Gift-a-Palooza 2024

Our 3rd Annual Virtual Summit on Giftedness & Neurodiversity! LIVE Feb 1-4, 2024

This celebration is dedicated to helping individuals and families in our gifted and multi-exceptional community move from a place of surviving to thriving, by coming together to share and explore our experiences, challenges and joys!

This year, we're bringing together 45+ top experts in giftedness for an array of engaging discussions, live Q&As and special events for educators, families, adults, health professionals and other community members!

Register to access 35+ recordings today!

$139.00

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Summit Overview
Speakers/Topics
Summit Schedule
Sponsors

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Join us for our 3rd annual Gift-a-Palooza!

The Gift-a-Palooza is a unique conference focusing on Giftedness, 2e and Neurodiversity. It offers many sessions with over 45 speakers for both parents, gifted adults (of all ages) and professionals (educators, advocates and mental health experts) in a digital format.

This four day event will feature two live tracks of 75 minute sessions with live discussions and Q&A, alongside pre-recorded sessions, live panel discussions, a gifted young adult section, Profiles in Giftedness, live community and break out groups, and much, much more.

Gift-a-Palooza brings the BEST in the field of gifted and talented together so you have the opportunity to learn from some of the latest research on relevant and important topics in gifted education, social and emotional needs, and mental and physical health. Together, we strive to inform your practice and development, whether an educator, therapist, parent or gifted individual. We hope you join this special event and celebration of our incredible community!

WHO IS THIS SUMMIT FOR?

The Gift-a-Palooza is welcome to everyone who wishes to join! It is designed for the Gifted/Multi-Exceptional community as well as those who are looking to learn more about Giftedness and Neurodiversity, including:

BRINGING A GROUP?

SAVE $25 per ticket when you register for 3 or more participants and $50 per ticket when you register 5 or more participants!

Contact us to sign up for group discounts & learn more:

"We had 6 of our Gifted educators within our school district attend the 2023 Gift-a-Palooza Summit and every single one of them said nothing but positive things about the entire conference. Great learning, great community - thank you for putting this conference together and our staff looks forward to attending again next year!" 
- School District Gifted Administrator 

ALL PARTICIPANTS GET ALL ACCESS:

✔️ 4 DAYS OF LIVE PRESENTATIONS

Experience the 4-day event with LIVE presentations by top experts in the fields of Giftedness and Multi-Exceptionality.

✔️ LIVE Q&As

Participate in LIVE Q&A sessions with the experts following each session.

✔️ UNLIMITED ACCESS TO ALL RECORDINGS 

Unlimited access to OVER 35+ speaker recordings, on any device, any time! 

 ✔️ AN ACCESSIBLE PORTAL

Watch, listen and/or read the transcripts in an accessible, easy-to-use, secure, and personal portal, which is accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device!

✔️ COMMUNITY & CONNECTION

Learning, connection and support with others in the incredible Gifted and 2e community! (Don't forget to join our Social Hour!)

Meet the Hosts!

Hello, and welcome!
We are so thrilled to be here on this journey of learning, supporting, understanding and THRIVING as a gifted, multi-exceptional / neurodiverse community. We get it! With our family of 7 we have experienced it all and know just how hard it is to survive in a world that does not understand giftedness in all its forms.

We are so excited for our 3rd annual Gift-a-Palooza event, where we will be learning together, sharing and just feeling a sense of community together. Let's make this the best experience possible. We hope you will join us!

Mike and Julie Postma,
Co-founders of Gifted & Thriving

Learn More About Our Family
"Thank you so much for putting this amazing event together. I learned so much from every speaker and I love that it's virtual and I can access the sessions again and again throughout the year. I loved it and look forward to next year's summit!"
- 2023 Palooza Attendee
"I loved this entire Summit! All the speakers were so good and really grounded in their expertise in giftedness and neurodiversity. I especially loved the Young Adults Panel Discussion - very insightful! Thank you!"
- 2023 Palooza Attendee

Speakers & Topics

"Navigating an Uncertain Future: Cultivating & Nurturing Hope in the Gifted Community"

Can't attend the live events? All who register will have full access to presentation recordings!

View/Download the Summit Schedule!

