FAQs for Convention Registration

You will register under your current membership status or type.

To register as a graduate student for the convention, you must be a graduate student member of 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!

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

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

The only events requiring an extra fee are:

• Pre/Post Convention Workshops (Wednesday morning and Saturday morning)
• Awards and Recognition Luncheon (Thursday 11:30am – 1pm)
• CEC Celebration (Friday 6pm – 8pm)

All other programming is included: 

• 2 Keynote presentations (Wednesday 5pm – 6:30pm, Thursday 4pm – 5pm)
• 300+ sessions (Wednesday 1pm – 4pm, Thursday 8am – 3:15pm, Friday 8am – 3:15pm, Saturday 8am – 11:30am)
• Expo hall with 200+ exhibitors (Wednesday 1pm – 5pm, Thursday 8am – 4pm, Friday 8am – 1pm)
• Opening Reception (Wednesday 6:30pm – 8:30pm)
• Yes I Can Awards Ceremony (Friday)

In-Person Registration includes:

• 2 Keynote presentations on Wednesday and Thursday
• 300+ sessions from Wednesday through Saturday 
• Expo hall with 200+ exhibitors from 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 8, 2026 and includes access to even more sessions and CEUs!)

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

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

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

Visit CEC’s 2026 Convention Hotel page to find a hotel that meets your needs in our block: https://cecconvention.org/hotel-and-travel/housing

Are you looking for someone to help you defray the costs of lodging in Salt Lake City? 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 or view the current list.