What’s Happening at CEC 2025 

Registration & CEC Hub Open (2-8 pm)

• If you pre-registered, head directly to the “Badge Pickup” area. If you need to register, change your registration or badge, or add a pre- or post-convention workshop, head to a registration kiosk.
• Check out the CEC Hub, where you can meet with CEC staff, win prizes, and pick up your new favorite shirt or publication in the CEC Store!

Add-On Workshops (9am & 1pm)

• Starting at 9 am, pre-convention workshops are designed for an intense look at a particular topic. See our full list of half and full-day workshops. Additional registration fees are required. 

Sessions Begin (1pm)

• Our concurrent sessions are included as part of your convention registration. Any session listed in the session browser that is not labeled as a workshop is open! See what the different session types mean. Sessions continue on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Expo Open (1pm)

• The Expo Hall is open for adventure. Join over 200 exhibiting companies sharing the latest in programs, technology, products, and education to support your classroom and career. 

Opening General Session with Casey Watts (5-6:30 pm) 

• Kick off CEC2025 at our general session with opening keynote speaker, Casey Watts!  

Welcome Reception at Power Plant Live! (6:30-8:30pm) 

• Join us for an incredible evening where you can explore all that this unique venue has to offer: 

  • the Leinenkugel Lodge and Beer Garden offers you the opportunity to mingle and network with your fellow convention attendees 

  • Luckies Tavern is the place to be to dance the night away with a DJ spinning the tunes you love 

  • get ready to belt your heart out at Luckie Liquors’ karaoke station; rock out with the live band at Angels Rock Bar 

  • test your luck at PBR with a mechanical bull ride! 

Awards and Recognition Luncheon (11:30am-1pm) 

• Celebrate your amazing colleagues at this special event, recognizing CEC National Award recipients, plus honorees from Units and Special Interest Divisions. An additional ticket purchase is required. 

Second General Session: Envisioning Tomorrow for All Learners: AI Revolutionizing Education(4-5pm) 

• This engaging keynote panel discussion will demystify the world of AI and showcase its practical applications in special education. This keynote panel features experts in the field of special education and AI: James “Jamie” D. Basham, Ph.D., Dr. Lisa Dieker, and Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez III, Ph.D. 

Connect: Division Social (5-6:00pm) 

• Get ready for CONNECT: A Social Hour to Engage with your peers and CEC’s Special Interest Divisions. Explore our Special Interest Divisions, spot the ones that fit you best, and catch the opportunity to develop content knowledge and new connections. 

Yes I Can Awards Ceremony (3:30-4:30pm) 

• Honor the achievements of 12 exceptional students who have been recognized for their successes in the areas of Academics, Arts, School & Community Activities, Self-Advocacy, Technology, or Transition. 

CEC Celebration at the Maryland Science Museum (6-8pm) 

• At night, the museum comes to life! Time to join together with all of your new friends and colleagues from CEC2025 at the Maryland Science Center! Dance your way through Newton’s Alley and learn about physical science; travel back in time and hang out with the fossils in Dinosaur Mysteries, grab a bite and head over to Science Aglow to get the scoop on the electromagnetic spectrum, and kick back with a drink and ponder if we really are all alone in the universe at Life Beyond Earth!