Keynote Speakers

Jeamel Alday
Dr. Kristina Henry Collins, Ph.D.
Dr. Richard M. Cash, Ed.D.
Dr. Tracy Cross
Dr. F. Richard Olenchak, PhD, PC
Dr. Sally M. Reis, Ph.D

Panel Discussions

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC
Dr. Dan Peters
Dr. Michael Postma
Caroline Lubbe
Julie Postma
Debbie Reber
Mia Abernethy
Ryan Kricker
Margo Margan
Jordan O’Kelley
Jacob Person
Lisa Jobe, Esq.
Kasi Peters
Cassandra Whetstone

Guest Speaker Presentations

Dr. Linda E. Collins, Ed.D.
Larry M. Davis, MA
Austina De Bonte
Megan Locke
Hilary K. Wisdom
Amy Estersohn, M.A.
Dr. Terry Friedrichs, Ph.D., Ed.D.
Dr. Amy Haynes Clark, Ed.D.
Dr. Matthew Zakreski, PsyD
Gloria Jensen
Lisa Jobe, Esq.
Dr. Heidi Lack, PhD, ATR-BC
Dr. Joy Lawson Davis
Carol Malueg, M.A. GCT
Margo Margan
Rebecca Niederlander
Seth Perler, MEd
Dr. Michael Postma
Dr. Michael Postma
Dr. Matthew Zakreski, PsyD
Julie Skolnick M.A., J.D.
Kasey Suitor, MEd
Elaine Taylor-Klaus, MCC
Christine Turo-Shields
Dr. Chris Wells, PhD, LSW
Emma Nicholson
Sam Young, M.Ed.
Dr. Matthew Zakreski, PsyD

Summit Schedule:

Note that the schedule is subject to change.

Download the Summit Schedule

Register Today

$139

Includes all access!

ACCESS 35+ RECORDINGS OF PRESENTATIONS, Q&As AND PANELS, FEATURING 45+ GIFTED/2e TOP EXPERTS, VIA AN ACCESSIBLE PORTAL

REGISTER NOW

What do the terms Neurodivergent & Neurodiversity mean?

Traditionally, Neurodivergent is a term that refers to those persons whose 'neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation.' Generally speaking, this always meant those with noticeable learning differences, such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD and others.

However, given new revelations in brain research (especially research pertaining to Gifted and/or Multi-Exceptional brains), we are seeing that Neurodiversity applies to a much broader group of people, which includes giftedness, trauma, anxiety, and even auditory or visual processing issues.

So what is Neurodiversity? It's complex. These brains are metaphysically different from their typical peers, and are thus Neurodivergent – which is what we're looking forward to addressing in-depth together in this summit!

Meet Our Sponsors:

Amy Estersohn

Amy Estersohn's professional experience in undergraduate admissions and classroom teaching inform her work families who are looking for education advice. With an approach that's equal parts intuition and information, she is able to provide families with focused recommendations about K-12 schools, colleges, and other postgraduate opportunities.

Learn more at leadwithtalents.com.

Exceptionally Engaged LLC logo

Exceptionally Engaged LLC

We build relationships of trust and safety with multi-exceptional students, neurodivergent individuals, and the families that love them. By combining lived experience, twice-exceptional education strategies, and parenting approaches that align with an individual’s needs, we design learning experiences and support home environments that allow the family to flourish.

Learn more at
exceptionallyengaged.com.

WKU The Center for Gifted Studies logo

nRich Educational Consulting, Inc.

Dr. Cash has been in the field of education for more than 3 decades as a teacher, district administrator, university professor, author and consultant. He is keenly aware of the demands placed on teachers to improve student achievement, while also trying to create rich learning environments.

Learn more at nrichconsulting.com.

WKU The Center for Gifted Studies logo

Summit Center

Summit Center provides assessments, counseling and consultation for gifted and twice-exceptional children, adults, and families, using a strength-based approach. Offices in California. Learn more at summitcenter.us.

Learn more at
summitcenter.us.

Let's keep in touch!

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Learn about upcoming events, workshops, sales & more!

Do you have any questions, or want to learn more about sponsorships or groups?

Contact Mike & Julie Postma:

Gift-a-Palooza 2024

Summit Overview
Speakers/Topics
Summit Schedule
Sponsors

Register Today

$139

Includes all access!

ACCESS 35+ RECORDINGS OF PRESENTATIONS, Q&As AND PANELS, FEATURING 45+ GIFTED/2e TOP EXPERTS, VIA AN ACCESSIBLE PORTAL

REGISTER NOW