stories and handy tips drawn from their own years in high school athletics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Value and Purpose of Attending the NIAAA Conference

• Professional Development:

  • Both national and state conferences offer vital opportunities for growth, learning, and networking.
  • Attending should be a professional goal for all ADs; start with state conferences if travel or funding is an obstacle (01:59).

• Documenting Value:

  • Greg and Scott recommend keeping a daily record of takeaways to demonstrate conference value to school leadership and justify attendance costs (04:27).
  • “Jot down some notes of some key takeaways. So then that way when you're going back and you're talking to the brass, you can tell them, hey, here are some things that I'm bringing back from this.” – Greg (04:27)

• Planning Ahead:

  • Attendees should review the conference agenda in advance, choosing key sessions, networking targets, and vendor visits to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
  • “It’s like eating an elephant, right. You got to take it a bite at a time and you got to understand where you want to go with it.” – Greg (05:11)

• Self-care:

  • Scott reminds listeners not to over-schedule themselves and to include downtime; Tampa's warm weather is a bonus for decompressing (05:57).

2. Effective Networking Approaches

• Be Present and Proactive:

  • Attend social events and educational sessions to meet peers and exhibitors.
  • Make early LinkedIn connections with speakers or desired contacts and set up meetings if possible (06:45).

• Leverage Common Ground:

  • Wearing school-branded gear and name tags acts as an instant icebreaker and helps make connections, even with total strangers (09:01).
  • “Wear your name tag ... I think like, wear your logo gear for your school there, because again... maybe it'll bring out an automatic connection.” – Scott (09:01)

• Diversity of Perspectives:

  • Connecting with both newcomers and veteran ADs can provide fresh ideas and time-tested wisdom. Challenges often cross experience boundaries, but different solutions emerge from different vantage points (13:05).

3. Maximizing Sessions and LTIs (Leadership Training Institute classes)

• Session Selection:

  • Plan session attendance based on your current challenges and interests; for example, new programs, legal updates, or coach retention strategies. General sessions and orientations are especially valuable for first-timers (14:52).
  • “You really are getting some excellent, excellent people who are the speakers and who are running these sessions that again, you can network with.” – Scott (17:04)

• Insight from Practitioners:

  • Most presenters are practicing or former ADs, bringing practical, not just theoretical, advice (17:04).

4. Navigating the Vendor Hall

• Strategic vs. Exploratory:

  • Enter the vendor hall with a “to-do list” of needs (equipment, technology, branding), but also allow room for serendipity and discovery (20:23).
  • Enjoy seeing new products, even if they’re not immediately needed.

• Getting Deals:

  • Many vendors offer “show specials”—plan ahead, and if possible, secure administrative approval in advance for any intended purchases (21:25).

• Relationship-Building:

  • Meet with vendors you already use to solidify relationships ("have that proverbial bat phone to them"); use the opportunity to introduce yourself if you’re inheriting vendor contacts from a predecessor (22:48).

• Logistical Tips:

  • Know booth numbers in advance and schedule meetings with important vendors ahead of time.
  • “Shameless plug—PlayOn NFHS Network, vendor booth 1301 and MaxPreps is 1407...” – Scott (25:01)

5. Conference Attendee Diversity

• Experience Levels Impact Experience:
  • New ADs should act like “freshmen at a club fair”—attend widely and experiment, while veterans may focus on targeted topics or relationships (11:41).

6. Memorable Moments and Humor

• Greg’s Halloween costume anecdote and the ongoing banter about embarrassing children or autograph sessions bring a relaxed, collegial tone to the discussion (00:53, 26:17).

Notable Quotes

• On Preparation:
  “Plan in advance, see what's out there, see what's available, try and have in your head some things that you want to do and accomplish, and obviously be open and flexible to pivot and do something else.” — Scott (01:59)

• On Networking:
  “The social element is very important ... you build out that network to be able to rely upon in future time so you could reach back out to them weeks, months, years later.” — Greg (06:45)

  “Wear your name tag ... put on some gear that represents your school. I think that's kind of a smart approach to it, along with all those other things that you mentioned.” — Scott (09:01)

• On Learning from Each Other:
  “There's the fresh approach of a newer AD ... and then the flip side of that is, you know, you're green, you haven't seen everything yet. And you start chatting with an AD and ... hearing about them like, whoa, oh man, I hope I never encounter that." — Greg (13:05)

• On Vendor Relationships:
  “You want to have a good relationship with your direct contact. I think it is very important to be able to set some time aside, reach out to them, start developing your own relationships.” — Greg (22:48)

• On Managing Time:
  “Don't over plan at the same time, and make sure you're building in ... time to relax, kick back, spend some time with your colleagues as well.” — Scott (05:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Getting Permission & Demonstrating Conference Value: 01:59 – 05:11
• Planning & Avoiding Overwhelm: 05:11 – 06:29
• Networking Strategies & Social Events: 06:29 – 11:23
• Engaging with New and Veteran AD Perspectives: 11:23 – 14:27
• Breakout Sessions and LTIs — How to Choose: 14:27 – 18:48
• Vendor Hall Tips and Relationship Management: 18:48 – 25:01
• Vendor Plugs and Booth Numbers: 25:01 – 26:08
• Closing Comments and Podcast Community Invitation: 26:08 – 27:11

Conclusion

Greg and Scott offer a mix of strategic tips, relatable stories, and a touch of humor to equip athletic directors of all experience levels for a successful NIAAA Conference experience. They advocate for intentional planning, proactive networking, and relationship management—with a reminder to enjoy the camaraderie and energizing atmosphere unique to high school athletic leadership.
"Come by, see us. We'd love to chat with you... Maybe you want to be on the podcast with us. Come see me." – Scott (26:48–26:53)