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K12 EdTech Connection

K12 EdTech Connection

By: Peter Polygalov & John Faig
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About this listen

K12 EdTech Connection is a candid, no-fluff podcast about how K-12 schools and EdTech companies can work better together.

Hosted by Peter Polygalov, CEO & Founder of EdWave Marketing, and John Faig, Director of Technology at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, each episode brings both sides of the table together: the vendor trying to reach schools, and the K-12 administrator deciding what to buy, pilot, or ignore.

This show is for:

  • K–12 educators, tech directors, and school/district leaders who are tired of the noise and want to make smarter, more confident EdTech decisions.
  • EdTech founders, marketers, and sales teams who want real talk on how schools actually evaluate tools, conferences, outreach, and “the next big thing.”

In each episode, Peter and John unpack topics like conferences, pilots, email outreach, implementation, and long-term partnerships — always grounded in real stories, practical examples, and honest lessons learned.

If you care about building EdTech that truly serves teachers and students and about buying it wisely, you’re in the right place.

Peter Polygalov 2025
Episodes
  • How to Leverage K–12 EdTech Conferences as a Vendor

    How to Leverage K–12 EdTech Conferences as a Vendor
    Dec 11 2025

    Are K–12 EdTech conferences actually worth it for vendors—or just an expensive field trip? In this episode, we break down how to show up at conferences so buyers actually want to talk to you.

    EdTech marketer Peter Polygalov and school tech director John Faig share real stories and hard-won lessons from both sides of the booth. They unpack why conferences still matter in 2025, why the real ROI comes from prep and follow-up, and how to think about conferences as brand-building and qualification, not quick closes.

    You’ll learn how to:

    • Decide which K–12 EdTech conferences to attend (and which to skip)
    • Use conferences to deepen warm relationships instead of chasing cold traffic
    • Ask simple, BANT-style questions to qualify leads quickly
    • Spot the difference between buyer-heavy and PD-heavy events
    • Measure success beyond badge scans and swag grabs

    🎧 Listen if you’re:

    • An EdTech founder, marketer, or seller betting big on conferences this year
    • A K–12 leader who wants vendors to use your time more wisely

    👉 If this episode helps you rethink your conference strategy, follow K12 EdTech Connection on your favorite podcast platform and share it with someone on the other side of the booth.
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    48 mins
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