CEC 2024 FAQs

This is a come-as-you-are convention! Most attendees choose to wear business casual (we include jeans in that category). We always suggest bringing a sweater or light jacket, as session rooms can get chilly.

The average March weather in San Antonio is a high of 74 and low of 52, so keep that in mind!

There is parking at the convention center as well as at several hotels nearby. Here’s a map of public parking locations.

There is no transportation or transportation assistance provided between the hotels and the convention center. All hotels in the official CEC block are within walking distance of the convention center, no more than 7 blocks away.

Bags, backpacks, purses, etc. are allowed.

The following items are not permitted in the Convention Center:

• Helium balloons are not permitted, however, air filled balloons are welcome.
• No outside food or beverages are permitted.
• Cascarones (confetti eggs) and glitter are not allowed in any area of the Convention Center or Lila Cockrell Theater.

Head to Expo Hall 3 on the Street Level in the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center to get your badge. If you pre-registered, head directly to the badge pickup area.

Registration will be open at the following times:

• Tuesday, 2:00-7:00 pm
• Wednesday, 7:00 am-8:00 pm
• Thursday, 7:30 am-5:00 pm
• Friday, 7:30 am-5:00 pm
• Saturday, 7:30-11:30 am  

• You can add a Workshop to your registration any time before the workshops begin at the . If you’re in town on Tuesday, you can come to registration from 2:00-7:00 pm to add your workshops and beat the rush on Wednesday morning.
• There are limited tickets available for the CEC Celebration on Friday. Stop by the Special Events desk at registration to purchase.
• The Awards Luncheon is sold out. You can stop by the Special Events desk to see if there have been any cancellations.  

You can pick up your ticket at the Special Events desk at registration. Any tickets in your name will be available there. 

Complimentary Wifi is available in public spaces and the meeting rooms. Select "Free Internet" as the network. First-time users will be asked to create an account and verify their email address to get connected.

Meals are not provided as part of convention registration, but there will be food at various events, and lunch options will be available for purchase in the Expo Hall on Thursday and Friday.

• Wednesday: Welcome Reception with complimentary appetizers, 6:30-8:30 pm
• Thursday:
  • Complimentary coffee in Expo Hall 3, 8:00-10:00 am;
  • Lunch concessions available for purchase in Expo Hall 3, 11:00 am-1:00 pm;
  • Complimentary afternoon snacks in Expo Hall 3, 3:15-4:00 pm;
  • Division Social Safari with complimentary appetizers, 5:00-6:30 pm
• Friday:
  • Complimentary coffee in Expo Hall 3, 8:00-10:00 am;
  • Lunch concessions available for purchase in Expo Hall 3, 11:00 am-1:00 pm;
  • Complimentary afternoon snacks in Expo Hall 3, 3:15-4:00 pm;

If you’ve purchased a ticket for the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, a plated lunch is included. If you’ve purchased a ticket for the CEC Celebration, your ticket includes food and is valid for one (1) drink.

You can find the Sensory Room located in room 222. This room is a quiet, no-talking space. Please do not use this room for phone calls or other conversations.

Thank you to Social Cipher for their support of the Sensory Room.

There are two locations available for nursing mothers:

• Street Level, off the Lobby Corridor between Hall 3 and Hall 4A  
• Meeting Room Level, next to room 215

If you’re looking for something (or if you’ve found something), please come to the registration area.

If you’ve already talked to a CEC staff member about your need, head to the CEC Solutions desk. If you need to request an accommodation, please email accessibility@exceptionalchildren.org as soon as possible.  

The Whova app has the most up-to-date information on all sessions, meetings, and other events. Check the app each day, as room assignments for sessions may change.

Yes! Any materials the speakers have made available will be available through Whova through June 30, 2024.

You’ll find poster sessions in the Expo Hall. When you’re searching for posters on the app, you’ll see the location listed as a letter and a number (i.e. “Poster B22”). That location refers to the poster round (time block) and the specific numbered board within that round where you can find the poster.

All attendees will receive an email with information on claiming CEUs. The portal to request CEUs will be open through July 30, 2024.

There are two ticketed events happening. Each of these requires an additional registration for admittance.

• Awards Luncheon, Thursday, 11:30 am-1 pm, Hall 3
• CEC Celebration, Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm, River Level Rooms & Grotto

If you already purchased your tickets, you can pick them up at the Special Events desk at registration.

There are limited tickets available for the CEC Celebration on Friday. Stop by the Special Events desk at registration to purchase.

The Awards Luncheon is sold out. You can stop by the Special Events desk to see if there have been any cancellations.

These events are open to all attendees (and they’ll feature free appetizers!)

• Welcome Reception, Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm, Expo Hall
• Division Social Safari, Thursday, 5:00-6:30 pm, River Level Rooms  

Check the Whova app for the most up-to-date information on the time and location of a specific meeting. You can search the track “Divisions & Units” or “Affinity Groups” to see all meetings.

The Expo Hall will be open to visit vendors, the Technology Playground, Wellness Pavilion, Student-Run Enterprises (“Student Store”), Sticker Bar, etc. at the following times:

• Wednesday, 1:00-5:00 pm and 6:30-8:00 pm
• Thursday and Friday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Registration, the CEC Hub, and CEC Store will be open at the following times:

• Tuesday, 2:00-7:00 pm
• Wednesday, 7:00 am-8:00 pm
• Thursday, 7:30 am-5:00 pm
• Friday, 7:30 am-5:00 pm
• Saturday, 7:30-11:30 am (Registration only_  

Hit the Hub! The CEC Hub, located in the Expo Hall, includes a space to learn more about membership and join CEC or one of our Special Interest Divisions. You can also earn chips to drop in the CEC Clinko board and win prizes!

To learn more about any/all of our 18 Divisions, come to the Division Social Safari on Thursday evening, 5:00-6:30 on the River Level.

Take a cruisearound the Expo Hall and visit our featured exhibitors for your chance to win one of ten $100 gift cards! Learn more about their products and services to receive your stamp. Once you’ve collected all the stamps, drop your card off at the CEC Hub by Friday, March 15th at 3pm. 

The Wellness Pavilion, sponsored by the Namaste Project, is located in the Expo Hall. You can take a moment for a mindfulness break, grab some free resources, as well as join 5-7 minute wellness mini-sessions in between programming sessions. The Namaste Project will also host a one-hour session on gentle yoga and mindfulness in room 006D on Friday morning at 8 AM.

Booth 132 is home to our new Sticker Bar! Stop by to grab a sticker or two you can use to decorate your water bottle, laptop, cell phone, planner, face…the possibilities are endless.

We’re excited to feature student entrepreneurs from three local districts in our Student-Run Enterprises store in Booth 100. Check out the products from the students at these times (each group will have their own products, so make sure you stop by to see all 3!)

• Wednesday and Thursday: Cleburne ISD
• Friday: La Vernia ISD and Lake Belton ISD