CEC2026: Traverse the Expo Hall, Technology Playground, and Wellness Pavilion
CEC 2026 is right around the corner! Have you registered yet? Don’t miss your chance to join thousands of special education professionals in Salt Lake City, March 11–14, for the most anticipated event of the year!
This is more than just a convention—it’s your opportunity to learn, grow, connect, and celebrate the profession alongside fellow educators from across the country and around the world. With over 300 professional learning sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, more than 200 exhibitors, and unforgettable events like the CEC Celebration and the Yes I Can Awards Ceremony, there’s something here for everyone.
Expo Hall: Discover. Connect. Innovate.
Walking into the CEC 2026 Expo Hall is like stepping into a dynamic hub of innovation. Whether you're looking for cutting-edge curriculum materials, assistive technology tools, or classroom supports, the Expo Hall offers a wealth of resources to enhance your practice and support students with exceptionalities.
Stop by the Poster Sessions, held during program hours, to engage with the latest research and innovations in the field. Don't miss your chance to chat with vendors and learn how their products can help you tackle everyday classroom challenges, from adaptive tools and sensory materials to communication devices and instructional software.
Special Features in the Expo Hall:
- Student-Run Enterprises: Visit booths near the entrance to General Sessions to support student entrepreneurs and purchase one-of-a-kind items.
- Sticker Bar: Customize your water bottle, laptop, or planner with fun and engaging stickers.
- Passport Challenge: Get your Expo Hall Passport stamped at participating booths for a chance to win prizes
- Teacher Lounge: Sit back and relax with comfy seating, interactive stations, and testimonials celebrating teachers
- Advocacy Action Station: Stand up for special education and access tools and resources to become an effective advocate, learn about the issues impacting the field, and contact your elected representatives to make a change.
Technology Playground: Try, Learn, Transform
Technology continues to change how we teach, learn, and connect, and nowhere is that more evident than in the CEC-ISET Technology Playground. This hands-on space allows you to explore the latest assistive technologies, digital learning tools, and accessibility innovations, all designed to help students with disabilities thrive.
You'll find:
- Virtual reality experiences
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools
- Interactive apps and software
- Opportunities to get CE hours for hands-on learning
Check out the Tech Playground Innovation Showcase. Presented for the first time this year, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with vendors to get an in-depth demonstration with local educators and students on the latest innovations, along with a free boxed meal!
Whether you're a tech newbie or a seasoned innovator, the Technology Playground will leave you with ideas and inspiration you can take straight back to your classroom.
The Wellness Pavilion: Breathe, Relax, Recharge
Amid a jam-packed schedule, don't forget to take care of you. The Wellness Pavilion, sponsored by The Namaste Project, is your go-to spot for pausing and resetting.
Stop in for:
- Guided mindfulness sessions
- Art and journaling stations
- Quiet space to unwind between sessions
- Prioritizing your wellness helps you bring your best self to the students you serve, and this dedicated space supports just that.
Attending CEC's Special Education Convention & Expo is more than a professional development opportunity; it's a transformative experience. From the buzzing Expo Hall to the cutting-edge Technology Playground and the restorative Wellness Pavilion, CEC 2026 is where passion meets progress. Register today and be part of a movement that celebrates, supports, and advances the field of special education.