FAQs for Convention Registration

If you need to cancel your registration, whether for the in-person or virtual Convention, we must have your request in writing. Written notices of cancellation should be sent to [email protected].

• Cancellation requests received between June 8 - October 23 will be refunded at full payment.
• Cancellation requests received between October 24 - January 31 will be refunded, less a 25% cancellation fee.
• Cancellation requests received on or after January 31, 2027 will not be refunded. Transfer requests from in-person to virtual are welcome but the difference in registration will not be refunded after this date.

All cancellations will be processed in the same manner as original payment. If paid by credit card, the refund will be issued to the card on record within 5-7 business days. Payments made by check or purchase order will be refunded as a check and may take up to 30 days after the Convention to process.

Registration changes must be requested in writing to [email protected]. Transfers of registrations and/or workshops may be subject to an additional fee.

You will register under your current membership status or type.

To access member rates for the convention, you must first sign up for a CEC membership. Once your membership is active, log into your account to register for the convention, and the member rates for your membership category will be automatically available.

To register as a graduate student for the convention, you must have a graduate student membership with CEC. 

Credit card or purchase orders (PO) are accepted for convention registration costs. One of these methods must be included when registration is submitted via the online portal or email.

A Purchase Order (PO) is provided by your school/district/organization that says the school, district or organization will be paying for your convention registration. The PO must be made out to CEC and can only be for the convention registration – NO travel nor hotel can be included. 

The online registration portal requires a CEC login (which is free to create!). You can register someone else online, but each new registration will need their own CEC login.

You can also register someone other than yourself by downloading the print form (available on the convention registration page) and emailing it to [email protected] with your payment method included.
 

Yes! Anyone who wants to attend is invited to register. With over 300 sessions, 200 exhibitors, networking opportunities, and several special events, there is something for everyone!

If you are no longer able to attend and do not wish to cancel, you can pursue one of the following transfer options:

• Transfer your registration to our virtual convention event, which takes place on April 7, 2027.
• Transfer your registration to a colleague to attend the in-person convention. Note: if your colleague would fall under a higher registration rate, they will be responsible for covering the cost of the difference.

Transfer requests received after October 23, 2026, will be completed, less a transfer processing fee.

Please contact Member Services at [email protected] or (888) 232-7733 to request that it be added.

Please contact Member Services at [email protected] or (888) 232-7733 to request that it be added.

The events that require an extra fee are:

• Pre/Post Convention Workshops (select sessions on Wednesday and Saturday)
• Awards and Recognition Luncheon (Thursday)
• CEC Celebration (Friday)

All other programming is included in registration: 

• 2 Keynote presentations (Wednesday and Thursday)
• 300+ sessions (Wednesday through Saturday)
• Expo hall with 200+ exhibitors (Wednesday through Friday)
• Opening Reception (Wednesday)
• Yes I Can Awards Ceremony (Friday)

In-Person Registration includes:

• 2 Keynote presentations (Wednesday and Thursday)
• 300+ sessions (Wednesday through Saturday)
• Expo hall with 200+ exhibitors (Wednesday through Friday)
• Opening Reception (Wednesday evening)
• Yes I Can Awards Ceremony (Friday)

In-Person PLUS registration includes all of the above and:

• Ticket to CEC Celebration (Friday evening)
• Registration for Virtual Convention (which starts on April 7, 2027 and includes access to over 30 virtual sessions and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Hours!)

Most special events include food (with options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets):

• Opening Reception (included for all registrants)
• Awards and Recognition Luncheon (requires additional ticket)
• CEC Celebration (requires additional ticket)

Food will be available for purchase in the convention center each day. There are also several food options in the blocks surrounding the convention center.
 

You should have received a confirmation email containing your registration details. You can also view your registration by logging into your CEC account here: https://exceptionalchildren.org/account
 

CEC has partnered with local hotels to secure special rates for CEC 2027 attendees. Visit CEC’s 2027 Convention Hotel page to find a hotel that meets your needs in our block: https://cecconvention.org/attend/hotel-and-travel

Please note: Housing is booked through the Columbus Housing Bureau (Experience Columbus Housing Bureau). They will not call attendees or exhibitors to solicit reservation information. All reservation-related questions and concerns should be sent to [email protected].

Are you looking for someone to help you defray the costs of lodging in Columbus? CEC has set up an online portal for attendees to share information with anyone wishing to share a hotel room within the housing block. Take advantage of the opportunity to cut costs even more by join the list of people searching for roommates.